Having a car is a significant plus for the modern man. In addition to convenience in everyday life, a car opens up great opportunities in terms of recreation. Travelling by car is suitable for those who do not like to limit themselves in time and be confined to one place.
Planning a road trip
Spontaneity is a good thing if you know when and where to apply it. It can be a quick decision to go on a road trip, but it must be approached responsibly. Self-trip by car is an extreme activity, so if you are not of this category, look for company. The first thing to do is to decide with whom and where exactly you would like to go. Discuss with your travel companions pros and cons, plan the route and the duration of the trip. Planning allows you to get to the right place at the right time.
If you plan to visit certain places, it is worth finding out their working hours, availability of days off and sanitary days. It is not difficult to find the necessary information, as almost all establishments post it on their websites. Events such as Oktoberfest, various festivals, sports championships, concerts and shows involve a large number of people. There may be problems with accommodation, so even at home is better to book a hotel room or a place in the hostel. In densely populated cities is your advantage. But if you are not afraid of the possibility of sleeping in a car or a tent, then there is nothing to worry about. The only exception may be the presence of children. For them it is better to create a more comfortable environment. Kids in general is a separate topic and about the nuances of traveling with them will be described below.
One of the important points is the budget. It should be enough for the rest of the trip. You dont need a lot of money for a weekend car trip, but a long vacation requires an appropriate investment. Another good thing about the car is that it can be loaded with food, at least for the first time, and you do not have to spend money on it. This is especially true if you go to the coast or in the woods. Do not keep all the money on the card. In a roadside cafe or market it will be of little use. It is better to sort out the amounts of money for fuel, accommodation, food and entertainment in separate envelopes. This way youll be sure that you have enough money for everything.
Be sure to get a road map of the area where you plan to go and mark on it a detailed route with stops. Learn more about the area, as some roads, particularly abroad, may be subject to tolls.
Take care of your means of communication. Your family and friends should always know where you are. It is recommended to have two cell phones with SIM cards. Anything can happen to one on the road. It can drown, crash, run out of power. The battery is also better to have a spare. When traveling, its time to take advantage of the gifts of modern technology: Power Bank, tablet computer, navigator, all this will be very helpful.
Preparing the car for the journey
When you travel, your car is your friend, helper, and brother. The whole success of your trip depends on its condition. Have it inspected in advance by a service center you trust. Even the smallest problems should be fixed. It will allow avoiding breakages and accidents on the highway.
The equipment in the car must be on the list. Every country has its own laws and you have to comply with them, otherwise you may run into problems. For example, if you go to the UK, you may not think about a fire extinguisher, but in Bulgaria you will be fined for not having a red emergency triangle and reflective vest. The best option is to be fully equipped and have peace of mind.
Put spare bottles of antifreeze, oil, brake fluid, water in the trunk. Not superfluous will be a minimum set of tools, rope, spare tire, clamps, hooks, spare lights. In addition to the standard set of pharmaceuticals, complete it, based on the individual situation.
If youre still not using a DVR, its time to start. Its cost is minimal compared to the amount of money an accident can cost through no fault of your own. And with a camera it will be easy to prove your innocence. While driving, check the condition of the wheels from time to time, and pump them up if necessary. Small children should sit in a special car seat.
Traveling by car on off-road or poor road surface requires special attention in the preparation of the vehicle. In order to increase the passability of the car and protect its suspension from damage often use spacers to increase ground clearance (clearance), you can see and order here https://tema4x4.ru/catalog/prostavki/. They are installed under the front struts and rear springs, to slightly raise the car. The modification of this equipment depends on the brand of the car and the place of installation.
Preparing the driver for the trip
The driver or drivers (if anyone in the company has a license) must be as prepared as possible in terms of driving. It is not enough to know the rules of the road in your country. When traveling abroad, learn more about the laws of the other country.
Read the information about communication with traffic police officers. No one is immune from picky representatives of the authorities, so familiarity with traffic issues can come in handy.
