Are you itching to embark on an outdoorsy adventure? If so, you’re in for a treat. There are many national parks within driving distance in much of the world, including the USA and Australia, that can satisfactorily scratch that wanderlust itch.
Having said that, safety is paramount to a successful road trip. If you want to create positive memories, you’ll have to take into account the safety of you, your car, and your passengers as you traverse through new and unfamiliar roads.
If you’re overwhelmed by the entire process, we’re here to guide you. This ultimate checklist will list down several things you should prepare for before you set out on your national park road trip.
Let’s jump right into it.
1. Undergo a Thorough Vehicle Inspection
Before you go on an adventure with your vehicle, make sure that it’s specced out to handle the stresses of a long road trip.
National parks are often situated in rural and far-flung areas, and while many have service stops located nearby that drivers can use in a pinch, the level of car repair facilities are drastically low compared to what you can find in the city.
Furthermore, the roads in most parks consist of rugged terrain with varying elevation levels. These conditions are often harder to drive in compared to your traditional concrete or asphalt roads.
Because of this, it’s essential to maintain your car and keep it in top condition before you hit the road. There are many ways you can do this. The first is to inspect the responsiveness of your brakes and basic car operations. Test the lights and windshield wipes as well to ensure they’re working fine.
Be sure that your car insurance coverage policy is still operational and has no pending repayments. If the road trip is still a long way off, you should consider getting comprehensive car insurance for your EV or manual car to ensure that your finances are adequately protected.
Following that, look into your transmission fluid to ensure they’re at optimal levels. Look at your engine’s performance or battery power and see if it can handle the rigours of a long trip. Make sure you also have spare tyres and a tool repair kit to help you in case your car encounters problems while in rural territory.
If you are planning on driving an old car, it may be worthwhile getting your car checked by a car mechanic. This way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that every nook and cranny of your car’s frame and interior are cleared and ready for long hours on the road.
2. Bring (or Load in an App) a Navigation GPS
Another must-do task on your checklist is to secure a form of navigation in your person. This can come in the form of a downloaded map from Google Maps or other map apps, a physical map or layout of the park, a compass, or—best of all—all of these items at once.
Many parks span many hectares of land, and it’s not unusual to find multiple trails in a single park. It’s also not unusual for internet access to be limited within these remote regions. As such, it’s crucial to prepare some forms of navigation beforehand to ensure that you don’t get lost or stranded in a remote location without a way out.
Knowing where to go not only keeps you safe from wandering into unmarked and potentially dangerous territory, but it can also help you save time as you don’t have to rely on signs in real-time to access your next destination.
3. Pack an Emergency Kit
An emergency kit is another necessary consideration to make before you go on a road trip. This kit should include goods and equipment that can help you in a variety of situations during your journey.
Here are some inclusions to put in your emergency kit:
- First aid kit: Bandages, medical tape, medication, and antiseptic wipes.
- General tools: Outdoor tools like flashlight, multi-tool, whistle, and compass.
- Car essentials: Jumper cables, spare tyres, tyre repair kit, and a portable air compressor.
- Weather gear: Poncho, gloves, hat, and coat layers.
- Safety items: Pepper spray, bear spray, mosquito nets.
- Food and water: 1 gallon of water per day and high-energy snacks.
- Electronics: A power bank, satellite phone, compass or navigational watch.
When you have everything you need, you’ll minimise the chances of encountering difficulties in your trip that may come your way.
4. Look at Weather Conditions
Weather conditions are also something to pay in mind when planning your national park road trip. Depending on where the park is situated, you can encounter a variety of different weather conditions, from sleet and rain to hail.
As much as possible, try to research the weather conditions along your route. Forecasts aren’t 100% reliable, but they can serve as decent enough predictors of what to expect on your upcoming trip.
If the day you’re planning to go to is predicted to have stormy or foggy weather, you can consider postponing the trip to another time or equip yourself and your car with tools to help you navigate these weather conditions safely.
You should also look into road conditions to ensure that there are no closures that will severely impact the timing of your trip. By preparing for these things, you can enjoy your adventure with minimal risk and without feeling let down by poor weather conditions.
5. Map Out a Road Trip Route With Pit Stops
To ensure maximum safety, you can also consider plotting out rest stops along your route where you can replenish your perishable goods (like snacks and water) and refuel your gas-powered car. Be sure to also have mini stops to take a break from driving every two to three hours.
If you’re operating an electric vehicle, the same rule applies, but you’ll need to find public charging ports instead of service stations. You can use apps like PlugShare or ChargePoint to find charging ports as well as their price per charge and their respective charging level.
Be sure that this map is also accessible when you’re offline, as it doesn’t take long for you to end up somewhere with limited mobile coverage. Downloading an offline map would usually do the trick, but having a physical map with personalised notes can also work.
6. Maintain Communication Access
You should always tell others of your whereabouts and route whenever you go on a natural expedition, especially if you’re doing it solo. This is to ensure that someone will know where you generally will be located if you somehow are unable to send a message to the outside world.
An even better alternative is to carry a satellite phone along with you. This phone type can be used regardless of whether there’s a signal or not, making it useful for contacting emergency services in a pinch.
You can also consider bringing portable Wi-Fi hotspots in remote regions with cellular signals. That said, these devices may not always be the most reliable. In any case, it’s crucial to have someone know your whereabouts so that if you do end up in a fickle, people will know where you are and be able to respond accordingly.
7. Watch Out For Wildlife and Current Events
Lastly, it’s also essential to know what type of wildlife your road trip destination will expose you to. Some parks have a large population of predatory animals like bears and wolves, and it’s essential that you follow the right steps and have the right gear to keep them away from you.
Furthermore, it’s also important to be on the loop with current events within your route and intended destinations. Some parks (or portions of the park) may be closed to hold certain events on the very day that you arrive.
To ensure that this isn’t the case, stay up to date with park opening times to ensure you don’t have to make a drastic shift of plans on the spot.