Having a long road trip by yourself might not be ideal, but it’s the truth of what we have to work with. No couple wants to spend that much time apart, but you can make it as comfortable as possible.
Even if you don’t have anyone on the outside world who’s willing to help you or give you suggestions, there are still some things you can do to make your trip easier and more enjoyable than sitting with someone else in traffic or going out for dinners. Here are some logistical hacks and best practices for a long solo road trip:
Have a detailed itinerary before you leave
Having a detailed logistical itinerary before you leave allows you to really pre-plan each day and each stop. It also allows you to really make sure you’re bringing the right things with you. If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, having those pre-planned items will make your trip much easier.
If you have a long drive ahead of you, you can really figure out what you’re going to eat and drink for that day. You can pre-worry about the condition of your car so you don’t end up with any issues as you head down the road. If you plan out your trip ahead of time, you can ease any stress and make your trip that much better.
Keep your car well-stocked with the necessities
A few weeks before you leave, go through your car and figure out what you need to make your trip easier. Figure out the things that you’ll really miss, and make sure to keep them in your car. For example, if you’re coming back from a long trip and you have a car full of your stuff, you’ll really miss your car. In your car, keep a change of clothes, first aid supplies, a well-stocked car jack, extra gas, and some food that you might not be able to cook at every stop.
Comfort is key. Figure out the key things you need
For a long trip, comfort is key. Make sure your car is comfortable. If you don’t know what to look for, make sure to look at any reviews online for your car. Figure out how to properly adjust the seats and mirrors to make sure you can comfortably sit and drive.
Eat what’s available, but pack snacks for munching
When you’re on the road, you don’t have access to a lot of fresh food. You can’t go grocery shopping or even buy things like fruits and veggies at gas stations. However, what you can do is pack things like nuts, a healthy salad, or hummus. Make sure to keep some extra food in your car and make sure it’s something you can easily grab and eat while driving.
Break up long periods of driving with short stops
Breaks from driving allow you to stretch your legs and take a moment to relax. If you’re driving for a few hours, you can pull over and stretch your legs. Make those breaks where you can stretch and get out of the car. You don’t need to be stuck in traffic, and stretching your legs out will make you more comfortable in your car.
Don’t be afraid to camp or stay in hotels along the way
One of the biggest issues when it comes to long trips is staying in hotels. Even if you want to stop at a hotel, you may have reservations on a specific date. However, there are other options. If you don’t have reservations, and you’re driving, pull over and stop somewhere. Make it a place where you can easily put up your tent or pick a spot where you can park your car.
Make sure you pick a spot that’s close to a stream or a lake. If you don’t have reservations or you have reservations but you don’t want to stay in a hotel, you can always camp. Make sure you look into state laws and local rules and regulations to make sure you stay safe and within the rules of wherever you’re camping.
Be flexible and adapt as needed. Be mentally prepared for change.
For any long trip, your mileage may vary. You might be driving at a good speed, but you might be on a bad route, or there might be a detour you have to take, that slows you down. Be flexible and adapt as needed. Be mentally prepared for change. Change your route if you realize you’re going down a route that’s not going to help you get where you need to go faster.
When you’re on the road, you have to be mentally prepared for change. You have to be ready to change your route, change your speed, and make any detours that you need to make. When you do have to change your route, don’t get frustrated. You have to change your route and move on with your life, no matter what change you have to make.
Final words
Driving long distances by yourself offers a lot of opportunities for reflection and introspection. Not only will you have time to contemplate where you are and where you’re going, but you’ll also have time to think about yourself and your own life.
This can be both a comforting and a challenging thing to do, depending on your own personality. Keep in mind that while planning ahead can help make your drive more enjoyable, it’s still important to take things one step at a time and not expect everything to go perfectly. Do your best to balance enjoying the journey while staying safe.
