If you begin “My son and I began our first solo road trip…”, you’ve yet to take one. Solo=alone. No one. Not even a dog. People stretch the meaning because they really can’t go it alone so anything less than another adult in the vehicle, qualifies. Never sign a contract with someone given to such leaps.
There is much to fear alone on the open road – mostly the person you see in the mirror, but that’s a topic to broach with your psychoanalyst. If you’re like me you’ll skip the outrageous bill, take the SRT plunge, and wonder why everyone doesn’t fire his or her shrink.
For fears of which you can’t be blamed, there are things you can do to control them. Understand they can’t be eliminated. Cars break down and tires go flat. If you’re okay with that, the adventure of a lifetime awaits you. If not, take someone with you. Just don’t call it a solo road trip.
The first eight of these are about limiting risk. There’s more you can do than this list, like a AAA membership. But that’s only good as long as you have cell service. The more you rely on outside factors, the less control you maintain, which diminishes your ability to reduce fear factors. Less, diminish, reduce – all used within one sentence to send a message – learn how to change your own tire. I’m an experienced SRT’er so I occasionally put the truck places I shouldn’t, hike into places I shouldn’t. I’d prefer not to die a painful death, but I want to enjoy life a bit as it flashes past. And so we all make choices. Make good decisions based on your own knowledge/experience base.
No, I don’t carry a gun.
- Know how to drive. It’s more than keeping the car between the ditches. Do you know when to shift into a lower gear? If you’ve got 4-wheel drive, can you shift into it at any point or does the vehicle need to be at a certain speed? How about shifting out of it? In North Dakota last November I drove into a snow bank that was much deeper than I expected (in an attempt to turn around). The only way out was reverse in 4-wheel low. Once free of the snowbank, I couldn’t get out of 4-wheel low. Confusion. Resorted to manual. Some of knowing how to drive is experience; some is simply knowing what all the buttons mean on your dash.
- How to change a tire.
- Maintain a full tank of gas and bottled water in the front of the vehicle.
- Don’t drink an alcoholic beverage unless it’s for dinner in the hotel you’re staying or you’re having a night cap in the room. Obviously drinking and driving is a no-no, but a loose tongue in the wrong place has equal potential for disaster. See #8.
- Find lodging before dark. Doesn’t mean you have to call it a day. Just secure a place to stay; then you’re free to explore the local area as long as you want. See #4 and #8.
- Wear a seat belt at all times. It won’t save your ass if you drive off a mountain but it will provide protection in most other cases.
- Keep your cell phone charged. Check in with someone daily (preferably the same person).
- Don’t talk to strangers. A tricky one. The people I meet are a big part of open road adventures. Use good judgment. My daily routine while traveling is to awaken early and go to bed with the chickens. This translates to striking up conversation with people over breakfast or lunch and becoming more insular as the day progresses. To no one do I give much information about where I’m headed. When around others, pump gas and order dinner with confidence; at all times send the signal you’re in control. I will not go to a bar. I avoid other strays even early in the day.
- Get off road. Yes you can do that without 4-wheel drive. See #1.
- Before you leave home practice saying “holy shit”, varying the emphasis and inflection. You’ll use it in a lot of varied applications.
** This article is mine. Feel free to link to it, but any republishing without my consent will find me on your doorstep. Fear that. **
Join the Road Trip Revolution at the Solo Road Trip Facebook Fan Page, here.
Other how-to SRT related posts:
Road Trip Coffee Can Survival Kit
Just for fun:
I feel a solo trip will make us learn the most, especially for women. In my traveling experience, i got to know more about people then what i know. It excels you as an individual and supports you to face any situations. I am a solo traveler and i love this the most.
Comment by Nishanth — January 16, 2018 @ 11:40 pm
Great advices! thank you for that! and awesome blog btw
Comment by ProNomad — January 13, 2018 @ 12:09 pm
Thanks for your info, i really like it
Comment by Daftar Harga Baru — July 26, 2016 @ 10:12 pm
Sound advice!
I make a habit of taking road trips every year. A retreat on wheels. I take my eyes on the road. I’m heading out from Minnesota to western New York State and Pennsylvania in a couple weeks.
Your tip about not talking too much to strangers is very wise, particularly, but in no way exclusively, for women traveling alone.
My simple rules:
Safety first!
Drive no more than 5 MPH over the speed limit. Who needs the hassle of being pulled over and I’m not going anywhere in a hurry.
Pick up on and honor local customs.
Hope you’re still doing solo drives. Have fun.
Comment by Peter Freeman — June 8, 2016 @ 10:49 am
Great tips on a solo road trip! I love to travel solo. This summer I went to Turkey and Bulgaria and had the most amazing time. I would totally recommend it.
Comment by Amy Trumpeter — December 7, 2015 @ 9:27 am
Hahaha, love 6 and 10.. Great stuff, I’m looking forward to following your travels!
