Flat tire, empty tank, lack of plan, wrong travel companion… Sound familiar? In this article, we are going to fix or at least avoid some of the most common road trip mistakes.
Last updated: October 30, 2024
The 7 Most Common Road Trip Mistakes You Should Avoid
I’d like to say that I heard many stories about road trips that went bad due to some common mistakes. Or maybe I should say that these tales about failed road trips taught me to be more alert. They were my guides of what not to do when on the road.
In reality, though, even a thought of a potential road trip gone wrong due to the most common mistakes didn’t cross my mind. We road-tripped a lot, but had never really prepared for any theoretical fiascos on the road. There was simply no need for it. We successfully traveled all over California, explored the Oregon Coast, and even tested some road conditions in Arizona and Alaska.
But then on one fateful road trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park everything went wrong. In one day we were forced to face all possible road trip mistakes we had been ignoring before. I guess, Weston H. Agor was right when he said, “Making mistakes simply means you are learning faster.”
I don’t know if he meant any road trip mistakes, but we certainly learned a lot and in a speedy manner. Using all those experiences, we have compiled a list of the most common road trip mistakes you should and can avoid.
7 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN YOU GO ON A ROAD TRIP
Mistake #1: Forgetting to Check Your Spare Tire before the Road Trip
Assuming that your car just went through a thorough inspection, it can still be the biggest culprit of your unsuccessful road trip. While you might not have to worry about other parts of the car, the tires are not exempt from random nails, pieces of glass, and sharp rocks somewhere on the road.
To avoid being stuck on the road in the middle of nowhere, be sure to have a spare tire. Go a step further and learn how to change it yourself. Waiting for help in an isolated area rubs you of precious time that you otherwise can use to enjoy your road trip.
You don’t need to worry about rental cars as they usually have spare tires. Be sure, though, to find out where in the car they are located before leaving a rental office. In some cars, the tires are stowed underneath the vehicle and need cable winches to retrieve them.
Spend a few extra minutes to learn how to do it while you still have people around or at least the Internet to assist you. Being stuck on the road with no service is definitely not the best place to start doing it.
Mistake #2: Relying Only on Online Maps
Online maps are great. They are easy to navigate, convenient, give you the best possible routes… and not always work. You’ll hardly have any problems with Google or Apple Maps on your phone in a city. A road trip – especially if you want to avoid all-too-common road trip mistakes – however, requires a different kind of navigation. So, get in a habit of obtaining a hard copy map before you go on a road trip.
Not a map person? Avoid the most common road trip mistakes with offline maps downloaded on your mobile device. These maps help you with directions in certain areas where the Internet connection is slow or absent.
On the downside, you won’t be able to access any alternative routes. Additionally, the downloaded maps take up storage space on your phone. So, don’t forget to delete them after the trip.
Mistake #3: Not Checking Conditions of the Roads
To fully comprehend disappointment caused by silly road trip mistakes, let me give an example. Imagine you’ve been driving on a winding dirt road for a while, succumbing to all the bumps and risking getting dizzy. You didn’t expect this national park to be so deserted and untamed. One thing that keeps you moving forward is a stunning waterfall you’ve been longing to see for so long.
Your excitement grows as the offline map slowly decreases the number of minutes until you reach your destination. The waterfall is only 15 minutes away. One more winding turn, and you see… no, not the beautiful natural site, but a barrier with the sign Road is Closed.
Road closures fall into the group of the least expected road trip mistakes. While the majority of travelers take extra time to check road conditions in the winter, they often assume that these same routes are open in the summer.
Sadly, it’s not always true. A chosen road may indeed be free from snow and ice in the warmer season, there still can be road constructions and fires you have to account for. So try to avoid these time-consuming road trip mistakes by checking up-to-date road statuses in advance.
Mistake #4: Not Leaving Room in Your Road Trip Itinerary for Unexpected Discoveries
After a fair amount of road trips and some road trip mistakes, I urge you to have a detailed itinerary. Don’t let endless distractions keep you away from your dream destinations. At the same time, make sure you still have room for unexpected discoveries along the way. Trust me, you will have plenty of them.
So when stunning views or a glittering lake catch your attention, stop and check them out. Don’t wait until you drive back to see these beautiful spots. A few hours later, you may use a different road to get back where you’ve come from. Or, enveloped by early darkness, the place wouldn’t look the same.
Mistake #5: Waiting Too Long to Refuel the Car
We made one of our silliest road trip mistakes on our way to Grand Canyon National Park. Those who drove that road know that the area is quite deserted. Apart from Joshua trees and reddish hills and rocks, you barely see any towns. Gas stations also don’t spoil you with their frequent appearances.
And yet, despite a common sense to stop and fill up our vehicle, we chose to drive a bit farther. Luckily, we had enough gas to get to the park. To be able to drive back to Kingman, where we were staying, though, we had to use services of the local “gas station”.
Located just a few miles away from the Grand Canyon, the place was accommodating such unprepared road-trippers like us. You could buy only 5 gallons of gas, which was enough to get to the nearest gas station. The fuel, however, was three times more expensive than elsewhere in the area.
Mistake #6: Not Drinking Enough Water when on a Road Trip
Staying hydrated is crucial whether you stay at home or go on a road trip. Drinking enough water is especially important when sitting in the car for many hours in a row. Still, many travelers, including me, keep forgetting it, adding a new problem to their road trip mistakes.
It’s true that drinking a lot of water means more bathroom breaks. On the other hand, dehydration paired with winding roads can make you feel fatigued and even dizzy. It’s certainly one of the conditions you want to avoid when on the road.
Mistake #7: Not Packing Snacks for Road Trip
Not packing snacks was one of my most frequent road trip mistakes several years ago. Aren’t there plenty of roadside restaurants and gas stations to grab some snacks or even lunches? The problem with these places, though, is that you’re forced to settle for often expensive and, frankly, not the best food options.
I lost count of how many times during our road trips I had to stick to only rice and vegetables. Even in those situations, I could consider myself lucky, as not many roadside restaurants cater to vegetarians, vegans, or people with any other dietary restrictions.
Nevertheless, these early mistakes taught me a great deal of what to pack for a road trip. Fresh fruits and vegetables (be sure to wash them before the trip), nuts, and homemade sandwiches should definitely find room in the trunk of your car.
Road Trip Mistakes: Final Thoughts
It’s easy to get carried away with excitement about the upcoming road trip and forget about anything else. But taking time to check the conditions of your car, plan your itinerary, and pack some road trip essentials proved to greatly reduce the number of common road trip mistakes. Let’s enjoy our adventures, not endure them.
