Road Trip Survival Guide
Just thinking about a road trip for me is exciting. The thought of exploring a different area, the open road and the strange and exotic roadside cuisine to try is irresistible. For others it brings back horrible memories of child hood trips filled with mean siblings travel sickness and no air conditioning. While a select few will reflect back to the “seventies” and the hazy memories of that trip in the “combie” to the beach that summer. The road trip has been sung about written about and made into iconic movies; it is a rite of passage, an escape or a way of life.
Survival Tips & Items
1. Toilet Paper – This should be obvious. A roll in the glove box is highly recommended.
2. Contact Phone Numbers – All our affiliates have roadside assistance numbers to assist their broken down passengers & vehicles. Make sure you have the number at hand.
3. Lollies – These are multi purpose either used as a reward or as a boredom buster.
4. Music - Most Hire cars today have a CD Player so a CD of your fav driving songs is ideal and a road trip sing along is heaps of fun
5. Sun Screen – This is essential when touring Australia by car. Car travel is a fantastic way to get burnt in summer. Hands Arms Faces and the tops of the knees are the areas generally effected so a simple application every few hours will ensure that the rest of the trip in comfortable.
6. Camera – Australian tradition dictates that all people who road trip around this country must stop and have a photo taken with a BIG Thing. These BIG things are located on most major hi-ways or close by (& very well marked out with traffic signs). See the Big Prawn in Ballina, The Giant Merino in Goulburn, The big Cherries in Young or Big Mango in Bowen and the list goes on…..
7. GPS unit – It just makes sense to hire one of these with your car as it will make navigating your way around a strange country or town a breeze
8. Games – the road trip game has been around as long as the road trip. Games like “Eye Spy” have now evolved. The Nintendo DS is a fantastic personal gaming device with massive range of games for all ages and skill sets.
9. Water – Either for passenger or vehicle it’s just a smart thing to have on a long trip.
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If you are about too embark on your first road trip with a group of friends just a couple of ground rules at the start of the trip will ensure that you are all still friends at the end.
Shot Gun rules – The Front passenger’s seat is the most wanted seat in the car. Shot Gun needs to be different every day and you can not “reserve” this seat the whole trip.
Music – Needs to be at the driver’s discretion. My younger sister and I fought like a couple of gladiators over this until bringing in the Driver Choice Rule.
DO NOT PICK UP HITCH HIKERS – Should I even explain why or leave it to Hollywood
Texas Chainsaw Massacre, There’s some thing about Mary, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, and The Hitch Hiker.
See your Mum was right!!
Have a Map or GPS – Ever been lost…remember how frustrating it is….. Now add the fact that you also got your mates lost….Hire a GPS or road map and save the hassle.
Finally don’t forget the most important thing on a Road Trip is to STOP, REVIVE, SURVIVE and you never know that little stop may introduce you to your next amazing experience and keep you safe for your next ROAD TRIP
