There is no doubt that traveling by car is a wonderful and unique experience. Whether you will sleep in five star hotels or not, on the road or you are driving a luxury car or not, you’ll certainly feel like you’re in a fantasy movie.
You can wake up whenever you want, leave at any time and go wherever you want, decide where you’ll sleep for the night, where you eat, and what time you arrive at your next destination.
In this article we’ve covered a few tips to keep in mind whenever going on a trip with your car.
- Google Maps
Before you leave, enter your destination in Google Maps in order to get an idea of how long it takes to get there. You can try changing the possible routes and see if they are any faster. You can also find out if there are any other attractions on the road that you haven’t considered from the beginning, but might interest you. Just make sure you know basic information about the road, from point A to point B. Make sure you leave room for unexpected deviations from the road, especially when passing through new routes you haven’t been on before.
- Vehicle type
The type of car you need depends on the destination you choose, the type of trip, and how many people you’re traveling with. Always think about whether you should choose a large SUV or a nice convertible. Unless you are sure of the way and able to drive your own car.
If the trip takes longer than two months, it might be better to buy a used car and sell it when the trip is finished. Make sure to check it well before leaving though, having your car break on the road is the last thing you need.
- Music
You’ll have plenty of time to listen to songs you like, so be sure to download some playlists on your smartphone (don’t forget to bring the USB cable). This being said, sometimes it’s better to listen to local radio stations and discover new songs.
- Less crowded roads
Highways may help you get faster from one place to another, but on the other hand you won’t get to see a lot of beautiful sights. If possible, choose some less crowded roads, this way you’ll get to discover a lot of interesting things, and you can also ask locals about places to check out.
- Food and accommodation: Try something different
When traveling, it’s a great idea to try out local food. This may be your only chance to discover dishes from the cuisine of the countries you go through, because you might not travel there again. The same applies to accommodation.
- Refrigerated bag
When on the road you can’t know for sure when you’ll stop to eat, so make sure you bring with you a refrigerated bag with food and cold drinks.
- Go camping
Depending on your budget, you can choose to stay in your tent instead of paying lots of money for a hotel. It’s cheap, easy and a great way to meet other people. If you have a large car, some campsites will also allow you to sleep in your car — so you might consider that, too.
- Make new friends
While on the road, you can always make new friends — driving with a new friend who is a local will be great when GPS fails and you can’t find your next destination.
Make sure you leave with a suitable travel friend because with tastes vary from person to person.
- Use classic maps
Yes, Google Maps is very good but there is something special about the traditional paper maps we often throw in the back of the car. First, they’re great when you make unexpected stops, and second, think of the sentimental value as a nice memory this piece of paper will have when you return home with it.
- SIM card
If your phone recognizes more than one phone network, you can purchase a local SIM card to reduce the expenses and and to make it easier for people to reach you. You may have Skype and WhatsApp Messenger, but they need an Internet connection.
- Gas stations
Gas stations can be a blessing while traveling, especially those with public bathrooms, good meals and tasty coffee. Some will allow you to rest in their parking space during the night.
Now that you know the most important tips for your road trip, it’s time to start looking for the best time to leave!
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