How to Safely Travel by Car
If you’re on holiday vacation, there are plenty of ways to spend your time. For the adventurous of us, that time is almost always spent traveling by car. With so many things to do and sights to see, it’s tempting to just pack a bag, grab a hat, and head out the door.
While we’re here to encourage that energy, we also want you to travel safely. We all know that long drives can be dangerous, so we’ve put together a guide on how to travel safely by car (no matter how far you’re going).
Keep reading for some helpful tips!
Plan Your Trip in Advance
The biggest part of safety is adept planning. You need to make sure that you plan for all different contingencies of your trip, whether it’s across state lines or traversing multiple countries.
Using a custom road trip planning app is a great way to ensure you don’t get lost or drive in areas your vehicle isn’t built to navigate. However you go about it, you need to account for:
- Maps and best routes
- Speed limits and other laws
- Potentially dangerous weather
- Possible detours and side trips
You also need to account for the car itself. For instance, renting a car may be a better option than bringing the one you own, especially if the terrain is too difficult for your car to handle.
In addition, you might factor smaller things into your plan, like a “driving duty” schedule—if the trip spans multiple days, you’ll want to travel with a friend or two and take shifts behind the wheel. Other smaller elements you may consider are playlists and snacks to pack.
Regulate Your Energy and Mood
In order to drive long distances, you’re going to need lots of energy. Especially on a vacation after a long stressful period of work or school, that energy may be hard to come by. That’s why you need to keep yourself stimulated with a steady supply of:
- Coffee or tea (caffeine)
- Energy rich foods (sugars, carbs)
- Energy drinks (taurine and B-vitamins)
But you should be careful to not get too energized! It’s also important to keep your mood regulated. That means getting a full night’s sleep, as well as staying mellow and focused during your driving hours.
Practice Financial Security
It might not seem like it at first, but sound financial practices are actually a key part of your safety. Health isn’t just about physical and mental well-being; it’s also about the state of your wallet and bank accounts. You need to save and budget to keep yourself financially healthy.
Be sure to keep some cash on you just in case you’re in a bind. When traveling by car, things can go wrong. Sometimes, in order to fix them, you need to spend money. If you’re going on a road trip but don’t have an emergency fund, then you’re lacking a crucial safeguard.
Don’t just budget the trip itself! Budget for the unexpected.
Keep Both Cash and Cards on Hand
In some cases, gas prices are lower for cash buyers. Plus, street vendors who operate on a cash only or cash-preferred basis often have some of the best deals available on everything from food to souvenirs. But having both options allows you to stay safe should a situation arise where a gas station (or vendor) doesn’t accept a certain type of payment.
What happens when you run out of gas but the gas station you’re at doesn’t accept credit cards? How do you pay? That’s why you need multiple ways to access your money.
While there are several considerations in the cash vs. card debate, there are certain situations where there is no debate at all. To make sure you have access to what you need to buy, bring both!
Wherever You’re Going, Get There Safely
So, now that you know a whole bunch of tips for traveling safely by car, it’s time to get started on your next grand adventure! Whether you’re hopping in an electric camper or piling all your belongings into a tiny hatchback, it’s always important to have a plan in place first. Then, you need to stay alert while driving, ensure you don’t drift off course, and have both cash and cards on hand.
Happy travels, adventurer!