By the author of Digital Nomad Life
With the pandemic and unrest sweeping the globe, plane travel can be a daunting experience. Indeed, for those just looking to get away and recharge on vacation, that extra stress usually isn’t worth it. However, with the bounty of roads and scenic locations available throughout the country, hitting the roads can be the perfect means to get away and find some peace.
Whether you’re renting a vehicle or taking the RV out of storage, a successful road trip requires a bit of pre-planning. Here are four tips for the prepper interested in hitting the roads instead of the skies in 2022.
1. Plan your route.
Once you’ve determined your destination, you need to plan your route. Take a look at essential stops along your path. Be sure to plan for plenty of rest breaks. Even with the best driving posture, your body will still need to stretch and work out any kinks. Great ways to work out road trip pains include:
- Leg stretches: Standing next to a support, stand on one leg and grab your other ankle, pulling it up slowly. Repeat with the other leg. This stimulates blood flow and stretches major leg muscles.
- Neck stretches: Slowly tilt your head until one ear touches the closest shoulder. Hold for five seconds and repeat to the other side.
- Walking: Once you’re stopped, walk around for 5–10 minutes. Enjoy the sights and focus on your breathing. This will clear your mind and prepare you to get back on the road.
The excitement of picking a destination can often overshadow the necessity of planning your route. Once you’ve decided on a destination, though, make certain that you plan out how you’re getting there.
Be sure to check construction reports, weather forecasts, and even local events. This will help alert you of any possible route restrictions, especially if you’re traveling on country backroads or other roads susceptible to weather conditions. Stay on top of news reports while you’re driving, as well. Knowing about changing conditions ahead of time can help keep your trip running smoothly.
Plan a couple of backup routes, just in case. If you are traveling during a rainy season or some other time of the year that can impact travel, then consider adding extra days to ensure your safety. Also, research if your route will have tolls. Having toll money before you start is a simple way to avoid any hassle on the road.
Or, simply find a route that avoids tolls. You might even come across some beautiful sights away from the major interstates.
2. Give your vehicle (whether it’s a bug-out vehicle, or not) a checkup before you begin hitting the roads.
Once you’ve determined your route, you need to ensure your vehicle is ready for the road. Getting a flat or having engine problems is rough enough when you’re near home. If you’re halfway across the country, however, the situation can turn into a nightmare.
Make sure your tires are in good condition with lots of remaining tread life. You should also have a working spare and tire-changing tools, just in case. Ensure your fluid levels are in good shape. Or, take your vehicle in to your favorite auto shop and tell them you’re going on a road trip. Often, they will check the fluids, brakes, lights, and even your windshield wipers.
If you’re heading out in an RV, the same rules apply. Ensure your tires, fluids, and other vital components are ship-shape before heading out. If you store your RV during the off-season, then look for any storage damage, including rust, flat spots on your tires, and mold in any vents or ductwork.
Be sure to pay special attention to your carb-compliant generator, as well. Check the fluids and filters. Inspect the outlets for debris or damage. Make sure all lines and electrical cables are still shielded and wrapped, with no visible damage. Then, turn on the vehicle and let it run for a bit before heading out. You don’t want to be setting up camp and find out your generator isn’t working.
3. Refresh your vehicle emergency kit.
No road trip is complete without a vehicle emergency kit. Like a first-aid kit for your vehicle, a well-stocked emergency kit will keep your car patched up and running should the unexpected occur.
A well-equipped vehicle emergency kit will contain:
- Sleeping bags
- Tent
- Extra clothes
- Non-perishable food and water
- Blankets
- Lighter or other fire-starting tools
- Jumper cables
- Fire extinguisher
- Flares and reflective triangles
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Extra car cell phone chargers or charging docks
- Basic tool kit (this should have multi-headed screwdrivers, socket and regular wrenches, pliers, electrical wire tape, and a voltmeter, among other items)
- Jack and tire tool or lug-nut wrench
- Cat litter or sand (for better tire traction)
- Paper map of your travel area
With these items, you can stay safe and prepared even if your vehicle breaks down. Adjust your kit appropriately if you’re traveling to areas with an increased chance of danger, such as a desert in the summer or mountains during the snow season. Consider extra water or blankets, for example.
You should also keep a list of emergency contact numbers within your vehicle emergency kit. As well, include any other copies of essential documents, such as for health conditions and travel and auto insurance. Always have a backup.
