How do you enjoy your trip when traveling far and wide? Use these five tips for driving long distances to ensure you have the best expedition possible.
A long-distance road trip in an SUV is a great way to spend your vacation and see the country. However, there’s some careful planning you should do to make sure you and your family arrive at your destination safely.
Keep reading to learn some tips for driving long distances and make sure you have the best adventure possible on your next vacation.
1. Inspect Your Vehicle
You need to give your car a checkup before the big trip. This includes checking your oil, brake, windshield wiper, and transmission fluids as well as your tire pressure and treads. If you have been avoiding the “check engine light” you should have it addressed before setting out on a long journey.
If you haven’t been experiencing any issues you should still consider taking your vehicle in for an inspection to make sure there are no underlying issues you don’t know about. You don’t want to be far from home and experiencing vehicle issues.
If you are purchasing a used vehicle, especially right before your trip, you should also do a thorough inspection to make sure everything is in good shape and running smoothly. Driving a Jeep Wrangler with the wind in your hair is a great way to see all the sites while long-distance driving.
2. Get Plenty of Rest
Before you set out on the road, it is important that you have gotten a good night’s sleep. This might be hard, especially if you are nervous or excited about your upcoming trip, so try and calm your mind as much as possible before going to bed the night before.
Once you are on the road, do not push yourself to keep driving. If you are feeling fatigued it is best to switch drivers if you are not traveling alone. While you are in the passenger seat you should try and take a nap before your next turn to drive. If you are traveling alone then you should pull off and take a nap or get a hotel room for an overnight sleep.
Driving while drowsy has costly effects. In 2017, nearly 800 people were killed in accidents caused by drivers who were too fatigued to be behind the wheel of a car. These deaths could have been preventable if the drivers would have avoided driving when they were too tired.
3. Make Frequent Stops
When planning on taking a road trip it is a good idea to plan out your route before you leave. You will want to calculate how much mileage you get per tank of gas and determine how many miles there are between your stops.
As you are traveling, you should pay attention to how much gas you have and not wait until your tank gets too low. You should fill up when you can so you don’t get stuck in traffic with low fuel or make a wrong turn and get stranded between gas stations.
While you are traveling you should also make sure you stay hydrated to avoid feeling nauseous or getting muscle cramps from sitting too long. This might make you and your family need to use the bathroom more often. During your stops for gas, it is a perfect time for you to take a bathroom break so you won’t have the need to stop again before you are ready.
4. Don’t Over Pack
Be mindful when packing for your big trip and look up in your owners’ manual how much weight your vehicle can hold. Make sure you calculate the overall passenger weight as well.
You don’t want to overload your car. Not only is it bad for your gas mileage it will also take a toll on your tires and can risk your safety. When you do pack, make sure and stow heavier items lower in the car and towards the center.
Lighter items should go on top protecting not only them from being crushed but also you and your family in the event there is an accident. Not only will it limit the number of projectiles during a sudden stop but it will also keep the center of gravity of your SUV low, it can also help prevent a rollover.
5. Keep Safety in Mind
When you have been on the road for a while you might be tempted to start increasing your speed so you can cut on travel time. While it might seem like a good idea you are actually increasing your chances of getting into an accident. In the end, your increased speed will only get you there a few minutes earlier so it’s not worth the risk.
Instead, you should enjoy the drive, you are on vacation after all. Use cruise control on the highways to help maintain your speed and avoid frequent braking or accelerating. Avoid using cruise control during city driving or if you hit traffic on the highways.
Make sure to follow the rules of the road, especially speed limits, and avoid using your cell phone or eating while driving. If traveling with children, ensure they are buckled up in their seats properly and if they begin to get rowdy it might be a good time to make a stop and let them get their energy out.
Always be courteous to other drivers who are also traveling on the road and avoid getting into a situation where road rage might be involved. In the grand scheme of things, it isn’t worth getting angry over an incident and potentially endangering you or your passengers.
Learn More Tips for Driving Long Distances Today!
These are great tips for driving long distances and will help you enjoy the drive and arrive at your destination safely. Always make sure to inspect your vehicle, plan your route, take plenty of breaks, and enjoy yourself!
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