Road Trip Emergency Supplies

Road Trip Emergency Supplies

Anything can happen on a road trip and when an emergency strikes its best to be prepared so that you are able to handle the situation.

Emergency Supplies

1. Maps or GPS

You will need these items so that you do not get lost on your road trip, but to also explain where your car is in case you breakdown.

2. Car Repair Guide

You will need to ensure that you have your original car’s manual in the event that something goes wrong. If you do not have the original then you should buy a repair guide for your car.

3. Money or Credit Card

If you are caught in a road trip emergency you will need some way for you to pay for roadside assistance.

4. Tire Gauge

A tire gauge will help you to measure the amount of air that is in your tire so that you do not overinflate your tires. You can keep your tire gauge in a glove compartment.

5. Spare Tire

Before you embark on your road trip, you will need to check that your spare tire is correctly inflated.

6. Jack

A spare tire is not much good if you are unable to put it onto your car. You need to check that you have a jack as well. Make sure that your jack is not stiff and lubricate it if necessary.

7. Iron

The same applies to that of your tire iron; ensure that you have one in your trunk.

8. Emergency Reflector Triangle

A reflective triangle is a must especially when you are road tripping in other countries. If your car breaks down you will need to place the triangle a few feet behind your car so that other drivers are able to see you.

9. Fire Extinguisher

You should carry a fire extinguisher around on road trips and pack it in a spot that can be accessed quickly.

10. Tools

Having a small box a road trip can be invaluable so that you can repair your car or other items. Your tool box can contain screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, a hammer, tape and other such items.

11. Flashlight

Having a torch is handy especially if you are making night repairs or if you need to signal for help.

12. Water

Having bottled water is a necessity on a road trip. You should take enough to hydrate your family over a 24 hour period and extra for your radiator.

13. Cell Phone and Charger

Having a cell phone can speed up any emergency process and having a cell phone car charger means that your phone will be on so that it can always be used.

14. First Aid Kit

You are able to buy a pre-packed first aid kit or alternatively you can create a first aid kit with the items you may already have at home.

15. Food

This goes without saying but on your road trip you should take a long non-perishable item.

16. Batteries

You should pack spare batteries for any devices like your flashlight.

17. Comfortable Shoes

If you need to leave your vehicle and walk a distance to get some help, then it is best to do so in comfortable shoes.

18. Gloves

Gloves come in handy in cold weather and for when you are making repairs.

19. Oil

You should take along a quart of motor oil on your road trip in case you need to top up along the way.

20. Funnel

A funnel can make life easier when you need to top up a vehicles fluid levels.

21. Jumper Cables

You can use these in the event that you need to jump start your car or someone else’s.

If you are looking to hire a car, you can compare quotes at National Car Hires.

Summer road Trips – USA

Summer Road Trips – USA

When it comes to the summer a road trip is a must no matter where you are.

If you are thinking of taking a road trip in South Africa then you can rent your car with National Car Hires.

In the USA there are many highways and byways that are exciting to explore, but even the best planned road trips need some distractions away from the car and roads.

Here are some exciting things that you can do whilst on your road trip in the USA.

Summer Road Trip Spots

Portland, Maine

Portland makes a fantastic road trip destination no matter if you are just taking a short road trip or going across country.

If you choose to stop in Portland you can take a biking tour of the historic lighthouses and the beautiful shoreline from the Bug Light that overlooks the Portland Breakwater to the Spring Port Lighthouse and 2 Lights State Park.

You should also pick up a fresh lobster roll that is simply mouth-watering.

Rumney, New Hampshire

If you are taking a road trip to New Hampshire’s Lake Region why not mix things up a little and scale a mountain.

Rumney is a rock climbing destination. Rattlesnake Mountain is above the New England town and offers exciting challenges for climbing whether you are a beginner or an expert.

