Posted on June 19, 2009 by Fiona Hilliard

 

 

A little while back we held a competition that asked you to tell us about your Ultimate Road Trip recommendations.  Your stories revealed lots of things, from special memories to favourite routes, but most of all, just how much you enjoyed the freedom and independence of life on the road.  Your responses were so interesting and informative that they got us thinking about ways you could help enhance the whole road-trip experience for other drivers.   

 

The following are a few tips we’ve compiled (with your help) for surviving life on the road:

The Route:

No matter what your plans, two things are essential:

1. A Starting Point

The biggest regret many of you admitted to was driving too many miles in one day.  So no prizes for guessing what we’re about to suggest.  Cut down your miles and you’ll be surprised about how much more you’ll get to enjoy and experience your new surroundings.  With a flexible plan you’ll be able to spend more time somewhere that really captures your imagination. 

 2. A Map

While many of you found adventure off-the-beaten-track, without maps or GPS help, first-timers can’t really go wrong with a tried and trusted route.

 

The Car:

 

When booking your rental car ahead of the big trip, consider your route carefully.
If you’re heading for the hills and mountains, think SUV.  Do a little research and you may only end up paying a little more for a bigger car than you might for a compact.  Take into account the number of passengers you’re bringing along.  If you book your car with a major credit card you’ll probably be partially covered for rental insurance, but always check!  Call your credit card company and clarify exactly what is covered and what additional insurance you need to buy from the rental card company. 

You might also look into adding another person to the rental car contract.  One designated driver may be a recipe for arguments. 

 

Your Party:

 

The passengers you’re travelling with are likely to affect you more than any other aspect of your trip.  That’s why it makes sense to sit down with your friends and have a conversation before your trip to figure out what each person wants to get out of the trip.  Although you’ll rarely all agree on what’s fun, it is possible to strike a balance between planning and adventure, even if personalities end up clashing sometimes.

If some people feel iffy about travelling without hotel reservations, while you wouldn’t give a second thought to sleeping in your car, try compromising.  Booking accommodation on certain nights of the trip but keeping other options open will make everyone happy.  The clearer everyone is about the trip before getting out on the open road, the happier your trip will be!