The long weekend is almost here. And if you’re going on a getaway, we’re sure you’ve made the booking and started planning your route. Road trips are a fantastic way for the whole family to spend some time together and build memories that would be over in a flash on a 2-hour flight to your holiday destination. We’re sharing some tips so that you can just relax and enjoy your well-deserved break instead of breaking your brain over the budget.
- Plan your route before you go
Pinpoint places you’d like to stop and if you’re going to a more remote part of the country this would be a good time to figure out where the petrol stations are. Planning ahead can also help you save time by avoiding roadworks or peak traffic times.
You can add multiple stops to Google Maps when planning your trip and save it to your home screen (on your phone) for easy access when you’re on the road.
- Make a playlist
Tensions build up easily when you’re all huddled in the same small space for a few hours at a time. So ask every member that is a part of the road trip to give a few suggestions of songs they would like to hear. We’d suggest picking family friendly sing alongs for that necessary boost. This way every person gets a chance to hear something they like, and you might even learn to love a new song or two.
- Fill up on fuel
Stopping for petrol isn’t only good for your car, it’s a great opportunity to stop, stretch and take a breather. Petrol stations along these longer routes often have great spaces for stretching your legs between long drives, offering safe places for your children to blow off some steam, sometimes even a place for pets to roll on the grass and for mom and dad to grab a cup of much needed coffee.
Roughly plot your petrol stops before leaving and have a look at the bsmart map to see where you can save and get cash back in your pocket while filling up.
- Stay hydrated
Be sure to fill a few water bottles before you hit the road. It’s easy to get dehydrated (and cranky) when you’re sitting in a hot car for hours on end. It’s also a good idea to prepare some snacks beforehand. You’ll save some money by not having to buy goodies every time you stop, but you’ll also be keeping the blood sugar levels up and the bad moods at bay.
- Take pictures!
The journey is just as important as the destination and whether you agree with the figurative or literal meaning of that quote, we think it definitely applies to road trips. Take a minute and stop if you see a funny road sign or something that catches your eye along the way. Take pictures of the scenery, the kids, your better half … everything. For years to come you’ll be able to look back and tell stories about that awesome roadtrip to doer and gone.
Do you have any tips that make your roadtrips run smoothly? We’d love to hear about them!
Check out our blog on a vehicle checklist and protecting your home when on holiday before you hit the road. We share tips and tricks like this so that our members can live smart, spend smart and save smart.
At bsmart we help our members save, and pay out cash-back bonuses every three months or annually. To learn more about bsmart contact us or click here to sign up directly through our website.