Have you ever set off on a long drive only to realise halfway there that you forgot to fill up, the windscreen needs cleaning and nobody has thought about where you’re going to stop for lunch? Road trips can be one of the nicest ways to travel, giving you the freedom to take a scenic detour, stop when something catches your eye and explore places that are difficult to reach by public transport. But a little preparation can make a long car journey considerably more comfortable.
Photo by Roman Odintsov
Before setting off, there are the practical things to think about: checking the car, planning the route and making sure everyone has what they need for several hours on the road. Then there are the smaller details that can make the difference between an enjoyable journey and one that feels unnecessarily tiring, from having snacks and water within reach to choosing somewhere pleasant for a break.
Get the Car Ready Before You Go
The most important preparation happens before the luggage goes into the boot. Before a long journey, check that the car is roadworthy and suitable for the distance you’re planning to cover. This includes checking the tyres, lights, fluid levels and windscreen, as well as making sure you have enough fuel or charge for the journey. It’s recommended to carry out routine checks before setting off, including checking tyre condition and pressure, lights, fluids and visibility.
Tyres are particularly worth checking before a road trip. Look for obvious damage or uneven wear and make sure the pressure is appropriate for the vehicle and its load. If a tyre needs replacing before you travel, mobile tyre fitting can be a convenient alternative to arranging a separate garage visit. For example, reach out to Fife Autocentre to arrange mobile tyre fitting at home, work or another suitable location, rather than taking time out of your day to drive to a garage.
It is also worth checking the basics that are easy to forget: screen wash, engine oil, lights and fuel. These take only a few minutes to inspect, but can save considerable inconvenience later. Check your vehicle is fit for the journey and making sure you have the necessary documents, fuel and equipment before setting off.
Plan the Journey, Not Just the Destination
One of the pleasures of travelling by car is having more freedom than you would on a train or plane, but that doesn’t mean you need to plan every minute of the journey. A rough idea of your route, likely traffic and suitable places to stop is usually enough.
When planning a longer drive, allow more time than the navigation app suggests. Traffic, roadworks, weather and unexpected delays can all turn a straightforward journey into a much longer one. Take road and weather conditions, traffic, rest breaks and refuelling stops into account when planning a journey, as well as considering an alternative route if conditions change.
There is also something to be said for leaving a little room for spontaneity. If you are driving through a part of the country you’ve never visited before, look out for interesting towns, viewpoints, cafés or places to stop along the way. My guide to some of the best holiday destinations in the UK is a good place to start if you’re looking for inspiration.
A rural road in England. Photo by Aznan Nasmi
Make Time for Proper Breaks
A long car journey can become tiring surprisingly quickly, particularly if you are concentrating on motorways for several hours. Rather than waiting until everyone is exhausted before stopping, plan regular breaks into the journey.
The Highway Code recommends taking at least a 15-minute break after every two hours of driving and advises drivers who feel sleepy to stop somewhere safe.
A break doesn’t have to mean standing beside a petrol station drinking a hurried coffee. If you have the time, look for somewhere pleasant to stop: a country pub, a café in a small town, a beach, a woodland walk or a viewpoint overlooking the landscape. Breaking up a long drive with somewhere worth visiting can make the journey feel like part of the holiday rather than simply the time between home and your destination.
If you’re travelling with children, these stops become even more useful. Giving everyone an opportunity to stretch their legs, use the toilet and have something to eat can make the next section of the journey much more enjoyable.
Make the Car Comfortable
You may not notice an uncomfortable seat or a badly positioned headrest during a short drive, but several hours behind the wheel is another matter. Before setting off, adjust the driver’s seat, steering wheel and mirrors so that you can drive comfortably and maintain good visibility. Make these adjustments before setting off and ensuring that head restraints are correctly positioned.
Passengers deserve a little consideration too. Keep water bottles, snacks and anything else people are likely to need somewhere accessible rather than buried underneath the luggage. A phone charger or power bank is useful for keeping devices running, particularly if you’re using one for navigation.
Temperature can also make a surprising difference. Keep the car ventilated and adjust the heating or air conditioning rather than trying to endure an uncomfortable temperature for the sake of avoiding a stop. If you’re travelling with several people, everyone may have a slightly different idea of what constitutes a comfortable temperature, so a little compromise goes a long way.
Pack for the Journey, Not Just the Destination
When packing for a road trip, it is tempting to put everything in the boot and forget about it until you arrive. But some of the things you need most are likely to be needed along the way.
Keep water, snacks, tissues, wipes, chargers, sunglasses and a light jacket somewhere you can reach them easily. If you’re travelling with children, bring whatever they are likely to need during the journey rather than putting it underneath several layers of luggage.
It is also sensible to have basic emergency equipment in the car. Depending on the journey and destination, this might include a first-aid kit, torch, phone charger or power bank, warm clothing and enough food and water to deal with an unexpected delay. GOV.UK’s journey-planning guidance similarly recommends being prepared for delays or poor weather with suitable clothing, equipment, food and drink.
The aim isn’t to turn the car into an emergency bunker. It is simply to make sure that a minor delay doesn’t become a major inconvenience.
Photo by Andraz Lazic on Unsplash
Expect the Unexpected
Even the best-planned road trip can go slightly wrong. You might encounter heavy traffic, a sudden change in weather, a road closure or a problem with the car. Building some flexibility into the day makes these situations much easier to deal with. It is also worth thinking about the condition of the car before setting off, particularly if you’re planning a longer journey. My guide to car servicing before a UK road trip covers some of the checks and servicing considerations to think about before you travel.
This is another reason not to plan a long journey around an exact arrival time whenever possible. If you have allowed enough time for a few delays and stops, an unexpected diversion is less likely to feel like a disaster.
If the car does develop a problem, don’t continue driving simply because you’ve got somewhere to be. A warning light, damaged tyre or other issue may need professional attention before you continue. Having breakdown cover and knowing who to contact can give you some reassurance if something does go wrong.
Make the Journey Part of the Trip
The best thing about travelling by car is that the journey doesn’t have to be an inconvenience between two destinations. You can stop for coffee somewhere you would never have discovered otherwise, take a detour through the countryside or have lunch in a town that wasn’t originally on the itinerary. And if you’re setting off early, even the coffee you make before leaving can become part of the ritual of the journey — see my guide to creating a mindful morning coffee ritual for a few ideas.
This is particularly appealing when you’re travelling somewhere scenic. A road through the mountains, coastline or countryside can be as memorable as the destination itself, especially when you aren’t rushing to get there.
So while checking the tyres, planning the route and packing the car might not be the most exciting parts of preparing for a road trip, they give you more freedom once you’re on the road. With the practical details taken care of, you can spend less time worrying about the journey and more time enjoying it.
