How to plan a solo road trip: Ten tips for planning your own driving adventure
Road trips have certainly increased in popularity as more of us turn to our home countries for a much needed travel fix. They are a great way to explore new places, take in amazing sights and make for a memorable getaway. After my long-term international travel plans were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, I turned to my home country of the UK to soothe my wanderlust blues. In 2020 I spent nine weeks solo travelling across the UK, clocking over 5,500 miles in a self-converted BMW MINI camper. It was without doubt the best experience of my life.
Looking to plan your own solo driving adventure? Here are my top 10 tips for first time solo road trippers:
1. Plan an itinerary
It may seem obvious, but I cannot stress enough how having an itinerary, even if it is a loose one, is so important when planning a solo road trip. Planning where you want to go, what you want to see, and how long you want to spend exploring each place is crucial. This means you can factor in driving time and make sure it is manageable. The last thing you want is to be caught out spending more time behind the wheel and less time exploring because you underestimated how long the drive would take. Use Google maps to plot your route and to gauge your driving time and mileage between destinations.
2. Set a budget
Having a budget is a good idea whenever you travel, but there are extra costs to factor in for a road trip. This includes fuel, car parking fees and toll road fees, along with costs for accommodation, food/drink and excursions. To help factor road trip costs to your daily budget, I would estimate how much fuel you’ll likely need for the journey based on your itinerary mileage. You can monitor your daily spending on the road using budgeting apps like Trail Wallet.
3. Book accommodation in advance
Once you have an itinerary and budget set, I would recommend booking all accommodation in advance rather than on the go. Driving can be tiring and the last thing you want is to be stressing out trying to find somewhere to stay at the end of the day. This is especially important in more rural and remote locations where accommodation options are limited. If you are confident to wild camp, I would recommend using the Park4night app, which shares the best overnight parking hotspots near you.
4. Make sure your car is road worthy
To ensure your car is road trip ready, I would recommend getting it serviced a few weeks before you hit the road. That way any issues that crop up are dealt with before you set off, rather than having to face any setbacks on your trip. It is also a good idea to check your tire tread and pressure, and if you've got a spare wheel, make sure that it's in good condition and fit for use. Whilst on the road, make sure to regularly check your oil and coolant levels, and top up your screen wash when needed too.
5. Get breakdown cover and car insurance
Let’s face it, none of us want to be stranded in an unfamiliar place alone. Getting breakdown cover is the ultimate peace of mind, especially for a solo traveller. Whether you accidently lock your keys in your car, get a flat tyre, or your engine cuts out, breakdown cover is your safety net. Having valid car insurance is essential to make sure you are covered in the event of an accident or unexpected damages to your vehicle.
6. Safety first
As a solo driver it is important to consider personal safety just as you would on any other solo trip. Share a copy of your itinerary with someone from home and check in with them daily so they know where you are. I would also recommend downloading the what3words location app, an accurate location finder in the event emergencies. Be sure to take plenty of rest breaks from driving and know your driving limits (mine was a maximum 3 hours driving time before breaks). Never leave valuables unattended in your car whilst you go off exploring and I would avoid openly divulging you are travelling alone to strangers.
7. Pack emergency items and essential supplies
There are a few essential items I’d recommend packing to cover you in the event of any emergencies. This includes:
important documents (driving license, insurance details)
extra oil and coolant for long journeys
a high vis jacket, warning triangle and a blanket in the event of a breakdown
a torch in case you need to look inside the bonnet
a spare set of car keys
loose change for car parking and toll roads
Other items I’d recommend to pack for a road trip are:
Car Laptop Charger Adapter – allows you to charge phones and laptops simultaneously through the cigarette lighter
A road map (essential if your sat nav loses signal)
Snacks and bottled water
A she wee and a trowl (yes you read that right ladies and gents. Needing to go to the toilet in remote places with no service stations or public bathrooms around is not pleasant)
8. Create a road trip playlist
You’re going to want to keep yourself entertained whilst on the road, so I’d recommend creating a playlist of your favourite tunes. Whether it’s music, an audiobook, or a podcast, having something to listen to other than the constant hum of an engine is only a good thing. There’s something quite special about road trip music. Not only does it lift your mood, but it will also connect you to special moments from your trip. I guarantee you will have a song or two that will make you reminisce about your adventures every time you hear it.
9. Top up your fuel tank whenever you can
One of my biggest worries during my time on the road was running out of fuel, especially in more remote areas like the Scottish Highlands. I’d recommend topping up fuel whenever you can, even if you’re tank isn’t half empty. If you are planning a road trip to a more remote location or off the beaten track, I’d recommend a Google search of fuelling stations in the area beforehand so you know where to go when a top up is due.
10. Embrace spontaneity
The great thing about road trips is that you can never quite prepare for what awaits you on the open road. Allow time to pull over to marvel at the scenery that takes your breath away. Don’t hesitate to stop off in unexpected places that catch your eye from the driver’s seat. It is the places you happen upon by chance that makes road trips so memorable.
Thank you for checking out my blog! I hope this has given you some useful tips when it comes to planning your very own solo road trip. I managed 9 weeks on the road in my MINI camper and was blown away by the places I saw in my home country of the UK. Please feel free to check out the places I saw along the way on my YouTube channel.
If you have any questions about my road trip, please feel free to drop a comment below or get in touch via my Instagram page.
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