Traveling in a Rental Car: 10 Tips For Your Road Trip

A road trip means freedom of movement, picturesque views in the car’s window, and big savings if you travel with a large company. Yes, a big selection of transport van rentals makes it possible to organize an exciting family trip or a trip with friends anywhere in the United States. But unfortunately, some are afraid to turn their dream into reality due to the difficulties in preparing for such a trip. 

We know that the road trip is a challenge. After all, you need to consider many different factors, especially if it’s a long-distance journey. So, we have prepared a list of important tips for you. How to rent a car, what to take on your trip, and what do you need to consider? Keep reading and you will find answers to all your questions…

Book the right rental car 

A comfortable car is the key to a successful trip. That is, it should suit you both in terms of interior space and driving characteristics. For example, if you have a big family trip then you don’t need to rent two standard cars. It would be better to choose a spacious 9, 10, or 12-seater van. One large car will cost less than two smaller vehicles, plus you can always save on passenger van rental. 

If you are going to conquer canyons or other hard-to-reach places, then consider renting an SUV. The large ground clearance and powerful engine of such a car will allow you to get where you want. However, if you have a trip with a friend or spouse, a compact or a mid-size car will be enough for you in most cases.

Make a list of things you need to take with you

If you are lucky enough to have a phenomenal memory, you can ignore this point. But we still recommend that you hedge yourself so that later you don’t reproach yourself for inattention. It’s most convenient to list items by category, such as first aid kit, clothing, equipment, etc. In this case, the risk of getting confused and missing something important is minimal. 

A standard must-have road traveler’s list looks like this: 

• Full set of documents: passport, insurance coverage, driver’s license, credit card, cash. If you are planning to cross the border, be sure to check in advance what additional documents you may need. 
• First aid kit: pain relievers, antipyretics, medicines for indigestion and allergies, as well as antiseptics. 
• Hiking kit: gas burner, dishes, bottles of drinking water, cutting board, folding knife. 

Even if you are planning to eat in a cafe, sooner or later you will want to stay at a picturesque campsite and have a snack in the fresh air. That’s why we advise you to grab at least a minimal set of products as well. 

So, it’s just an initial list of things, but you can create your own, or use special packing apps for this.

Take a cooler bag 

This tip is especially true for summer road trips. Of course, it’s generally better not to take perishable food with you. But along the way, you might want to eat something that needs cold storage. In this case, a cooler bag will be a must-have. As a bonus, you will receive another tip: you can use cold blocks from the thermal bag as first aid for burns and bruises.

Place your belongings in the car correctly 

First of all, put items that you may need on the road in the salon so that you can pick them up without stopping. For example, small bottles of water, snacks, or warm items if cold weather is expected. Then, arrange bulky items in the trunk in order of priority. Proper baggage distribution is also a safety issue. If you overload the car in any one place, this will lead to a shift in the center of gravity and make the car less stable. 

A great solution is to place some of the things on the roof. So, convenient car roof racks will help you with this. If you plan to take a lot of things on the trip, add such a device as an additional option to your rental car booking.

Plan your rest points in advance 

A long journey is always a challenge. At the same time, the driver’s concentration and well-being are the keys to a safe road trip. So, think about where you will rest and sleep when planning your route. Try to keep the distance between points no more than 300-400 miles. Along the way, you can make short stops to eat and relax as well.

Make a playlist 

Did you know that singing brings people closer together? According to research, singing creates a special emotional connection, and road travel is a great opportunity to test this theory! Therefore, try to compile a playlist of your favorite music in advance. Just be sure to take into account the musical tastes of all passengers, otherwise, you will experience disgruntled comments and arguments instead of a sense of togetherness.

Keep your car tidy 

Arranging things neatly at the start of the journey is only half the battle. It’s much more difficult to maintain order along the way, but still, try to do it. Each item in your car should have its own place to which it returns after use. Yes, it may be boring. However, you will know exactly what and where to look for in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Don’t forget to rest 

As we have already said, good driving concentration on the road is the key to a safe journey. Thus, stop driving immediately at the first sign of fatigue. Even if you don’t have time to get to the planned rest point, stop at the nearest possible place. Don’t try to drive 1,000 miles in a day, because road travel must be safe first and foremost. Another way to increase your potential mileage per day without compromising safety is to take the additional driver option.

Use GPS navigator and maps 

Every road trip should be a little spontaneous, but few people want to be in the middle of an unknown country road at midnight. Fortunately, a GPS navigator will help you to avoid this. You can pick up a GPS device at the rental company’s counter, or take your personal navigator. Just keep in mind that mobile Internet coverage on the road won’t always be stable enough. Therefore, download offline maps in advance or install the appropriate applications on your smartphone.

Enjoy the trip! 

Travel planning and preparation are very important. However, it often happens that something goes wrong even on the most thoughtful journey. So, your task is to perceive any problem as an adventure. Even a bad experience can be a great story and will give you a lot of pleasant memories.

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