Tips for an Organized Long Car Trip

Taking road trips is a fun type of tourism since it gives you some autonomy and flexibility. Millions of people travel by road while on vacation. Therefore, planning the trip is an essential part of embarking on a long journey. Nowadays it is much easier to organize the route thanks to the use of GPS, where you can check alternative routes.

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You must take into account the distance, the cost of gasoline or tolls, or the hours of travel to organize your trip. To make the journey more enjoyable, you can divide it into stages. In this way, you can organize the mandatory stops to rest, in addition to thinking about meal times or how many kilometers you will have to stop to refuel. Moreover, you will also get to know new places.

Before embarking on the trip, it is essential that you take into account the departure and arrival dates. Keep in mind that if you start the journey on a weekday, you are likely to encounter less difficulties on the roads such as caravans or heavy traffic.

It is important to check the car before starting the journey such as the levels of the oil, the brakes, the windshield wiper, or the steering, in addition to checking the condition of the headlights, the tires, and their pressure or the engine. On the other hand, to ensure the comfort of all travelers, check the position of the seats and that they are well anchored. And do not forget to check the correct position of the rearview mirrors to avoid possible blind spots that make you lose visibility.

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On the other hand, it is crucial to make sure that your vehicle has all the necessary spare parts. You must bring spare wheels and the vehicle's "jack" or manual lift to be able to change the wheel in the event of a puncture. You should also have replacement lights and the necessary tools to be able to install in case they burn out. Finally, do not forget that you must wear the reflective vest and a set of two approved triangles that you must place at a safe distance, in the event of an accident or breakdown, to signal the danger to other drivers.

When making a long car trip, the important thing is not to arrive in record time, but rather to enjoy the trip and reach the destination. Thus, being well-rested and stopping to rest every two hours is very important to avoid any traffic accidents caused by fatigue, lack of sleep, tiredness, or drowsiness. The most advisable thing is to stop every two hours or 200 kilometers, so you can breathe out, stretch your legs, and relax for a few minutes before returning to fully concentrate on the road. Alternatively, if you have someone who can relieve you at the wheel during the trip, it will be less heavy and you can organize the shifts between stops.

You must take into account the moment in which you start the trip. If you carry it out in the early morning, try to get enough rest at night. It is not advisable to undertake the trip after meals, especially if they are copious, as they can cause heavy digestion and drowsiness. Remember that light meals, eating fruit, drinking water, juices, or caffeinated drinks on the way help you stay more attentive, awake, focused, and rested. Another point that will improve driving comfort and help alleviate fatigue is to dress in comfortable clothing. Avoid tight clothing that provides little mobility.

Remember that the best time to start your trip is always at dawn, as you will drive during fewer hours of sunshine.

• Always try to travel in the right lane, especially on highways and expressways with more than one lane. Use the left one to overtake and always communicate it before.
• In the case of a caravan, slow down early and use extreme caution. You need to leave the proper safety distance.
• If you start your trip at night, check headlights, lights, and turn signals. Remember to get adequate rest and have a light dinner before getting behind the wheel.
• If you start your trip in the morning, protect your eyes from the sun. The use of sunglasses is recommended to improve your visibility. If it's summer and it's hot, don't forget to bring the car ready with cool drinks and use the air conditioning to avoid fatigue.
• Avoid carrying luggage out of the trunk. Do not accumulate suitcases or bags that are not secured, as in the event of an accident they can cause injury to other occupants.
• Try to enjoy the road trip, especially if you do it with children or adolescents. You can look for games or activities that keep them distracted and relaxed. You can buy an adjustable screen to the seats so that they can watch a movie or make them participate in classic games such as the license plate, guess the color of the next car or bring the favorite music of the occupants.

Adapted and translated by The Cop Cart Staff

Sources: Uncom