Niagara Falls, NY

Niagara Falls is a large tourist attraction and a popular spot as a road trip destination. Once you have arrived at the Falls you can put on a rain coat and board the Maid of the Mist or if you are feeling a little more adventurous you can opt for a jet boat tour of the Niagara River, where the rapids make for an exhilarating and wet ride.

Key West, FL

The Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are popular starts and ends to road trips in America, but taking a trip to the most southern point has its own sunny charm.

Key West was the favourite location of Ernest Hemingway and you should embrace the islands Art Deco atmosphere. Take a trip on a wooden 1920s yacht and enjoy a sunset cocktail cruise that will sail past the Mallory Square and Sunset Pier.

Nashville, Tennessee

An American road trip is not complete without seeing some of the more historical sites. You can take in the sites of Nashville with Music city as well as Nashville’s Civil War past. There are three Civil war mansions that you can explore those being The Carter House, Lotz House and the Carnton Plantation.

 

Packing for a Road Trip

Packing for a Road Trip

If you are planning to drive long distance then there are some things that you need to pack for your road trip, so that you can have a happy, safe and comfortable trip.

If you are considering a road trip then why not hire a car with National Car Hires.

What to Pack

1. Audio Books

There are plenty of audio books out there and you can even choose to check these out of the library. There are many titles that both children and adults will like including The Chronicles of Narnia, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Hobbit and Harry Potter. These titles are easy story lines which mean that the driver is also able to pay attention to them.

2. Car Food

When it comes to car food for your road trip there are generally two options. You can either decide to have crumb free and non-greasy foods like carrots, grapes and sandwiches or you can opt to take along your family’s favourite treats such as chips and baked goods.

3. Comfort

In order to ensure that everyone has a smooth and comfortable journey, you should pack their favourite pillows and blankets. A soft cushion is able to make a cold car cosier for all passengers.

4. Paper

On your road trip you should pack paper towels, toilet paper, just in case the stops that you make don’t have any, a box of tissues and garbage bags. You should plan to bring more then you need as you never know when someone may get car sick as well as spill things and for general clean up.

5. Spare Key

You should pack another set of your car and house keys in a separate bag so that you don’t run the risk of getting locked out of your car.

6. Outdoor Toys

Kids and adults can get a little antsy so it’s always a good idea to pack a ball or Frisbee so that some steam can be blown off when at rest stops.

7. First Aid

If there are any road trip accidents like aches or scrapes then it is always a good idea to have a bag that contains anti-bacterial cream, pain relievers, bandages and motion sickness medicine.

8. Travel Games

If you are looking for ways to pass the time travel games are a great way to lighten the mood and entertain passengers. You can consider games like travel bingo and word games.

9. Breakdown Supplies

You should ensure that your trunk has the complete roadside emergency supplies like a flashlight, car jack and other items.

1. Car Chargers

You should bring along a car charger for your cell phone and other electronic devices.

1. Change of Clothes

If you are travelling with children you need to be prepared that accidents do happen. It is then a good idea to bring a long a change of clothes on your road trip.

 

Planning your First Road Trip

Planning Your First Road Trip

When you are planning your first road trip, it can be fun and exciting, but it does take some careful care and consideration especially if it is your first time.

If you are planning a road trip, why not consider hiring a car from National Car Hires in South Africa.

Here are some tips that you can implement when you are planning your first road trip.

