Whether you work hard all year to enjoy that time off in December, make the most of the public holidays we usually get around March or April, or perhaps you prefer to take leave in low seasons and avoid the crowds, a great getaway is always something to look forward to — no matter when you take it.
So, in short, if you’re asking yourself: what do you need to do when planning a road trip with friends? We’d confidently say have these two things:
- Friends
- A Subaru
Jokes aside, we know it’s not always as simple as that. Planning a road trip with friends can be as involved or as breezy as your squad’s vibe dictates. But even the most easy-going of groups should keep a few, simple things in mind.
The Voyage
You want your road trip with friends to start and end well, so consider this checklist a good place to start:
- Choose the right travel buddies
- Set a road trip budget
- Divide up the tasks
- Choose your road trip destination
- Stock up some healthy snacks, food, and water
- Choose the right car
- Prepare your car for the road trip
Factors 6 and 7 should be a no-brainer, really. Travelling in your Subaru is unequivocally safe and comfortable, and booking your Subaru in for a service through our Approved Repair Network is a cinch — and not to mention giving you and your mates incredible peace-of-mind.
On-Board Entertainment
What’s a road trip with friends without the right playlist, right? It can be a good idea to give everyone DJ slots. You learn a lot about a person from their taste in music. Sidebar: pack some noise cancelling headphone just in case your compadre’s tastes are somewhat a little too… “eclectic” for your liking?! You could also play road trip games to keep everyone entertained.
Huffington Post published a clanger of a list of what to do on a road trip with friends? These are our three most unforgettable:
- Don’t research your stops beforehand
Sound odd? Nah, we don’t mean that you shouldn’t plan your route, but our over-consumption of every titbit of information from the devices we hold can suck all the air out of your sense of discovery. Why not know where and why you’re going where you’re going, and find out the rest when you get there?!
- Bring a real, actual map and a really big marker pen
Onboard tech and maps are obviously awesome for general driving directions, but it’s way more fun to plot and track your progress on a real, printed-out atlas. We guarantee that the original will be coveted by all on the trip, and will no doubt be framed as a feature once you’re all home and already dreaming about the next one.
- Pack light so there’s room to collect
You’re going to find incredibly authentic and memorable things along the way (and if you’re in the Outback, we all know there’ll be room for collectables!). What a downer if you packed 19 outfits* and had no room for real memorabilia.
*We in no way discriminate against anyone who has at least 19 favourite outfits. Dress for the life you want, right?
For more wisdom to consider before your trip, click here to check out Huffington Post’s full list.
If you want to discuss any other pre-trip concerns with one of our specialists, call us on +27 11 608 0116 or email info@subaru.co.za with any questions or concerns you have, and we’d be glad to help.
And if it’s the car you need before you get to planning a road trip with friends, then find your nearest dealership and book your test drive today.
