I have wanted to go on a road trip for a while, just driving off to nearby towns in my hatchback and exploring. I’d start small, like a day or three. The main thing holding me back is uncertainty of what to bring and how to do it, amongst other issues. I think I can figure out the food and sleep, but I was wondering:

  • Where to access showers?
  • Where to refill water?
  • Is it worth bringing a tent (could I set it up outside of a campsite)?
  • Where can I park when I need to sleep (that I won’t get in trouble for)?
  • Am I missing anything else?

Was hoping some of you might have advice. I don’t have a whole lot of good people to go to about this IRL.

Edit: Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to respond!

  •  jet   ( @jet@hackertalks.com ) English
    9•10 months ago

    Before your trip get AAA

    Check your spare tire, make sure you’re comfortable changing your tire just in case.

    Make sure you’re comfortable checking all the fluids in your vehicle. Do an oil change before your trip. Make sure your windshield wiper fluid is topped off

    Showers: truck stops are great, they have showers for a few dollars, they’re typically clean if you stick with the big brands loves, flying j, anything that looks big and clean. You can tell by going to the toilet and if the toilet’s clean the shower is probably clean too. You could also use a nationwide fitness chain to use their gyms as a shower.

    Water you can buy at any store. Grocery stores will be cheaper of course.

    I’ve never done the road trip camping thing, but having a tent doesn’t seem like a bad idea. Steve Wallace on YouTube has some great videos.

    Parking and sleeping are tricky ones, truck stops are usually okay lot of people do it, some hotel chains you can get away with, some Walmarts. You can always rent a campground you’ll be left alone there.

    Maps: I know it’s old school but see if you can get a paper map it’s good to have his backup. Download offline Google maps for the route you’re going to take ahead of time.

    Entertainment: download a bunch of audiobooks You’re happy to listen to, or podcast you like to listen to, Dan Carlin’s hardcore History is great.

  •  Mothra   ( @Mothra@mander.xyz ) 
    6•10 months ago

    From personal experience, be careful if you go on long stretches away from service stations. I almost ran out of petrol because the places my phone pointed me to refill were either abandoned or replaced with something else, or closed etc. This is how I learned Google maps is not that accurate the further away you get from cities. So plan carefully and with a plan B if you wander in desolate areas.

    •  IronKrill   ( @IronKrill@lemmy.ca ) OP
      2•10 months ago

      I’ve got road-side assistance and family I could call with cell service (and a battery if the phone was dead), else if I was without service I would have to flag someone down. Anything else I should do?

      •  PrettyBlackDress   ( @PrettyBlackDress@lemdit.com ) English
        1•10 months ago

        Get a prepaid flip phone make sure it’s charged, bring the charger and put the flip phone both in the glove department on the passenger side. This is so worst case scenario you can’t charge your phone at all, you’ve got something to immediately call for assistance. Put your contacts in before hand though