How To Plan A Road Trip

A road trip is whole new experience. You gather a few friends or go alone, load your backpacks and set out to explore limits you haven’t before. While some people plan-out every route and stop of the journey, others leave it all to be part of the adventure. No matter what, there are a few elements that you need to keep in mind and plan. So here they are.

Set up a vision
You need to have a defined purpose of your trip. It could be either to visit a friend in another city, see some national parks or simply to take a break from your hectic work life, know why you are going. Also, you need to plan where you are going exactly. Due to time constraints, you may not be able to visit everywhere you want to, so prioritize. You might have to book rooms in each city to save time searching for places to crash. You could even choose to sleep in your car or camp. Be sure to take your camping equipment with you. You also need to know how long you’ll be gone. Take enough money and ensure all matters with your home and work is taken care of. For example, if you have a pet back at home, drop it off at a friend’s place. Keep alternative routes ready. You never know what the road has to offer.

  • Consider the logistics
    Gas, food, car repairs, entertainment and necessary documents come under this. If you are travelling with a group of friends, split all costs among yourselves. Gas is the most important cost for you plan it out well. Make sure you have ample gas stations along the way and keep some extra gallons with you. If you are on a tight budget, try taking food from home, or take foods that are easy to prepare, such as instant noodles. All you need is hot water. Ensure your car is in great shape for the trip. Have a fully equipped repair kit with you. The long journey could get boring so pack up some books and music. Don’t forget to pack important documents such as your driving license and passports.
    • Decide on lodging
      You need to plan-out your lodging since after a long day on the road, you surely need to get proper rest. Most road accidents take place due to the driver falling asleep. So, you need to be fresh every time you drive. Book motel rooms in advance or arrange for sleeping bags so that you could camp on the way.
      These simple steps will help you make your road trip memorable with the least amount of problems. You can even make use of road trip planning websites and apps to keep track of all things that need to be arranged.