A Road Trip Prep Guide

With so many amazing destinations that Australia has to offer, enjoying a road trip now and then is a great way to enrich your experience and make some unforgettable memories. However, if you want everything to go smoothly, it’s essential that you do a thorough prep before the road trip. After all, you don’t want anything to spoil this trip for you. What’s more, you’ll minimize the risk of accidents and unpleasant situations considerably. Therefore, keep in mind the following checklist.

1. A car checkup

This is one of the most important things that you should do before going on your road trip. You have to make sure that your vehicle is in perfect condition for long drives. Schedule a thorough maintenance and checkup. If necessary, get all the services needed for fixes and repairs that would boost your car’s safety and performance. Things such as the functionality of wipers, fluid levels, oil changes, etc. are a must-checkup.

2. Charge your battery

The battery has to be strong and clean. After all, you don’t want to find yourself in the middle of nowhere with the car that simply won’t start. To clean your battery, all you have to do is use some water and baking soda.

3. Inspect your tyres

You should thoroughly inspect the tyres in order to see whether there are any damages on them before the trip. If there’s almost no tread left on your tyres, you absolutely need new ones. If that’s the case, you can quickly find what you need by checking tyres by size so that you’re 100% sure they’ll fit your vehicle.

4. Check the brakes

You can do this on your own or ask your mechanic to make sure that your brakes are in perfect order. Remember, this is essential if you want to ensure complete safety during the trip when your car is concerned.

5. Don’t go overboard with packing

It’s important that you pack smart. Don’t overload your car with things that you won’t really need during your trip. You have to consider the number of people that will be in the car, and then the cargo weight. Most of the cars have the maximum weight printed, so make sure to stick to the number indicated. If you’re thinking of using the roof-top cargo, make sure to load it with the lightest stuff you plan to carry. Too much load on the top of the vehicle can cause issues during the drive. In general, pack only the essentials. The heavier the car the worse its fuel economy.

6. Use a GPS system

Make sure that your car is trackable in case anything should happen. Aside from that, a proper GPS navigation system will help you get to your desired destinations with ease. Thanks to this, you can be sure where the next stops and gas stations are. What’s more, you can look up alternative roads in case the main ones are blocked, or you simply want to explore different routes. This is especially important for those of you who are planning their very first road trip.

7. Prepare kid essentials

In case you’re bringing your kids on a road trip, you have to make sure that they are comfortable and entertained during that trip as well. For starters, you should pack enough water and snacks so that they don’t get cranky along the way. Moreover, make sure that you have enough options when it comes to games, toys and music. Talk to your kids as well and ask them about their preferred packing list for the trip.

8. Arm yourself with patience

Don’t underestimate the traffic. In some cases, you may want to get on road very early in the morning or drive during the night. Whatever the case, make sure you don’t lose your temper or get too anxious because that will only spiral you down to more negativity.

9. Emergency kit

 

In case something actually happens, you should be prepared. This is why a proper emergency kit is a must-have for road trips. A flashlight, blankets, water and extra snacks, as well as some tools and first-aid kit should all be packed before the trip.

10. Follow the rules

Finally, don’t try to cut corners when on the road. The biggest factor for safety on the road trip is your behaviour, and only then the reliability and efficiency of your car. Therefore, make sure to follow the rules and pay attention on the road and traffic.

Once you take care of everything and make a promise to yourself that you’ll be a responsible driver, you can truly enjoy the road trip, new places and the outdoors to the fullest. So why risk getting into uncomfortable or even dangerous situations, when the alternative is having a great time with minimal risk of problems?