31 essential road trip tips for summer 2020
Easy tips for a memorable trip

Wipes, wipes, wipes

Wipes have always been a road-trip essential for cleaning spillages and refreshing sticky fingers after an ice cream, chocolate bar or cheese puffs. Now they’re more crucial than ever for disinfecting any common surfaces, like door handles at service stops, washroom taps and pumps at gas stations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends using a high-alcohol sanitiser after refuelling your vehicle.
Pack an emergency COVID-19 kit

Brush up on the latest guidelines

Stay on top of the current COVID-19 situation and guidelines in the place or places you plan to visit or even travel through. If you’re driving in the US, use the CDC case tracker to keep on top of the worst-hit areas and look at the relevant health department and government websites for local advice. Things may change as you travel, too, so check in regularly so you don’t get caught by surprise – some adventures really aren’t fun.
Have a Plan B

Think outside the box

Road trips are often about exploring the great outdoors, and people will be especially keen to spend more time in places with plenty of space and fewer visitors at present. But that means many others might have exactly the same idea as you. Do a little extra research to find out which areas might be busier than usual, and perhaps which places should be avoided altogether. Consider parks, beauty spots and coastal stretches that tend to get fewer visitors. It’ll be easier to park and remain socially distanced, and you might even discover some new favourites.
Triple check your driving route

Some roads and checkpoints may be closed due to COVID-19 so it’s important to keep on top of the latest information. Look at travel-planning apps you can download before setting off to keep on track of any new restrictions or detours – Roadtrippers, Waze and TripTik are all good options to help keep you moving in the right direction and they'll make it easier to change your plans if needed too.
Know your food stops

Stock up on supplies

Even if you're a fast-food lover, you might get a little tired of burgers and corn dogs on your trip. You should also plan for the possibility that places might be closed, even for takeaway. Make sure you have some emergency bites with you on the road – think items with a long shelf life, like snack bars and instant noodles. If you have a portable stove or are staying in places with cooking facilities, some tins of beans, tomatoes, dried pasta and other store cupboard staples will be a great back-up.
Don’t wing it

Book accommodation in advance

If you’re camping or sleeping in your RV, book at least the first night or three in advance so you don’t end up being turned away. Some campsites in national parks are closed, for example, or require reservations (check the NPS site for details). If you’re driving and planning to stay at motels and hotels along the route, do some research into places that are following the correct COVID-19 protocols. It’s also a good idea to find places with flexible cancellation policies in case your plans change.
Check your vehicle

Familiarise yourself with your wheels

Whether it’s your own RV that’s been sitting on the driveway for the past year or a rental car or camper van, take some time to get to know it – or to reacquaint yourself with all its quirks. If it's a rental, ask the company if it’s possible to take it for a test drive or at least a spin around the car park before getting on the road. It’ll help you be more confident, especially if it’s larger than you’re used to. And there’s nothing worse than realising you don’t know how to switch the headlights on just when you really need them.
Get the right kit

Take the right documents

It’s easy to forget travel documents when you’re jumping in your vehicle and hitting the road. But if there’s any chance you may end up travelling between countries, it’s important to have them where they're easily accessible. Keep car, travel and insurance documents to hand in your vehicle. Some countries may require an International Driving Licence so check well in advance. Now check out the most beautiful road trip in every state.
Divvy up the chores

Take a paper map

Don’t neglect the playlist

Travel light

Take camping chairs

Consider breakdown cover

Be prepared for tolls

Take a cool box

A good old-fashioned cool box is an essential road trip item. You'll have a cold drink to hand whenever you want and, if you're not likely to be passing anywhere to eat, you can pull up for a roadside picnic. A large cool box doubles as a bench or table, too. Just remember to replenish the ice when you pull into a service station. Or you could even invest in an electric box to plug into the car. Love this? Check out our round-up of the most scenic picnic spots in every state.
Don't run out of gas

Obviously this isn’t something you’d do deliberately. But petrol stations can be few and far between in remote areas and some may be closed at the moment – so, even if you know the route inside-out, things might have changed. Try to plan stops to minimise the risk of running out and to avoid unnecessary interactions. Apps like GasBuddy can be useful for locating the nearest places to fill up.
Keep all essentials within easy reach

Keep your vehicle clean

Watch out for wildlife

Know the rules of the road

Go with the slow

Bust on-board boredom

Keep in touch

Have supplies for sundowners

There's nothing better after a long day behind the wheel than arriving at your destination and cracking open a cold drink – whether that means a beer, tumbler of wine or a refreshing seltzer – in time for sunset. This is especially important if you’re camping, or even if you’re staying somewhere that may not have a bar or shop. Just don’t forget where you stashed the bottle opener. Now check out these stunning US spots to relax in your RV this summer.
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