Whether you’re a foodie, beach chiller, safari enthusiast, or intrepid explorer – the fun way to get to your holiday destination is always a road trip.
Whether it’s just a couple of days or your annual holiday, there is simply no reason not to get out there and enjoy the best of what South Africa offers travellers - from the mountains to the beaches and the game parks or just the city lights of someplace beautiful.
It is, therefore, the ideal time to work a fabulous road trip into your planning. Whether it’s a one-hour or two-day drive, it’s the approach and attitude that turns a long drive into an epic road trip.
Here’s why we love road trips, and you should too!
- It’s the perfect way to segue into holiday mode
A nice, relaxed road trip is the perfect way to leave work and study stress behind and get into the holiday spirit. Play your favourite music, stock up on delicious snacks, and just enjoy the journey.
If you’re worried about the kids getting bored, here are some excellent ways to keep them entertained. - We need to break free
That feeling of escape and freedom that you get when hitting the open road is precisely what we all need from time to time.. So fill up your tank, and just enjoy the feeling of simply getting away. - Exploration and Adventure: Road trips allow you to explore new places at your own pace. You have the freedom to stop whenever you see something interesting, discover off-the-beaten-path locations, and experience the journey - not just the destination.
- Bonding Time: Whether you're with family or friends, a road trip provides quality time together. The shared experiences and memories created during the journey can strengthen your relationships.
Driving tips on a long trip
If your road trip is going to cover quite a distance, there are a few things to consider before getting behind the wheel.If your road trip is going to cover quite a distance, there are a few things to consider before getting behind the wheel.
- Route and distance: Identify safe stopping spots beforehand so that you can either rest or change drivers when needed. Your road trip should be fun, not an endurance challenge, so plan ahead.
- Stay calm: At some point, you will get stuck behind a truck, or experience holiday season traffic. Remember: this is not a race, and you’re not going to be late for a meeting! So turn up your favourite playlist and relax – don’t get impatient and resort to dangerous overtaking. You’re on holiday!
- Organise your car: To make the most of your road trip, you need to do a bit of organising beforehand. Whether you’re travelling alone or with the whole family, you’ll want to ensure that everything is where it needs to be. You don’t want to spend your trip stopping to look for snacks, toys, iPads, sunglasses and phone cables.
How to plan or prepare for a road trip
The most important part of your road trip is, of course, your vehicle. No matter the distance or destination, make sure you get there safely and smoothly:- Have your vehicle checked. Many dealerships offer free pre-holiday vehicle checks where they’ll make sure crucial elements, such as brakes, electronics, and all engine fluids are in good working order.
- Make sure you have your wheel alignment and tyre tread checked. If you need new tyres, please don’t ‘skimp’ and think you can do it after your trip. Your tyres are the only part of the vehicle physically in contact with the road, so they are the most important safety feature.
- Check wipers and window cleaning fluid – you don’t want to end up next to the road trying to wipe karoo gnats off your windscreen with wet wipes or your sleeve.
- If you have air conditioning, make sure it’s filled and in good working order.
There are plenty of detailed checklists to help you prepare, and there’s nothing wrong with being a little over-prepared. But, to come back to our first point, your road trip is an escape and you want peace of mind knowing that you have covered all the potential hiccups before you set off.
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