Travel Guides Road Trips
Kylie McCreary
If you’re into true crime, you probably can already guess what dangers lie at a pit stop in the middle of nowhere. But when you’re on a road trip and need gas, food, or just a break, it can feel like you have no other place to stop. To feel safer when making pit stops, we recommend you only pull over and get out of your car if you are in a populated and well-lit area. In order to do this, think ahead and lay out your pit stops beforehand.
Look at your route on a map and note the bigger towns and cities you’ll be passing through. There is a better chance that there will be more people around in these areas and that professional assistance will be close by. Once you have an exact itinerary for your road trip, share it with a close friend or family member. In addition, share your live location with them through an app like Google Maps or Find My Friends. That way, they can occasionally check to see that you are on track.
In the worst-case scenario, if something goes wrong, they’ll know when and where you were last online. For this to be effective, you’ll want to make sure your phone is charged and alive. Harsh Patil, the founder of the travel agency Xplor Earth, offered up a tip to CNN that can keep you extra safe: “In addition to the charging port in your vehicle, always carry a portable power bank/charger.”
Avoid unexpected pit stops
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In order to stick to your pre-planned schedule, you’ll want to avoid making unexpected pit stops. One way to do this is to ensure you don’t run out of gas. AAA’s repair systems manager, David Bennett, recommends having at least a quarter tank of gas at all times, explaining to Vox, “You never know when you could get stuck.” To follow this safety advice, mark the points on your route where you will hit a quarter tank of gas. Multiply your car’s MPG by the tank’s gallon capacity and multiply this number by .75 — this will calculate the total miles you can drive until reaching a quarter tank. If you estimate that you’ll need to fill up in a remote area, plan to fill up at the closest populated, well-lit gas station before that point.
Food and water are always essential safety items you should pack for your road trip. But, we recommend you pack extra in addition to your emergency supply so if hunger or thirst creeps up while in an isolated area, you won’t need to make a pit stop. However, be mindful of when you drink liquids as you’ll likely need to use the restroom 5-30 minutes after consumption.
You’ll also want to make sure that you get your car serviced before your road trip. Have a mechanic examine your vehicle and ensure that your car is functioning properly. The last thing you’d want is for your car to begin malfunctioning or breaking down in a dangerous area. To be extra cautious, pack a portable jump starter to help start your car in an emergency.
