A road trip is one of the greatest ways to get to know a new country or region. Moreover, it’s available for everyone and everywhere. You can enjoy it in most travel destinations around the world – all you need to do is hire a car. Plus, you have access to under 21 van hire, making road trips possible even for young travellers.
So, having a car gives you significant freedom and allows you to discover new places far from the beaten tourist routes. However, like any other journey, a long car trip needs planning.
Are you going on a road trip and want to be well prepared? Then check a few basic rules that you should consider…
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Make a route
After choosing a road trip destination, start with the selection of key points of the route. It’s convenient to travel by personal car not far from home. Otherwise, it would be better to hire a car. This way you won’t waste time getting to the starting point of the route. If you get to your destination by plane, you can pick up a hire car right at the airport.
When you have determined the main points of the route, take a closer look at the surroundings and search for interesting spots along the way. Often there are too many such points, and you have to refuse to visit some of them. Make the final choice on the spot, taking into account the time, weather, and other factors.
Next, plan where to sleep and start looking for a suitable accommodation option. You can book it in advance or look for it on the spot. The second option gives more freedom, however, during the high season there may not be rooms available. Also, you can stay at the campsite if you have all the necessary equipment with you. But keep in mind that this is more suitable for travel during the warmer months.
Finally, don’t forget to upload a complete route to your navigation app. At the same time, clarify how detailed and relevant the application maps are. In case you are going to travel far from cities, install several such applications just in case.
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Check the roads and traffic regulations
When the route is roughly ready, find information on the roads you are going to take. First of all, pay attention to the speed limit and road conditions. An SUV might be better for you if the road surface is rather bumpy.
In case you expect ferries along the way, save their schedule so you don’t get stuck at the crossing. Also, your route may include toll roads. If so, find out about the possible ways to pay for them. Don’t include difficult roads if you don’t have enough experience or a suitable vehicle. Also, keep in mind that some minor roads may be blocked due to snowfall or icing in winter.
If you are travelling to another country, check the local traffic regulations and driver’s license requirements. It’s also helpful to look up information about the local traffic police and fines for speeding and other violations.
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Take a rest and don’t rush
A good road trip is primarily a way to relax, but not a race against time in an effort to drive as many miles as possible. When you only have a few days to travel, you shouldn’t overload it with too many interesting places. If you have to drive more than 250-300 miles a day or spend more than 5-6 hours behind the wheel, then it’s better to reconsider your travel plan.
A near-ideal daytime itinerary provides a few small trips between sights and plenty of time to explore them. Also, don’t forget to stop to have snacks, and remember that a road trip should mostly be fun, not exhausting. This is the only way to enjoy your vacation!
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Plan your budget
Planning your expenses is an essential part of preparing for any trip. When planning a road trip, you need to consider more than spending on lodging, food, and sightseeing. Consider also the costs of car hire, toll roads, ferries, as well as fuel costs.
Naturally, it’s better to check the fuel cost in another country or region in advance so that high prices don’t come as surprise. If you are going to a country where fuel is too expensive and you plan to hire a car, consider a vehicle with a hybrid engine. An additional electric motor greatly reduces fuel consumption and fuel costs as well.
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Don’t worry about minor troubles
No matter how thorough the road trip plan is, it’s almost impossible to foresee all the nuances. Therefore, be philosophical about potential minor troubles on the road. A punctured wheel will certainly disrupt your schedule, but it shouldn’t be too hard to fix it in most cases. It’s best to treat such minor annoyances as inevitable road adventures. This will allow you to quickly solve them and continue your journey in a good mood.
Well, there’re no perfect travel plans. However, careful preparation based on other people’s experience gives a very good start for a successful road trip. Yes, it will take time and effort, but it will definitely pay off on your trip. So hopefully these simple rules will be the first step towards your exciting road adventure!