What can you do to prepare for a long distance trip?

Long road trips can be the lead-up to a fun vacation or a move across the country. While a long trip can be fun, it does require thoughtful planning so everything goes as planned. Here's how you can plan for your road trip so you can enjoy yourself!

How to Prepare for a Long Road Trip

There are ways you can prepare yourself for your trip like making sure your car is ready to go, getting plenty of rest, and packing an assortment of snacks. Whether you're on a long road trip for fun or for work, these tips can help you make it to your destination safely.

1. Prepare Your Vehicle

One of the first things you should do before leaving for a road trip is to make sure your vehicle is up to date on all of its maintenance. Depending on how long your road trip is, you may go over the mileage for your next oil change. If that's going to be the case, start your trip out with a fresh oil change. You should also check all of your fluids, like windshield wiper fluid, engine coolant, and brake fluid. Don't forget to check your tire tread and wiper blades as well.

2. Plan Out Your Route

While you know where your final destination is, you can get there in a multitude of ways. Longer road trips offer the chance to see more sights on the way that you normally wouldn't see. Make a stop at a National Park or museum for a fun way to break up your drive.

You can also plan around avoiding high traffic areas around cities at certain times of the day. Just don't try to pack too much into one day of the trip and wear yourself out for the rest of the drive. If you are planning a budget-friendly road trip, map out the gas stations and hotels that have rewards points for extra savings. 

3. Pack Everything You Need

Load your vehicle up with everything you need for the trip, and you'll save yourself from making unnecessary stops. Try making a list ahead of time, so you aren't scrambling at the last minute to remember everything that you need. Make sure you have a vehicle maintenance kit, plenty of snacks, and entertainment. If you plan on using your phone for all of your entertainment, be sure to download your audiobooks, music, or podcasts ahead of time in case you hit a service dead zone. 

4. Get Plenty of Rest

The night before you leave for your road trip, get eight hours of sleep if possible, even if that means going to bed really early. Take frequent stops so you can take a break to stay alert. If you have multiple people in the car, switch drivers every couple of hours, or when any signs of drowsiness occur. Don't drive while drowsy, especially if you are driving alone.

5. Prepare for Inclement Weather

One thing you should always be aware of is the weather on your road trip route, especially depending on the season. Pay attention to a national weather report to monitor the areas you'll be driving through for any severe storms like blizzards, thunderstorms, and even tornados that could delay your trip. You may have to take an unplanned day off due to road conditions, especially in the winter, if the roads are undrivable. 

Be Safe on Your Long Road Trip

Follow these tips, and not only will you have fun on your road trip, but you'll complete your journey in one piece. To learn additional ways to drive safely on your road trip, sign up for a driving course on DriversEd.com. You'll learn about all of the rules of the road and potentially earn an insurance discount while doing so. 

When you’re planning a road trip, make sure you account for these road trips tips so you can get to your destination safely and comfortably.

You need to plan in advance for your road trip and we’re not just talking about packing. “Highway hypnosis” is quite common when travelers haven’t prepared for the endurance demands of an extended haul. In fact, more than 60 percent of drivers say they’ve gotten behind the wheel while drowsy, according to a survey by mattress retailer Sleepy’s.

With that statistic in mind, you should take steps to prepare for long drives before you get behind the wheel—and to stay alert and energized throughout your trip. These tips for long drives will help you down the road.

1. Get plenty of sleep before your drive

Think about exhaustion before you begin your journey, not after. Get at least seven hours of sleep for two consecutive nights before the road trip to build up your energy reserves. It’s best to start in the morning after a good night’s sleep, not after a long, tiring day of work (unless you plan to stop). Take regular breaks along the way to stay fresh and alert, stopping roughly every 100 miles or two hours. “Also, try to avoid driving between 1 and 3 p.m., when the body’s temperature is lower and people are naturally drowsy,” says The Sleep Doctor, Dr. Michael Breus.

2. Bring healthy road trip snacks

Carrying along a variety of vitamin-packed, healthy foods will allow you to get by on smaller snacks throughout the long drive, while skipping the fast-food stops. “To stay alert, carrots and almonds are my favorite,” says blogger and travel expert Gretchen Breuner author of The RoadScholarz: Lessons from the Scenic Route.

3. Stay hydrated

Keep the water supply well-stocked for maximum energy. “A possible downside of this, of course, is that you’ll need to make more bathroom stops,” says Breuner, who traveled to 19 states with her family in an RV in three months. To learn more about what to bring on a road trip, check out this list of essential items and tools to keep in your car.

4. Plan your rest stops

One of the most crucial tips for road trips is to get out of your car and stretch your legs every two hours or so, our experts suggest. Plan these stops into your long drive, whether they fall at mealtimes or can be timed to let you view interesting places.

5. Chew gum

The repetitive process increases circulation and alertness. “You don’t need the sugary kind to get the desired effect,” says Breus, who is a fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and author of Good Night: The Sleep Doctor’s 4-Week Program to Better Sleep and Better Health.

6. Use energizing scents

During long distance driving, Breus also recommends keeping a source of peppermint scent nearby. When you feel you need a boost, take a sniff. “It’s a pleasant, all-natural pick-me-up that has been shown to reduce fatigue and increase alertness,” he says.

7. Sit up straight

Make sure your seat is adjusted properly for your body, tilted for maximum blood flow. If you feel a driving “trance” coming on, sit up. “Take a deep breath and scan your body for tension,” says yoga teacher and wellness specialist Elaine Masters, author of Drivetime Yoga: Yoga Benefits in the Convenience of Your Car. “If your right hip is feeling sore, for example, lean to the other side.”

8. Keep passengers entertained

Long drives—especially with kids—can often lead to bickering. That kind of aggravation leads to driver fatigue. So make sure children are entertained with books, puzzles and other time-killing diversions. On the flip side, road trip games such as “find the license plate” are great for keeping everyone engaged with one another.

9. Listen to audio books

Audio books help keep the brain active, without creating a dangerous distraction. Breus recommends listening to humorous books or even comedy CDs. “Laughing,” he says, “will keep you awake.”

These tips for long drives can help keep you and your car protected on the road. For more defensive driving tips, check out these 9 safe driving habits.

In addition to safe driving habits, your insurance policy is key to protecting you while driving. Learn more about Nationwide’s auto insurance coverage, including our 24/7 Roadside Assistance option.

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