Long Drive Essentials- Must have list.

Long drive Essentials:

1)      Prepare the plan:  Ad hoc trips are good in movies only so leave it for movies  J . Always have the plan of visiting places and do some research on good hotels (http://www.tripadvisor.in/) and food. If there are some special attractions available then must need to book in advance. For Kerala: If someone wants to enjoy tree house then he must need to book in two month advance and one month advance for boat house and depending on the season it will change. So that we will not miss the best part of trip. Book all the hotels in advance.

2)      GPS Navigation:  Nowadays all mobile are equipped with this, use it for city trips before using it for long drive to get familiarize with the application (Android is having navigator app).Start early to avoid traffic.

3)      Car Registration Document:  Keep Xerox copies of registration, licence and insurance. Here just want to mention my experience of one journey, I met with an accident while driving to Bangalore from Chennai .so I went to lodge FIR against the fellow truck driver who hit the car as it is major damage so I need FIR copy to claim the insurance.  police had tried their best not to lodge FIR . Finally all vain then Inspector and Traffic police ask for the original of Registration, Licence and insurance, they told go and get it from Chennai, accident happened at Krishnagiri    so my advice to people is keep these originals also with you to avoid any trouble. I wish not to have any accident but be prepared.

4)      Music: Music is life for drivers so load yourself with enough of music as after 2 hours you will run out of music and your FM will not work in remote areas so have enough music with you.

5)      Food: I love food. Load up with full of water. I prefer healthy food items as after eating one or two time outside your stomach will not support you much J . Enjoy the trip with healthy food items i.e.  Soya milk, sprouts, coconut water lots of available fruits. Word of caution if you are not health savvy, long drive is not the right time to start. South Indian breakfast is considered as most healthy breakfast in world so enjoy it. Snack items, biscuit, chocolates for kids.

6)      Camera

7)      Car Charger for cell phone, torch or torch app available on mobile for changing the tyre in dark.

8)      Car Condition: Make a inspection for your car that is it prepared for long drive or not i.e. tank full, air in tyres, wipers, any oil leakage , any other sound rather then normal sound.

9)      Medicine :

Ø  Motion Sickness pills or chewing gum

Ø  Antiseptic Cream

Ø  Medicine for cough, cold and fever ,pain killers

Ø  ENO

10)  Miscellaneous :

Ø  Spare Cash, don’t believe on atm’s. Keep the change handy to pay  on the toll .

Ø  Pens/Pencils, Scribbling pad, box of tissues

Ø  Plastic bags/trash bags/newspapers

Ø  Goggles/Sunhat,eye mask for sleep

Ø  Paper plates,knife,spoon,

Ø  If you wear specs you can keep spare for it.

Wish you a happy and enjoyable journey. Come up with suggestions what else we can include in this. What are the items left out that we can add. All the expert traveller’s comments are welcome.
I hope some of the points above have been useful to you. If so, make your contribution by commenting below.