Make your journey as good as the destination

Any journey, whether that’s a day out or a big adventure of a road trip, is something we all look forward to. A chance to get out and explore somewhere we’ve never been.

The thing is, especially with a road trip, getting to your destination should be part of the fun.

We’re taking a look at how, with a little bit of work beforehand, you can completely change the vibe of a trip, making getting there as much fun as the destination itself.

Planning

Where are you going?

That’s the starting point. Then you should start thinking about what sort of trip you want to take. Are you spending a few days getting to your destination because it’s further away?

If so, what can you do along the way?

If you’re going there and back in a day trip, then planning is more about the route. You can either find the most direct route or look for a route that passes incredible scenery, so there’s somewhere nice for a break, or takes in an area that’s known for having a great driving road.

A little bit of research beforehand can completely change a trip, making the journey a bit more special or interesting.

Prep

Getting ready for a trip, depending on the distance, changes how you prepare. You need to keep a few things in mind:

Fuel – Do you need to fill up the car before you go? Doing this the night before can help you get on the road sooner.
Food – Snacks, crucial during a long road trip.
Fun – Travelling with kids? How do you keep them entertained?
Focus – Are you going to need to stop or take breaks while you’re driving? Perhaps you’re even swapping drivers. Where are you going to do that?

These are questions you need to answer just to take the stress out of travelling. If you’re heading off fully prepared for the trip, it makes it much easier to relax and enjoy yourself.

Packing

Getting your car ready, especially for a road trip, can be a bit like playing Tetris in your boot. Getting everything to fit in your car for a trip can be difficult, but being prepared ahead of time, and knowing not just how you’re going to pack your car but get everything back in to come home can take a huge headache out of your trip.

Once your car is packed, you can see out the back, and everything is organised. Take a picture. We’ve covered this tip (and others) before, but that quick reminder of how you set the car up makes a huge difference in getting on the road quickly and getting on the road fed up and stressed.

En-route entertainment

Playlists, podcasts, audiobooks, and games to play with the kids – there’s a lot you can add to a trip to stave off boredom.

You want the people you’re travelling with to relax, and if you’re driving, you don’t want to fall into the trap of the trip becoming tedious. Something to engage with, without getting distracted from driving, can really add to the journey.

Plus, car karaoke can be hilarious.

Driving in silence is the last thing you want, especially if it’s a long drive and you’re supposed to be going somewhere fun.

Parking

Work out where you’re going to park beforehand.

Nothing stops enthusiasm for a day out like struggling to find somewhere to park.

Pre-booking makes things easier, find and arrange your parking in advance, then you have somewhere to aim the sat-nav when you set off. This can really help with trip planning, especially if you’re stopping in other places too. You could use your pre-booking to give you clear timeslots to keep your trip on track.

Find out more about pre-booking