Preparing for a long trip by car
It is clear that a road trip is a great idea, all that remains is to figure out how to travel by car correctly so that everything goes smoothly, without a hitch, and leaves behind only happy memories. What should you do before leaving? What to take with you on the road? How to plan a route?
What to do before leaving
Before leaving, be sure to:
1. Send the car for technical inspection. Safety comes first, so make sure that your car is in perfect order and ready for a long journey, and if not, then let the specialist return the iron horse to service as soon as possible.
2. Prepare spare tires. If a wheel suddenly fails, it is better to have a spare tire in the trunk and the tools necessary for changing. Even if you don't know how to use them yourself, they will come in handy if you need to ask for help.
3. Purchase a jack, wheel wrench, warning triangle, reflective vest, tire pump, tow rope and headlamp in case your car needs emergency assistance.
4. Wash the car outside and inside. During the trip, the car will become your home on wheels, so it should be pleasant and cozy to be inside. Maintaining cleanliness while traveling is also very important.
5. Take care of spare fuel. Buy a ten-liter canister, fill it with fuel and put it in the trunk. If suddenly there is no gas station nearby when the tank is empty, then the problem will be solved. Don't forget the filling funnel.
We recommend watching a video on how to prepare your car for a long trip:
What to take on a trip by car
On a road trip you must take:
√ Documents for yourself and for the car, as a rule, a passport, driver’s license and documents for the car are enough; if there are children in the car, then birth certificates are needed;
√ Bank cards and cash, preferably of different denominations, because not everywhere there are ATMs, and the saleswoman of a small roadside store will not be happy to count out your change for three hours;
√ Equipment – navigator/video recorder, smartphone, camera, laptop, tablet, player, portable speakers, it is also important not to forget chargers, spare batteries and memory cards;
√ A travel first aid kit, which should contain painkillers, antipyretics (paracetamol, ibuprofen, nurofen), remedies in case of problems with the gastrointestinal tract (activated carbon, mezim, imodium), suprastin for allergies, as well as hydrogen peroxide, iodine/ brilliant green, cotton pads, bandages and plaster;
√ Food, drinks that can be consumed while driving: sandwiches, dried fruits, nuts, snacks and sweets, and a thermos with coffee or tea; food supplies must be constantly replenished in case you want to eat, but there is no roadside cafe on the way;
√ A separate point is to take out water, drinking water and that which may be useful for washing something (dishes, face and hands) - don’t be lazy, stock up on water in advance so as not to remember later;
√ Household items, that is, personal hygiene items and products, napkins, rags, fumigators and insect sprays, corkscrews, openers, skewers, sleeping bags, tents, bed linen, pillows, blankets, and everything that is necessary for a comfortable camping life.
Of course, this is only a rough list of what is needed first. When planning a trip by car, you need to proceed from individual needs and preferences. Also, a lot depends on weather conditions; it is best to go on a trip in the warm season.
We recommend watching a video about what to take with you on a road trip:
We recommend the article: list of things to take on a trip
What to take with you
There are some things you cannot do without on a long trip - they will serve as a guarantee that it will not bring negative emotions. So, in the trunk of a car going on a long trip, you should have the following things:
- an additional canister of fuel in case of sudden “drying out”;
- additional container with engine oil;
- container with washer fluid;
- in summer - a product for removing insect marks from glass and car body.
In winter, it will not be superfluous to take a shovel, brush and scraper with you; in summer, you can take a small hatchet with you. With the development of the role of electronic gadgets in the life of a motorist, the need for their constant operation has appeared. Therefore, in addition to the navigator and mobile phone, you need to take care of a charger that allows you to charge them through the car’s cigarette lighter.
Naturally, we must not forget about the documents: a license to drive a car of the required category, OSAGO and CASCO policies, a vehicle registration certificate.
Traveling around Russia by car
Making a road trip plan is not that difficult. First, you need to determine points A and B, that is, the point of departure and the destination, and then figure out exactly how to overcome this distance, where and when to stop, in which city/town to spend more time, and which ones are not even worth an hour walks.
