The sense of freedom getting out there and hitting the open road gives you is fantastic. The idea of not quite knowing where you will end up and all the amazing sights you will witness along the way is one of the best feelings. If you have never been on a road trip, perhaps now is the time. It literally has never been easier to get out there. What with the quality of the average car, the ease of mapping, along with all the other modern conveniences that have made the world a smaller place. But the beauty of the landscape and the views you will experience are just as good as they ever were. Imagine going through a winding mountain pass, no set destination in place, the ability to stop and take in the scenes around you wherever you may wish. The idea itself is idyllic. Anyway, if you are someone who has the desire to get out there and explore the world, we have come up with a few things you should remember when you finally take that trip.
Maps
This one seems obvious but is something that may be overlooked. Even if you have a sat-nav or Google Maps or WAZE, for example, on your phone, you never know when the batteries will die, and you are left high and dry, with no clue where you are or where you are going. You should always take an old-fashioned paper map and learn how to use it beforehand if you have never used one before. If you are a person who enjoys the thought of going old-style, the reverse applies. It is always good to have a backup plan, so remember that sat nav or download that maps app.
Budgeting
It does not matter how long your trip is for, whether it be a two-week adventure for all the family or a year-long sightseeing extravaganza, a wise road tripper will work out their money in advance and create a daily budget. Perhaps your budget will limit where you stay, and that tent will be your best friend, and maybe restaurants are off the menu for the vast majority of the trip. Whatever your budget means, cater to that. Ensure your tent is fully operational, and don’t forget the butter knife for all those sandwiches. If your adventure is with other adults, perhaps another couple, ensure you have the budget talk with them, and make sure you are all agreed. This makes the whole experience a lot smoother.
Figure Out All those Must-Sees
You should tell everyone in the group to work out their must-see sights. Individually it would help if you all write down everywhere you would love to go and see, then get together and create a list of places. There will probably be a lot of overlap on certain destinations, and that’s great. Wh wouldn’t want to see the Smoky Mountains, for example. Creating a list of must-see places individually and prior to leaving means you won’t forget anything, and the timider among you won’t be left out. By doing this, you can sort of organizing a rough route that includes all those places.
World’s Largest
When you’re planning your must-sees, a fun thing to think about is to type into the internet all world’s largest. You might find a few hilarious things to see on route. Perhaps you will go to some diner with the world’s largest burger, or maybe you will see the world’s largest apricot. Who knows! But a little research can go a long way to making that trip even more unforgettable.
Get Apping
In this world, there really is an app for everything. To make the road trip as good a possible, why not do a bit of research and download a few apps. Obviously, a map app makes sense, but there is so much more than that. How about an app that is able to tell you where the next gas station is and, what’s more, it allows you to compare prices between gas stations. Or how about one that tells you where the nearest public toilet is. Being desperate for the loo is the absolute worse on a road trip, and there isn’t always a convenient bush nearby. There are ones that tell you where the best parking spots are too, and they allow you to pay for a parking spot before you arrive too. There are also ones that tell you where the best hotels are as well. So work out exactly what you will need and download the ones suitable for you.
Apps for Kids
Traveling with the kids can be a bit of an adventure in itself, but the app world is attempting to help soothe this for you. You can get YouTube Kids, which is locked on child-only content, so you know it is safe. There are hundreds of video options for the kids, so this can keep them absorbed for hours. There are also a plethora of games you can download for the kids too. Also, how about games app, such as Family Games App, which gives you ideas of games all the family can play. You need just read the rules and then set the phones aside and play.
The Scenic Route
No road trip is worth anything if all you do is stick to the main roads. Get off the interstate and travel the country roads. You don’t know what you might see. The road less traveled will allow you to really take in the country around you. You will see things a little more rugged and real. This is a must for any good road trip.
Gadgets
While you are away, you will want to take some excellent photos, and a camera phone isn’t always the best. You could get a property landscape camera with a tele-focal lens. You should also remember a USB car charger. Also, a camping stove and a wind-up camping light cud be a good shout. And for those of you who want to see over that cliff edge, what about a DrDrone? There are so many road-tripping gadgets that once angina, you need to do your research and work out what is best for you.
The Car
This is probably the most important aspect of the road trip. So, you need to ensure that car is fit for its purpose. Is it comfortable and reliable? It needs to have all its electrics working too. It makes sense to get the car serviced beforehand and ensuring that there is nothing wrong with it. And double-check that spare and jack. In addition, you should clean the car out thoroughly. You don’t want to be taking anything you don’t need to take on a reload trip. Space is not limitless. Give it a good vacuum too. Think about taking to car cleaning equipment such as wipes for seats, especially if you have kids. Maybe a hand-held vacuum, too, if possible.
Road Side Assitance
If you are going to be driving non-stop for the next few weeks or months, the chances of your car going wring increases. Therefore it makes perfect sense for you to register for membership with a roadside assistance company if you are not already a member. You really do not want to be out in the middle of nowhere, smoke coming out of your bonnet and having absolutely no clue as to what to do. It may cost a little, and you may never have to use it, hopefully, but the peace of mind of knowing that there is help available to you if you need to use it is worth its weight in gold.
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