Solo Road Trip 101 – How to Have Fun and Stay Safe

There’s nothing more fun or freeing than hitting the open road for a much-needed change of scenery or excursion. Though traveling alone can be a great way to clear your head and de-stress, it’s important to make personal safety your first priority. Here are a few helpful tips to remember when planning a solo road adventure.

Before leaving town, make sure you’ve shared your itinerary with a friend or loved one and give them a copy. No, it isn’t necessary to rigidly schedule your trip, but letting someone know your plans is a good idea should it be necessary to contact you while you’re away. It’s also a fun way friends can follow along while you travel. There are great websites like Trip30.com that make sharing your itinerary easy – build a timeline, fill in travel details, and share your custom link. It’s perfect for organizing your itinerary too.

It really should go without saying, but life gets busy so make sure you carve out time for vehicle maintenance in advance of your departure. Check the oil, air pressure in the tires, wiper fluid, and the like. You don’t want to encounter issues that interrupt plans or jeopardize your safety on the road.

Don’t wait until after sundown to fill your car. It’s always a good idea to refuel during daylight hours and never let your gas gauge dip below a quarter tank. Play it safe, you never know what’s in store down the road. And don’t just fuel up the car, stay hydrated and keep snacks handy so your energy level doesn’t dip below empty.

Yes, you’re traveling to relax and get away from things, but always remember the basics of hotel safety. Desk staff should never say your room number out loud, make sure you don’t inadvertently announce or reference your room number either.  If at all possible, avoid rooms on the first floor and keep your television on when you’re away from the room to give the appearance someone is inside. A few other tips include keeping the Do Not Disturb sign on the door, use the deadbolt and chain when you’re inside the room, keep a small flashlight in your bag in the event of a power outage, use a pant hanger to clip curtains closed for extra privacy, and always be identifiable should you go to the workout room or take a run.