(You should check out our free QUICKSTART Guide to emergency evacuations while you’re building this kit. )
4. Build a virus-conscious first-aid travel kit.
No road trip is complete without a first-aid kit, and as the world has shifted over the past few years, so should our first-aid expectations.
Base your first-aid needs on the trip itself. If you are hiking or kayaking, you may want extra painkillers, antibacterial ointment, and even wound care. If you’ll be spending many nights camping, don’t forget to load up on the bug sprays and anti-itch creams.
In addition to these, a well-stocked first-aid kit will include:
- Multiple face masks or face coverings
- Disposable rubber, latex, or nitrile gloves
- Disinfecting wipes in large and small packages
- Hand sanitizer in large and small bottles
- Rubbing alcohol
- Chemically-resistant spray bottles
- Anti-bacterial medicines
- Small, sealable plastic bags
- Clean canvas tote bags
- Trash bags
- Tweezers
- Gauze, bandages, and splints
Staying safe on the road doesn’t have to be a challenge. Preparing ahead of time ensures that you’ll be ready for any unforeseen issue.
Final thoughts on hitting the roads in 2022
Embrace the road trip for this year’s vacation. International travel is posing a headache across the globe. Avoid the hectic stress, and pick one of the many excellent destinations you can reach via your own vehicle.
Remember, though, to plan your route beforehand, including possible road closures, weather events, and even rest areas. Ensure your vehicle or RV is road-safe before heading out. Lastly, restock your vehicle emergency and first-aid kits. You never know when a problem will arise, but you can be sure that you’ll be prepared for it.
About Molly Barnes
Molly is a full-time writer and traveler, spending her time exploring America in her RV. When it comes to hitting the roads, Molly is an expert. You can follow her discoveries at DigitalNomadLife.org.
In my many long haul drives Maryland to Colorado for spring skiing and summer fly fishing, I’ve carried a spare set of wiper blades. One time the driver’s side blade gave up the ghost in the middle of nowhere Kansas. The passenger side blade is a different length, so swapping it over wasn’t practical. I put up with the smearing until I got to a town with a Wal Mart. It was “only” 50 miles. If you’ve ever driven the 420 miles of I-70 in Kansas, you can appreciate the “only”. At that point I bought two (2) sets of blades. One for immediate use and the others as spares.
That’s a great idea! I once had to drive home during a thunderstorm with my drivers side wiper flapping in the wind. Not a fun time!
Use an app like GasBuddy to find the lowest price for gasoline. Or, Costco or Sams are generally the cheapest.
GetUpside is a good one as well and even offers cash back incentives.
What a waste of time. A virus conscious first aid kit, why? There is no pandemic and if the was its definitely over now. Didn’t realize dumb liberals are writing prepper articles now. Cant belive I wasted 5 minutes reading this garbage. Go back to your old job, you suck at being a prepper.
I agree 100%. So sick of this garbage being continually perpetuated by ignorant fear mongers
Don’t forget your pets if you bring them with you on the road. Extra food and some first aid supplies for them can be helpful.
A human first aid kit is always good to have no matter what you’re doing or how you are traveling; but a “virus-conscious first aid kit” is nonsensical. I’m a scientist, and I’ve spoken with many medical professionals and read everything I can get my hands on. The whole COVID thing has been nothing but a power and control mechanism from the start. The truth is out there, do some research and educate yourself. Math and science don’t lie – but human beings with an agenda will lie about both math and science to further that agenda.
Lol, you forgot to mention how to finance this road trip. Cash out savings, maybe, to pay for the fuel?
A “virus-conscious first aid kit”? I think if I were a person who thought something like that was an indispensable item I would just stay at home. How about a handbook with all the correct pronouns, too?
1. Masks won’t do squat to prevent a virus.
2. If you are outdoors (in your car), there is no need to worry about that eeeeeevil Chinese virus. It doesn’t automatically seek out folks who aren’t masked… although I believe Democrats think it does.
What do you need in your first aid kit? Bandages, gauze, rubbing alcohol, pain relievers, small scissors and tweezer, maybe an ACE bandage. A kitchen trash bag for disposal. You’re on a road trip, not hiking to your bunker.
With regard to your vehicle emergency kit, what you list will fill a trunk. Nix the sleeping bags and tent. They’re useless. Your vehicle is your shelter. Keep the blankets, especially if they are mylar.
Another rule: Know your surroundings. This was the wrong crowd for the virus conscious survival kit.