Your Road Trip Checklist

When some people go travelling, they want to do it in style, and so a road trip is a pretty logical choice. So if you're about to go on a road trip, or if you're thinking about going on one, here are a few tips.

Going on a road trip around the world, or around a certain country is one of life's great pleasures, as it allows you to explore parts of certain countries that you never thought possible, and could lead to all sorts of fun adventures. When many people think of going on a road trip, they think of the great American road trip along Route 66 with the sun in their face, and while many people may go on these journeys, road trips are becoming more popular in different parts of the world, including Africa and Pakistan. But wherever you're going, the challenges that face road trippers remain the same.

One issue that many people encounter is the weather, and if you want to have decent weather, then it stands to reason that researching the weather condition of your chosen country is a good idea before you leave. Arriving during the wet season, or the hurricane season is neither a good idea or very safe, so make sure that you know what kind of conditions to pack for and prepare accordingly.

Another thing to take into account is your route, and while it may be tempting to just drive until there is no road left, this is just not the safest way to do it, as you may encounter poor road surfaces and end up damaging the hire car and this could not only leave you stranded but could also lead to higher costs when you finish your road trip. So get together with the people that you're going travelling with before you leave and plot a number of routes that you want to take, they could all be different routes going to the same place, but make sure you have the route mapped out and that you've understood the terrain that you will be driving over. Give your families a copy of the route your taking and how long you think it will take you to get your destination, so that they know where you'll be. Also arrange to call them once you've arrived at certain towns or destinations along the way so that they can keep track of your progress. It's also a good idea to inform the car hire company you're renting a car from where you intend to go and when you intend to arrive their, that way, if you are delayed the car rental company will be able to wait for you and find you if you get lost, or don't arrive at all.

Remember to pack plenty of supplies for your journey, such as food, toiletries, games and essentials like a spare tyre and a petrol can, as these will come in very handy along the way. Also make a note of all the numbers you'll need, such as the hotels you'll be staying at, the police, a break down service (if possible) and any other phone numbers that seem important.

Road trips are great fun when they are done properly, so make sure that you are well-prepared for this journey and remember to stay in touch with the folks back home so that they don't worry too much about you whilst you're away. You could always have them call you once you're settled at your destination, so see if they can find a company that provides cheap calls to the USA or wherever you are, and then you'll be able to keep them informed every step of the way.