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Want to plan an unforgettable road trip? Want to make sure that it’s unforgettable for all the right reasons? Below are just a few tips on how to make your road adventure a fun experience for everyone.

Choose the right vehicle

The success of a road trip comes down largely to the vehicle that you choose. Ideally, you want a vehicle that’s spacious, reliable and fuel efficient. Some of the best types of vehicles for road trips tend to include:

• SUVs and station wagons
• Touring motorcycles
• Campervans/motorhomes

Obviously, it comes down to what vehicle you’re prepared to drive. You also need to consider what you can afford. Campervans and motorhomes can cost a pretty penny to buy, however there are cheaper options like hiring a motorhome.

Use sites like Edmunds to look for the ideal car. Try to look for something that’s in fairly good condition so that you don’t have to deal with car problems on your journey. It’s possible that your current car may already be suitable – just make sure to arrange a vehicle inspection beforehand to make sure that there are now issues before you set off. 

Pack some comforts for the road

A few comforts could help to make your road trip more enjoyable. A few items and accessories that could be worth packing taking in the car include:

• A cooler box/mini-fridge for storing food/drinks
• Gadgets like tablets (particularly handy if you have kids to occupy) and car chargers
• Neck pillows and blankets
• A car bin

Make sure to plan your entertainment ahead too. If you’re not happy listening to the radio, make sure that you have a playlist sorted (you could consider getting everyone to choose a few songs). Don’t forget to download any movies, games or ebooks you may be interested in beforehand.

Plan (but don’t overplan) your itinerary

It’s worth planning what attractions you really want to see and where you plan to stop for the night. Booking accommodation in advance could prevent you driving around agitatedly in the evening looking for somewhere. Booking accommodation in advance also provides targets for each day so that you’re able to see everything within your available time frame. 

But make sure that you don’t overplan each day. It’s good to leave some room for spontaneity in case you see some roadside attractions worth stopping at. If you can help it, try not to schedule more than 4 hours of driving a day, and no more than one attraction. This will encourage you to go with the flow more. 

Record memories of your road trip

Make sure that you take lots of photos – it’s easy to forget to take photos when you’re sitting in a car, but you may wish you’d taken a few later. Installing a dashcam could allow you to fully record your journeys. This is great for capturing those moments on the road that you wish you’d had your camera out for. Check out this Tech Radar guide to compare some of the best dash cams.

Bring enough cash

A road trip can be expensive. Make sure you’ve budgeted ahead for costs like fuel, tolls, food, drinks and accommodation. As well as bringing money on your card, bring some change in cash – just in case you end up somewhere with an old parking meter that only accepts coins.