
A good summer road trip is one that provides a little bit of room for the good kind of spontaneity – say, stopping off at an eye-catching restaurant on a whim. But it should also help you to avoid the bad kind of spontaneity: like getting lost and wasting time that you could be spending more enjoyably.
If your summer road trip in 2022 is going to stand a good chance of going without a hitch, you’ll want to do a little bit of forward planning. But what might that planning actually consist of?
Plan your Route
If you know exactly where you’re going, then you can plan all of your stops accordingly. If you know the general vicinity through which you’re going to be travelling, then you might compose a wish-list of stops and plan the route accordingly.
Ideally, you’ll have a navigation app that’ll keep you apprised of potential congestion, and give you the best possible route.
Book Ahead
In 2022, many attractions are taking advance bookings. This applies to restaurants, theme parks and aquariums. To avoid disappointment, make sure that you’ve got everything booked in advance. If the place you’re visiting doesn’t take advance bookings, then try to arrange things so that you’re arriving at the least busy time.
Prep your Vehicle
Your vehicle should be fit for the road. That means making sure that the screen wash and oil reservoirs are topped up, and that your tyres are properly inflated. You should also ensure that the MOT is up to date. If it isn’t, you can book your MOT online prior to the trip.
What to Pack for your Trip
You should plan for the weather you’ll be travelling in. That means seasonally appropriate clothes, and snacks that you might want to reach for along the way. Your car should also come equipped with essential supplies, like jacks, spare wheels and first aid kits. Bear in mind that if you have to pick up extra supplies along the way, you’ll end up paying a premium for them – so it’s probably better to pack more than you think you need.
Plan Route Entertainment
No road trip is complete if it lacks entertainment. You should make a few playlists, so that you can switch out when the mood takes you. Your time in the car can also be used for a bit of social gaming (the kind that actually involves talking to one another). Number-plate games are usually a favourite.
Conclusion
A road trip is best when you’ve done the right planning in advance. A good road trip should contain several destinations, rather than just one – that way you know there’s something good waiting just beyond the horizon.