How to Plan for the Ultimate UK Road Trip

When planning out a trip around Europe, some people would choose to get on a road trip in Europe since not only is it one affordable option to explore the continent, it's also a great experience to travel in each country.

The UK is quite possibly the best destination if you want to go on a road trip. There are sights to be seen all over the place and the scenery is absolutely fantastic as well, rest assured you'll never run out of your UK bucket list. If you want to get the best result out of your trip or if you need some help planning out your vacation, then here are some top tips that will help to get you started.

Table of Content

Get a Rental Car

It is probably much easier for you to get a rental car when compared to taking your own. This is especially the case if your car is old or in need of a few repairs. The main reason for this is because you don't want to break down at the side of the road halfway through your trip and you also want to have the best driving experience as well. Also, if you are from another country and planning a drive in the United Kingdom then you need to get an International Driver's Permit.

When you do opt for a rental car, you can choose almost any vehicle you want and if you are able to choose one with some extra seating then there is nothing stopping you from inviting someone else on your trip.

You can even plan your route so that you can start and finish at the car depot as well, as this will really help to bring your trip full-circle.

Accommodation

You really will want to have hotels booked in certain areas so that you know where you are going to sleep as you make your way through the UK.

You don’t want to plan too much however, because if you see a detour that you just have to take or if you want to explore the area in greater detail then you need to give yourself chance to do this.

If you plan every minute of every day, then this won't be an option and you may even find that you end up limiting yourself. You will also end up missing out on some hidden gems as well, so try and plan your accommodation to some extent, but don’t be too meticulous about it.

If you aren’t sure where to stay, why not look into Cotswold holiday cottages? Or else, if you're into something different and luxurious, there are many unique glamping sites in the UK that you can check for your next stop!

Use your Phone

So many people pay extra to rent a GPS when they go on a road trip but this can cost you a great deal of money. If you want to save, then consider using your phone.

Your phone's GPS is just as good as anything else out there and when you have people in the car with you, you can then count on them to give you some help and advice regarding the route.

Know the Rules

If you are traveling from another country, then you need to know the way that the roads in the UK work.

In the UK, people drive on the left-hand side of the road and all of the signs are in MPH as well. This may take some getting used to if you are always dealing in other speed measurements but if you stay aware then you shouldn't have any problems at all.

When you are planning your route, it also helps to mark out any toll roads that you may have to go through.

Avoiding them is the best thing to do because you don't want to pay a fortune in surcharges when you travel if possible.

Snacks

Before you hit the open road, you need to go to a local supermarket and stock up. When you do this, you can then have an endless supply of snacks and treats and you can also go longer without having to stop off at a fast food place or restaurant.

If possible, you want to make sure that you have some nice fruit packed as well because you don't want to be surviving on junk food all week.

You will be glad you packed it and it is great if you are traveling with younger kids as well. Packing water is also essential because the last thing you need is to be dehydrated when you are on the road with nowhere to stop.

Picnic

The UK is full of wonderful parks and fields, so why not use this to your advantage?

Consider stopping off for a picnic to break up a long journey or even think about sitting down on a bench somewhere for a little while. This is one of the best ways for you to really take in the scenery and it may give you some ideas as to where you want to go next as well.

Sometimes road trips aren't all about driving, sometimes they are just about taking in the local scenery and just enjoying the moment. The sooner you are able to accept this, the better your road trip will be.