When planning a trip by car in Russia, it is important to pay attention to:
- location of hotels, motels and hostels; It is recommended to write down addresses, contact numbers and prices in advance, and you can also make a reservation in advance, but then you will have to do without spontaneous stops;
- the location of shopping centers where you can replenish supplies and gas stations - you can download a map of gas stations to always know where you can stock up on fuel;
- car repair shops that will be found along the route, because the car may need the help of a professional, and it will be better if you at least know approximately where to find it.
On the Internet you can find many helpers for drawing up routes, for example, the resource avtodispetcher.ru helps to calculate the distance. But the most important thing is to update the navigator maps and only after that build the current route.
Routes for traveling around Russia
For a road trip around Russia, you can choose a ready-made route, which has been compiled and tested by experienced travelers. You can also look through lists of beautiful places in our country that can be reached by car to get inspired and set yourself an unusual destination.
The best destinations for road trips in Russia:
- Murmansk region;
- Altai Republic;
- Far East;
- Southern Urals;
- Elbrus region;
- Ingushetia;
- Sakhalin;
- Baikal.
We recommend exploring the 10 best routes for traveling by car in Russia
Technical fluids
These include brake fluid, antifreeze (check to see if it has become rusty or brown), catching an engine overheating on the highway or losing your brakes will be at least unpleasant.
Don’t ignore the power steering and buy a mosquito-tested one with a reserve in advance. What is sold along the way is not always of good quality. Traces of insects on the glass not only reduce visibility, but also spoil the overall impression
About oil
. If the mileage exceeds 7000 km. and even if it hasn’t turned black yet, if it’s a long trip, replace it in advance, the engine will thank you, and you’ll be sure that everything is fine.
Traveling around Europe by car
A road trip around Europe is the dream of every traveler who has at least an approximate idea of how beautiful the territories are between cities and countries.
You can only see them during a long car ride. Think for yourself how wonderful it is to travel from Paris to Berlin! Figure out how to travel abroad by car and get going!
Routes for traveling around Europe
Europe is amazing, and it's not easy to decide which countries to start your road trip from, so we recommend paying attention to the best routes and reading other travelers' reports about traveling around Europe by car.
We recommend watching a video about traveling around Europe:
We recommend exploring travel routes around Europe
Preparing your car for a long trip
A long road is a difficult test not only for the driver, but also for his passengers. However, the car itself will bear the brunt of the load during a long journey. That is why before starting the trip it is necessary to inspect it for faults and, if found, repair them. Otherwise, the car may break down halfway and ruin the whole trip. Not to mention the fact that the money set aside for vacation will have to be spent on expensive repairs.
So, before you go on a long journey by car, you need to check its technical condition. If the vehicle makes excessive noise and vibrates while driving, you should contact a service station. There they will carry out the necessary diagnostics of the machine and identify the cause of noise and vibration. Also, don’t put off replacing the shock-absorbing system, worn brake pads and squealing timing belt.
Of course, it is necessary to pay attention to the level of so-called technical fluids. If it is low and does not correspond to the norm, topping up is required. When the fluids have exhausted their service life, they need to be completely replaced with new ones. First of all, this advice concerns engine and automatic transmission oil, antifreeze, and brake fluid. At the same time, you can top up or completely replace the fluid either on your own or at a specialized service.
It wouldn't hurt to check the air conditioner either. If the condition of this accessory is unsatisfactory, it should be refilled and the filters replaced. Comfortable temperature conditions during the trip and the complete absence of foreign odors can make the trip more enjoyable.
At the same time, before a long trip you need to add water or a special liquid to the washer reservoir. The liquid helps to clean glass more effectively, and if the temperature drops, it is necessary to use the so-called “anti-freeze”.
On the eve of a long trip, you will need to measure the tire pressure. If it turns out to be below normal, it should be brought to the recommended value. Thanks to this, the car will become more controllable, safer and will consume less fuel. It is also worth paying attention to lighting fixtures. This applies not only to headlights, but also to turn signals and brake lights.
