What You Should Never Do on a Road Trip

Is there anything better than taking a road trip with your friends or family? Not in our book. It’s a chance to really do something different, have an adventure that takes you to off-the-beaten-path destinations, and all-around live a life that’s just fun. 

But of course, it’ll only be those things if it’s a smooth road trip. When you’re going on an adventure like this, there are plenty of things that can derail your enjoyment. In this post, we’ll run through some things that you should never do on a road trip, ensuring that you can have a trip that’s memorable for all the right reasons.

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Just Set Off 

Your car might be awesome for driving to the supermarket and back, but when you’re setting off on a road trip, it’ll likely be pushed to do more than just drive across town. As such, it’s recommended to give your car a quick check to ensure that everything’s in full working condition before you set off. Your journey will be much smoother if you know that your car’s in tip-top shape and ready for action.

Overpack the Schedule

We get it — you’ll want to see as much as possible when you’re on your road trip. After all, most people only have limited time to go on an adventure, and often want to fill the schedule as much as they can. But it’s important not to overpack the schedule too much. For one thing, if you have a million places to visit in just a week, then you’ll likely feel overly rushed, and you probably won’t give each sight the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s good to have some time in the schedule for spontaneity; you might decide to follow a different path when you’re on the road if something sounds particularly interesting. 

Overpack the Car

You’ll need to pack plenty of things to have a smooth road trip. But you don’t need to pack everything. People often overpack their luggage when they’re going on holiday, and end up returning home without having worn half of what was in their bag. When you’re taking a road trip, that extra luggage can result in two problems. One, it can make the car feel cramped, which will impact your comfort levels; and two, it’ll add unnecessary weight, which will impact how much fuel you use. So be strict, and keep things light. You can always buy items you don’t have when you’re on the road if it turns out that you need them. 

Try to Fix Problems Yourself

There’s always a chance that something will go wrong when you’re behind the wheel, especially when you’re driving such long distances. If your car has an issue and you break down, then first of all, stay calm — it’s not the end of the world! Don’t try to fix the issue yourself unless you’re specifically trained to do so. Instead, call a tow truck service and have them take your car to a mechanic. It’s much more efficient than trying to fix the problem yourself, only to end up spending the night out in a rural area, sleeping in your broken-down vehicle. 

Think It’ll Automatically Be Cheap

Taking a road trip doesn’t have to break the bank — but it most definitely can break the bank if you’re not careful. People sometimes think that a road trip will be cheaper than taking a conventional trip, but if you’re driving long distances, eating in restaurants for every meal, and staying in a hotel each night, then it’ll wind up about the same, or perhaps even more expensive. That’s fine if you’re happy to spend the cash, but if you’re not, take steps to keep costs down. Preparing your own meals and driving in a fuel-efficient way will both minimise expenses. 

Camp All The Way

Trying to save money by camping is a good idea since camping is much cheaper than staying in a hotel. However, it’s best not to camp every night. You’ll need a dry, comfortable night in a cosy bed every few days. 

Spend All Day, Every Day Behind the Wheel

Finally, don’t spend all the time on your trip behind the wheel. For one thing, that’ll make you more tired, and at that stage, you’ll be more likely to have an accident. It’ll also prevent you from spending any time relaxing. If you see somewhere you like, then stay for a couple of days. A road trip is about the whole experience, not seeing how long you can drive.

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