Prepare for Your Summer Road Trip
Venturing out onto the road this summer? We’ve prepared the essential hints and tips you’ll need to make your road trip a complete success.
Plan your trip
Safety is essential. As is the fun! Planning your trip will make sure you can make the most of your time. It also means you’ve done so as safely as possible.
- Put proper thought into your road trip. Bad signal areas are bound to happen in remote areas, so download your maps before you set off. Check the traffic before you set off too.
- Are you sharing the driving? Discuss this before the day of the trip. Sharing the load between you all will help everyone enjoy the trip.
- We are always at the mercy of the weather. Check what to expect ahead of the trip and make sure you’re setting off at the right time.
- If you’re staying at a certain spot or hotel for an overnight stay, allow yourself time to get there. Remember the trip is meant to be fun, not a mad rush to get to a destination.
Pack smart
If you don’t need your hairdryer, don’t pack it ‘just in case’. Prioritise packing things that you’ll really need. The cabin of your car is now your home for the trip, and you want it as uncluttered as possible.
- Check that everything you’re packing is necessary. Space in your car will be at a premium. Make sure everything you pack is essential for your trip.
- Turn the weather into your guide. Which clothes will you need? If it’s going to be hot, then packing a jumper ‘just in case’ is a good idea. Just don’t take ten.
Dress comfortably for the drive
Choosing something breathable and comfortable for the drive will help you enjoy the drive. Lessen the fidgeting and go for sensible shoes instead of those ones that look good.
Keep the interior clean and tidy
On your regular breaks, clean out your car of rubbish. Things like snack packets and old drinks containers. As we’ve said, space is at a premium in your cabin for a road trip.
Set a budget
Ensuring you’ve got enough money for everything before you set off is essential. You don’t want to get caught short. Plan for fuel costs, meals and snacks, accommodation and any attractions you want to visit along the way.
Pre-road-trip checklist
Having a list to tick off everything as you pack can be extremely useful in making sure you remember everything.
While a pre-road-trip checklist will differ for everyone, we’ve put together some basics that you will want to remember.
- Documentation. Documents for the car and driver's licenses for all drivers are wise to keep handy.
- Cash. It’s good to not reply completely on card and contactless. Especially in smaller establishments around more remote areas.
- Emergency numbers. Whether that’s family or your breakdown company. Make a physical note of these, not just on your phone.
- Physical road map. Downloading offline maps for the area you’ll be travelling in is something you may thank yourself for later too.
- Emergency breakdown kit for your car. This could include jump starter leads, a jump starter kit and tyre pump too.
- Multi outlet USB charger.
- Blanket and travel pillow.
- Sunglasses.
- Hand sanitiser.
- Tissues and wipes.
- Snacks. From crisps and sweets to fruits and nuts, nibbles are always welcome on a road trip. If you’re travelling in hot weather, a compact cool bag with cold drinks is a great idea too.
- First aid kit. You can choose how extensive you go with this. Include personal medications, painkillers, insect repellent antiseptics, plasters, bandages and a burn kit. Don’t forget, sunscreen and aftersun!
Plan in the fun
- Music playlist. A must have for any summer road trip. Why not invite everyone to collaborate on a playlist?
- Podcasts and audiobooks. Every road trip has ebbs and flows. For the quieter moments, choose an audiobook or podcast episode to put on.
- Car games. Having on the go entertainment is a great back up, especially if you’ve got kids getting antsy in the back. Eye Spy, Car Bingo or Rainbow Cars.
- Break stops. As mentioned before, regular stops are essential for making sure everyone enjoys the trip. Have a moment outside the confines of the car. Toilet breaks, fuel fill-ups, meals and cabin cleaning all help to recharge your bodies and minds.
- Toys and activities. If you’re travelling with children, ask them to pack a small rucksack filled with a few toys they want to play with.
Expect the unexpected!
No matter how much planning you do, there could always be something unforeseen. The important thing to remember is to not let it ruin the trip. Work on a plan B – let others help if you’re travelling with company – and move on.
Your Summer Check at Macklin Motors
We hope, thanks to our checklist, you feel better prepared for your trip.
Now, let’s make sure your car’s ready too! With your Macklin Motors Summer Check.
Our trusted technicians will check every component of your car to make sure it’s ready for all that summer can throw its way. Whether that’s tyres and fluids to brakes and steering. We’ll take care of you and your car this summer.