10 Helpful Tips To Plan A Stress-Free Road Trip
Are you planning a road trip soon? Whether to explore bucket list destinations or lesser known locations, road tripping is one of my favorite ways to experience the beauty of America’s landscapes.
Planning a road trip right might seem a little stressful. But if you plan ahead, research your destination prior to leaving and prioritize safety, you can still enjoy a good ole’ fashioned road trip while keeping your family safe on the road. Here are 10 helpful tips to plan a stress-free road trip.
Looking for more road trip tips? Read Hit The Open Road With These 21 Road Trip Tips
10 Helpful Tips To Plan A Stress-Free Road Trip
Pre-Trip Vehicle Safety Checks
Prior to your road trip, check your vehicle’s battery, oil, tire pressure, wiper blades, brakes, spare tire, air-conditioning and wiper, radiator and transmission fluids. Also clean your car’s interior and wash the exterior to start your road trip with a clean slate. Know how far you can get on a tank of gas and begin your trip with a full tank.
Now’s also a good time to make sure you pack your driver’s license, proof of insurance and a spare key and check that your vehicle has a car jack, jumper cables, flashlight and a first aid kit.
Make a Plan
Before you set off on your trip, make a plan. Here are a few things to consider when preparing for a road trip:
- Determine your destination, how many miles to drive and how long you want to be in the car each day.
- Research your destination and plan days to avoid crowds at popular tourist sites. Have a rough itinerary but be flexible.
- Plan for unexpected closures, be aware of cancellation policies and check websites often.
- Create a packing list and a to-do list to stay organized.
Map Your Route
Plan your route prior to hitting the road. By planning ahead, you’ll be aware of road construction, which may cause delays and possible road closures.
- Avoid road construction and find alternative routes.
- Pack a proper paper map just in case your GPS signal is lost.
- Take cash to pay road tolls and parking fees.
- Drive during the day to stay awake and alert, limit nighttime driving.
Utilize Google Maps
My preference when planning a road trip is Google Maps because it provides road construction details, alternate routes and arrival time at the destination. But I also use Google Maps to find local attractions and points of interests, restaurants with details about curbside pickup, no-contact delivery and busy times to avoid crowds.
While having your trip route pre-planned with Google Maps is easy and efficient, packing a paper map is always a good idea and be sure to download the specific map route prior to your trip in case cell service is limited.
Prioritize Safety
Travel can always be uncertain, prioritizing safety is more important than ever. Be prepared by packing all your travel essentials, planning ahead, stay organized and make sure your vehicle is in good shape for the road ahead.
Be Flexible
While I’m a planner through and through, I always plan for the unexcepted. If things don’t go as planned, be flexible.
Strategically Plan Stops
To minimize stops, strategically plan breaks. Instead of stopping multiple times, we like to plan an all-in-one stop at a gas station to fuel up the vehicle, take bathrooms breaks, purchase snacks and stretch before hitting the road again.
Book Accommodations In Advance
While a spontaneous road trip may sound like fun, travel is in full swing and having accommodations booked in advance can save you time and money. Many hotels and campgrounds are operating at high capacity, so availability may be limited- just another reason why it’s wise to book before your trip to guarantee available lodging. Also, look for accommodations with flexible cancellation policies and strict cleaning procedures.
Pack Snacks & Drinks
Purchase beverages and snacks prior to your trip. Choose healthy snacks like granola or protein bars, trail mix and cheese/meat pairings and allow yourself to have one non-healthy snack (we always take peanut M&M’s as our sweet treat). Keep perishable items, water and beverages in a cooler and refill the ice at your hotel.
Join A Rewards Program
Rewards programs are a great way to help you save money on gas and receive incentives for traveling. Marathon’s program is free and easy to use and will save you 5 cents off every gallon of gas, every day!
Hope you found these tips helpful to plan a stress-free road trip. Safe travels out on the open road!
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This post is sponsored by Marathon Petroleum Corporation. As always on Ohio Girl Travels, all thoughts and opinions are my own!