How to prepare for a summer road trip
Packing the car and hitting the road with your nearest and dearest is a great way to make the most of the summer months. You can soak in the sunshine while exploring new places and having fun outdoor adventures with your family.
If you’re keen to go road-tripping but are unsure where to start, we’re here to help. Here are several tips to help you plan a successful and fun-filled summer road trip.
Pick your route and itinerary
The key to a successful road trip is to plan your route and itinerary in advance. Think about an area you’d like to explore and use handy planning tools like Google Maps to create a route.
There are plenty of beautiful driving routes across the UK, including the North Coast 500 in Scotland, Snake Pass in the Peak District and Snowdonia’s Llanberis Pass in Wales.
Once you’ve chosen an area, plan what you’ll do and where you’ll stop along the way. Take some time to research the must-see attractions as well as family-friendly activities that everyone will enjoy.
Consider health and safety
Take steps to stay safe on the road if you’re doing long journeys. The National Highways offer tips on keeping “you and your passengers safe” and avoiding “any unnecessary delays or costly repair bills”.
This includes getting a good night’s sleep, avoiding alcohol the day before, and not driving between midnight and 6 am when you’ll be most tired.
They also advise taking plenty of rest breaks, ideally every 2 hours for at least 15 minutes. You could plan a leisurely walk to stretch your legs or have a picnic somewhere scenic.
Check your car
Do a vehicle inspection before your trip to make sure it’s in top condition for your journey. This could reduce the likelihood of breaking down, enhance fuel efficiency and make your car more comfortable during long stints.
For instance, you should check the oil and fluids, tyre pressure and tread depth, battery, brakes, wiper blades, etc. It’s also worth testing your air conditioning as you don’t want to find out that you have malfunctioning aircon on a hot summer’s day!
You should also make sure your car insurance is up to date and provides the level of cover you need for your chosen destination.
Pack food, snacks and drinks
Keep everyone fuelled and hydrated by packing plenty of healthy snacks and drinks.
Non-perishable items like trail mix, popcorn, granola bars and rice cakes are ideal for snacking on the go. Beef jerky or biltong is also a great option if you’re looking for something long-lasting but high in protein.
If you’re doing short journeys and will have a fridge where you’re staying, you could plan picnics with sandwiches, yoghurts, string cheese, veg sticks, hummus and more. Just remember to pack a cool bag for your days out.
We hope these tips help you plan an unforgettable road trip with your loved ones!
