When it comes to travel, nothing beats the freedom of a road trip. You can explore nooks and crannies throughout your journey, places you might not discover if you’re flying to your destination. It also gives you the flexibility to spend your time the way you want, as you are not locked into rigid plane, train or bus schedules. On a road trip, you are (literally and figuratively) in control.
But while spontaneity is the golden secret of a road trip, the real key is planning. Being prepared for the unexpected means you can take those extra detours or paths less travelled. And to help you get the most out of your travels this summer, here are 6 tips that can save you time, money, and headaches while you’re on the road.
1. Create a budget
The least fun, but most valuable thing you can do before hitting the road is budgeting. To get started, list all the known costs you’ll face, including your accommodations (and consider options for staying at hotels, campsites, or Airbnbs, a daily budget for food, entertainment, gasoline and additional expenses).
To get the most out of every dollar, look into any discounts your membership programs might offer, such as CAA Rewards® gives its members access to thousands of partner economies around the world.
2. Plan your route
By taking the time to plan your itinerary, not only will you have a good idea of how to book your overnight stays along the journey, but you can also find these hidden gems along the way. This will help make the journey much less stressful and give you the opportunity to discover the interesting attractions, restaurants and stops that make the trip perfectly unique to your interests.
3. Keep your travel documents handy
There’s nothing worse than the anxiety that comes with rummaging through your luggage trying to find a specific piece of paper, emptying your glove box looking for your car insurance slip, or doing Scroll through your inbox trying to find booking information.
Before hitting the road, make sure you have all these documents together:
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Vehicle registration or ownership
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Car Rental Confirmation
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Hotel details or camping/parking details
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Driving license
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Passport (if crossing the border)
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Your CAA membership card for roadside assistance
If you prefer to be on the safe side, you can even have two copies of these documents or keep a dedicated folder on your phone with everything in one place.
4. Get the right insurance
Listen, insurance is rarely a fun thing to consider when you’re going. However, it’s the kind of thing you’ll be happy to have if you need it, and you’ll be relieved to have the right insurance if the unexpected happens. There are two types of insurance to take out before your trip: travel insurance and car insurance.
You’ll need travel insurance because OHIP doesn’t always cover out-of-province medical expenses, so if you have an emergency in another province, you may have to pay for some of the costs yourself. expenses – if you don’t. not the right insurance.
You will also want to get up-to-date auto insurance. Many Canadians have adjusted their policies because they’ve worked from home or driven less in the past two years, but you may need to get more comprehensive coverage for your car if you plan to drive a lot on your next trip. .
5. Slow and Steady Packing
There are two types of travelers: those who create exhaustive packing lists weeks or months in advance, and those who frantically pack their bags the day before they leave. Be part of the first group to take the stress out of planning your trip.
Start making a list when planning your trip, with specific items or specialized equipment you might need for the different activities you’ll be doing. If there are things you won’t be using until you leave, set them aside now and gradually put away your clothes and essentials as the trip draws near. This should also include printing several copies of the materials we listed above, as well as snacks, toiletries, and anything else you know you’ll need.
6. Check your car
The sixth and final pre-trip tip is to take a look around your car. A tune-up and oil change is essential for your car because the last thing you want to deal with is a broken down car. You should also check your windshield for splinters and repair them, because parking your car in the sun is one of the fastest ways for a splinter to turn into a crack, which means you may need to replace your entire windshield.
For added peace of mind, make sure you have roadside assistance like CAA, in case your car has any problems during the trip. CAA’s Mobile Oil Change and Mobile Chip Repair are available in select areas of Ottawa, where they can come to your location when it’s convenient for you, so you can keep packing and checking off another task simultaneously.
And of course, the seventh unofficial task is to make sure you have fun on your trip! Traveling can always present unexpected challenges, but by taking the time to prepare, you can ensure that your trip is filled with great memories that you will remember for years to come.
Travel safely!
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