If you are sick and tired of the snow and find yourself dreaming of a country-wide road trip, there are a number of factors you must consider before you put pen to paper and start the planning process. It may sound scary or daunting if you have yet to pluck up the courage to drive around the country during the colder months but by following several helpful tips and tricks, you can ensure your next road trip is a success from start to finish.
Prepare your vehicle
If you plan to travel around the country by car, van, bike, or truck, you must ensure your vehicle is sufficiently prepared ahead of time. It may also be worth taking the time to invest in a professional service from an expert to provide you with much-needed peace of mind whilst you are on the road or in the event you run into difficulty. If you intend to rent a vehicle, on the other hand, it must adhere to a number of vital safety and security measures that can be checked in a matter of minutes before you set off including its tyres, fluid levels, and fuel tank. It must also be fitted with snow tyres and perhaps even snow chains in case you find yourself driving in heavy snowfall or a sudden blizzard.
Organise insurance
It may not necessarily top your list of priorities, but insurance is just as important for a road trip than it is for an overseas trip. This is because you will be spending much more time travelling than you would if you were to fly to your destination and are, as a result, much more likely to become the victim of a road traffic collision due to a lack of sleep, directions, or knowledge of local roads and infrastructure. In order to ensure you are protected from a number of common threats and risks, research holiday insurance providers if you are planning to go out further than your local area and choose the best option for you and your upcoming travel plans.
Pack emergency supplies
If your road trip is expected to last weeks, or even months, you must pack emergency supplies. This is especially important if inclement weather is expected during your trip and can include a flashlight, batteries, a portable phone charger, warm clothing, blankets, medication, food, water, an ice scraper, a shovel, and extra fluid for your vehicle. It may also be worth downloading an emergency roadside app on your smartphone or making a note of the contact details of an emergency roadside provider so they can locate you and your vehicle as soon as possible if you end up veering off-track.
Book accommodation
If you intend to travel in your kitted-out camper van, you can save a considerable amount of money on accommodation. If you intend to travel in your car, however, you must book accommodation ahead of time to prevent you from being forced to waste precious fuel in searching for a suitable hotel nearby or sleeping in your car which is not only uncomfortable but can negatively impact your health. In addition, booking accommodation with flexible check-in and check-out timeframes can also allow you to account for any unexpected delays or cancellations you may be forced to make.
If you are planning an upcoming road trip this winter, there are a number of things you must think about ahead of time to ensure you are sufficiently prepared in the event of an accident or emergency on the road. This includes preparing your vehicle, organising insurance, packing emergency supplies, and booking accommodation.