Travel Talk

Tips For Planning A Memorable Road Trip This Summer

Nothing better to do in the summer than going on a getaway that you’ve been planning all year. In fact, you are not alone in this. Millions of people are planning their perfect trips just for the summer. 

However, before you even start planning, there are some things you should know. Here are some tips so you can properly prepare for your road trip. Get ready for some of the best adventures of your life.

Plan your route carefully

I’ve seen many people’s plans for the summer get ruined because they chose the wrong route. From traffic jams to bad weather, there are many things that could go wrong if you don’t choose the most optimal route.

Luckily for us, we now have cool apps that can help us plan the best routes. Google maps, for example, can help you plan your route ahead of time within a few minutes. These apps might even be better than trusting a friend or family member in some cases.

Van Check

Traveling by van is a preferred way to do a road trip for comfort and convenience. When planning to drive your own van, I recommend you go to a mechanic and get it checked up first. If you’re thinking of taking your work van, Motorpoint has some great ideas on how to do just that. 

Here is a checklist for you:

  • Change transmission fluid
  • Inspect belts and hoses
  • Check your oil levels and filter
  • Make sure all fluid levels are proper
  • Check your tires and spare tire
  • Test the battery and brakes

Prepare for emergency

It doesn’t matter how much time you’ve spent planning your trip; you should always anticipate that things could go wrong anytime and anywhere. Let’s say that you’re travelling by van and your van ends up breaking down on the side of the road. If you had prepared some kind of a plan beforehand, this scenario wouldn’t feel as bad as it might sound.

First of all, make sure your emergency contact numbers are programmed and ready to be called into your phone. Also, depending on where you’re planning to travel, placing flares a few meters behind your car could prevent accidents. Also, before you start wandering around, remember that most of the time, it would be safer for you to stay close or inside the van.

Pack your bags several days before your trip

Nothing worse than forgetting something when you’re already on the road. This is why you should prepare everything long before your trip. Once again, here is a checklist for you:

  • Rope
  • A plastic tarp
  • Blankets
  • Bottled water and snacks
  • Flashlight and spare batteries
  • Tool kit
  • First-aid kit
  • Duct tape
  • Jumper cables
  • A tire pressure gauge and a can of compressed air

Feel free to customize the checklist however you see fit. An additional piece of advice I can give you is to place emergency items like a first-aid kit last. This way, it won’t get buried by other items, and you can get it easily whenever you need it.

Always stay safe

Safety is always first when you’re travelling. Make sure everyone in the van is buckled up at all times. Don’t underestimate the seat belts. Not only is it the law to put them on, but they could also save lives. 

Always trust your instinct! If you’re feeling tired and need some rest, pull up at the nearest rest point immediately. Or perhaps, if someone can be the driver for a while, then you should switch with them.

These tips will surely make your tips all the more enjoyable. All that’s left is to enjoy your summer road trip with the people you love.

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