MOTORS
FIVE STEPS ... CONT .
TWO DAYS BEFORE THE TRIP :
Set out a B-road route For convenience and speed , motorways can often be the way to go , but if you ’ re looking for a more scenic road trip , there ’ s nothing quite like heading out off the beaten track and discovering the winding , bucolic B-roads . Better yet , with less traffic , they can be safer – which is great news for you , your car and the no-claims bonus on your car insurance ! It can be an idea to get out a map before you take off down the motorway and pick out any B-roads that strike your fancy . They could be coastal or through local towns , for example .
Plan your pit stops Driving for long hours without any rest can be a recipe for disaster . Tired eyes can cause accidents , so you need to take a break every so often for yourself , not to mention the rest of your family . The good news is , there are plenty of roadside cafes , service stops and charming towns to explore on the UK roads . Take some time to plan out where you ’ re going to take a pit stop , so you know where to go , and remember to check Covid restrictions to ensure those stops are open to visitors . Even as restrictions lift , it ’ s important to be aware that some establishments and towns may have their own rules in place , so some research before you visit is always a smart move .
Start packing It ’ s time to start packing . Remember that over and under packing can lead to a lot of stress . Take time to plan what is needed and pack wisely . If boot space is tight , then soft bags can squish into a packed boot . Also , plastic bags can be kept by your feet . Check with your accommodation provider beforehand what items they have available at the property so that you only take the essentials .
THE DAY BEFORE THE TRIP :
Check the weather forecast Rain can make surfaces slippery and driving a little more dangerous , so check the forecast . It may mean that you will have to leave earlier or later than planned .
Petrol Ensure that you ’ ve got a full tank of petrol .
Prepare some entertainment for the kids After a year of online schooling and leisure time spent in front of the screen , it would be advisable to avoid giving your children screens to occupy themselves with during the road trip . For kids , it can be a drag being stuck in the car for hours on end , so try entertaining them with children ’ s podcasts and audiobooks which you can download in advance of the trip . You can also download some music , word games , crosswords and quizzes from the internet – all great time consumers . Alternatively , they can enjoy the beautiful scenery and good conversation . If you ’ re travelling with babies , then pack toys including mirrors , rattles and ones that hang from the handle of the car seat .
Healthy packed lunch for the journey Pack drinks , healthy snacks and prepare the sandwiches for the trip . It ’ s worth keeping wipes handy for grubby hands plus empty bags ready to put all of the rubbish in and for travel sickness . Also , don ’ t forget to put the ice packs in the freezer . They ’ ll be needed to place in the cooler bag tomorrow .
Sleep Try to get an early night so that you are well rested for the trip and don ’ t forget to set your alarm .
ON THE DAY OF THE TRIP :
Travel attire Wear comfortable shoes . Loose , layered clothes made from breathable material are suited for travel . Also , keep your sunglasses handy to protect your eyes from glare and damaging UV rays . Before you leave , it ’ s worth applying sun cream to all exposed areas .
Travel essentials Make sure that you have the address and contact details of the accommodation provider with you . Other essentials to keep handy include a car phone charger , spare change for pay and display parking and vending machines and tissues if you suffer from hay fever .
Finally Don ’ t forget to keep clean face masks and antibacterial gel handy .
Of course , for all car journeys of any distance , having a comprehensive car insurance policy that gives you invaluable peace-of-mind while you ’ re on the road is essential . To find the car insurance policy that best suits you , compare quotes from over 60 of the UK ’ s top car insurance providers with Asda Money . money . asda . com
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