Road trips have been glorified in films and songs for decades. If you want to get away and explore a country or continent whilst in control of your journey then there is something very romantic about a road trip! Take the pain out of planning with these quick tips.
Plan the route
So, planning the route sounds like it is taking the fun out of the road trip but it doesn’t need to! You don’t need to know every turn but an understanding of the general direction will save a lot of headaches further down the line.
The benefits of even the most basic of planning is that you will have an idea on what service stations to stop to refuel at, what places to rest up for a night and pick the more scenic routes where possible. Grab yourself a deal on sat navs before you so that you can leave the paper maps at home! Think about purchasing a fuel card for your trip, you can view fuel card options from iCompario.
Safety Gear
Whilst you hope that you never need it, having some basic safety equipment in your car before you set off will give you peace of mind. You can pick up a emergency kits to store in your car cheaply. A quick search on Amazon showed up these results that included kits from experts like the AA group.
The kits typically contain warning triangles, reflective jackets, bulb kits, first aid kit and other safety essentials. It is worth noting that in some countries it is mandatory to carry such a kit. Make sure you know the rules before you hit the road!
Travel Insurance
Insurance is boring, we know! Travel insurance should always be at (or near to) the top of a pre-holiday planning to-do list. Insurance companies like Avanti will be able to provide you with a relevant policy that covers you should something unexpected happen.
As your road trip may take you over various borders, check that your policy covers you for multi-country visits so that you can roam with freedom!
MOT
Without your car, it isn’t much of a road trip! With this in mind it is worth spending some money on an MOT or other form of checkup on your vehicle before you go. Do this a few weeks in advance of your departure date so that you have time to fix the car or find alternative transport if needed.
It is much better to find out that your brakes need some attention when in a garage near home than while on a steep mountain incline in the Alps!