Comment by Kathleen Howell — October 9, 2015 @ 5:19 pm
I’m a single woman and I solo road trip off the beaten path a lot in the West. I’m a big fan of country music and dancing and I don’t hesitate to check out a honky tonk at night to socialize with the patrons and staff. Bring on the strangers! I’ve met so many interesting people and have had some great stories to tell. I respect your travel choices, but I want to let others know that being solo on the road doesn’t mean one (male or female) should be expected to hide in a motel room when the sun goes down. I encourage my friends to explore the world at their comfort level, whatever that may be.
Comment by Molly — September 21, 2015 @ 9:19 pm
Love it! I keep debating about doing a solo road trip, thanks for the great advice!
Comment by Christie — September 7, 2015 @ 10:40 pm
Thanks for this… I’m about to road trip from TN to AZ, and I’m quite frightened.
Comment by Cory — June 14, 2014 @ 4:59 pm
Is that a Wyoming license plate in the picture?
Comment by Annette — December 27, 2013 @ 12:54 am
Holy Shit! Nice solo trip advices indeed!
Comment by India Road Trip — January 21, 2013 @ 12:33 am
Very nicely written. I have been on road trips in every state east of the Mississippi River and two states west of it (Missouri and Arkansas). I mostly stick to the interstates, and have never had a problem. It sounds to me like you are going out West, where there would indeed be many issues with flat tyres, lack of service stations, and so on.
Comment by VirginiaJim — June 21, 2012 @ 11:39 am
Ever since I retired 6 years ago, I wanted a road trip lasted several month. But my wife would rather continue working after retirement. Now I have to consider solo. I bought a 4runner (2WD) in 07 for this purpose. I got all my equipments ready. Now I worry about getting stuck in the back road somewhere by myself. I have gotten stuck with a Ford Galaxie 500 in the desert, Corolla stuck in the parking lot (Quartsite AZ) What is the possibility of my 07 4runner gotten stuck in back road. Yes, I am a pretty decent driver. I have several trip from Los Angeles to Edmonton, Ont. /Vancouver BC for business – so no back road.Should I sell my 2WD and buy a 4WD?
Comment by Harold — April 26, 2012 @ 2:38 pm
Dina, yep, running out of gas on a lonely stretch would be no fun. I’m glad to say that’s never happened and hopefully won’t. I’ll bet just the fear of getting that close was all you needed to keep an eye on the gauge during all future trips!
Comment by Tammie Dooley — August 10, 2011 @ 6:22 pm
That’s a great list of tips! I almost found out the hard way about keeping the tank full of gas. A few years ago, we were driving to Colorado from California and almost ran out of gas in some lonely stretch through Utah. Oh, what a mess that would have been!
Comment by Dina — August 7, 2011 @ 11:56 pm
Tammy, I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful blog! I’m going on my first solo road trip (and first long road trip ever…yikes) in a few weeks, and your blog has really given me confidence despite the fact that I tend to worry about things a lot. I’ve read your safety articles several times…and I’m sure I’ll read through them again before I go. Thank you again!
Comment by Rachel — July 27, 2011 @ 9:13 am
MT, you’ve got to fix that malady.
James, I wouldn’t think of doing any of those things while driving. Definitely no FB or Tweets. Yuk. Okay though I have to admit to taking photos while moving. Guilty on 1 count.
Comment by Tammie Dooley — July 8, 2011 @ 8:03 pm
When I’m on my Solo Road Trips I can’t stand the company. 🙂
Comment by MT — July 4, 2011 @ 2:41 am
I’m going to suggest an additional tip: “Don’t text, Facebook, Tweet, or TAKE PICS of YOURSELF while driving.” I hope the SoloRoadTripper writing this set of tips adheres to this one, too. Hmm?
Comment by james — June 27, 2011 @ 10:28 am
Claymama, I take #10 very seriously.
Travel Blog, yep, solo backbacking needs the same precautions. Thank you for stopping by!
Pops, the 1993 Mazda MX-6 was a beloved travel machine. And it went places it really shouldn’t have but always got me out with great stories.
J.R., yes indeedy – the damn point!! you can say that with lots of humorous inflections too.
Comment by Tammie — June 25, 2011 @ 1:21 pm
Love it as usual! I’m taking one this fall. Somehow I can see you following your advice in #10!! LOL
Comment by claymama — June 25, 2011 @ 11:20 am
WOW.. thanks for sharing these tips. I always go for solo backpacking. I really need this kind of advice. At least I’m aware.
Comment by Travel Blog — June 25, 2011 @ 3:00 am
Impressive looking 4×4 in the picture! Great tips for great fun. Wonder if you use a recorder to practice #10? I have trouble getting the right inflection sometimes. I’ll remember all thi as a roll down the road. Hopefully we’ll have a chance encounter over breakfast. I won’t be too chatty late in the day anymore. Roll on SRT’er!!
Comment by Pops — June 24, 2011 @ 9:05 pm
#5,9, and 10 are priceless… HOLY SHIT! Great work as always. Solo= alone… that’s the damn point! 😀 LOL
<3 the dreamcatcher, I have one hanging from my truck's rear view as well.
Comment by J.R. — June 24, 2011 @ 7:06 pm