How to Plan a Perfect Road Trip for Beginners in 6 Significant Steps

Knowing how to drive a car will enable you to enjoy one of the most memorable vacation experiences, the road trip. The road trip is a general phrase that describes a long trek made in a vehicle for pleasure. Road trips take a little planning. Here are a the 6 steps for beginners to plan a successful first road trip.

6 Steps For Beginners to Plan Your First Road Trip

1. 1

   Decide on a destination. It is a good idea to choose a destination that is not too far away for your first road trip. A road trip can span only one day. For example, choose a city a couple of hours away for your first road trip. You will enjoy a nice drive to your destination, spend some time in a new place, and drive back home all in one day.

2. 2

   Choose a route. Many people who take road trips like to take the scenic route to their chosen destination. You can use a map or the internet to plan a route. Some drivers prefer to take a back roads rather than interstate highways when they go on road trips. Although it may take longer to reach your destination on these roads, the views will be much more interesting.

   The Turquoise Trail in New Mexico is one of thousands scenic roads you can take in the U.S.

3. 3

   Consider your vehicle. Some vehicles simply are not made for long trips. Cars that are especially suited to road trips are convertibles, sports cars, cars that get great gas mileage, and small crossover SUVs. SUVs and minivans are also good road trip vehicles if you are traveling with several people or your family. Vehicles that might not be great choices for road trips are large trucks, large SUVs, and vans. Make sure that you will have plenty of room for your passengers since you will be spending several hours inside the vehicle. Also try to choose a vehicle that gets great gas mileage to reduce the cost of your trip.

4. 4

   Get a tune up. If you are planning on driving your car over a long distance for several days, it is a great idea to let a mechanic check for problems before you depart. Get your oil changed, refill your windshield wiper fluid, and make sure all lights are in working order. These steps will reduce the chance of becoming stranded or experiencing mechanical issues during your road trip.

   Working car lights ensure that other drivers see you, even in reduced visibility. This is crucial to avoid accidents

5. 5

   Plan for stops. It is reasonable to estimate that you will need to take a break from travelling every two or three hours. If there is an interesting city, park, store, or restaurant that you would like to see on your road trip, schedule stops accordingly. It is all part of the road trip experience.

   To enjoy the stop, make sure you lock your car and don’t leave valuables in visibility

6. 6

   Bring entertainment. Of course, the driver needs to focus his or her attention on the road. The passengers, however, might want some entertainment along the way. Portable DVD players with headphones, MP3 players, books, crossword puzzles, magazines, and travel journals are some excellent ideas for passing the time on a road trip.

It is important to remember that the drive is the most important part.

Don’t be in a rush. If there is something interesting you would like to stop and see, do so. It is all part of the experience. The next time that you plan a vacation for you and your family or a quick getaway for your friends, consider driving instead of flying. You might find that hitting the open road is your preferred means of transportation.