How to prepare for a long car journey

Whether you’re planning to see a long-distance family member, enjoy a staycation or just relish the beautiful views on a long car trip, sometimes long car journeys are necessary. With any long journey, whether that is in the car or not, there are things you should be doing prior to help prevent stress and anxiety and make the trip as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

In this article, we run through some of the things we think you should be planning and preparing for a long drive, including things you should be checking on your car to things you need to make sure are packed in the car. Keep reading to find out more.

Tips for a long drive:

• Prepare and check your car beforehand

• Prioritise your comfort and safety

• Plan regular breaks

• Share the driving responsibilities

• Utilise technology

• Be mindful of health conditions

Prepare and check your car beforehand

Even on shorter journeys, but especially on longer journeys, there are some essential checks that you should be undertaking on your car to make sure it is safe and reliable to drive.

• Check your tyre pressure – you should be checking your tyre pressure regularly but checking them before a long journey should ensure you don’t run into any problems. You can find the recommended tyre pressure for your car in the driver’s manual.

• Check/change your oil – If your car hasn’t had a service for a while, then it might be wise to change the oil before a long journey. Failing that, it is crucial you make sure your oil is at the correct level to avoid any problems along the journey.
• Test all your lights – it is a criminal offence to have lights that aren’t working on your car, so test all your lights before you set off, including your reversing lights and full beam.
• Test your windscreen wipers/screen wash – Test your windscreen wipers to ensure they’re working correctly, but also make sure that your screen wash is at a viable level.

All these checks don’t take long but can save you time and stress in the long run and should allow you to avoid any unnecessary stops.

Prioritise your comfort and safety

Long journeys, especially as we get older, can be quite uncomfortable and tedious, so prioritising your comfort and safety is key. If you normally drive a small car that might not be overly reliable, then why not consider hiring a vehicle that is up to longer journeys and can offer you more room and space?

Safety is essential when taking long journeys, and there are things you should always keep in your car to ensure your safety in emergency situations.

• First aid kit – you never know when you may need a first aid kit, whether that is for yourself or someone else, so make sure it is easily accessible and stocked well.
• High vis – having a high vis or brightly coloured jacket in your car is wise and can be used if you break down or want to be visible to other drivers.
• Warm blankets/coats – if you break down and need to leave your car, then having extra layers will stop you from getting cold; not only that, if it snows and you are stuck with your car, a blanket will offer an added layer of comfort.
• Emergency triangle – it is always wise to have an emergency triangle or hazard sign in case you break down; this will allow other traffic to see you without needing to keep your lights on.

Plan regular breaks

Planning regular breaks before you set off is a wise idea and means you know exactly where and when to expect your next stop. Stopping regularly allows you to use the restroom, fuel your body and rest your eyes if you’re feeling sleepy or tired.

It is recommended that you stop every 2 hours on a long journey for a minimum of 15 minutes. Getting some fresh air and allowing your legs to stretch can make the onward journey more comfortable.

On your breaks, you should make sure you are staying hydrated, hydration can improve brain function and your ability to concentrate.

Share the drive

If you’re travelling for longer than a few hours and you find you get stiff and tired easily, then it might be wise to plan to split the journey between multiple people. Sharing the drive means that you can allow yourself to relax for parts of the journey, catching up on sleep or helping navigate.

The blog Exploratory Glory expands on this point further on their blog, explaining: “Of course, it's not always possible to have someone else join you in taking turns driving, but if it is an option for you, then it's definitely worth considering. Taking regular breaks from the wheel will help both drivers stay alert and reduce fatigue. If a passenger is riding with you, then they can take over the driving duties when needed.”

Utilise technology 

Although sometimes technology can feel like a hinderance, in certain situations it can be a real help and road trips are often one of those occasions. Modern cars often come equipped with the likes of sat navs, auto lights and wipers and cruise control, all of which can take pressure off the driver on long distance trips.

Cruise control is a great way to make a drive easier and less strenuous and is great for journeys that are on larger roads and motorways. Use cruise control to stick to certain speed limits and allow you to rest your acceleration foot. Cruise control is also great for avoiding speeding fines, especially in cars with technology allowing them to detect road signs for you.

Use your sat nav on longer journeys; this will mean you don’t have to rely on maps or road signs and will take away any anxieties about getting lost.

Be mindful of health conditions

If you have a health condition or someone you are driving with does, then it is important that you are mindful of this on your long journey. Make sure you pack extra medication in case of emergencies, make sure the car is comfortable and sufficient for their needs and make sure you carry any documentation that you may need with you; you don’t want to be caught out in an emergency.

So, if you’re planning a long journey or you have a trip coming up and you want to make sure you have everything sorted beforehand, then hopefully this guide has offered you some advice and information. If you know someone who struggles with their mobility, whether that is in the car or in their home, then take a look at our stairlifts’ prices and get in contact to arrange a home visit. For more useful articles like this, make sure you take a look at the rest of our blog.