Tips for Planning Your First Road Trip

1. You should invest in some roadside service insurance. If you do get stranded on the road side in an area that you are not familiar with, it can ruin your road trip. It is then a good idea to speak to your insurance agent and look at upgrading your policy.
2. It is always a good idea before embarking on a long road trip, to take it in for a check to ensure that everything is in perfect running order.
3. Having a small safety kit will not take up much space and you can be sure that you have items that you may need for any eventuality. Your safety kit can include an extra cell phone battery, a flashlight, important phone numbers, water, nonperishable food items and a basic first aid kit.
4. Even though you may have a GPS, it is always a good idea to have a paper map with you as well. It can be used if your GPS happens to lose signal or if you need to ask a local for directions.
5. You should make a list of what you want to see and where you want to go. Around this you should prepare a realistic time frame. When it comes to a road trip you may not know how many hours you are able to drive, so it could be a good idea to cut out a few places so that you can enjoy the others fully.
6. You should make a plan to have overnight stays. When you are planning your route you should determine the distance that you wish to travel each day and see what nearby towns are around once you have finished that distance. You will then need to check if the town has lodging.
7. Your playlist for your road trip should not just be your favourite songs as these could become tiresome. You can include books and podcasts to add to your listening.
8. You should have a small cooler box that contains drinks and snacks. There is no need to overstock with food items as you will be able to find places to eat along your journey. This will add to your road trip.
9. Road trips are meant to have adventure so you should plan for the unexpected. If you over plan your journey, you may miss out on unique areas on the way.

 

Apps for your Road Trip

Apps for your Road Trip

With summer just around the corner, we are starting to look forward to our summer holidays and there is no better way to have a summer holiday then with a road trip.

Not only you will need to pack your essentials but there are some apps that you should get hold of for your summer road trip.

If you are planning your road trip in South Africa then you can look at hiring a car with National Car Hires.

Here are some must have apps for your road trip.

Apps for your Road Trip

1. Gas Buddy

When you are travelling across the country one thing that you will be concerned about is the price of gas. Gas Buddy will help you in making the best choices when it’s time to stop and fill up. You will need to check that this app works in your country.

The Gas Buddy app will allow you to search for gas prices near where you are. In the list format you are able to go through tabs from regular to diesel prices.

2. Waze

The Waze app is able to connect you to a network of local drivers that will contribute traffic information and road reports. There are also Waze groups that you are able to join so that you can connect with friends via Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare.

Waze also gives directions on a live map. It is able to check for the latest traffic reports and will try and find a different route if there is traffic conditions on the current route.

3. Twist

You can keep your friends and family up to date with where you are, by using Twist. With Twist you are able to track a person’s location, receive directions, share photos, get weather details and send messages.

This then allows you to keep those that you need informed up to date with what is happening. Everything on Twist is private unless you decide to share it on Facebook or Twitter.

4. iExit

The iExit app creates a list of all the upcoming rest areas. There are coloured icons that will show the available services that will include everything from food to lodging. The list can be filtered according to a category as well as the distance from the highway.

This is a great app to have on a road trip so that if your passengers are getting cranky because they need food or you running low of gas you find what you need in the area.

5. Stitcher

Instead of listening to the radio you can get the Stitcher app for your road trip which has thousands of podcasts available for you to listen to. You will be able to get everything that you want from on demand shows to insightful and funny. If you love a particular show then you can add it to your favourites and set the app to stream the latest episodes.

The app will also have recommendations for you based on what it is that you like.

 

Road Trip Romance

Road Trip Romance

Heading off on a road trip with your significant other is a great idea as it is just the two of you and the open road, however there will be arguments along the way and more often than not they are those silly arguments about when to stop for a break, but you can have road trip romance.

In order for you to make sure that your road trip is romantic, peaceful and passionate, there are some road trip romance tips to take into consideration.

If you are planning a road trip with your loved one then have a look at hiring a car from National Car Hires in South Africa.

Road Trip Romance Tips

1. Choose the Destination Together

Whilst a surprise trip may seem romantic they are not always the best when it comes to road trips especially if it is no fun for your partner. The anticipation of the road trip adds to the excitement and this is a feeling and experience that should be shared.

The more road trips that you go on then the better you will be at picking a place that you both agree on, so it is best to keep your first romantic road trip short so that you can see how it goes.

2. Packing

You should create a playlist of all your favourite songs, especially those that you both have a connection to. It is a good idea to pack a cooler box with ice for beverages and snacks of all your favourite goodies. Have a look for games that you can play in the car as well as games to play when you are at your accommodation.

3. Take your Time

Your road trip is meant to be fun and romantic so there is no need to rush it. You should make the time to stop at various spots and outlets to pick up a souvenir or just pull over somewhere and watch a sunset. Take all the time in the world to make the road trip a memorable one.

