You’re planning a cross-state road trip, but what should you be aware of before setting off?
Let’s assume you’ve already done the necessary car checks. You’ve taken care of your vehicle and ensured that it’s ready for what lies ahead. It’s easy to think that this is all you have to do – however, there are three key questions to ask before you kick your car into gear and start rolling.
Question 1: What’s the route?
You’ve planned your road trip in the sense that you know you’re going from A to B. You’re starting at home and plan to end up in a different place in another state. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is all you need to know! You must have a clear route mapped out to follow, so you don’t get lost in the middle of nowhere.
The best action is to plan your route using Google Maps or another satellite navigation system. This gives you the most updated view of the roads, along with a selection of possible routes. You could find that your preferred route takes you through lots of traffic, meaning a secondary route is actually much quicker. Either way, ensure you know how you’re getting from A to B.
Question 2: Are there any places to stop?
Clearly, you’ll need to stop at periods on your road trip. Even if the trip lasts a day, you’ll need to stop to have a rest and give yourself a break from being behind the wheel. Likewise, you need to stop to fill up your car.
When planning your route, check for places to stop. If your car runs on gas, make sure there are gas stations within suitable distances based on how far your vehicle can go before it needs topping up. Those of you with electric cars will need to plan even more meticulously here – check for charging stations on your route so you don’t run out of power during your trip.
Question 3: Are there any law changes?
This is something people forget about all the time when journeying across multiple states. Different states can have different laws, particularly when it comes to driving. One of the biggest changes revolves around DUI offenses. Any DUI defense lawyer will tell you that some states have different requirements for DUIs compared to others. In essence, you could be under the legal limit in one state, then over it in another.
You must keep things like this in mind or you could risk being arrested. Double-check all driving-related laws to be sure you aren’t going to break them during your road trip. Obviously, you don’t intend to, but law changes can sneakily trip you up.
Now, you’re better prepared for a cross-state road trip. You know where you’re going, how you’ll get there, and where you can stop on the way. Likewise, you’ll be well aware of any law changes in different states, so they won’t take you by surprise. All that’s left to do is pack your things and get ready for the drive.
Leave a Reply