20 Road trip essentials that need to make your check list
These are the basic things to take when making a road trip.
Many people have opted to stay home this festive season and explore our beautiful country.
As SA Tourism would say, take a Sho't Left. Well, as pleasing as it sounds to all of us that more South Africans are taking time with the family at any one of the plethora of destinations in our country, the planning stays the same.
So, in other words, whether you are travelling abroad or local, you still have to pack and plan with the same mindset.
It is for this reason that we decided to equip you with some handy tips on what essentials you need to pack before setting forth on your journey.
1. Make sure your car is equipped with a spare tyre (check it before embarking on your journey)
2. Make sure you have copies of your insurance (both your medical insurance information and your car insurance).
3. There's nothing quite like padkos. Carrying snacks is a key part of road-tripping and prevents you from stopping too much.
4. Chargers - make sure to carry chargers for all your devices. If you have them carry your power banks or UPS, these help a lot in case of an emergency.
5. Carry an emergency light, the load shedding ones are suitable.
6. Driver's license, plus any form of identification and car license to be up-to-date and displayed clearly. If you are travelling across the border, make sure to get all necessary travel permissions and/or vaccinations.
7. If possible, carry a paper map to route out your path to your destination. Also, if you have been on a road trip before it's best to be prepared for anything, so keeping a paper map is a great backup plan. You can also keep your GPS on.
8. A change of clothes that is easily accessible. Don't discount the importance of this, include your cosmetics, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
9. Cash. As the saying goes, cash is king. So, make sure to have it safely kept, as much as we live in a tech-savvy world, there are still some places without electricity let alone a card machine.
10. Bank cards. Make sure you carry these and store them away safely in case of an emergency. Always ensure you have enough money on your cards and that they are not expired.
11. Entertainment. Carry what will keep everyone occupied. The beauty of nature is not always appreciated by everyone, so carry books, audio books, music, or games.
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12. First aid kit. This should be in your car at all times.
13. Fire hydrant. This is something that should also be kept in your vehicle at all times but in case you didn't know please prepare to have one before your road trip.
14. Hand Sanitiser. Yes, they have been scarce since the pandemic, but this is a huge asset when travelling.
15. Wet wipes. A must-have when in the car even during short trips.
16. A trash packet. This helps to keep all the trash in one place and you can knot it up and dispose of it when you stop for a toilet break.
17. Light and durable luggage. Don't pack heavy suitcases, these take up too much space and are a pain to trek around with. Use light luggage as if you are going camping.
18. Don't forget your medication and vitamins. Some people are on chronic medication or have their daily vitamins. Ensure you have a bag for this.
19. Your car's manual - make sure this is kept in the cubby.
20. Safety numbers. Make sure to equip the whole family with a list of emergency numbers.
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