Eight ways to ensure stress-free road trips this summer

The motoring experts at car leasing giant LeaseCar.uk have compiled a helpful list of eight things drivers should consider before embarking on any road trips this year.

Thousands of Brits will be taking to the roads this spring and summer to enjoy staycations with family and friends, but relaxing drives can quickly become hellish if preventative measures aren’t put it place beforehand.

This is particularly the case if you’re travelling with young children, who can easily become restless and irritable if sat in the same place for too long.

Tim Alcock, from LeaseCar.uk, said: “Long road trips are often part and parcel of holidaying at home in the UK, but the car journey to your destination doesn’t have to be stressful or tedious.

“When your entire family and all of your luggage is cramped into a tight space for a prolonged period of time, passengers are likely to become irritable and grouchy at some point along the way – which is understandable.

“But by following these eight tips and tricks, drivers can make sure they’re keeping themselves and their passengers as happy as possible to prevent any potentially stressful situations from arising.”

1. Plan the journey

As the saying goes, a little knowledge goes a long way, and this couldn’t be truer when it comes to long car journeys.

So, remember to take into account the times of day when you’ll be passing through busy towns and avoid rush hours and roadworks. You should also factor meal and toilet breaks into your plan if you need to be somewhere at a certain time and remember you should take a 15-minute break from driving at least every two hours.

2. Fuel up

Your car’s not the only thing that needs fuel for the long and arduous journey, so consider taking energy-packed, healthy foods to snack on throughout the drive.

3. Pack up

It’s a good idea to pack your car with all of your non-essential, non-costly items the night before your journey to avoid unnecessary stress on the morning of your journey. Try to spread the load evenly when packing the car and avoid leaving any items loose – or else someone could get hit if you brake sharply.

4. Stay fresh

Fatigue can affect your concentration, make you less tolerant of other drivers, and increase your chances of having an accident, so it’s imperative that you take regular breaks and if possible, share the driving.

Avoid heavy meals before setting off and during the journey, as it can make you feel lethargic, and remember that at certain times of the year there may be other tired drivers on the roads too, so being alert is doubly vital.

5. Peppermint

Keeping a source of peppermint scent nearby is a good idea when long distance driving. It’s a pleasant, all-natural pick-me-up that has been shown to reduce fatigue and increase alertness, so you’ll be able to take a sniff when you feel like you need a bit of a boost.

6. Emergency supplies

There are a few supplies you might need in an emergency – wet wipes, travel sickness tablets, paracetamol, and plasters to name a few. It’s a good idea to keep these together in a small bag or pouch that’s easily accessible, so they can be on hand to quickly clean up any mess or accidents along your journey.

7. Keep your ears happy

Making a playlist of your family’s favourite music is a sure-fire way to keep everyone happy, alert and singing along at least for a short while, but if sing-alongs aren’t your thing then audio books can help keep your brain active, without creating a dangerous distraction.

8. Keep your passengers happy

There are a number of items you should consider taking with you on long car journeys in order to keep your passengers happy, particularly if you’re travelling with children.

Books are an obvious choice as they can be fun, educational and are compact – but they’re not such a great idea if your co-travellers get car sick. In which case electronics, travel games and colouring books are a must, just make sure you leave the permanent markers at home and opt for wax crayons or colouring pencils instead – and don’t forget the snacks.