4. Take Pictures

One trick to strengthen the romance in a relationship in the long term is to be able to look back at events. You should take as many picture as you can and also keep a journal as a record as what you did each day.

5. A Gesture of Love

Consider hiding a little love note or a small gift because once this little romantic gesture is discovered, everyone will be smiling.

6. Eat

You should make the effort to eat meals on a regular schedule so that neither of you become grouchy. The best thing you can do to avoid arguments is to enjoy plenty of rest and amazing food.

Making a Road Trip Playlist

Making a Road Trip Playlist

Summer time is the time for good vibes, music and friends and there is no better way to combine these then taking a much need summer vacation like that of a road trip.

A road trip is easy as all you will need is some fantastic travel companions, a cooler that is brimming over with sodas and snacks and of course the ultimate road trip playlist to get you from A to B.

Creating the perfect road trip playlist can be tricky but you should include songs from each of these categories or perhaps even a few depending on how long your journey will be.

If you are looking to take a summer time road trip in South Africa this year then you can hire a car from National Car Hires.

Road Trip Playlist

Here are the categories that will help you in choosing and creating your road trip playlist from jamspreader.com.

The Classic

Whilst this category is up for interpretation, we deem that a classic song should be one of those old favourites that get a room full of strangers singing along to it. One suggestion would be ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey or ‘Piano Man’ by Billy Joel. The sing along classics are great for your road trip playlist as they will get all your travel companions involved.

TV Show Theme Song

The TV Show theme song needs to be carefully selected as you can go with one of those massively popular songs where the show is now on reruns or you go for a blast from the past that will entice your passengers. The catchier the theme song the better for your road trip playlist. One such song would be ‘I’ll Be There For You’ by the Rembrandts from the much loved TV series ‘Friends’.

The Lesser Known Song

This is a risk when you are creating the road trip playlist, but is worth it. You can add some songs from bands that are lesser know whether you have heard them at a local venue or through the grapevine. Ensure though that you are picking songs that your friends will like as well.

The Song Everyone Knows but Not the Words

This will ensure that a fit of giggles will be set loose. The song that you choose will need to be catchy and one that everyone knows and likes but the words of the song are elusive as they are just too tricky to catch. This can be fun as you and your friends try to piece together the words. One such song is ‘Baby Got Back’ by Sir Mix A Lot’s.

You’re Song

No matter if you are taking this road trip with, whether it is your significant other, siblings or friends, there is always a song that will mean something to parties involved. This particular song needs to feature somewhere in the road trip playlist.

Song of the Moment

The song of the moment is that song that you will hear on the radio at any time and you won’t mind it well for the moment at least until it is played so many times that you can’t stand it. One song is ‘Wake Me Up’ by Avicii’s.

The Song of Yesterday

These are the songs that are already two weeks old but you just don’t realise this and you’re not sick of it. Such songs are Robin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ and Miley Cyrus’ ‘We Can’t Stop’.

The Guilty Pleasure Song

We all have a song that we are usually too embarrassed to have on the playlist but the road trip playlist is defiantly the time to have that song as you will know every word and it makes you and others happy. These guilty pleasure songs can range from a Backstreet Boys song to maybe even some Miley Cyrus.

Having a mixture of these songs on your road trip playlist ensures that there is a good mix and songs for everybody.

South African Road Trips

South African Road Trips

When it comes to the end of the year, everyone is getting ready for that much deserved holiday. Road trips are not everyone’s first choice, but they can offer an escape like no other.

On a South African road trip, you can take in all the sights along the way and it will become an unforgettable adventure. In South Africa you are spoilt for choice for where to go but here are three of the South African road trips that you should do.

If you are looking for an affordable car hire for your South African road trip then contact National Car Hires.

South African Road Trips

1. Route 62

If you are looking for a scenic South African road trip then Route 62 offers this as it wanders between the Western Cape and Eastern Cape. Route 62 may be one of the longest wine routes but has much more to offer than wine.

