Going on a road trip is a bonafide, tried-and-tested way to elevate your soul and spirit. After all, there’s simply nothing better than having the freedom of the open road, knowing that the next few days will bring views, excitement, and very few elements of the more humdrum side of life.

Of course, there’s a risk involved in going on a road trip. There’s a risk every time you get behind the wheel, but it becomes even more pronounced when you’re on a road trip. So while you’ll be firmly focused on having as much fun as possible, it’s also important to take some steps to ensure that you’re kept fully safe while out there on the roads.

In this post, we’ll run through a bunch of tips that’ll help ensure that your epic road trip is as safe as possible.

Know Where You’re Going

Part of the fun of going on a road trip is having the ability to decide where you want to go, and then going there! After all, there’s no schedule on the open roads. However, while you can plan for a lot of spontaneous decisions, it’s important to have a vague idea of where you’re going. Not doing so can result in a lot of trouble, especially if you find yourself in a remote area far from civilization. If nothing else, have a place where you’re going to stay each night. Plus, knowing that you have a bed waiting for you can make it easier to manage the less-than-fun aspects of a road trip.

Prepare Your Vehicle

Your car might be a pro at managing journeys to work and the supermarket, but you’ll be putting it under new pressure on a road trip. So it’s important to make sure that your vehicle will be able to handle the stresses and strains of the journey. If it has been a while since your vehicle has been seen to be an expert, consider taking it to a garage before you set off on your adventure. Fine-tuning your vehicle will decrease the chances of breaking down. Remember, breaking down is bad enough when you’re just five minutes from home; it’s much, much worse when you’re in the middle of nowhere.

Think of Security

You should think about the security of your car regardless of where it’s parked. But when you’re at home, you can usually be pretty confident that it won’t be stolen, especially if it’s parked on your driveway or in your garage. When you’re on a road trip, you’ll have to leave your vehicle in new, unfamiliar surroundings, and while it’s unlikely that anything will happen, it’s important to take steps to minimise the risk as much as possible. Steering wheel locks can be especially useful, since they’ll ensure that no one can steal your vehicle even if they gain entry. In fact, simply having the wheel lock will likely be enough to deter a potential criminal. You can also protect your vehicle by parking in secure locations overnight, especially if you’re staying in an area with a higher-than-average crime rate.

Plan Regular Breaks

You’ll be much more likely to be involved in an accident on the roads if you’re tired. Many people set off on a road trip with grand ambitions about all the sights they can see, but it’s important to be realistic. You should keep your daily driving to around 6 – 8 hours, with plenty of breaks within that time period. A road trip is about the journey as much as it is about the destination, so focus more on having a good and safe time rather than trying to see all the sights.

Have an Emergency Kit

Even if you’ve taken steps to carefully prepare your vehicle, there’s still a chance that you’ll break down. It’s something that can happen to any car, at any time. While you can’t fully prevent breakdowns, you can control how well you’re able to respond to them. Putting together an emergency kit that involves blankets, high viz jackets, and a first aid kit, among other essentials, is paramount for being properly prepared for the journey.

Let Someone Know Where You’re Going

Finally, be sure to tell friends and family where you’re going, especially if you’re going into a remote area. If anything should go wrong, then they’ll know exactly where to look. It might seem silly to share your plan with your friends and family, but you’ll be happy you did so if they come to your rescue!

This is a Take to the Road Collaborated Post