Advice

23 Things to Know Before Going on a Road Trip

1. Establish a budget to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Before going on a road trip, it is best to have a little extra money for emergencies and unforeseen events.

2. Carry out a complete check of your vehicle before leaving.

Checking your vehicle before setting off on a road trip is an essential step to reduce the risk of breakdowns on the road and avoid unforeseen events and interruptions during the trip .

You can also save money by avoiding emergency repairs or even a tow on the road , which could ruin your road trip (it happened to us...)!

And if you rent a vehicle, it is also important to know the vehicle, the breakdown number and where the spare wheel and jack are located...

3. Avoid overloading your vehicle.

I'm often the first to want to take my house with me in my suitcases because the famous phrase "you never know" sometimes resonates a little too often in my head.

And with experience, you realize that you spend time tidying up and (re)organizing all your things in your van .

It is also recommended to leave some cupboards empty (or not very full) which could potentially be useful during your trip and allow you to be a little disorganized.

If you'd like to know more, we've written a blog post about it:

▶ Blog article: Accessories to optimize space.

4. Do not over-equip or under-equip your vehicle.

When you go on a road trip , don't overload the interior of your vehicle . Take only the essential and necessary equipment with you based on your plans for the trip . You'll be surprised how quickly the space fills up.

If you'd like to know more, we've written several blog posts about it:

▶ Blog articles:

• Our checklist for going on a road trip
• 20 essential van accessories

5. Download useful apps for your road trips.

With the rise of Vanlife , many applications have been developed to simplify logistics during our road trips : whether it's finding the right route or the ideal location , knowing where to stock up on water or easily locating a gas station .

Before setting off on a road trip, don't hesitate to download apps that might be useful to you.

We have selected our 15 best applications for you, specifying our favorites and our essentials .

If you'd like to know more, we've written a blog post about it:

6. Allow longer travel time than indicated.

To avoid unnecessary stress on the road, we tend to allow more time than expected for journeys . Why?

Some roads may be narrow and unsuitable for our van . We will then drive much more slowly than the indicated speed.

7. Plan a flexible but not too detailed itinerary.

Sometimes we want to plan our road trip in detail and know our itinerary perfectly. However, our advice is completely different!

Road trips are also about adventure and discovery , so yes, it's important to have a general idea of ​​your destination , but we suggest not imposing strict constraints on yourself, whether in terms of the distance you'll cover each day or planning your sleeping stops two weeks in advance.

8. Don't miss the opportunity to refuel.

Refueling regularly helps minimize the risk of running out of fuel . On the road, gas stations can sometimes be far apart, especially in more remote areas.

By keeping your fuel level high enough , you ensure that you can reach the next gas station without any problems (and with peace of mind), give yourself more flexibility regarding your journey and route , and avoid last-minute stops.

9. Always have a first aid kit handy.

We don't wish anything bad on you during your road trips , but it's always best to have essential safety equipment on hand during your road trips , such as a first aid/emergency kit and a fire extinguisher .

• Basic medications: Painkillers, anti-inflammatories, etc.
• Medications specific to your needs
• Disinfectants and disposable gloves
• Bandages and dressings
• Scissors and tweezers
• Thermometer
• Tick ​​remover

Discover our Care Plus first aid kits by clicking here.

10. Plan for emergency meal(s) in case of an unforeseen event.

We tend to always have one or more “emergency meals” (canned goods, pasta and tomato sauces, etc.) for emergencies.

Discover our dehydrated meals from the Firepot Food brand: delicious 100% natural recipes that can help you out in the unexpected.

11. Carry a sufficient supply of water.

Who has ever run out of drinking water during a van road trip ? US!

After a few situations where we were (very) thirsty, we decided to always have 2 emergency water bottles to make sure we were well hydrated and able to cope with the unexpected.

We also bought a filter bottle which allows us to drink water from rivers , lakes , fountains , even when we were not convinced of the cleanliness of the water (thanks to the super efficient filter).

12. Keep a headlamp in your vehicle.

This little piece of advice, seemingly innocuous, was very useful to Marie (our apprentice) and her dad during their first road trip .

Whether it's inspecting/repairing your vehicle , taking night walks (or pee breaks), or walking along a road at night, it's important to be visible to others (and to see where you're putting your feet).

13. Carry a paper road map in case your GPS fails.

We find it particularly fun to have a paper map with us and to trace the route we are taking with a Sharpie (permanent marker) and to be able to see the kilometers already traveled .

14. Bring a portable battery to recharge your electronic devices.

All it takes is for your vehicle's battery to run out for your phone's battery to drain quickly.

15. Plan activities for rainy weather.

That's why we always take a deck of cards , board games , books , something to watch a movie , and of course our Omnia Oven to make delicious cakes while you're warm!

If you like to watch movies in your van, consider downloading them in advance in case the signal isn't very good in your spot.

If you'd like to know more, we've written a blog post about it:

16. Keep your vehicle clean (and tidy!).

If you are traveling as a couple or family, or even alone, you will be living in a living space of approximately 5m2. And to avoid any frustration, we advise you to tidy up/clean your vehicle a little each day.

If you'd like to know more, we've written a blog post about it:

17. Distribute tasks among your group members.

During our 5-month road trip in Scandinavia , we had to take care of Mini-Léonie (who was still just a baby at the time) and do daily household chores.

For this, we had found a rhythm that suited us with Aurel, that is to say that each one knew what he had to do . That way, there was no reason to step on each other's toes or ask the other "can you do this please?" (and therefore avoid any potential tensions).

We're not necessarily suggesting creating a schedule, but rather dividing up chores fairly . For example, one person does the dishes while the other does the laundry or does a car cleaning task.

18. Ask locals for recommendations to discover the best places.

If you have the opportunity to stop in a town or a small village, do not hesitate to ask the locals for good addresses whether for restaurants , places to visit , spots , hikes , sightseeing tours , etc.

19. Have multiple payment methods available.

It's important to have multiple payment methods on a road trip for added flexibility and security. Some stores, restaurants, etc. may have limited payment options.

Additionally, in case your credit card is lost or stolen, it is reassuring to have another means of payment such as cash or another bank card.

20. Arrive at your destination before dark.

When planning to stop at a spot , we advise you to arrive before nightfall.

Setting up camp in daylight is much more pleasant and also allows you to assess your spot more effectively, particularly in terms of security, neighborhood and location.

You will be able to settle down peacefully and perhaps enjoy the sunset .

We advise you to choose your spot in the morning or the day before in order to spend a peaceful day and evening.

If you'd like to know more, we've written a blog post about it:

21. Respect the environment and leave no trace in the places you visit.

To ensure you leave no trace behind, we have listed the essential zero-waste accessories on our blog and put together some tips for an eco-responsible road trip .

If you'd like to know more, we've written several blog posts about it:

22. Keep a reasonable distance between your vehicle and others once installed in your spot.

Although you may sometimes want to get closer to others to enjoy a breathtaking view , we recommend that you maintain a reasonable distance between your vehicle and other vans and camper vans .

23. Have the right accessories to cook (simply) good meals.

It's important to cook delicious meals during your road trips, and it's essential to have the right accessories with you!