Top 7 tips for a summer road trip to remember

Australians are in for a hot and dry summer, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, meaning road-trippers might have to take some extra precautions in order to make their journeys memorable for the right reasons.

Whether it’s formulating the perfect summer driving playlist or making sure your car insurance is up to date, here are the top 7 tips for a summer road trip to remember.

Ancient Greek philosopher, Plato, once said music “gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination.” It also makes a long drive a heck of a lot less boring. 

Before you hit the road, put together a playlist of your favourite summer driving songs, so you can focus less on what to listen to, and more on the road ahead. 

If you feel like passing us the AUX, here are some of the Mozo team’s favourite road trip songs to get you started:

While the sound from your speakers is important, what’s arguably more important are the sounds coming from your vehicle. Nothing says ‘memorable for the wrong reason’ like your engine spluttering before breaking down on a dirt road, hours from the closest mechanic. 

Plus, with the weather tipped to be hotter than usual over the coming months, you’ll want to lower the risk of overheating and triple-check your aircon works like it’s meant to.  

If it’s been a while since you’ve had a tune-up, plan well ahead and make sure you get your vehicle looked at by a mechanic you trust. 

When it comes to engine troubles or mechanical failures, those sorts of wear and tear issues are not covered by car insurance but may be covered by your car’s manufacturer's warranty.

If it’s been a while since you’ve checked what your insurance covers you for, then it’s worth reading through your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to double-check that you’re still covered for what you expect.

You might even consider adding roadside assistance to your policy, if your car insurance offers it as an extra, just in case you wind up in a situation where you run into car troubles. Some car insurance comes with roadside assistance included or as an optional extra.

If you’re driving with friends or family, make sure you share the driving duties fairly, especially on longer trips. 

Just make sure you’re aware of how your car insurance provider treats unlisted drivers – people who you let drive your car, but aren’t listed on your policy. If there’s an accident while they’re at the wheel, you may need to pay an unlisted driver excess when making your claim.  

You may be able to register a listed driver by contacting your car insurance provider. But keep in mind it could affect the price of your premium (especially if they’re under 25 years old). However, knowing your car insurance coverage will still apply if there’s an accident makes it a fair trade-off. 

If you can’t share the wheel, then make sure you take regular breaks, refuelling not only the petrol tank but your energy too. 

Which brings us to planning your route.

To avoid map-related mishaps, put together a rough idea of what your driving route will look like, including where you might get some rest and relaxation during your trip.  

Whether you want to take the scenic route, or just get to where you’re going on time, a little bit of planning can take you a long way. Plus, you’ll keep your eyes on the road, rather than fiddling with your GPS – safety first! 

Zoom in on your map to find petrol stations, rest areas, cafés, landmarks, and lookouts to help make your road trip less about the destination and more about the journey.

We’ve all jumped in the car, excited to get moving towards our destination, only to get stuck in the holiday traffic bottleneck, as if half the population had the same vacation idea as you. 

That’s where keeping an eye – or ear, if you’re on the radio – on live traffic updates can come in handy. 

Depending on what map application or GPS you’re using, you might even have access to live traffic updates, which can be a blessing if you’re trying to avoid the holiday traffic.

Plus, you’re less likely to get stressed if you can avoid it.

A study by Monash University found that almost 50% of Australian drivers engage in aggressive driving behaviours when they feel they’ve been slighted on the road. 

Ironically, aggressive driving actually multiplies the odds of being involved in a collision 15-fold. 

So, when you’re on the road and you perceive that someone has done the wrong thing, don’t make matters worse by lashing out with your 2-tonne potential death machine on wheels. Besides, your car insurance policy doesn’t cover you if you’re driving illegally. 

So, make sure you get your playlist and route planned, make sure your car works properly, give yourself a way to check for traffic conditions, and check that your car insurance policy still fits your needs. 

If you find your current policy is lacking, then compare car insurance with Mozo, keeping an eye out for deals and discounts that could save you cash that’s better spent on yourself this summer.