It’s always nice to get away from the rat race, but a stressful journey can be counter-productive. Particularly if you’re travelling by car, things can get stressful and tedious unless you plan ahead.
If you’re about to hit the road for a long car journey, here are a few tips to ensure your trips is as enjoyable as it possibly can be.
1. Set off at the best time
Think long and hard about the time of day at which you want to set off. Your decision will be influenced by a range of factors, including whether you have children, the traffic, the time of year and any plans you might have. Wherever possible try to avoid urban areas during rush hours. Also, take a look at the latest traffic reports — paying close attention to road works. If you can miss a congested area that is undergoing maintenance, you might be able to shave hours off your journey time. If this means starting your car journey at 5am, that’s a small price to pay for getting to your destination quickly.
2. Stock up on snacks and water
Particularly if you have children in the car, empty stomachs and dry mouths can lead to frustration and bad behaviour. Stock up on nibbles and water, and make sure they are distributed gradually. Presenting these treats without warning during a long trip will give your children a nice surprise, and boost morale when you start hearing that immortal question: “Are we there yet?”
3. Plan for incidents
Any long journey has the potential for stressful incidents and emergencies, so it’s best to be prepared. Have a supply of wet wipes at hand, as well as some basic cleaning equipment — you never know when a spillage might strike. A small, handheld vacuum cleaner could prove invaluable. It’s also a good idea to stock up on bags or sealable storage boxes, just in care anyone starts to feel a little travel sick.
Make sure you have a spare wheel, as well as the equipment needed to change it. If you’re travelling to Europe, you may need emergency equipment in your car, including a high-vis vest and a traffic cone.
4. Take some entertainment
The excitement of a trip soon wears off when the reality of car travel bites. Particularly if you have children in the car, it’s a good idea to have music, videos and games ready. Stock up on tablets, as well as simple activities. You can also plan games to play as a family, including ‘I Spy’ and games involving spotting certain types of vehicle.
5. Break up the journey
Before you set off, it’s always best to plan your route to the last detail, including identifying interesting places to stop. Rather than simply rely on motorway service stations, however, look for places that are attractions in their own right. Even if getting to these places involves a slight detour, a little light relief every two or three hours can make a long car journey a lot more bearable.
6. Leave yourself more time than you need
Work out how long you think your journey will take, and then add two hours. If you find that you’re racing against the clock to get to your final destination, the temptation to speed might be difficult to resist. You want to be relaxed and excited when you arrive, so don’t give yourself the unnecessary stress of trying to make up for traffic jams and unscheduled stops.
7. Use hands-free sat-nav
If you’re driving somewhere for the first time, don’t rely on your memory or paper maps for directions. Take the hassle and stress out of navigation by using a hands-free satellite navigation system. Many of them give you additional information on traffic jams and speed limits, so they can prove invaluable during long journeys.
With a little preparation and organisation, you can enjoy a trouble-free and enjoyable long-distance car journey.