There’s an opinion that you need to travel together with someone or with a large company, and solo travel is generally boring and pointless. But in fact, traveling alone means finding a way to yourself. In 100% of cases, YOU decide where to drive today, what to see and what to order in a roadside café. And that already means a lot. You spend time only on your needs and follow your desires!

Today we’ll tell you how to prepare for a road trip and go on an adventure. In this article, you’ll find tips and life hacks that will make a solo vacation easier and safer.

Take care of your safety

Safety is the biggest issue for solo travelers. But by following a few straightforward guidelines, traveling alone doesn’t have to be dangerous. Tell your family where you’re going before you depart, or better yet, prepare a detailed travel plan so they’ll know where and when you’ll be around the most. It’s important to take the time each day to contact or message friends and family to let them know that you’re okay, even if you want to take a break from everyone.

To take a break from a long road, you’ll probably stay in roadside motels/rental accommodations or book a hotel. Read reviews beforehand! If you’re a couch surfer, check the reviews of the host you’re going to stay with. You can also check out their social media accounts.

Check your vehicle

At least a week, better two, before your trip, set up and check your car. This will give you time to make any necessary repairs. The cooling system, steering, suspension, tires, oil level, air conditioning, brakes, and lights should all be checked before anything else.

Know your limits

Some drivers can comfortably drive for up to 10 hours a day, but not for two days in a row. Some people can stand for four to five hours. This could result from physical issues, prolonged sitting, or boredom. Know your limitations. You should also know your strengths when driving after sunset.

Make the most of navigation tools

You never know what situation you might find yourself in, so it’s best to always have a fallback.

Therefore, it’s better to mark the route in advance in any navigation system and download Google Maps and the Maps.me application, or you can use an app like Roadtrippers to keep track of the tourist attractions along your route.

Also, for reinsurance, you can pre-record a mini video of the route from online maps – anything can happen on the road, and you can be left without the Internet, so all means are good. To do this, learn in advance how to record a screen on Mac or make a screen capture on Windows.

Your mobile phone will serve as a lifeline during your solo adventure, but it won’t be of much use if it runs out of power and you can’t charge it. Therefore, take a regular National Geographic paper map with you too.

Pack smart

Pack minimum things. Whether you’re staying in hostels, guesthouses, or hotels, you’ll be dragging your luggage around whenever you move to a new location. Having just one bag makes life a lot easier.

For your car, it’s recommended to bring a roll of electrical tape, a multi-head screwdriver, a couple of sockets, a couple of pliers, and a vise. Or just buy a travel kit. Moreover, your travel checklist should include a good first aid kit and a car blanket. And don’t forget travel essentials like rechargers, power banks, raincoats, padlocks, road trip snacks, and a few bottles of drinking water.

Take care of the entertainment

You risk becoming bored if all of your motivation comes from the outside environment. Prepare some uplifting road trip songs, audiobooks, or podcasts before you drive because boredom can make you tired, and sleepiness can impair your driving. Make sure you have enough music if you’re aware that the sound of a discussion can make you feel exhausted even more. Try to avoid using the phone for safety’s sake.

Here are some fun activities for solo travelers you can also check before a road trip.

Get rid of stress while driving

We all know how stressful driving can be. You’re driving to your vacation destination and you hit traffic, bad weather, etc. Suddenly, your stress levels are through the roof and what was supposed to be a relaxing trip has turned into a nightmare. Here are some powerful tips on how to lessen travel stress:

• Begin your journey early in the morning. You’ll feel more awake and less worn out. The journey will be more enjoyable because there will be less traffic on the roadways. If you haven’t already reserved a place to stay, you’ll find it when you arrive during the day.
• Make sure your doors are secured and that you’re wearing a seat belt when you’re driving.
• Pay attention to where you leave your car. Try parking close to a hotel or shopping center entrance. Even though the parking lot can be packed when you get there, you won’t like the long walk through the unpaid parking lot if it’s empty when you leave.

Slow down and enjoy

Hold up and enjoy the scenery and your life. Listen to local radio stations and you’ll learn a lot about your travel destination. This is a beautiful aspect of travel that’s easiest to enjoy on the road.

Are you hungry? Find a diner in a village or town, and you’ll be sure to taste the local cuisine and meet local people. Sometimes the museum close to home is the one you’ll be remembering for years. Don’t ignore an experience just because it seems insignificant; it can end up being the most unforgettable.

 Wrap Up 

Traveling alone is a great opportunity to experience an unfamiliar environment in a way that won’t work in a company even with a loved one. Plan your day the way you want, live at your own pace, and visit the places you want to go. Forget about gadgets for this time and don’t spend hours on the Internet – a whole new world has opened up for you, go ahead and open it!