As you travel from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth there are an abundance of farm stalls that offer a feast and will also have you well stocked with a variety of snacks for your journey. Not only can you eat more than you can but you could take a horse or even ostrich ride, visit a crocodile farm or even indulge in a spa. Feel the local culture as you view local art and craft markets.

There is plenty on Route 62 to do and you and your travelling companions will be well entertained every step of the way.

2. Midlands Meander

The Midlands Meander began with a group of artists and crafters trying to get travellers off the N3. It is now a beautiful detour with various routes that wind between Pietermaritzburg and the awe inspiring uKhahlamba Drakensberg mountain range. The Midlands Meander is just an hour from Durban which is en route to Johannesburg, but it is rich in natural and historic attractions.

You will find amble accommodation at the various villages as well as restaurants, cafes, outdoor sports, country activities, historical landmarks, arts and crafts and so much more.

Must see whilst you take this South African road trip are the KwaZulu-Natal battlefields, the Drakensburg and the game reserves that are dotted along the Dolphin Coast.

3. Maloti Drakensberg Route

The last on our list of South African road trips is the breath taking Maloti Drakensburg Route which spans the border of the Eastern Free State and Southern Drakensburg as well as the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.

This scenic region has been opened up and tempts travellers. It meanders through the striking mountain passes, past waterfalls and sandstone cliffs. The lower lands host fields of sunflowers, cosmos and corn with windmills that are dotted all around.

Along this South African road trip route you will not only be overcome by the beauty but also by the friendly locals.

Your journey can be an adventure with biking, hiking, 4×4 trails and horse riding or you can relax and enjoy some fly fishing, spot dinosaur footprints or browse through quality arts and crafts. The route has various accommodations along the way so you can take your time and feel the fresh mountain air.

These South African road trips are a must and you will love exploring the areas.

 

Most Dangerous Roads in the World

Most Dangerous Roads in the World

There is all kind of roads from long highways to narrow and secluded roads. If you are in need of a car in South Africa for travel or business then National Car Hires can help.

Even though roads are built to carry travelers from A to B there are roads that are not the best to travel on, but what are the most dangerous roads in the world?

Here we list five of the most dangerous roads in the world.

Most Dangerous Roads in the World

1. Trans-Sahara Highway

The Trans-Sahara Highway in Nigeria connects Algeria to Lagos. This is 2800 miles or 4506 kilometers stretch that is only partially completed and also a daunting drive. In the day there are high temperatures with fuel and water rare along the route. You need to ensure that you will have enough fuel to make it and hope that your radiator doesn’t blow. The route can also become blocked with mounds of sands that are swept onto the road.

2. M56 Kolyma Federal Highway

In Russia you will find this 1200 mile or 1931km route known as the ‘Road of Bones’. It was built by prisoners in the 1930s and the in the early 1950s under Josef Stalin’s Kolyma Gulag. The prisoners were purposefully overworked and often starved to death and buried beneath the route.

The Kolyma goes through some of the coldest and inhabited places. The road can be frozen solid, which in actual fact makes the road easier to travel on, as it can also become a sea of mud during the summer.

3. Halsema Highway

In the Philippines you will find one of the most scenic routes but it also one of the most dangerous roads. It was built in the 1930s; Euseibus Julius Halsema built the highway and later became the mayor and chief engineer for Baguio.

The aim for Halsema was to grow Baguio by creating the Mountain Trail to Bontoc which is the capital of the Mountain Province. It is a 93 mile or 149.6km highway that creeps round the slopes of the Cordillera Central mountain range which presents volcanic rock formations. In 1990 a 7.8 earthquake fractured the formations and typhoons eroded them.

Travelers will need to watch for rock slides as well as a 40 foot/12 meter erosion scars along the road. An added hazard is mist which drops the visibility.

