Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

If you are worried about the upcoming solo trip, try to see it as an opportunity to enjoy some time for yourself. Just planning your travels and being prepared for emergencies, you'll be sure to drive safely to your destination. Pack a snack, dress up and whip up your favorite tracks, then relax and enjoy every moment by yourself on the highway.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Prepare for the trip

1. 

   Outline routes and stops. Consider which route you will take and pick out a few spots you want to visit along the way. Even if you plan to drive straight to your destination, you should still write down some places to stop during your journey. Even when using GPS for travel, it's important to be prepared for a trip in advance as you could lose your connection or run out of battery along the way.
   • If you have to drive for a few days, plan ahead for each day's driving time. For example, on the first day you will drive for 7 hours but the next day will only drive for about 5 hours.

2. 

   
   
   Arrange all the necessary belongings for the trip. In addition to luggage and credit cards, bring some cash. Don't forget to bring your driver's license and car insurance. You should also carry a paper map with you even with GPS in your car or phone.
   • If you are crossing the border, make sure to check that your passport is valid and keep it in a safe place in the car.
   • Do not forget to bring a power bank, especially when you will constantly use your phone to see the road.

3. 

   
   
   Take the car to check before the trip. About a week before your trip, take your car to the service site to see if any repairs are needed. Maintaining your car before going will help you avoid vehicle breakdowns on the road. You may need to change oil, refuel, change the air filter, or change a new tire, for example.
   • Take your car for an early inspection before your trip so you have the necessary maintenance time.

4. 

   
   
   Bring spare gear for the car. Nobody wants your car to have a flat tire or damage on the road, but it's best to be prepared. Bring a spare tire and other tools you may need. For example, if you pass a hot climate and worry about your car getting too hot, you can bring a water bottle or coolant coolant. You should consider bringing the following items with you:
   • Battery fishing line
   • Flashlight
   • First aid box
   • Car repair kits
   • Blanket or sleeping bag

5. 

   Information for family and friends about your route. When driving alone, let your loved one know where you are going. Inform them about the route, estimated time to go through each destination, and stay in touch with them along the way.
   • Send this information by email or text so that your family member or friend can review it when needed.

   Advice: Ask a friend or relative to come over to your home from time to time while you're away and give them the keys so they can come in when needed.

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Method 2 of 3: Enjoy the ride

1. 

   Wear comfortable clothing. Avoid wearing tight clothing and being inactive because you will need to sit in the car for a long time. Choose light, loose fitting clothes for comfortable exercise. You should also wear layers of clothes to keep you warm, while you can take them off when you feel the heat while driving.
   • If you start to depart in the morning when the weather is cool, you can wear a jacket. When the person has warmed up or drove to a higher temperature, you can take this shirt off.

2. 

   Listening to music. Load your favorite songs into an MP3 player or bring a few CDs. Enjoying music is a great way to pass the time while driving.
   • If you don't like listening to music while driving, listen to audio books or your favorite radio shows.

   Advice: You can borrow CDs from friends to enjoy new songs along the way.

3. 

   Bring healthy snacks to sip on. Keep a few easy-to-eat foods in the passenger seat in case you're hungry. Eating something will keep you awake, but don't choose salty foods to avoid dehydration. Some healthy snacks include:
   • The Granola bar
   • Unsalted nuts
   • Rice cake
   • Fruits and vegetables
   • Cookies

4. 

   Bring soft drinks to hydrate your body. Water is always one of the best options for carrying around long-distance drives, but you can also bring coffee, tea, caffeinated beverages or juice. Avoid drinks high in sugar, such as energy drinks, as these can make you restless.
   • If you want to drink cold drinks, you can bring a small thermos flask, place it under the extra seat to easily grab drinks.

5. 

   Don't look at your watch to see how far you've driven. When you want to get to your destination quickly, just looking at the clock every few minutes will only make you more nervous.Don't look at the clock, instead relax and enjoy the ride.
   • Instead of thinking about how far you have to go, think about how far you've come.
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Method 3 of 3: Stay safe while driving alone

1. 

   Choose to take the commonly used major route. Stay on track, avoid shortcuts. If you have to take a detour, you should follow signs closely. Do not follow roadways that have no signs or routes that you are unsure of.
   • When following a main road you can stop and ask for help if needed.
   • Adjust your travel plan if the weather turns bad and you are uncomfortable driving.

2. 

   Obey traffic laws and drive below the maximum speed limit. Remember to always wear your seat belt and be attentive to your surroundings, avoid driving too fast or violating road traffic laws. Careful and safe driving is of utmost importance.
   • If you drive through a foreign country, you need to learn more about the road traffic laws of that country because each country has different traffic laws.

3. 

   Park and take a nap when you are sleepy. Find a safe, well-ventilated place to park your car, lock the door and take a 20 to 30 minute nap. Stopping and resting for a while is better than risky driving when you are sleepy as this is more likely to cause an accident.
   • Starting your journey after a good night's sleep will help you less tired while driving.
   • Drink a little caffeinated drink before you take a nap, so when you wake up you'll feel better.

   Advice: To stay awake while driving, you can sometimes leave your car windows open for a while to get some fresh air.

4. 

   Don't talk on the phone or text while driving. Talking on the phone or texting while driving is a violation of road traffic laws, so you need to act seriously if you do not want to be fined. Talking on the phone or texting while driving can distract you when you need to focus your attention on your surroundings.
   • If absolutely necessary, you can park the car in a safe place and take the phone.
   • Hands-free phone calls distract you just like when you use your hands to hold your phone to your ear to listen, so you shouldn't use headphones to make calls.

5. 

   Stop resting to relax. Getting out of the car, stretching your arms and legs for a few minutes, and going to the toilet are the easiest way to relax. You can also use this break to get in touch with friends or family and keep them informed about your itinerary.
   • Stop resting at roadside stops or restaurants, avoiding roadside breaks or unsafe locations.
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Advice

• Watch the signs to see how much longer it will take to get to the next gas station; don't wait until the car runs out of gas to fill it up.
• You can carry a spare fuel tank of about 5 liters, in case the car runs out of gas without going to the gas station. Don't forget to read the instructions carefully and keep the fuel tank safe.
• Playing the alphabet rhyming game can help you stay focused. Re-read an alphabet starting with any letter from a sign, sign, advertisement on another vehicle or license plate on the road.

Warning

• Remember that the traffic laws in different countries will be different. If you travel abroad, don't forget to learn about the road traffic laws of that country.
• Don't share your personal information or your travel plans with strangers.