“Because the greatest part of a road trip is not arriving at your destination. It’s all the wild stuff that happens along the way.”- Emma Chase
Tune in to any movie about travelling, and the road trip always seems to be a very fun-filled affair for family and friends. It is not the destination but the overall journey and the way of experiencing things in between which are the greatest highlights of a road trip. A car or a bike, a bag pack, food, Google Map, and a good company, that is all needed to hit the road and enjoy the next couple of days experiencing life in a new way. Road trips are liberating and thrilling. Indeed, it is filled with absolute uncertainty but that is how life is supposed to be, isn’t it? Stopping in between the roads to take rest or eat that local cuisine or sipping into coconut water and clicking pictures on the way is absolute fun. Staying at a motel or hotel on an hourly basis on the way for the rest is equally refreshing. Now that the COVID19 pandemic lockdown is getting a bit relaxed, people want to get out of their homes just to feel the richness of the land. Staying inside the locked doors for months together is disturbing physically and mentally. But there is still time for social gatherings to happen, the theatres and pubs are still closed and long vacations are still under wraps. Hence, going for a road trip taking all precautions is the ultimate solution to wipe off the lockdown blues. To get the maximum out of this road trip experience, here are some of the valuable tips that you want to include in your planning.
1-Arranging the car
Book a car depending upon the number of people traveling and the kind of route. You can also take your car but before that check all the systems and clean it properly. Going on a road trip with a dirty car is surely not the best of plans. As the trip proceeds, keep cleaning the car in between to avoid any accumulation of stuff. Since you will be in a car that is a closed environment the entire time of your road trip, keeping it clean is a necessity.
2-Download apps in your mobile
The earlier days of finding places in a paper map are gone and are replaced by Google Maps. Your phone is the one which can show you places around along with much other stuff. Make sure to attach a GPS to your car and download the Google Map app in your Phone. Also, make sure to download other important travel apps and online payment apps as well which can help you on the way. Do not forget to get a good internet connection on your phone or else all these apps are going to be a waste. You can also carry an extra SIM card for this purpose. In today’s world, a good internet connection whether Wi-Fi or mobile data connection is necessary for all the necessary work and people to contact you easily.
3-Select Music
What is a Road Trip without some good music? It is surely a disaster. Make sure to spend a good amount of time selecting the kind of music you would want to hear on your journey. Keep songs of all genres like pop, rock, slow, Bollywood, etc. you never know which song your mood craves for. So, keep a good collection of them beforehand. Also, download some good music apps on your phone in case you want to tune into online songs or radio. Do not forget to check the functioning of the car music system before you start with the trip.
4-Gorge into the local cuisine
Enjoying that buttery Naan and delicious butter chicken in that Dhaba along the way in your road trip is one of the best memories. Make sure to stop by in between and indulge in some local food to satiate your hunger. But always look for proper hygiene where you are dining. Be sure about the quantity and quality of the meal that has been prepared.
5-Carry food
Though Dhabas and highway hotels are in good numbers in our country, on some roads it is difficult to find them. And also sometimes you do not want to go to those places late at night. So, to handle your hunger during these situations, make sure to carry a food bag and a cool bag with you. Arrange some dry foods along with some juice and soft drinks in that cool bag. This will come in handy while you are on the road.
6-Arrange for Camp
Camping under the moon is one of the major essences of Road trips. You never know when you want to enjoy that amazing beachside experience or you want to make a camp near some campsite due to some vehicle issues at night. Hence, always keep some camping accessories in your car. Also, you can consider sleeping in your vehicle at some campsites or petrol stations.
7-Good Company
Choose your friends wisely when you consider them for a road trip. You will spend the next few days together and you are almost stuck with them inside a car for long hours. Hence, you need a good company with whom you are comfortable. They should have similar interests as yours and also they may be able to help you with maps and finding ways. A road trip means driving for long hours and sometimes at a stretch. Hence, having someone with you who can switch to the driver's side in intervals is a boon.
8-Look for danger spots on the road
There are some points on the roads which are considered as danger zones or accident prone points. Make sure to get a complete idea of the roads that you are planning to travel during your road trip. Drive slowly and keep taking breaks in between by staying at hotel rooms on an hourly basis. Make sure to get a hang of all the dead ends and wrong places on your journey map.
9-Book your motel or hotel ahead
Giving rest to your body is one of the prime necessities. During the road trip, there are long hours of driving involved which will make you tired. Make sure to take an ample amount of rest in between by booking hotel rooms. They are available either on a 24-hour basis or an hourly basis. You can book them beforehand through some reliable websites like Mistay. If you are going for a romantic road trip with your partner, you can always book a couple-friendly hotel room on the way.
10-Stay safe
Always stay on the safer side while on a road trip. Make sensible decisions. Make sure to inform someone where you are and where you are going. It will be foolish to try to become a hero. Keep all the necessary documents, first aid box, maintain hygiene, and keep food and gallon of gas with you while you travel. It might come handy. Always drive slowly and stay safe.
Wishing you a wonderful road trip ahead. May you unravel the secrets of the journey through this trip. As said by Martin Buber,
“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”