If you’re planning on hitting the open road by yourself, take a look at our tips for taking a solo road trip. Travelling solo means you get full control over the tunes, but there are some things you need to look out for to help keep you driving along happily.
Plan your breaks
Having regular breaks along the way not only helps you stay safe and focused on the road, you’ll also get to see more of the county. Plan your stops around places of interest to you, not just the basic service station!
Make your stops part of your experience, enjoy them, and see more than just motorways on the way to your destination. Spontaneously stopping along the way when in a group can be lots of fun, but when by yourself, having a plan of where you can stop, sleep and explore can give you more confidence. Think about your route, accommodation, phone charging points, parking, activities on-route, and where to fill up.
Know your limits
You don’t have anyone to share the driving with when you set off alone. This probably means you won’t be able to cover as many miles in a day as you’ll need to give yourself time to rest and avoid driver fatigue. Ahead of your journey, you can research where you can stop when you think you’ll need a break – this is all part of the fun of a taking a road trip alone.
Check out our long-distance driving tips here.
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Let people know your plans
While you might be taking a road trip alone, thanks to technology, we’re never entirely cut off from the world. Make sure there are a few people who know what your plans are each day and who you can check in with. It’s more than just a safety precaution, we’re sure your loved ones will appreciate the update!
Set a budget
You’ll need to know what you’re expecting to spend on your road trip and leave a little wiggle room in your budget for unexpected expenses. Plan out your costs for your hire car, or personal car costs if you’re not renting, fuel, accommodation, parking, food and drink, and any activities you’re going to enjoy on the way.
Bring along your documents
Just to be on the safe side, make sure you have all your important documents to hand. Bring your roadside assistance information, insurance details, and booking confirmations for activities and accommodation, and your car manual.
Entertainment
With a group, you can chat and play games to keep you entertained on the road. On a solo road trip, you’ll have to look elsewhere for entertainment. Create playlists, download podcasts, and give audio books a try to help keep you enjoying the drive.
Check out our ultimate road trip playlist here.
Check out our tips for going on a more sustainable road trip.
Have an emergency roadside kit
If something does happen to your car, it’s handy to have the tools you need to be able to patch it up so you can get to a garage. Tow ropes, jump leads and a tyre patch kit are super helpful to have in the car at all times, not just when you’re taking a road trip alone. If you’ve got a spare tyre, you should also pack a jack and a lug wrench to make changing it easy.
You should also have a first aid kit in the car. Pack it with hand sanitiser, plasters and pain killers – just in case! It’s a good idea to have a torch, toilet roll and a towel in your emergency kit too so you’re prepared for whatever you might experience on the road.
Food and drink
You’ll likely be stopping along the way to try out local foods, but having some supplies in the car is always a good back up. Pack your favourite snacks and make sure you’ve got some water as well as your reusable bottle and coffee cup that you can fill up along the way.
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