Taking a road trip can lead you to exciting destinations and unique experiences. Driving to your destination ensures half the fun of your trip will be the journey. Road trips allow you to stop where and when you want, taking in as many sights as you choose.
However, when driving long distances, there are some important things to consider. You’ll want to ensure you have proper coverage for the car you take. Options like car insurance for a week can be helpful if you plan to take a vehicle you don’t usually drive, plan on borrowing someone else’s car, or choose to rent a vehicle.
Another essential part of your journey is the vehicle you take on your road trip. You’ll want to make sure the car has everything you need for a safe, comfortable driving experience. Looking for certain features can help you guarantee your ride goes smoothly.
Spacious Vehicles Make for Better Travel
If you’re sitting in a car for long periods, you likely don’t want to be cramped and searching for extra legroom. While you don’t need an enormous vehicle to have a comfortable road trip, ensuring your car has adequate space is essential.
Not only will a spacious vehicle offer you more room to stretch your arms and legs, but it will also provide more space for luggage. If you’re planning a long road trip, having enough room to pack all your essentials — such as clothing, medication, and electronics — makes a massive difference.
Options such as SUVs, larger sedans, and large-cab trucks are often the perfect size for long trips, offering you plenty of space for yourself, your passengers, and your luggage.
Good Gas Mileage Gets You Farther for Less
Driving for many miles means you’ll fuel your vehicle multiple times during your trip. Choosing a car option that gets good gas mileage can not only save you money but also save you time on your journey as well.
For vehicles with low gas mileage, you’ll likely find yourself frequently stopping on your road trip to fuel up. This can quickly become expensive and time-consuming.
Instead, choose a more fuel-efficient option to save yourself from frequent gas station stops.
New Safety Features Keep You Protected
There’s no rule on how new your car needs to be for a road trip. However, newer models will have more up-to-date safety features that can ease your worries and make your journey safer.
Blind Spot Detection
This safety feature helps you stay aware of other vehicles in your blind spots. Typically seen as a small light notification next to your side mirrors, this attribute can save you from potential accidents while on the road.
The light will come on when a vehicle is detected in your blind spot and go off when the car has passed, alerting you that it is now safe to merge if needed.
Lane Departure Warning
It can be easy to get distracted while driving and begin veering into the next lane. However, this can quickly cause a collision, especially if traveling at high speeds.
Lane departure warning is a safety feature that instantly alerts you when you begin to move from your lane into another. It can be a lifesaver while traveling.
Automatic Braking System
Even if you’re a fantastic driver, you can’t control other drivers on the road. You also can’t be expected to prepare for every potential hazard on the road. Automatic braking systems are an essential safety feature to protect you while driving.
This beneficial feature will brake for you if something is detected too close to the front of your vehicle. For instances such as drivers merging too close, it can be the difference between hitting their car and avoiding an accident.
Adaptive Cruise Control
It’s common when driving long distances to take advantage of the cruise control feature in your vehicle. But letting go of your control can have consequences if you aren’t paying enough attention to the road.
Adaptive cruise control is a safety feature that allows you to set your speed and worry less about a potential collision. The settings on this feature are typically customizable, allowing you to determine how much distance you would like to keep between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you get too close, the cruise control will automatically lower your speed to keep its distance.
Choosing the Right Features for a Safe Road Trip
Opting to drive to your destination can make for an exciting travel experience. However, it’s essential to make sure you’re safe while traveling.
Preparing for your road trip means looking into everything from the right car insurance to the features of your vehicle. Choosing attributes like enough space, good gas mileage, and new safety features ensures you get the most out of your trip.
Alexandra Arcand writes and researches for the car insurance site, CarInsuranceComparison.com. She is a frequent road tripper who enjoys sharing her tips and tricks with others.
