Tips for a Crazy Fun Solo Road Trip

Traveling with people is quite risky today, so this might be the perfect time to have a solo road trip. This type of adventure will allow you to set your own pace, go crazy with destinations and really have a lot of fun without having to worry about your passengers. So, here are a few tips that will ensure your solo road trip is fun yet safe and comfortable.

Start with a loose plan

While it’s important to stay flexible on your solo adventure, you still want to map some important sights and places you want to visit. It’s fun to pick a trip theme. For instance, if you’re traveling through Australia, you can concentrate on Aboriginal culture. On the other hand, you can focus on history in France or food in Italy. Make sure to be flexible with your schedule—after all, you don’t have to answer to anyone on your solo trip.

Know your limits

Some people can drive for 12 hours a day and feel fresh while others can only do 4 or 5 hours due to back pain or boredom. It’s not important how far you can drive (this is not a race) but you just need to know your limits so you can organize your trip accordingly.

Tune your car

Obviously, you need to have a sturdy and “healthy” car for your road trip because there’s nothing worse than getting stranded on the side of the road while you’re by yourself. Before you start your trip, make sure to change your oil, check tires and ensure everything is working properly. If you truly enjoy driving, you might want to perform some tuning on your car. You can get one of those powerful race motors that will provide you with the speed and strength you desire and deserve. And if you ever decide to sell, this addition will ensure your car sells fast!

Book your accommodation

Once you have your trip mapped out, it’s time to book accommodation. Through websites like Booking.com, you can find cheap yet cozy spots to sleep and go to after a day of driving and exploration. However, if you prefer certain hotel or hostel chains and have loyalty cards, it’s best to book directly.  

Get travel insurance

No matter what, make sure not to travel without travel insurance. Depending on the package you opt for, you can get reimbursed on doctor fees, medical examinations, medication costs, and even hotel accommodations. Most importantly, in case something horrible happens to you on the road, your insurance can get someone you love to your bedside quickly and cheaply after a medical emergency.

Stay safe with roadside assistance

Accidents happen on the road quite often, so don’t risk anything. With AAA or CAA, you can always find help in case your battery runs down, you lock your keys in your car, get a flat tire or get into an accident. No matter where in the world you travel, you must have appropriate roadside assistance on your side.

Pack light

If you’re planning to sleep in your car, you don’t want to be surrounded by a ton of stuff. This will definitely annoy you and make your journey less pleasurable. Also, if you’re staying in hotels or hostels, expect to haul your luggage in and out of your room every time you change destinations. So, being a minimalist traveler is much more practical. When it comes to packing necessities for your car, a roll of duct tape, a multi-head screwdriver, flares, pliers and a coat hanger or two to in case your muffler falls off will come in handy on the road.

Provide entertainment

Expect to spend hours on end in your car, and there won’t always be something interesting to look at. Also, you won’t have a passenger to keep you awake and entertained. In that case, make sure to provide yourself with some entertainment like music. Podcasts and audiobooks are also great if you need something more stimulating during those boring legs of the road. When you arrive at your accommodation, a tablet with a movie or your favorite TV show will also come in handy, especially if you struggle with sleeping in an unfamiliar bed.

Taking a road trip is a great introduction to solo traveling and a perfect way to get out of the house without coming to contact with many people. Hopefully, these tips will prepare you for a first of many solo road trips.