Content creators Daniel and Meriana Plaja know a thing or two about road trips. The duo have travelled across Vancouver Island and British Columbia for 3 years, documenting their adventures in stunning photographs.
As winners of our Northbound Supply Co. Road Trip Contest, they have another exciting trip planned for the end of September—this time across Canada. Here are Daniel and Meriana’s go-to tips for making your next road trip a big success.
1 - Pack Light
The lighter your luggage, the more enjoyable your journey will be, especially if there is hiking and backpacking involved. Before packing an item, ask yourself, is this absolutely necessary?
“After the first hour of wearing a big hiking backpack, it gets really tough to carry if it’s packed with extra things,” says Daniel.
Meriana is a listmaker, and recommends creating multiple lists of the various items you’ll need so you don’t worry about forgetting anything.
2 - Know Your Route, and Share it With Loved Ones
It goes without saying, but try to have most if not all of your routes planned out in advance. Also, don’t forget to give this info to your family or friends, too. This way, if parts of your journey will involve having no cell service, your family won’t worry if they don’t hear back from you and will know roughly when they can expect contact again.
Speaking of losing cell service, print out paper maps so you have those handy!
3 - Consider the Weather Before You Book
Travelling in the rain is less than ideal. Before you plan your journey, get familiar with seasonal weather conditions, and try to check the forecast in advance so you aren’t surprised by unexpected weather.
4 - Pack the Right Clothing and Gear
If you’re travelling in the summertime, pack plenty of sunscreen, bug spray, medication, sunglasses and TONS of water. Canada’s summers can get hot, and its winters can get very cold. You want to be safe and comfortable at every stage of your adventure.
In the wintertime, save space by packing quality clothing that lets you keep warm while layering, like proper thermals and fleece sweaters. One high-quality jacket is enough, so invest in a proper one that will keep you warm and snug.
For footwear, pack sturdy hiking boots or walking shoes depending on your itinerary. Don’t forget flip-flops
5 - Prep Your Vehicle
Before beginning your journey, do some important vehicle checks. Firstly, make sure you have enough gas and are familiar with where the nearest gas station is when you expect your fuel to begin running low.
Also, make sure you’re taking the right car for your trip. Does your route involve rocky, remote roads that would require a 4x4 vehicle? Do a quick scan of your trip’s routes just in case.
Once you’ve got your car covered, check that you’ve got enough oil so your engine doesn’t stop and that your brakes are in great condition if there are long roads ahead.
Another important tip is to pack a spare tire. If you’re in a remote location, it could be difficult to get help so you always want to be prepared.
6 - Have Fun!
Last but not least, once you’ve prepped, packed and are on your way, don’t forget to pause and enjoy special moments. Snap some beautiful pictures so you can capture those memories.