While on the road, pay extra attention to your concentration. Remember that not only your life is in your hands, but also the lives of your fellow passengers. Never get behind the wheel tired or sleepless. Losing an hour or two of rest time is not as bad as falling asleep at the wheel and getting into an accident. You can find out in advance about motels and roadside campsites along your route. There you can rest, take a shower, get something to eat, and with new strength to continue the journey.
Packing a suitcase for the whole family
Weekend road trips dont require much packing. Take a couple or three things according to the weather, a pair of shoes, and you can go on the road. Long journeys require a more extensive approach. The advantages of the car in this regard is undeniable. How to get together so that not to collect unnecessary, and at the same time do not forget the necessary. First, you need to make a list for each member of the family, based on the place you are going to and its weather conditions.
It is not superfluous to take with you a thread of universal colors, a few needles, scissors. We will need insect repellent and household items (spoons, plates, knives, mugs, thermos).
Children, especially little ones, will need more things to travel by car. For them, it is better to allocate a separate bag and equip it with everything you need, depending on the age of the child. When packing, the main thing is not to get carried away, so that there is enough room in the trunk.
Making a list for the trip – the documents write down the first item. Without them, you will not be able to travel, not even to leave your country. Each passenger must have the following with him/her:
- Document proving your identity (passport for an adult, birth certificate for a child);
- Drivers license for anyone who plans to drive a car, car documents,
- vehicle inspection ticket, insurance;
- health insurance, policy;
- passports.
You should also take care of copies of all documents so that you dont have to carry originals everywhere. If you got a new credit card (or several) before your trip, take a document with a PIN number. Dont forget your pre-purchased trips, tickets to events, parks, etc.
What to take on a trip? The choice of clothing should be consistent with the weather conditions. You should not take the entire closet with you because you wont wear more than half of it. Pack enough clothes for two days. By simple calculations you can calculate the amount of clothing for the entire trip.
In the summertime, give preference to light clothing made of light fabrics. For the evening you should take clothes warmer. Do not forget bathing suits for the beach or pool. Put a spare set of clothes in the car in case the original ones get dirty or torn. Children need more clothes because they get dirty more often.
Take two or three pairs of shoes. Of these, one should be open and one closed, like sneakers or sneakers. This is especially important when traveling in the mountains. The main thing is that what you choose, it was comfortable in all conditions.
Cleanliness must be maintained even on trains. Take everything you need for the first time. There should be a separate towel for everyones face. For the hands, you can take one for everyone. Also put a few bath towels. For girls, the list of hygiene products may be more than for men, but do not go overboard. If you forget something, you can always buy it at the nearest store.
Put a container of water in the trunk and towels on top of the bag in case you need to wash your hands and wash your face on the road. In the cabin, put a small cosmetic bag with wet wipes, antiseptic, motion sickness pills (especially useful for children), painkillers, sunscreen (if you want to stop on the way near the pond).
The first aid kit is equipped with everything you might need in an emergency. But in addition you should have the following medicines with you:
- painkillers;
- antipyretics, including for children;
- against poisoning;
- antispasmodics;
- anti-burn;
- for allergies;
- iodine, verdure;
- antibiotics;
- throat lozenges;
- thermometer.
In anticipation of future vacations and packing for the road, dont forget your camera and camera. Pack them, along with chargers and memory cards (if provided).
A monopod will come in handy for selfies lovers. On the road can get bored, so put your favorite book, crossword puzzles, Mp-3 player.
For children, do not forget the toys, including for the beach. Just in case, take the spare car keys (just in case). Girls know how bad it is without a hair dryer, curling iron, epilator, etc. Now on sale you can find all these devices in a compact travel version.
Safety on the road, important tips
All the bags are packed, the car is waiting in the driveway, the mood is high and its time to hit the road. To make sure everything goes smoothly, follow these tips:
- Minimize overnight travel or get a good nights sleep before;
- Do not go on the road in poor health and in a malfunctioning car;
- Agree on a route with your companions and loved ones;
- Do not go out in bad weather;
- Stock up on the necessary things and food for the first time, then buy more as needed.
Traveling by car is easy and fun if you do everything according to the rules, rather than relying on luck.
