Driving on vacation: Good planning increases the chances of a relaxed arrival

Created: 06/27/2022, 16:50

By: Sebastian Oppenheimer

Driving on vacation is rarely a pleasure.

If you prepare well, you can still get to your holiday destination relaxed.

Munich – Stress comes before relaxation: If you go on holiday by car, you have to reckon with traffic jams, grumpy children and accidental detours.

With a little preparation, however, the worst can be avoided.

A few Tipps.

A vehicle check is due several days before departure.

Are the oil and coolant levels at the right level, are the wiper blades and brake pads OK, and is the battery efficient?

If you want to be on the safe side, you can have the vehicle checked by a professional before you leave.

Many garages and car dealers offer pre-holiday tests at a fixed price.

But it's best not to come at the last moment - if repairs are actually due, you should have a few days' buffer.

Careful travel planning increases the chances of a relaxed trip on vacation.

(Iconic image) © Panthermedia/Imago

Driving on vacation: Good planning increases the chances of a relaxed arrival

If the car is fit, packing is on the agenda.

When loading the vehicle, heavy items should be placed as far down as possible.

The center of gravity remains low and nothing stands in the way of safe cornering.

In a station wagon or SUV, a luggage net is advisable when loaded to the roof, so that no parts shoot through the vehicle as projectiles with a high risk of injury to the occupants in the event of emergency braking.

Of course, you should make sure that the warning triangle, first-aid kit and high-visibility vest are within reach and don't have to be dug out from under a mountain of suitcases and bags in an emergency.

Driving on holiday: stow your luggage safely and adjust the tire pressure if necessary

If you use roof boxes as additional storage space, the permissible roof load must not be exceeded.

If in doubt, put the pieces of luggage on a scale to get an overview of the weight.

Once all suitcases and bags have been stowed away, the tire pressure and, if necessary, the headlights must be adjusted to the new situation.

The values ​​for this can be found in the operating instructions for the car.

Anyone driving south should also follow a few tips to combat the heat in the car – covering the steering wheel when parking, for example, prevents you from burning your fingers afterwards.

Driving on vacation: Always keep important documents and first-aid kit to hand

Before departure, all insurance, ID, any required stickers or vignettes, and a first-aid kit should be ready to hand.

It also doesn't hurt to brush up on your knowledge of geography before setting off and not just rely on the computing capacity and up-to-dateness of the digital trail finder.

Not all navigation systems always find the best way.

And many place names are more common.

If you already know where the place is actually when entering your travel destination, you will reach your destination more easily.

You can also consider alternatives in advance for routes that are prone to congestion.

If navigating with the smartphone, the charging cable should be stowed away in the cockpit and, if necessary, the internet credit should be topped up.

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Driving on vacation: If possible, avoid the worst traffic jam days

If you don't necessarily have to start your holiday trip right at the start of the school holidays, you should avoid the worst travel days.

Statistically, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the travel days with the lowest traffic density during the holiday season.

Unfortunately, the best statistical values ​​as well as good planning and information about traffic jams cannot prevent you from getting stuck in traffic.

If you now have enough food, drinks and games on board, you have a clear advantage.

Please do not forget to form a rescue lane in an emergency.

And: The hard shoulder may not be used to get on without police permission.

You should also find out about the traffic rules in your holiday destination – otherwise it can get expensive.

Driving on holiday: Take enough food with you for children

If children are on board, it is advisable to protect them with sunscreen.

There should also be enough food, diapers and baby food if necessary, and the little ones’ favorite toys in the car.

Guessing games and, of course, reading books and/or tablets help against boredom while driving.

Many newer cars now have USB ports in the rear for powering electronic media.

Driving on holiday: breaks in the fresh air are important

No matter how well equipped you are on board, you still need to take breaks.

Exercising in the fresh air strengthens concentration and prevents tiredness.

Coffee or other caffeinated beverages, on the other hand, are not good pick-me-ups in the long run.

If you feel your eyelids getting heavy, you should definitely head for a rest stop and try to get some sleep in the car.

Well prepared and with sufficient time buffer, holiday feelings can be developed right from the departure.

And so you react more relaxed when other road users act hectic or unfocused.