What to take when traveling by car? Road trips are great, but only if you prepare well for them. You should take into account not only accessories and gadgets that make your trip easier and more pleasant, but also everything that affects safety. It should also be remembered that when going on a trip outside Poland, the vehicle must also be equipped with all the elements provided for by the law of a given country.
For many people, the only right means of transport is their car. “Four wheels” provide great freedom, not only in terms of getting to the place (we can choose the most interesting route, go sightseeing along the way and get to the hotel itself), but also move between attractions, once we reach the destination. Traveling by car around Europe or even around Poland requires proper preparation, not only technical but also organizational. What is worth taking with you?
What to take on a car trip to eat?
There is no doubt that you will have to eat something during the long journey by car. The problem is that not every route is full of gastronomic points, and even if it does, the quality of the meals served often leaves much to be desired. What is worth taking with you from home?
Sandwiches are a classic of tourist trips, which will also work perfectly in this case. Properly prepared, they will be tasty and provide all the necessary macro and micronutrients. However, you have to remember that storing them at high temperatures is not the best idea, especially when they contain cold meat. However, you can easily deal with this problem, but more on that in a moment.
You shouldn’t miss quick snacks in your food bag. Fruits that hydrate the organism are perfect for this role. While we are talking about irrigation, don’t forget to provide water. A thermos with coffee and tea will also be useful.
Beautician and medication for car travel
Every driver should carry a first aid kit in the car, but before a long journey, it is worth verifying and possibly refilling its contents. In addition to dressings, painkillers are the basis. Also useful for diarrhea (according to the rule: “expect the unexpected”) and medicine for motion sickness. The last item is obligatory when children are traveling in the car for the first time on a long journey.
In addition to the first aid kit, you should also have a well-equipped cosmetic bag. Its content is a very individual matter, but regardless of your own needs, it is worth stocking up on basic hygiene measures. The antibacterial gel will come in handy on a long journey – after all, we do not have the option of washing our hands everywhere. What else? In the car, wet wipes are invaluable. They will work when you need to refresh your face, neckline, or hands, we will also use them when you need to in a place where there is no toilet. Don’t forget about dry wipes. Qatar is unpredictable, and when children travel by car, it is almost certain that sooner or later they will stain not only their mouths but also their clothes.
Mandatory car equipment in Europe
Traveling by car around Europe requires the vehicle to be equipped with the necessary accessories. Polish law requires drivers to carry an approved ABC fire extinguisher, at least 1 kg. Another element of mandatory equipment is the warning triangle and … that’s it! The list is short. However, it should be remembered that some of our neighbors have greater requirements in this regard.
According to Croatian law, each car must be equipped with a triangle, a reflective vest (yellow, red, or orange), a first aid kit, and a spare set of light bulbs. In Germany, a fire extinguisher and rubber gloves should be added to this list. Slovak road law is even more restrictive. In this case, the driver also needs spare fuses, a spare wheel, jack and wheel spanner, a tow rope, and an additional reflective vest for the passenger. Czech regulations are a bit less demanding. In this case, the list of necessary equipment includes a warning triangle, a reflective vest, a first aid kit, a spare wheel, a jack, and a wheel wrench.
Additional car equipment
A long journey by car can create a lot of inconveniences, but any inconvenience associated with it can be eliminated. To ensure maximum comfort, it is worth equipping the car with sun blinds that will reduce the penetration of harsh light. The cup holders will allow you to conveniently and safely put your drink down. If the car is not equipped with air conditioning, a car fan will be useful. The list must not include a car refrigerator powered by a 12 V socket, ideal for storing food and drinks.
The car should not lack GPS navigation with the option of leading to points of interest and a video recorder. However, it should be remembered that in some countries its use is prohibited. Don’t forget about the phone charger too!
The funniest of car travel
Another category of things to take includes accessories that make your trip pleasant. The basis is the head pillows for each passenger. Don’t forget about earplugs. Sleepy passengers will be happy to use them. A blanket will also come in handy, even if it’s warm outside – some people just don’t like to sleep without anything to cover.
If the youngest family members travel in the car, a tablet with loaded fairy tales will work well. Do not rely on mobile internet, coverage is not available everywhere, and in some countries, you have to pay for transfers. Also, useful audiobooks, which effectively will take attention away from the passengers and write better than paper books – the rough, winding road is not easy reading and convenient. Prepare discs with your favorite music, and if the car is equipped with a USB port, archive songs in the form of digital files and save them on a pen drive.