Summer is here, and many of us would have many road trips planned. I know we have a couple planned and I am really looking forward to them. We all need a break every now and again, and travelling by road, is a convenient and affordable way to travel, especially with kids.
Great road trips mean avoiding many of the problems that you can face on when motoring. After all the packing and planning, you won’t want to get stranded on the motorways, or be without something you need.
Here are some tips for you to remember when planning your summer road trip –
Invest In A Smart Sat Nav
Buy a smart sat nav. Not only will you be able to find the best route from your location on any given day, but it will help you to avoid the unnecessary traffic. Smart devices of all kinds can update you on exactly where the hold ups are in real-time, so you get information on delays caused by accidents, heavy road use, or planned road works.
Deal With Insurance Claims With a Camera
This tip is so important so take notes. Dashboard mounted cameras are nothing new but only few UK drivers use them regularly. Once fitted, you can forget about them and set them to record in a loop. In the event of an accident, or even a near miss, you will have the necessary evidence to show that you have been driving correctly at all times.
We were involved in an accident many years ago while driving to London. There was a sudden stop, and a car ran into us behind, and we ran into the car in front, and it went back and forth for some seconds. It was terrifying. The car was a wreck and we were ‘OK’ but in shock. It took us a while to get the necessary evidence together for our insurance claims, but if we had a dashboard camera, it would have been a lot easier.
Buy Some Performance Tyres
Long road trips can take it out of your tyres, especially if you choose to go down country lanes and tracks which might mean you feel more off-road during your road trip than on. Performance tyres may set you back more than the budget variety, but they tend to stand up better to more testing conditions and they can work out cheaper in the longer term because they are more durable. Ask a national tyre dealer, such as Point S tyres about special promotions for the best bargains from top tyre brands.
Stay Cool
Most modern cars have air conditioning, an essential for roads trips that are undertaken during summer, but what if yours breaks down or you don’t have it in the first place? Well, 12V air con units can be bought which help you to stay cool even if you need to keep your windows up to remain secure in slow-moving urban traffic. Just mount one on your dashboard and plug it into the cigar lighter adapter.
First Aid
Keep a first aid kit in the glove compartment in the case of an emergency. If you cannot get out of the car having one in the boot is not of much use, so ensure yours is easily available in the back seat or under the chairs should you need to make use of it.
Do you have any summer road trip tips to share?
*This is a collaborative post.
Fab tips! Although road trips are great fun there is quite a bit that can go wrong if you’re not prepared!!!
I know right.
Unfortunately I don’t drive but the stay cool and first aid tips are great for any kind of trip really! I always carry plasters in my purse for just in case.
Plasters in purses is smart.
Great tips Stella. Hopefully I can go on one in this lifetime of mine as I am not a risk taker like that ☺
Xo
You should Moji. It is fun xo
Let’s do it together without the hubs and children Stella. I know you will take care of me 🙂 X
Ha yea lets do it. The only problem is I don’t drive..Lol.
Great tips! Always good to be prepared, nothing more annoying than not being prepared on a road trip!
I know..
Great post! And obvously you’re never hoping to get stuck along the road, but make sure to bring enough water and a fluorescent vest just in case!
Yea great tips there.
Useful tips! We do loads of roadtrips. Did one all way from Cornwall to a loch in Scotland and back. Also did another one from Cornwall to France. This summer though, I think we’re just going to do road-trips within the UK 🙂 x
We have done 1 from Chester to Scotland before. It was lovely xo
I know it has nothing to do with your post but I love your hair! Great tips, it’s always good to be prepared
Thanks Leighanne xo
Great Tips Stella! I agree having a smart sat Nav is necessary for the best route. And a first aid kid is also mandatory …..Yes it’s better to be prepared coz we never know what is going to happen!
Yea. Thanks for reading.
I need to get a new sat nav as mine takes ages to pick up signal x
Yea our old sat nav was horrible.
These are some awesome tips – I got a smart sat nav last year and it really makes a difference. x
Yea we have 1 too and it is ace.
I don’t drive but any driver should have first aid and some refreshments and snacks to give to the passengers and themselves.
Yea food is always a good idea.
I like these ideas! I really want to go on a few road trips this summer. There’s no way I could do them without a good sat nav.
I know..We will get lost without a sat nav.
Useful tips for a road trip. Preparation is definitely key
Yea it is x
Great tips here. I’m heading on an epic road trip next monday and was seriously considering mounting my Go Pro on the front of my bike to capture the dangerous car driving I might experience. I get run off the road almost every time I head out on my local roads so I can’t imagine how much more dangerous it’ll be on the mainland!
Oh wow. Have fun xo
Lots of great tips here! My top tip would be to pack lots of delicious snacks and of course have a great playlist.
Yea food and good music is fab.
This is a very useful list , I have seen those cameras in halfords I think they are catching on.
They are lovely. We got ours from Argos or Currys, can’t remember which 1 of them exactly.
Fantastic advice – especially about insurance! How often do we lose/break those phones!?
Thanks Harriet.
Great selection of useful tips there, such a useful list.
Thanks Zoe x
I don’t drive anymore due to a neurological problem. My hub never learnt however be it road trip.or train trip way your tips are useful. Always be prepared with or without children.
Taking drinks and snacks in a cold bag is also important as you have them if you run into any delays plus because they are so expensive to buy outside it saves you money which we all need too.
A small bag of entertainment is always useful for children and yourself too. It goes without saying keeping first aid, wet wipes and so on on you is vital
Stay cool is the best tip to have the best summer road trip.All your points are indeed helpful and a great reminder for documentation for insurance claims.
Thanks for reading Jessica xo
I love road trips and I miss having a car so much for the very reason that I can’t just jump in the car and go on a road trip for the day! Some great tips here, and I love your shoes in the outfit picture too!
Thanks Zoe xo
Great tips! I’m currently doing a European Road Trip and 6,000KM in and going strong! Had to make a trip to a garage in Barcelona to get our A/C topped up when it started not working, was far too hot, didn’t know portable A/C units existed
Ah didn’t know that too. Great x
We often go for road trips this time of year. Normally in Europe so these tips are great and will come in really handy. Thanks
Thank you fo reading x
My tips would be to have a few bottles of water in the boot at all times and have a pack of baby wipes too. Babies not necessary but wipes clear up a multitude of sins!
Yea it does clear..
Great advice. I definitely need to invest in a satnav. We always rely on our phones and always end up lost or arguing. x
I know..Tell me about getting lost..Sat navs are life savers.
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