7 Steps for a Stress-Free Road Trip

Aug 9, 2018

No matter how long or short, road trips are best in the summertime! They create great memories and can be a cost-effective way to satisfy the craving for an adventure. However, like any vacation, they can be a source of stress and headaches—but we at Toyota of Wausau have compiled a how-to for a stress-free trip!

1. Set a Budget

Like any trip, you’ll want to set a budget for your road trip, and do your best to stick to it. In addition to gas expenses, don’t forget to account for food, lodging, and any sightseeing you plan on doing along the way. You should also consider that gas prices may fluctuate from place to place, and account for that in your budget.

2. Plan the Route

Pretty basic and straightforward, right? Plan where you’d like to go, and make sure you account for how long it will take you to get there and back. Make sure you figure out spots to stop and rest along the way, that way you don’t find yourself struggling for a place to rest while already out on the road. And, keep in mind, you’ll need to have some wiggle room with your plans! You won’t always know if there will be a detour, bad traffic, or unfavorable weather conditions.

3. Service Your Vehicle

Before heading out on your trip, it is very important to bring your vehicle in for a routine checkup! There’s nothing worse than having car trouble in an unfamiliar place or out in the middle of nowhere. Save yourself the headache and get your vehicle checked over a few weeks prior to your trip. Schedule a service appointment with us and we’d be happy to make sure you’re all set for your trip!

4. Pack Only the Necessities

Do your best to pack light! Not only will the lighter load help your fuel efficiency, but it will also save you the headache of digging through piles and piles of clothes for one specific item. Don’t stress the small stuff, either—if you forget something, there will be plenty of gas stations and convenience stores where you can buy sunglasses, chargers, and snacks. That said, you won’t want to forget:

First-aid kit. Accidents happen! Either purchase a pre-packaged kit, or build your own. You should always have an emergency medical kit—just in case.
Pillows and blankets. You may have to settle for some roadside sleeping, depending on where you’re headed.
Sanitary goods. Wet wipes, hand sanitizer, napkins, and so on. You don’t want to deal with a mess without any means to clean it up!
Downloaded music. Radio signals may become unreliable, or you might not be able to find anything you’re in the mood to listen to. Come prepared with some of your favorite albums, podcasts, and audiobooks downloaded to a device.
Medicine. Aside from your first-aid kit, you may want to consider grabbing some ibuprofen, motion sickness tablets, and anti-nausea pills. There are fewer things that are worse than feeling sick while stuck in a car.

5. Be Aware of Traffic Laws

Laws can vary from state to state, so make sure you do the proper research beforehand to avoid getting a ticket three states over. These can range from minimum speed limits to restricting what lanes you can drive in—so prepare yourself!

6. Plan Things to do in the Car

Let’s face it—you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the car. Plan out some games to play or podcasts to listen to to keep busy. This will help the drive go much quicker and prevent people from getting too antsy.

7. Rest Often

Above all else, rest often. Don’t be afraid to pull over and stretch if you’re feeling drowsy. Driving while tired isn’t safe, and arriving a little late to your destination safely is much better than putting yourself and passengers in danger.

Other tips:

Traveling with kids. Traveling with younger children can be an entirely different challenge. Make sure you bring plenty of things for them to keep busy, such as coloring books, handheld video games, and toys. Plan for stopping more frequently to help them get their energy out.
Traveling with pets. Much like traveling with children, you will have to account for more stops if you’re taking your pets along, too. They’ll have to get their energy out as well as use the bathroom. Also be sure to bring things to keep them busy, and look into buying motion sickness medicine for your furry friend. You don’t want your pet throwing up in your back seat!
Keep a journal on the trip. Driving can seem pretty boring and mundane, but fun and memorable things still happen between point A and point B! Keep a journal to jot down some of your favorite memories as they happen—that way you don’t forget them later on!

That’s all we’ve got for tips and tricks in surviving your next road trip! Now that you’re armed with everything you need, let’s go places! What’s your best summer road trip memory? Do you have any other suggestions for keeping a road trip stress-free? Let us know in the comments!