It can be quite scary traveling alone as a woman. There are just so many things that can go wrong on the road – from vehicle-related challenges to unruly fellow road users. But in reality, millions of women travel without male company every year, some of them taking a few days to go on a girls-only road trip, where they can enjoy the excitement and adventure of spending time without the stress of their daily routine.
Even though going on a road trip as a woman is not devoid of risks, with adequate preparation, you should be able to enjoy a successful outing.
Below, you will find a few practical tips that will also help to make your road trip a success.
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Know your driving limits
If you want to take a road trip by yourself or with friends, it is important that you have a clear understanding of your driving limits so that you don’t get into a journey that you cannot finish.
For example, if you are used to driving between 4 to 5 hours at a stretch, you may find it hard to drive between 8 to 10 hours. This does not mean you cannot go on a long-distance trip driving solo; the key is in knowing when to take a break so that you don’t fall asleep behind the wheels, or push yourself to the point where you lose control of your driving.
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Always carry spare change
As already established, anything can happen on the road, and you never know when you will find yourself in a place that don’t accept cards or have a minimum amount accepted via card. Even though almost every part of the developed world has gone mostly cashless, restaurants, fuel stations, and garages that don’t accept credit cards are more common than you think. Therefore, you will save yourself a whole lot of hassle if you can withdraw cash from your bank before hitting the road.
You may also arrive at a place where you don’t want records of your transactions to be stored, especially if you are not certain of the security measures the merchant have in place. In such a situation, paying by cash will be the ideal solution.
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Put safety precautions in place
It is important that you have some sort of precaution in place before leaving on a road trip of any length. Apart from pre-travel vehicle maintenance, it is also important that you let someone know where you will be going to, an approximate time of arrival, your basic plans for the trip, and how to keep in touch. This will help the people you are leaving at home know where you are and what to do if they cannot reach you. It is never a good idea to leave home without someone knowing how to reach you in case of an emergency.
It is also a good idea to have a first aid kit inside your car in case of injuries, mild illnesses, and small accidents. Also, if you are travelling in rough terrain, you should carry clothes and shoes suited to the condition of that area, as well as basic emergency equipment, so that you can be well protected should your vehicle develop a fault.
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Park power bank and portable chargers
You don’t want to lose communication in the middle of nowhere. This can be quite devastating when you need to reach someone in an emergency. This is why apart from charging your mobile devices fully; you should also carry along extra sources of charge, such as multiple power banks and portable chargers.
These extra sources of charge for your phones should also be fully charged so that you never run out f juice while on the road trip.
That you have extra juice does not mean you should use your phone as torchlight though. Therefore, be sure to have a powerful and fully charged flashlight in your car. This way, you will not be tempted to use your phone for visibility and will be able to conserve battery for important things.
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Practice common sense
Finally, if you are traveling alone or with friends, it is vital that you remain mindful of your environment. When you are mindful of what is around you, you will not only be able to experience your journey better but also be more aware of potential dangers around you.
Of course, as an adult, you are not expected to avoid conversation with strangers, but pay attention to your gut feeling, so that you don’t end up hooking up with the wrong kind of people.
Wrapping up
There is no such thing as a lucky driver. When you are on the party bus road trip to riverside, whether for a short distance or on a long road trip, make sure that you follow the habits of a good driver and drive carefully. Combine that with the points covered in this article and you will have a successful and stress free road trip.
