Traveling by car: things you need to do before hitting the road

by Groshan Fabiola I try to cover as many topics as I can

Not all people are willing to hop into the car and drive far away. That’s because they aren’t spontaneous. The thing is that most individuals don’t follow their sudden inclinations. They are planners. Spontaneous people, unlike planners, know very well that things are beyond their control and they value and they don’t hold back from embarking in road trips. They love to move and uncover. How about you? Instead of spending hours in a cramped space, you should better travel by car. No matter if it’s with family or close friends, a road trip provides you an exceptional experience. You can go to marvelous places and drive as much as you want.

Traveling by car doesn’t need too much planning. Planning a trip can take hours and hours, but it’s necessary. Sure, it may not give you the feeling of freedom that you desperately yearn for. Yet, if you don’t plan in advance, you’ll have a mediocre vacation instead of an exceptional one. Planning may very seem like an easy task. In reality, it isn’t. the following pieces of advice will help you make the road trip a good one. Read and enjoy!

Determine if you’re up for driving

The first thing that you need to ask yourself when traveling by car is “Should I drive?”. You’re going on an extended vacation and you’re not going to hit the highway in a rented vehicle. Each destination on the way is about 12 hours. You can drive as many hours as you want. However, at some point or the other, you’re going to get tired, especially if you journey by night. Driver fatigue can lead to accidents. Take breaks every 2 hours for at least 15 minutes. If you’re traveling with loved ones or friends, then think about sharing the driver duties. You shouldn’t be the only one driving.

Put together an itinerary

Many think that traveling with no plan is the best way to journey. Planning the itinerary several days in advance isn’t a good idea. Do you know why? Because things won’t go smoothly. Far from that. you won’t be able to see all the attractions you wanted, not to mention that you’ll spend more money than expected. The best way to ensure that you come back happy from your road trip is to put together an itinerary. You know the destination, but you still need to figure out the route and stops. Prior to making a map, take into account trip mileage and driving times. Regardless of how much you plan, you should expect things to go in a different way. You may come across road constructions or closed bridges. Be relaxed and accept the situation. You’ll find a way out.

Get the car ready

Before hitting the open road, it’s essential to get your car ready. The last thing you want is to find yourself stuck by the side of the road. That isn’t going to happen if you make sure to use the following checklist:

1. Check the fluids – vehicles are similar to living organisms, in the sense that they need liquid to survive. Checking the fluids helps protect against breakdown, mechanical damage, and even accidents. Ensure that there is enough engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and, finally yet importantly, windshield washer fluid.

2. Get a rooftop cargo carrier – you won’t be able to fit all the luggage and gear into the car. Since you can’t make more room in the vehicle, you should better get a rooftop cargo carrier. The appropriate cargo carrier for your trip will help you handle the extra luggage. What is certain is that a rooftop cargo carrier is better than a trailer hitch. No matter what roof rack you opt for, check with the automobile’s manual so as to understand weight limits.

3. Inspect the car brakes – according to AskMen, it’s of paramount importance to ensure that the braking system is in tip-top condition. Brakes are safety devices, so you understand why it’s important to inspect them before leaving. Start with the brake disks. Thy should be shiny and uniform. What about the brake pads? Are they worn out? Last but not least, take a look at the brake lines. Think about visiting the mechanic.

Get to know your travelers

Maybe you’re not going on holiday with your family. You’ve decided to spend some quality time with your best friends. If traveling with family is awesome, traveling with friends is even better. Journeying together will be a great deal of fun, but it will also test your friendship. It’s recommendable to get to know the people with whom you’re setting out. You may think that you know the people who are close to you. Yet, you have limited knowledge. Make sure that your companions don’t do anything stupid, such as bringing illegal substances. You don’t want to get into trouble. Equally important is to make sure that the insurance covers the driver in the event of an accident.

Decide what to bring with you

College students, as well as retirees, travel by car. The car is in an impeccable condition, so you have peace of mind in this respect. Before heading out on your holiday gateway, decide what you’re going to bring with you. You need to have a good idea what you want to be able to buy the right crossbars. Without a rack system, you can’t ride smoothly. In addition to bags, clothing, and snacks, you might want to bring the following things:

· Road map – should you ever get lost, the road map will come in handy. However, why should you use a map when you can rely on a GPS? The GPS navigator shows real-time locations and enables you to choose the shortest route to the destination.

· Phone holder – the likelihood is that you’re not likely to leave home without your precious mobile phone. Nonetheless, you can’t drive and talk. This is why you need a phone holder. You can communicate at ease and you don’t have to worry about penalties.

· Music – some individuals play games to make time go by faster. If you’re not into games, bring quality music. Make a playlist with catchy tunes. When you’re on the open road, you’ll be thankful for the tunes.