Made the decision to go on a road trip as a family this year or next? Taking a road trip, particularly as a family can prove a little challenging. It’s important that you’ve planned and prepared for the journey ahead, whether the timing to your destination will take one hour or five.
Family road trips pose a particular challenge because you may be dealing with little ones who don’t always like traveling in the car or will have needs that require a service stop every hour or so.
With that being said, if you’re looking to get on the road and off it with ease, here’s everything you need to pack up your car and ensure a successful journey wherever you’re going.
Fuel up Before Leaving
Before you get on the road, it’s a good idea to fuel up your car before leaving. This is essential because it’s going to save you time when you’re on the road from having to top up fuel, especially if you’re making good progress on the road.
Having to top up your fuel supplies mid-way or when your kids are sleeping, might end up setting you back if you’re not careful.
Fuelling up your car is always worthwhile and it’s best to do it while you’re not on the freeway.
You may find that it’s cheaper to do it while you’re in your hometown, rather than doing it out on the road where prices might be at a premium. Fill your fuel all the way to the top so that you’ve got a full tank ready to go.
Plan Your Route and an Alternative Option Too
When it comes to taking a road trip, it’s a good idea to make sure you’ve planned your route accordingly.
There are often multiple route options to choose from, so the route you choose must be one that you can do with not too much hassle or delays.
Should that initial route become a problem or it’s closed off for any reason, then you should have an alternative, backup option already in your mind or ready to be loaded onto your phone’s navigation system.
Planning your route is going to help you save time before leaving and to ensure that you’ve got the best path possible to get from A to B without too many hiccups along the way.
The alternative route will hopefully not be needed but is a great way of keeping your road trip on time.
Keep All your Documents in One Place
Documents should ideally be all kept together and in one place. When you’re traveling on the road with the family, there’s nothing worse than putting your important travel documents in places where snacks and drinks could get spilled and ultimately end up on these documents.
Keeping them all in a dry and safe space is beneficial, so it’s worth identifying where this space will be before driving off. Ideally, a lockable storage area such as the one under your dashboard, is definitely a great choice.
It’s also helpful to have it in a place like this so that you have everything in one place, rather than all over the car’s interior cabin or loose in your handbag.
Check the exterior of the car
To help ensure your car is ready for the long drive, make sure to check the exterior of the car. That includes checking the tire pressures to maintain the car’s safety and improved grip on the road for any weather conditions.
Having updated number plates are important along with all the necessary documents for your car. Check that the plates themselves are visible and in good condition. It’s worth getting private plates if your current ones are not up to scratch.
Don’t forget to test all your lights to make sure they all work correctly before leaving your driveway.
Have a First aid Kit to Hand
A first aid kit is an important one when it comes to keeping you and your family safe. If you’ve not got a first aid kit, then you might find yourself in a pickle if one of your little ones or yourself gets injured while on the road.
From bumps to scuffs to more serious injuries, a first aid kit can be a lifesaver if and when it needs use. With kids in particular, they often get themselves into trouble and a plaster or two might be needed on the journey, despite most of it likely being in the car itself.
Keep Plenty of Tissues and Wipes in Storage
Tissues and wipes are a good thing to have on hand for dirty hands and fingers. You want to keep your car interiors in good condition, which is why having these tissues and wipes within easy access helps manage everyone within the car.
Consider what tissues and wipes are required and where these are kept within the interior cabin. For example, you might want to look at keeping some in the front and in the back so that everyone has easy access to them.
Pack Plenty of Snacks and Drinks
Snacks and drinks are the lifeline of a road trip. Regardless of how short or how long that road trip may be, having enough refreshments and food available for the little ones and for yourselves, is imperative to get right.
Make sure that you’ve packed everything you’d need for the journey and some emergency supplies just in case it’s required.
Have Cabin Entertainment Available
Finally, keep your little ones and teenagers entertained by having plenty of cabin entertainment available.
From your iPads loaded with downloaded shows and movies, to card-version board games that can be played easily within the confines of the interior cabin.
These road trip essentials should hopefully make it easy enough for you and your family to endure the trip, however long or short it may be. Make sure you’ve got everything prepared for the journey ahead.
