MISTAKES TO AVOID ON A ROAD TRIP

Summer is almost here and with Covid Travel restrictions still in place, we cannot plan long trips that involve air travel, hence like last summer, we have to resort to road trips. Given how beautiful British Columbia is, there’s something liberating about heading out on the open road. You can pull off to look for aliens from a UFO watchtower (yes, it’s a thing), spend the afternoon picnicking at an overlook, or cruise through the night fueled by gas station coffee and snacks. All you need is a reliable car, a killer playlist, and a plan that’s flexible enough to allow for a little wiggle room - because that’s where the fun comes in.

But even the most go-with-the-flow road tripper knows that without some solid pre-trip planning and smart onthe-road know-how, the most amazing road trip can be a bust. To help, we chatted with a few experts who know what you’ll need to do (and not do) in order to make your road trip seamless.

1. NOT TAKING YOUR CAR IN FOR A FULL TUNE-UP BEFORE

DEPARTING- On a long road trip, your car can either be your first or your worst enemy. To increase your chances of the former, schedule a full tune-up a week or two before you go. Having a pro check your oil and tire pressure, and make sure your battery , brakes, and engine are working properly, will keep you from being stranded on the side of the road.

2. LEAVING WITHOUT GETTING

YOUR HOME IN ORDER- Sanna Bowman, editor-in-chief at Roadtrippers, recommends making “a list of the things that need taking care of when you’re gone, including your mail, lawn and garden, and house plants.” If you’re worried about leaving the house empty for multiple days (for weeks), she said, “Installing a home security system before you leave can offer peace of mind.”

3. FORGETTING TO DOWNLOAD MAPS, ENTERTAINMENT, AND ROAD

TRIP APPS- If you want to avoid data charges at the end of your trip, you’ll need to download everything over Wi-Fi before you leave Andrew Moore-Crispin, director of content at Ting Mobile, recommends downloading your maps on Google Maps in advance, so you don’t have to use data (or need it) to navigate. The same goes for Spotify playlists and any shows or movies you’ll need to keep young road trippers entertained.

4. OVERLOOKING THE TECH ACCESSORIES YOU NEED TO STAY

ONLINE AND IN CONTROL- Pack your car phone charger for upgrade to a multiphone car charger and make sure to have a place to put your phone, so you can check the directions without fumbling or looking down. The universal magnetic car mount from WizGear hooks into your car’s air vent to keep your phone in view at all times - and it costs less than $20.

5. LEAVING HOME WITHOUT A COOKER OF SNACKS AND DRINKS-

Chances are, there are plenty of gas stations and fast food joints along the way, but a trip sustained by burgers, fries, candy, and chips will get old fast. Pack a cooler with pre-cut veggies and fruit, nuts, sandwiches, and of course some healthy snacks to keep you hydrated and lightly caffeinated on a long day.

6. NOT KEEPING THINGS ORGANIZED

AND CLEAN DURING THE TRIP- When you’re living in your car, things can get messy quickly. Bring along wet wipes, paper towels and hand sanitizer, and slow everything in a seat back organizer (one that has a trash compartment, tissue holder and a place to stow water bottles or wipes). When packing the car, load things you won’t need until later so the items you’ll use throughout the drive are more accessible.

7. PLANNING EVERYTHING SO THERE’S NO ROOM FOR

SPONTANEITY- One of the best parts of road tripping is having the freedom to stop, explore, and reroute at any moment. “Once you plan out your trip, you can always deviate from your plan, but it’s a good idea to do some research ahead of time to get the most out of your trip,” said Bowman. “Road trips are all about the journey -of course, time or budget constraints can dictate the route, but detours and unexpected stops are often the most memorable moments from a trip.”

8. NOT STOPPING TO STRETCH

YOUR LEGS OFTEN ENOUGH- “When hitting the road, the biggest mistake that people make is not stopping often enough to stretch their legs and walk. To keep your mind fresh to focus on driving safely, I recommend stopping once an hour to move around and stretch, whether that means getting gas or grabbing a cup of coffee, then enjoying a 50- minute break every four to five hours for a short walk or hike,” said Dr. Suzanne Bartlett- Hackenmiller, an integrative medicine physician and the medical advisor for AllTrails. “According to the Journal of Safety Research, 30 minutes is sufficient to help fight against fatigue during longer trips.”

9. DRIVING WITHOUT THE GEAR (OR KNOW-HOW) TO CHANGE A FLAT

TIRE- Not every car (or rental car) comes with a spare tire kit. Take the time to make sure you have a fully inflated spare and everything you would need to put it on - a jack, lug wrench, and the owner’s manual. If you don’t have a spare tire, buy one (and the necessary tools) before taking off. You should also get a little tutorial (either in person or online) on how to change a flat tire should something come up. It is no fun relying on a Google search when you’re in the middle of nowhere.

10. LEAVING HOME WITHOUT A

ROAD TRIP EMERGENCY KIT- Don’t leave home without preparing for some common road trip mishaps. A flashlight with extra batteries, a tire pressure gauge, jumper cables, a car battery charger (or spare battery), extra water, a few energy bars, and some first- aid essentials - pain reliever, bandages, and scissors - will go a long way should something go wrong. Wish you a Bon Voyage on the road.