Maybe you’ve taken road trips with family or friends in the past, but setting out on one on your own is an adventure in itself. Whether it’s just a day trip or a cross-country excursion, your first solo trip will be one to remember. However, make sure you don’t remember it for the wrong reasons. Road trip safety should always be paramount, but it becomes even more important when you’re by yourself. Here are some tips to ensure the best journey ever.
Get Enough Sleep
One big advantage of a group road trip is that the driving can be shared, allowing others to sleep while someone’s at the wheel. If you’re not used to driving for long periods, you’d be surprised at how tiring it can be, even for relatively short stretches. Approximately 1 in 25 drivers report having fallen asleep while driving in the last 30 days. It’s crucial to make sure that you get plenty of sleep before and during your trip. You should make sure that you schedule stops to sleep for the night. If you feel sleepy along the way, don’t hesitate to stop at a rest area or even a car park to catch an hour’s nap—you’ll be better off for it.
Don’t Drive Overnight
Many solo road trippers think that they can make better time by driving at night, citing less traffic. That may be true, but more than 50 percent of auto fatalities take place at night. You don’t want to increase your risk of getting into an accident far from home. Besides, part of the fun of road trips is watching the scenery go by, why travel when all you’ll see are headlights and markers? You should also try to avoid driving at dawn or dusk, particularly in rural areas when many large and potentially vehicle-damaging animals like deer are active. If you don’t normally travel at night, now is not a good time to start.
Plan in Advance
Sure, you can be a little spontaneous when going on your solo road trip, but some advance planning can save you some headaches and keep you safe. If you know that you’re going to be passing through major metropolitan areas, try to cross them at non-rush hours or navigate around them if you’re able. Carry some snacks and drinks in case you have trouble finding somewhere to grab some from. Plan breaks, even if all you do on them is stretch your legs or use the toilet. Look around, enjoy the view, take some pictures and some deep breaths. Most importantly, make sure that there’s at least one person who has a general idea of your route that you can contact if you veer a little off the path or get into a jam.
Travelling by yourself can be exhilarating. Getting to see what you want when you want without having to run on someone else’s timetable is freedom at its best. See you on the road!
If you’re looking for the next great place to go on a solo road trip, try one of these picturesque locations!
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