9 essential road trip tips for your next adventure

Is there anything better than packing your life up into a van and hitting the open road? Of course not! With all the amazing sites to see around Australia, it’s a wonder more people aren’t taking advantage of van life to travel at their own pace.

Think about it, no squeezing onto overfull buses and trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in. No more allowing three hours before your flight and getting through the check-in, backdrop, security and racing to the flight, just to breathe a sigh of relief.

You get to navigate the open road. You get to dictate when you stop and what sites you see. You get to drive at your own pace. You get to choose what happens and when. You get utter and complete freedom. The lure of the road is undeniable. Make sure you get the most out of your experience with these 9 road trip tips.

1. Time for spring clean

Whether you’re taking your own car, or you have rented out a bigger van for the occasion – make sure it’s clean. Let’s face it, with all that open space inside a van, it can be tempting to stuff it full with all your earthly possessions – including the kitchen sink. That won’t make for a comfortable trip. While a van is the perfect option to give you a little more space to work with for your journey, don’t use it as an excuse to overflow it.

A good rule of thumb is to pack your belongings like you’re headed off on a flight. Think about the luggage restrictions you would have and try and keep your bag under. Then add in a few creature comforts you wouldn’t be able to bring on the plane with you. Maybe that delicious bottle of red or a couple of good books to keep you going. After all, there are plenty of advantages that come with driving.

As you head off on the trip, make sure you make time every couple of days to do a big clean out of the inside. Get rid of those chip wrappers, gum, and empty containers and make room for more memories. Saves you from driving around a tip by the end of your trip.

2. Plan your way

Before you take off on your trip, you want to know where you’re going. Here’s a hint: Google Maps takes you the fastest route, but you want to explore around you. Look for the scenic options and take it slowly. Head off the beaten track and make your way into the country. You won’t regret it. This is the whole fun of road trips. It’s not about how fast you can get from A to B, it’s about what you experience along the way.

With that in mind, plan a few local stops. Look for some great places to stay that have a little bit of flair and uniqueness to their name. These are the places with character and a story to tell – what could be better? It also helps to do a little research into the best spots to eat in the area. After all, the locals know best. You will come across some hidden gems that aren’t well-known to tourists and will get to experience some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

3. Pack your cooler bag

Being on the open road has one drawback – you have no idea how long until your next stop. This is where the cooler bag comes in handy. Keep it in the back of the van and stock it full of snacks and drinks to keep you going along the way. This not only keeps the cost of the trip down (ie, you can pick up lunch from the local shops and bring it with you), but it means you don’t have to worry about reaching your destination on time. As long as you have some food and water at the ready, you can take as long as you like to explore.

4. Share the driving

When you head off on a road trip, it helps if there is more than one driver coming along for the ride. It means you’re able to rest every couple of hours along the way and makes a big difference if there’s someone you can switch places with.

If there is just one driver, then make sure you plan longer stops than you might otherwise. This gives the driver a true chance to stretch their legs and shake things up a little before getting back behind the wheel to go again. You can also keep each otherentertained along the way.

5. Make sure you have GPS

This is a must. Write it on your list. Highlight it. Make sure you don’t forget it. While many vans come with the option to rent a GPS, the costs add up over the course of your trip. Plus, we guarantee you’re going to love road tripping so much, this isn’t going to be your last trip. So, consider a GPS a great investment.

Sure, you can always use Google Maps on your phone, but what if your phone isn’t charged? What if the charger is packed? What if you were hoping to use your phone to look up places to eat while someone else drives? So many what-ifs. It’s easier to have a completely separate GPS system that is always ready to go when you are.

6. Enter with an open mind

One of the best things about heading off on a road trip is the people you meet along the way. It helps to head off with an open mind to the types of adventures you might have. If you’ve mapped out a strict itinerary, then you leave yourself no wriggle room to take advantage of an opportunity that arises.

What if the couple staying in the van next to you has found an amazing waterfall they want to share? Would you be willing to divert from your schedule to check it out? These are the types of opportunities you need to open yourself up to. After all, there is only so much planning you can do. The rest you make up as you go and this is where the fun begins.

7. Always have a backup plan

While it can be a great idea to check out the roads less travelled and go off the beaten track, you should always have a back-up plan in place. What happens if someone in the car finds themselves car sick on the winding roads? Can you make it back to the main freeway?

What happens if the backstreets have zero light at night? Can you find your way out?

Road trips are all about exploration and adventure, but also knowing your limits and being able to get back to your comfort zone. Make sure you always have a plan in place to get you back there.

8. Make sure you know the road rules

Whether you’re travelling in your country or heading abroad, road rules can change from city to city. Sometimes quite significantly. For example, are you driving on the right side of the road?

Before you head off, make sure you do a bit of research into the places you are visiting and make note of any rule changes you need to be aware of. It can not only save you from getting into an accident but will also spare you some fines along the way.

9. Enjoy your holiday in the perfect van

Finally, have fun. Road trips have so much to offer when it comes to seeing new and exciting places. You’ll be able to see them in a way that would never be manageable if you simply flew.

Hire the right van for your adventure, free your schedule and just see where the roads take you. There’s so much to explore you’ll bring back a lot of memories that are priceless.