Hitting the open road is a fun way to see the country and bond with family and friends. If you’re thinking of getting behind the wheel for your next group or solo adventure, these 5 road trip tips will help you keep peace of mind, keep more coins in your pocket and keep you safe to live to tell about it.
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When you’re the driver, fumbling with paper maps and cellphone travel apps are recipes for disaster. The risk of crashing is seven times higher while trying to read a paper map compared to talking on the phone and texting while driving ups your crash risk 23 times! If you’ve got travel buddies, put your passenger in charge of directions, and if you’re alone, use a GPS with a voice function.
Give your foot and gas fund a break by using control control when you’re traveling on flat terrain. You can use up to 14 percent less gas this way. But, if you’re traveling through hills and mountains skip cruise control. Even the most gas-efficient vehicles will be challenged by hills and cruise control wastes gas by accelerating your car too much when going uphill.
Fast is tempting when you’re on the go, but it will hurt your pockets and the salt, sugar and fat will ultimately hurt your health. Pre-pack energizing foods and snacks that can fuel your body for the long haul. Instead of reaching for coffee for a quick energy buzz, studies show peppermints can be just as stimulating as caffeine.
‘Stop’ isn’t only a sign; it’s also what you need to do every 2 to 3 hours to help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Blood clots can form in the legs when there isn’t enough circulation and long road trips are a prime opportunity for DVT to occur.
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We spend most of our lives driving to avoid walking, but on long road trips you need to get out and move! Sitting for extended periods can take a serious toll on our health, from tight hips to reduced mental health to increased risk of heart disease. Stopping to take a brisk walk will help clear your head and burn calories.
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