Summer’s finally here and the days are getting longer. Its the best time to explore Britain by road and escape the hustle and bustle of London. Whether you’re heading to the South coast, the surf beaches of Cornwall, exploring the Scottish Highlands or just a day trip out of London, driving around the country at your own pace is a great way to explore.
One of the best parts of a road trip is the journey itself. Take the time to enjoy the scenery, stop at interesting places, get lost and make memories along the way. Don’t rush, drive carefully, take detours as getting to the destination is just part of the adventure.
Planning Your Route
Before you set off, it helps to plan your route. Decide on your destination and map out the journey, including any stops you want to make along the way. Consider scenic routes that offer beautiful views and unplanned places to stop if there are interesting attractions. You can download an offline Google Map of your destination in case you lose mobile signal.
If you are driving an EV, download the app that helps you find fast chargers on the road. In an EV, you might need to be flexible with your route as you don’t want to run low on power in case you are too far away from the next EV charging station.
On our Scottish road trip, we had a rough destination, aiming to reach our accommodation by the end of the day. Along the way, we found so many other places of interest to stop without too much stress.
Packing Essentials
Packing for a road trip can be a bit of a challenge, but with a well-thought-out checklist, you can ensure you have everything you need. Here are some essentials to consider:
- Navigation Tools: GPS device, maps, or a navigation app on your smartphone.
- Car Essentials: Spare tyre, jack, jumper cables, and a basic tool kit.
- Comfort Items: Pillows, blankets, and comfortable clothing.
- Entertainment: Music playlists, audiobooks, and games.
- Snacks and Drinks: Lots of snacks, a few water bottles and a cooler for perishable items or for shopping on the way.
- Personal Items: Sunscreen, hand sanitisers, basic toiletries, medications, wet wipes and a first aid kit.
- Documents: Driver’s license, car registration, and insurance information.
Staying Safe on the Road
Safety should always be a priority on a road trip. Make sure your vehicle is in good condition before you leave. Check the oil, tyres, brakes, and other essential systems. It’s also a good idea to have a roadside assistance plan in case of emergencies.
Check out safety reviews of your destination too. Find parking spots that are well lit and close to where you need to park for the night. Don’t leave your valuables in sight in the car or overnight. You don’t want to risk losing expensive gear while on your roadtrip.
But before you dive into trip planning, there’s one thing you absolutely don’t want to overlook: making sure your tyres are in top shape. If you need new ones, you can easily get quality tyres in London at Elite Direct , a trusted spot that won’t hassle you with unnecessary upsells.
Tyres are the only part of your car touching the road. If they’re not in good shape, everything else can fall apart quickly. Worn or badly inflated tyres can cause accidents, damage your car, and leave you stuck somewhere you don’t want to be.
How to Check Your Tyres Before You Set Off
- Look at the Tread: This is the bit that grips the road. If it’s too worn, you’re risking slipping, especially if the road’s damp or hot. The legal limit is 1.6mm, but it’s safer to have more than that.
- Check the Sidewalls: Run your hands around the tyres to feel for cracks, cuts, or lumps. These can weaken your tyres and lead to blowouts.
- Measure the Pressure: Use a pressure gauge to make sure all four tyres are inflated just right. Don’t forget the spare tyre, make sure you have one as it’s easy to forget but vital if you get a flat.
- Look for Uneven Wear: If one tyre looks more worn than the others, it might be worth getting your alignment checked. Any local garage can help you do this in minutes.
- Learn to change tyres: In case you get a puncture on the road, learning how to change your car tyre can be really helpful instead of waiting hours for the recovery services. They can take several hours if you are in the middle of nowhere. It is not that hard but does need a little bit of knowhow and having the right gear in the car.
If your tyres are looking tired, don’t wait till you’re on the road. New tyres make a huge difference in how your car handles and how safe you feel
Keep in Mind for Summer Driving
Hot summer roads can heat up your tyres, raising the pressure and wear. That’s why checking the pressure before driving is important — don’t rely on a quick eyeball.
Long drives add wear to the tyres to. If your tyres are a few years old or close to the legal limit, it’s safer to replace them before a trip.
Other Essentials to for your roadtrip
Of course, its not just car safety, here are a few other things worth to consider when packing or checking before your roadtrip:
- Fluids: Check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and screen wash. Running low can cause nasty breakdowns.
- First-Aid Kit: Even a small one with plasters and antiseptic wipes can help if someone gets hurt.
- Helpful extras: A torch with working batteries, a blanket, a change of clothes, phone chargers or wires if your car doesn’t have a built-in battery charging pad, a supply or drinks, and plenty of snacks in case you get stranded or can’t find anywhere to stop for a meal.
- Maps: Download offline maps or bring a paper one. Phone signal can be patchy out of town and in the middle of nowhere, especially in the Scottish Highlands where mobile signal is iffy. I like to use the RAC route planning site to print out a turn by turn directions, in case I run out of battery.
- Practical stuff: Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, and hand sanitiser.
- Dashcam: Install a dashcam or buy one to use in your rented car. This can help you create more content and can help you in case of any accidents while on the road.
- Insurance & Breakdown Cover: Double-check these so you’re covered if anything goes wrong. When renting a car instead of taking your own, check the insurance that is offered.
Roadtrips are a great way to explore new places and for fun adventures. As long as you plan well and prepare properly, you are going tomake some great memories.
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