Hiring a car and taking a driving tour can be a great way to explore different places. On the flip side, a driving tour in a hire car can also be tiring and demanding, but if you start off well prepared for the long journey ahead, with a relaxed attitude, you can really enjoy yourself.
Some excellent long distance trips to take in a hire car include the famous Route 66 in America, which will take you on a historic tour of the United States from the East Coast to the West Coast. As you travel in your hire car from Chicago all the way to Los Angeles, you can stop off at many interesting places along the way, including Las Vegas. Although you can't follow the entire original route, plenty of it still remains intact. The journey can take about two weeks, but is well worth it.
Here are some tips for taking long driving tours in your hire car:
- Good preparation is the key to a successful long distance hire car trip. Before you leave, buy a detailed and up to date map, study it carefully and keep it with you in your hire car.
- Carry out some research before you leave home. See which interesting sights and places you will be close to on your journey, and break it up by visiting attractions that you and your passengers will enjoy.
- Listen to weather forecasts and check for road closures or tail backs.
- If the trip is going to take at least a few days, book ahead so that you have somewhere to stay, or at least be aware of how far you have to travel to find somewhere.
- Make sure that you are well rested before setting out in your hire car.
- Start out with a full tank of petrol and stop to fill up whenever you get the chance. Also check that your hire car's oil, radiator and windshield bottle are topped up.
- Check the air pressure in your hire car's tyres before setting out.
- If you have just hired the car, check that you know how everything works before setting off.
- Driving long distances can be taxing on both the mind and the body. Stop your hire car to take regular breaks for food, drinks and exercise.
- If possible, share the driving responsibilities with someone else.
- Don't give up sleep to make better time on your journey.
- If you feel tired, stop your hire car and rest.
- Long driving tours in your hire car are better undertaken during the day and not at night. You'll get to see more and unfamiliar roads will be easier to navigate.
- Carry extra food and water and emergency kits in your hire car.
- Keep anything that you or your passengers will need to hand, but pack the rest of your baggage into the hire car's boot out of the way.
- Allow extra time for any hiccups that may arise. It's a holiday, not a race.
- Always stay within the speed limits. If you're unsure of the limit, keep your speed low.
- Find a good station on your hire car's radio, or take some music to carry you through the hours ahead. Only change CDs or radio stations when you can do so safely.
- Drive your hire car with the usual levels of caution; don't drive too close to the car in front, always signal and be respectful of other drivers.
- If you are travelling with children, carry some games or books in your hire car to keep them amused, and remember that they will require more breaks than adults.
- Ensure that everyone is wearing a seat belt.
- If everyone is sleeping, see if one person will stay awake so that they can help you to stay alert.
- Arriving in your destination country, hiring a car and then immediately embarking on a long distance trip is not a good idea. Take a day or two first to rest and acclimatise before attempting a long driving tour.
- If you know that you'll be driving through areas that experience winter conditions, make sure that your hire car is adequately prepared.
- Unless it's hot and you need to have the windows closed because of the air conditioning, keep a window open, even if just a crack.
- Keep an eye on your speed, especially when you have been travelling on a fast road.
- Make sure that anyone who needs travel sickness medication (particularly children) has taken it, and that any other necessary medicines are to hand.
- Always make sure that your mobile phone is fully charged and has credit before starting out on a long journey in your hire car.
- Keep documents such as your driver's licence to hand, in case you get pulled over while driving your hire car.
- Relax and enjoy your trip!
