The excitement of a road trip, the potential for adventure, and the ability to stop at weird roadside attractions at your leisure are some of its draws. You could be having a bag of gas station grub for dinner, driving to a UFO watchtower to look for alien life, or simply taking in a scenic overlook and watching the sunset. Any experienced traveler, however, is aware that the road can be unpredictable.
A fantasy trip can soon become a logistical nightmare due to flat tires in remote areas and a GPS that interprets a dirt path as a highway. The traditional “Oops, I forgot my wallet at that last rest stop” moment should also not be forgotten. The good news? You can prevent your journey from going off course by doing a little planning. We sought the advice of road trip experts to find out what can go wrong and how to ensure a smooth journey.
Before Leaving Your House
Take time to prepare before you head out with nothing but excitement and a playlist of road trip songs. Nothing ruins the spirit of adventure more quickly than discovering that your car isn’t quite road trip suitable or that you forgot your wallet.
Examine your car. You can avoid a surprise breakdown in the middle of nowhere by doing a quick oil change, checking the pressure of all your tires, including the spare tire, and checking your brakes, battery, and lights. As a bonus, stock up on windshield washer fluid because bugs can make your windshield look like an abstract painting.
Then, pack wisely. Of course, you’ll need clothes and snacks, but don’t forget the essentials: an emergency roadside kit, chargers, a paper map (since occasionally GPS decides to nap), and a first aid kit. Ensure your ID, credit cards, and insurance information are in the right places, ideally not on the kitchen counter.
Lastly, spend a moment protecting your house. Notify a reliable friend or neighbor that you will be absent, set timers for lights, and pause mail delivery if you will be gone for an extended period. Since you only desire enjoyable surprises on this trip, a little preparation now will allow you to travel without worry.
What Can Go Wrong During a Road Trip
You’ve prepared your belongings, inspected your vehicle, and plotted the ideal path. However, even the best-laid road trip plans might occasionally take an unexpected detour. Here are some of the most frequent road trip accidents and how to deal with them expertly, from unexpected storms to abrupt traffic pauses.
Receiving tickets for traffic violations
Blue lights flashing in your rearview mirror are the worst thing to mar a beautiful journey. A traffic citation can significantly reduce your road trip budget, regardless of the offense, speeding, failing to indicate a turn, or missing a stop sign. Always follow local traffic laws, drive slowly using cruise control, and notice any change in road signs when you are out somewhere you have never been. Getting the advice of a strategic criminal defense attorney can help you navigate difficult legal obstacles in some cases, especially if the activity carries serious punishments. If you get a ticket, be polite, take it, and then look up your options for a challenge or additional payment.
Handling Unpredictable Weather Conditions
You’re cruising down the road on a sunny blue sky day one moment, and the next thing you know, you’re white-knuckling the steering wheel during a rainstorm or zigzagging to avoid tumbleweeds during a windstorm. Road conditions also shift rapidly, particularly if driving in dry or mountain areas. Bring rain gear, an emergency blanket, and a flashlight, and look up the weather forecast first. There is no place worth dying for, so turn around and wait it out safely if conditions get risky.
Running Low on Gas
Even the best of us experience it. Your gasoline gauge had different ideas, but you thought you could make it to the next gas station. Change to an energy-efficient driving mode (lower speeds, less air conditioning) if you’re running low in a far-off place, and start searching for a station as soon as possible. Apps such as GasBuddy can help locate the closest gas station. It’s much better to sit in your car and call for roadside help if you run out of gas than to go down the highway searching for more.
Common Car Issues
Even good cars get bad days. Your car can be your best road friend. A fun ride can become a surprise roadside outing due to a flat tire, dead battery, or overheating engine. The best defense against calamity? Before you embark, give your car the old treatment with basic maintenance, check tire pressure, top up fluids as required, inspect your oil, and ensure your battery isn’t dying on you. But even with preparedness, errors can happen. Because of this, you should always keep a spare tire, jumper cables, and an emergency tool kit in your vehicle.
Accidents and Collisions at the Roadside
Accidents are never planned for, but they are always possible when traveling long distances over uncharted territory. Knowing what to do can make all the difference, whether a simple fender bender or something more catastrophic. Prioritize safety first; relocate to a safe area and look for any injuries if feasible. If necessary, contact emergency personnel. Then, provide information to the other driver, including insurance details and license plate numbers. Get contact details from witnesses, note what happened, and take photos of the scene. Report any damage, no matter how minor, to your insurance company as soon as possible to avoid problems in the future.
Interrogation by Border Officers
Going across national or state borders? Your passport may be examined in more detail than that. Border guards don’t appreciate rudeness, so be ready to answer queries about your trip itinerary, have all required paperwork on hand, and act politely. To prevent unforeseen confiscations or fines, you should examine the restrictions beforehand if transporting anything suspect, such as fruits, wine, or big amounts of cash.
Adventure is the end goal of a road trip, and sometimes that means embracing the unknown. While mistakes will be made, they can be avoided with patience and planning. So remain calm, embrace the detours, and recognize that the best stories often come from breakdowns.