Love in the Fast Lane: 10 Essential Tips for a Smooth Road Trip Honeymoon

Your honeymoon may be the most important and memorable vacation you take in your life. How can you ensure a smooth ride if you plan a road trip?

Driving long distances has many benefits, including ample one-on-one alone time with your new spouse. However, it can also create headaches.

Knowing what to expect and plan for is most of the battle. Here are 10 essential tips for a smooth honeymoon road trip.

 

1. Get a Tuneup

Trouble could lurk under your hood. You could be completely unaware, especially if you live in a state that doesn’t mandate regular vehicle inspections. A breakdown on your road trip honeymoon is one of the fastest ways to turn your dream vacation into a nightmare.

Take your ride to a trusted mechanic for a tuneup before hitting the road. A clean bill of vehicular health eases worries and stress.

 

2. Kick Your Tires

An accident is the only thing worse than a breakdown on your honeymoon road trip. Nearly 6 million car crashes occur yearly due to weather conditions. Of those, 18% occur due to snow or sleet and 13% from icy pavement.

Your tires make a huge difference between steering through a skid and running into a tree. Protect your new romance by checking yours before departure, getting them rotated, and replacing them if they’re worn or bald. You can use the penny test — insert one in the tread upside down. Your tires pose a safety hazard if you can still see Lincoln’s head.

 

3. Carry Essential Emergency Equipment

It’s after midnight when you blow a tire in the middle of nowhere. A lack of street lights means you risk your life when changing it along the roadway without the proper equipment. Ensure you carry the following essentials on your road trip honeymoon in case you encounter car trouble:

• Flares
• Orange triangles
• A tire jack and lug wrench
• A spare tire
• Tools, including a ratchet set, assorted wrenches, a screwdriver, a cutting tool, and a hammer or mallet
• Spare oil and antifreeze
• Flashlights and a headlamp to keep your hands free
• A first-aid kit
• Battery backups for your devices
• Water — 1 gallon per person per day
• Snacks
• Blankets and warm clothing in case you have to wait for help

 

4. Plan for Extra Time

Reality hits hard after your honeymoon road trip. Plus, a bit of leeway before your departure gives you time to remember any last-minute forgotten items.

Give yourself at least 24 hours between the big wedding day festivities and your departure and another extra day at the end. That way, you can ease back into the grind.

 

5. Budget Extra Money

Hopefully, you received a tidy nest egg from your wedding gifts or put aside enough to fund your trip. Researching what things will cost before you go is vital, considering that travel nearly always means spending more than anticipated.

Therefore, budget a bit extra. You can always stash any leftover cash into a shiny new joint vacation account when you return.

6. Consult a Map

While it’s exciting to see where the road takes you, it also helps to have a destination or two in mind. Otherwise, you could spend hours on the road going seemingly nowhere.

An app like Google Maps is handy for trip planning. Pull up your route on the computer and search nearby for interesting restaurants, museums and attractions you don’t want to miss.

 

7. Leave an Itinerary

A solid safety rule when traveling: Always leave your itinerary with someone back home. It’s also wise to establish regular check-in times. That way, if something goes awry, your contact in civilization can notify the requisite authorities and tell them where to look.

 

8. Consider Renting

You may feel most comfortable behind the wheel of your own vehicle. However, there’s something to say for the novelty of renting.

For example, you could save considerable gas money by renting an electric vehicle for your road trip honeymoon. You’ll feel good knowing that you produce no emissions, and you can plan adventures around the need to stop and charge. Many exclusive resorts have such amenities — even if you stay elsewhere, you can book a spa treatment or a quick round of golf while you recharge.

 

9. Make It Cozy

Driving with your partner lets you take turns at the helm, but many modern cars don’t let people relax. It’s unsafe to put your feet on the dashboard because of the risk of air bag deployment and the fact that seat belts won’t sit properly.

Consider renting a minivan. The advent of van life means more of these babies come equipped with a cozy bed where you can lie down and chat with your partner. It’s heavenly if you have a bad back that doesn’t take well to sitting for hours in one position.

 

10. Decorate

The clatter of cans dragging from your bumper can admittedly get annoying. However, there’s nothing wrong with proudly declaring your “just married” status for all to see.

Go wild decorating your back window or your whole ride before departing on your road trip. Although you’ll undoubtedly encounter some roadside salespeople who use “honeymooners” as a pitch, you’ll also find plenty of folks willing to give you a little extra VIP treatment to help you celebrate.

 

Hit the Road With Confidence

Your honeymoon should be one of your life’s most memorable trips — for the right reasons. Preserve your romance, reduce stress and ensure a smooth road trip honeymoon by taking precautions.

Knowing what to keep in your car helps protect your safety, while bringing the right extras along for the ride makes your journey more enjoyable. You’ll be prepared for wherever the road takes you.
 

Author Bio: Oscar Collins is the editor-in-chief at Modded, where he writes about a broad spectrum of topics. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for frequent updates on his work.

 

 

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