Traveling by car around the world
However, you shouldn’t limit yourself exclusively to Russia and Europe. Find out how to travel the world by car, choose a country and hit the road!
It is important to take into account the specifics of legislation, traffic rules and car rental conditions of the selected country; otherwise, such a trip is organized in much the same way as any other.
We invite you to read about the most suitable countries for road trips.
Travel safety
If you are wondering how to travel safely by car, then take note of the following tips:
1. Do not leave any things in the car when you stop somewhere for the night, so as not to attract burglars.
2. Have some kind of self-defense tool on hand, such as pepper spray or a very powerful flashlight, the light of which can be used to disorientate.
3. Keep your loved ones informed of the situation - where you are, where you are staying, what routes you take to get to any point on the map.
4. Write down the numbers of tow trucks in advance in case the car stalls at the most inopportune moment.
5. Follow traffic rules, take care of yourself, and get enough rest!
Preparing for a comfortable trip
Most often, people go on long trips in large groups or families. The driver is usually one person, so before the road he needs to have a good rest and sleep. If the trip is multi-day, then it is necessary to plan the route in such a way that recreation areas are accessible.
To drive on an unfamiliar road, the driver must acquire useful things, for example, a navigator or a map. They will not allow the driver to get lost. You can also install a car recorder in your car.
We should not forget about a safe route. On the road, various circumstances may arise that will force people to stop or take a short rest. This should be taken care of in advance.
It doesn’t matter how difficult it is to prepare a car for a long journey, the main thing is how many interesting moments such a trip can give a person.
Pros and cons of traveling by car
Main advantages:
- freedom and mobility, which allow you to fully control your journey, succumb to momentary desires, deviate from the course, linger in one or another locality;
- unforgettable impressions that will remain in memory for a lifetime and will never be compared with anything else; if traveling by plane and train is a more familiar format, then road travel is always an adventure;
- It often works out cheaper than by train or plane, this difference is especially noticeable if several people travel.
Main disadvantages:
- traveling by car is always tiring, especially for the driver, who has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders;
- There is always a risk that the car will fail, and it is also worth considering the likelihood of fines and accidents.
Security features
After the basic procedures for preparing for traveling by car are completed, you should devote time to safety parameters. To do this you need:
- ensure good visibility by replacing wipers;
- check the condition of lighting fixtures;
- assess the performance of warning systems;
- replenish the fluid in the windshield washer reservoir;
- adjust rear view mirrors;
- check seat belts;
- install a child car seat for small family members.
Tips for traveling by car
1. Pay attention to thematic resources: autotravel.ru, zen.yandex.ru/autotravel dedicated to road trips and read trip reports written by real people.
2. Choose less popular roads to see real beauty, eat where the locals live (even if the locals are truck drivers), and indulge in spontaneous stops.
3. When traveling by car around the world, check the traffic rules, follow the locals, use the resource autotraveler.ru.
4. When planning a car trip in Europe or the USA, pay attention to Roadtrippers and Via Michelin route planners.
5. Stock up on movies, TV series, and music to entertain yourself both on the road and during your vacation.
Every road trip is a unique experience that is worth having. You won’t remember how your back stiffened from fatigue, because you will remember the endless landscapes, authentic views of the villages and cities in which you will spend time.
Let's sum it up
Essential items for most car enthusiasts include a navigator and road maps, chargers and a pocket starter, as well as a first aid kit, the contents of which are most often determined individually for a particular driver and his companions.
The car enthusiast will only have to:
- assess tire wear and check tire pressure;
- check the air conditioner;
- change wipers;
- test lighting functionality;
- collect the necessary tools and spare parts.
Obviously, at first glance, there is nothing complicated in preparing for a long trip. However, if you independently diagnose a car without proper experience, you may miss important nuances. In order to avoid problems on the road, we advise you to carry out unscheduled vehicle maintenance, which will help resolve most of the issues and protect you on a long journey.