4. Guoliang Tunnel

In china, in the Taihang Mountains a tunnel that is three quarters of mile was chiseled through the mountain in 1972, so that there was more access to other areas.

The tunnels name translates to ‘road that does not tolerate any mistakes’ and has a 15 foot/4.5 meters high ceiling and a 12 foot/3.5 meters wide roadbed. The tunnel would have been dark if not for the openings in the tunnel walls which creates a view and allows needed light to enter.

5. North Yungas Road

In Bolivia the North Yungas Road is one of the most dangerous roads and is a 40 mile or 64.3km stretch which has been coined as the road of death.

It is a 10 foot/3 meter winding lane carved out of the side of a mountain. The elevation drops sharply from 14000 feet/4.267 meters to more than 1000 feet/304.8 meters from Coroico to La Paz. When you mix these factors with traffic, trucks and busses, every corner has you on edge.

These are some of the most dangerous roads in the world. If you find yourself on any of these be alert and cautious so that you remain safe.

 

Snack Ideas for your Road Trip

Snack Ideas for Your Road Trip

You are on your road trip and suddenly hunger strikes, but do you want to go spend extra money for some snacks.

When it comes to road trips you will need to do some simple planning.

Don’t forget that with road trips you need a reliable car and hiring a car might be a better option. National Car Hires in South Africa will help you to find the best deal for your long term car hire.

You should plan some snack ideas for the trip and pack these in a small cooler so that you can snack on the go.

Choosing snacks that are well balanced are better for you, especially those that will keep you fuller for longer.

Here are some snack ideas from natashaskitchen.com, for your road trip so you will not go hungry.

Snack Ideas

1. Nutty for Nuts

If you want something salty with a crunch then nuts are the best snack idea. You can buy your favourite nuts or even seeds. They have a good mix of healthy fats and protein, but with nuts the portion size should be kept small.

Another snack idea as an alternative to nuts is popcorn or rice cakes.

2. Healthy Drinks

Coffee is always wonderful especially when you are on the road, but choosing your coffee more carefully can be beneficial and still give you that kick. Choosing a coffee that is made with non-fat milk and a smaller sized coffee is a lot better for you.

Soda is usually the drink of choice but it should be avoided because of its high sugar content. Instead opt for fruit drinks or sport drinks.

3. Fruity

One of the best all round snack ideas is to have fruit. You should prepare your fruit before you set out so that they are easy to munch as you drive. You can choose to have fresh fruit, dried fruits or fruit leathers.

4. Energy not Candy

Whilst candy bars are a firm favourite why not replace this with energy or granola bars. These have less sugar and will boost your protein and fibre intake.

5. Veggies

Prepped veggies are the feel good snack idea. Raw and prepped veggies that are great for the road include baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, celery, snap peas and broccoli florets.

You can also pack a dip like hummus or peanut butter to go with your veggies.

 

6. Boiled Eggs

Eggs have a good source of protein, choline and lutein. Hard boiled eggs are a great on the go snack idea.

Another tasty finger food is a low fat cheese because of their calcium content.

7. Trail Mix

Pre-packed trail mix can be made easily at home for a road trip snack.

You can combine granola, raw nuts, dried fruit and seeds. You can even add sweetness with some dark chocolate chips or wasabi peas for crunch and spice.

Don’t forget raisins and peanuts in your mix.

8. Cheese and Crackers

A classic combination is cheese and crackers which will keep your hunger at bay. Cheese slices should be prepared in advance of your trip with your crackers separate. You could even put peanut butter on your crackers instead of cheese or try apple slices.

9. Yogurt

Yogurt in any form whether in a smoothie, mixed with fruits or in a travel friendly tube, it is a wonderful snack idea for the entire family.

10. Snacking from a Drive Thru

Drive thru are convenient when you are on a road trip but you can take the healthier drive thru snack approach.

Choose grilled chicken and wraps. Sandwiches are also quick and easy or mini pitas.

There are many snack ideas for your road trip that are healthier and also more satisfying in the long run as they will keep you fuller for longer.