Road trips are fun, and they are extremely important for many people. But did you know that there are some things you should never do on a road trip? Every year, one in four Americans goes on a road trip for nostalgia, self-discovery, and to explore the most scenic areas of the country, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
This is wonderful, and road trips can be transformative experiences for many folks, but before you get into the car and hit the road, you should know a few things about road trips. We think the most important thing you need to know is what you should never do on a road trip.
This information can help you avoid unpleasant situations and will help you have the best road trip of your life. Read on and find out what the things you should never do on a road trip are!
1. Never check if your car is okay before the trip
While on a road trip, your car can be your friend or your worst enemy. There is no in-between, and as you might expect, we prefer the first option, and probably you do the same.
But, in order to keep everything in line and make sure that all is well, you need to take your car in for a full tune-up before going on your trip. Do this within two weeks before departing if you want to know if your car is ready for the journey.
You may avoid being stuck on the side of the road or needing a tow just a few hours in by having a professional check your oil and tire pressure and make sure your batteries, brakes, and engine are in working order.
So, not checking if your car is okay is definitely one of the things you should never do on a road trip.
2. Put your feet on the dashboard
Speaking of things you should never do on a road trip, most people say that it is bad manners to keep your feet on the dashboard. But did you know that it is also extremely dangerous?
Yes, this is true because, in the case of an accident, an airbag may inflate up to 220 mph and inflict more than 880 pounds of force on the person who sits in the front seat. You should be careful because when this happens, your knees may crash into your face or chest as a result of keeping your feet on the dash.
This has happened many times in real life, and this is why we tell you that this is one of the things you should never do on a road trip. Stay safe!
3. Never taking a break
You might be one of those organized people who have the whole itinerary prepared six months in advance and refuse to stray from the plan. But the magic of road trips is the flexibility they give you. Because of this, never taking a break to look at all the possible opportunities is clearly one of the things you should never do on a road trip.
We know that you want to keep everything in order but be more laid-back because you never know what awaits you just around the corner. Maybe you will find the most unique Airbnb you’ve ever stayed in, or maybe you will see the most scenic landscape. You never know, and because of this, we believe that you should be open to all possibilities.
If you see something that piques your curiosity, stop the car, get out, and explore. Not stopping often is one of the biggest mistakes people make while on a road trip. Also, taking breaks is healthy and can help you drive more safely.
4. Forgetting to download maps and road trip apps
It is easy to see why it is one of the things you should never do on a road trip. You don’t want to get lost, right? If you want to be safe, know where you are going throughout the trip, and avoid data charges, the best thing you can do is download everything you think might be useful over Wi-Fi before you leave.
This means you should download all of your maps on Google Maps beforehand so you can use them offline if needed. Moreover, don’t forget about your Spotify playlists. Why would you pay more for data when you can download everything at home?
Another app that you should always have when you go on a road trip is Waze. This app can help you get all the live updates you need to know about road conditions and traffic. GasBuddy is another app you can download because it can help you see all the gas stations and also let you compare prices.
5. Forgetting the phone charger
Forgetting your favorite snack is not such a big deal, but forgetting your phone charger at home can be a dealbreaker. If you want to charge your phone while in the middle of nowhere and you realize that you have no charger, this can even become dangerous.
Your phone is probably your main gadget that helps you with everything on your road trip, and because of this, you want to always have it at hand. So, one of the things you should never do on a road trip, or better yet, before a road trip, is forget your phone charger at home or in any other place.
Do your best to have this item with you, and you will have a great road trip. Also, don’t forget to pack an external battery that is completely charged as well as a wire that you can put in while driving or your usual phone charger. In such a case, assistance is still only a phone call away if you have a problem or breakdown.
6. Run out of gas
This one is pretty explanatory by itself, but running out of gas on a road trip is never a good thing. Let’s say that you are driving while singing along; life is good, and suddenly your car signals that you are totally out of gas. What are you going to do next?
The only option is to begin hiking to the closest gas station, which, depending on your location, may take all day. No one wishes to do that, and because of this, running out of gas is one of the main things you should never do on a road trip.
If you don’t want to get into such trouble, make sure that you keep your tank topped up. And by topped up, we mean prepared for any situation, for example, even a surprise traffic jam.
7. Forgetting to plan for pets
This thing goes both ways because you need to plan for the pets you take with you and also for the pets you leave at home. If you want to take your pet with you on the road, you need to make sure that they have everything they need, from food to a sleeping place.
Dogs are some of the most fun road trip buddies, but you need to keep in mind that they have needs too, and you should plan the entire trip around the fact that you take your dog with you.
Also, if you have pets at home, you can’t leave them alone without planning ahead. You need a person who can go and spend time with them, feed them, and so on. This is why many people who have pets don’t like the idea of a road trip, but if you plan all of this a few months in advance, we say that everything will be alright and you will be able to enjoy the journey.
If you want something great that might help you with all of your road trips, you should try this amazing National Geographic Road Atlas 2024: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico].
You should also read 7 Travel Destinations You’re Most Likely to Be Pickpocketed
