2020 Kia Optima blue and white in front of palm trees

Things to remember when planning a road trip

How to plan a road trip

Are you thinking about going on a road trip? Then you should start with a plan. The best way to have a successful road trip is to do a little planning beforehand. Even if you don’t want to adhere to a specific schedule, we have some tips on how to plan a road trip.

2020 Kia Sportage in the mountains blue front viewDo you have a destination for your road trip?

If you have a destination or a place you want to end up, then this is where you need to start your plan. Find out how long it will take you to get there with a straight shot.

If you have more time than you need, consider just driving in the direction of your destination and seeing where the road takes you.

Just make sure you bring your phone so you can figure out where you are when you inevitably get lost. Remember, getting lost can be fun, as long as you stay safe and don’t have strict deadlines. Don’t forget to leave in some time for when you want to explore a city or even a roadside attraction.

Friends enjoying a picnicWhat should you do for food on a road trip?

There are three primary means of feeding yourself on a road trip. The easiest is fast food, but it isn’t the healthiest.

If you have a little more budget, it might be a good idea to pick sit-down restaurants along the way. It will give everyone a break from the car, and your car a break from driving.

You can also pack food and eat in the car or even have picnics. If you keep a cooler in the back and replenish it with ice, you can travel the country cheaply, eat well, and still stay away from junk food if that’s a concern.

Safety Tips: 2020 Kia Soul available safety features

Kid banging on drums in the back of a red 2020 Kia SoulHow to decide who to bring on a road trip

Where you are going is just as important as who you are bringing with. You want people that you get along with and people that are willing to help with the road trip whether its planning or expenses.

You will also want to limit the number of people to the size of your car. Just because your car has five seats, doesn’t mean people want to spend hours crammed in the back.

If you are bringing along someone with a major medical concern, then you may want to ask them to consult their doctors ahead of time. Make sure that there are no health risks they have to consider before the journey.

What should you do before your road trip?

If you have your route already picked out, then there are still a few considerations that you should keep in mind. First, make sure that your car is ready for the journey with a few simple checks and maybe even some service. Second, make sure that you have everything you are going to need to stay occupied. Lucky for you, we’ve already made guides for both of those things, and you can use them below.