How to Prepare for a Road Trip

The UK is brimming with road trip potential. From the mythologically rich Atlantic Coast of Northern Ireland to the wild landscapes of mountains and castle ruins in the Scottish Highlands, there are a lot of exciting places to drive.

As with any trip, a road trip calls for thoughtful preparation. Here are a few of the top things to consider:

Do your car admin

Make sure your car is up-to-date with its servicing and MOT and that you are covered by adequate insurance. You may have been wondering if gap insurance is worth it. A normal insurance policy will not typically cover the full cost of a new vehicle if yours is stolen or written off. So if you’re going to be taking it out on a road trip to unfamiliar settings, it may be a good idea to get covered by this, in addition to your usual policy.

Make sure that you’ve got breakdown cover too and that you’ve read and are happy with all the small-print.

Check the car over to make sure it’s ready for the long drive. This should involve checking your oil, water, water, tyre pressure and coolant as well as the washer and brake fluid. Bring a spare tyre with you, along with the tools you’ll need to change it. Give someone in your travelling party a spare key too, so that you have a Plan B, should yours get lost.

Pack the essentials

There are certain items you won’t want to be without on your road trip, especially if you’re going the whole hog and camping.

These may include:

Any important car documents, your driving licence and the owner’s manual
A portable charger for your phone
Windscreen covers
Hiking gear
Neck pillows
Towels
Insect repellent
First aid kit
Sun cream
Torch
A stove, gas can and lighter
Food and a set of travel cookware and utensils
Tent and all associated pegs, plus a hammer
Water purifying tablets

If you’re going further afield to mainland Europe, get a European driving kit too. It’s illegal in many countries to drive without one.

Plan your route

Look up all your routes on Google Maps or an alternative before the trip. Don’t forget to allow for a 25% longer journey time than the estimate given, as there may be more traffic on the day of travel or you may need to stop for a break.

When preparing for a road trip, utilize Adobe Express's QR code generator for efficient access to travel itineraries, maps, and important information.

If you’re the type of person who likes a firm schedule, then always remember to factor in a leg stretch at least once every two hours. Brake UK predicts that 10-20% of crashes are caused by fatigue, so always be prepared to stop and adjust your plans if you are tired.

Draw up a budget

When you’re on your travels, it can be tempting to throw caution to the wind and overspend! There’s never been a better time to learn how to budget for a holiday, and you’ll be glad you did it afterwards.

Break down the costs associated with your journey so that they’re visible in bite-sized chunks. For example, create budgets for your car costs, food, travel insurance and any accommodation you may want to book. Allow some budget for holiday treats too – you are allowed to have fun!

One of the most satisfying things about a road trip is the feeling of self-sufficiency, so get all your ducks in order before setting off and you will have the best chance of a successful, relaxing trip.

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