Everything You Need for a Last-Minute Road Trip

When it comes to freedom and spontaneity, few varieties of holiday can compete with a well-planned road trip. If you have the right vehicle, then you can leave at the last minute, without extensive planning.

With that said, a little bit of planning can often make a big difference to the success of your trip. You might do this planning well in advance, so that you’re ready to go at a moment’s notice – although some aspects of your plan can also be thrown together at the very last minute.

Pack smart and light

What do you intend to take with you? The answer will depend on your destination and the weather. Make sure you have more clothes than you think you’ll need. To cope with the British climate, a mixture of lightweight layers that can be easily mixed and matched is ideal. You’ll also need supplies for inside the vehicle. These should include satisfying, calorie-rich snacks, refillable water bottles, and a playlist that everyone in the vehicle can get along with.

Sort out the practicalities

If the vehicle isn’t fit for the road, then you might struggle to enjoy the trip. Make sure that you have plenty of fuel, that your tyres are appropriately inflated, and that your tread depth is well above the legal minimum. Washing and cleaning the car, inside and out, might also help to make the trip more enjoyable.

There are also other measures that are worth taking. If you intend to share driving responsibilities with other people, then having the right insurance is a legal requirement. You can make this happen by adjusting your existing policies – or, you can simply take the hassle-free option and take out some temporary car insurance.

Plan flexible stops

Part of the joy of a road trip is that you’re in control of the journey. If you spot an attraction, then you should feel free to stop and enjoy it. Thus, your route should be roughly pencilled in, leaving you with the freedom to stop and admire those hidden gems you unearth along the way.

Perhaps the best approach to planning a road trip is to pick a part of the world that you’re interested in, make a list of things that you’d like to do while you’re there, and plot a loose route through them.

Make comfort the priority

A good road trip might take you across hundreds of miles, or even thousands of them. As such, you’ll want to take comfort seriously. This might mean bringing pillows, extra layers, blankets, and other niceties. If you intend for passengers to actually sleep in the back of the car, these items can be crucial in avoiding sore backs and stiff necks!