Since the invention of the automobile over 100 years ago traveling by road has been an integral aspect of culture and travel. From I-95 that runs across the east coast, Highway 1 winding its way through on the West Coast, and the historic route 66 covering the distance between them We’ve relied upon roads to take us from one point to the next.
Although travel by air has made our journeys faster, the road trip remains an integral part of every travel and vacation plans. However, our vehicles have come significantly from the time when they were just Model T. Model T, and road-tripping techniques and tips have changed in tandem with them.
To identify the most effective tips to make a road trip successful and to determine the best road trip hacks, we rode an Kia Sorento for a 2100-mile journey across New England to North Carolina along the eastern coast. For the final leg of the loop we headed north to North Carolina’s Appalachian Mountains, trundled along Virginia’s Skyline Drive, stopped through New York City, and drove back to our home located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
On this journey we learned about what specifications and features matter as well as which ones aren’t important and the best way to plan an itinerary. If you’re driving 200 or 2,000 miles, these tips will allow you to get the most enjoyment from your next trip.
What to Look for in a Road Trip Vehicle
Absolutely, the most important factor to consider when you are choosing the right car for your trip is the extent to which it can keep the passengers and you comfy.
Seat and Steering Adjustments
The simplest cars of today generally come with at least four adjustments. In the minimum, seats can slide back and forth and the backrest will recline. However, consider upgrading to seats that are more adjustable when you can. Adjusting the seat height is crucial to ensure long-term comfort as it helps alleviate stress on your legs (in the actuality, some of the most luxurious models such as Lincoln Aviator Lincoln Aviator have thigh extenders for each leg). Do not overlook lumber support also. While a rigid support for your lower back may be uncomfortable at first, you’ll find it’s a boon after spending some time behind the driving wheel.
With its X-Line package Our 2021 Kia Sorento SX Prestige offered two-way adjustable lumbar to both the front driver as well as an front-seat passenger. No matter the trim level it is the Sorento also comes with an adjustable tilt and the telescoping steering wheel. This feature is crucial and, thankfully, popular. As you would adjust your mirrors prior departing, make sure to adjust the steering wheel, too. Making sure your hands are set in the right direction can significantly increase your level of comfort during a long journey.
Power and Connectivity
What you don’t need during a road trip is a mobile with a battery that is dead. If you are choosing a vehicle that you will be using for the next adventure ensure that it comes with enough charging ports to meet your requirements. The majority of cars today offer only USB-A ports to connectivity and power, but certain automakers are beginning to include USB-C ports. These can charge devices at a faster rate.
In the event that you’re travelling with kids–in fact, particularly if you’re traveling with kids, make sure your car has charging ports for passengers in the rear seat. You’ll be thankful when you get home (after your child’s iPad is never depleted in juice).
Also, remember that many vehicles today offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay also. These systems project your smartphone on the infotainment screen of your vehicle and make accessing music, calling calls and using navigation easy. In the case of Android Auto running in our Kia Sorento tester, we particularly enjoyed using “Hey Google” commands to make calls, locate local eateries and listen to music.
Cargo Space
We almost borrowed the Ford Mustang Mach-1 to take part in our road test. We’re sure the Mustang would have been a fun to drive, and would have been an unforgettable experience. But ultimately the decision to borrow the Kia Sorento was the better option.
Simply put, we required a vehicle that could hold two people (no problem with the Mustang) as well as the luggage of their bags, as well as camping gear and a 38-quart cooler an outfit bag, and -we’re not kidding, a storage unit that is solely for shoes. With this amount of stuff and luggage, the Mustang would be overflowing with a plethora of. It had 75.5 cubic yards of cargo space, the Sorento did it well.
When you are choosing a car for your road trip think about what you’ll have to carry and what you’ll bring to home. If you pack your car to full and you’ll be left with no the space to take souvenirs, keepsakes or a sweet welcome mat you discovered at the bottom or at the Asheville, NC shop.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
These tiny pieces of technology, called ADAS might seem uninteresting initially, but after the course of a 4 or 6hours or an 8-hour day in the road, these devices turn out to be extremely useful and could be life-saving choices. Lane-keeping assistance allows you to adjust the steering inputs automatically, keeping your vehicle within the boundaries within its lanes. Adaptive cruise control allows you to set your car at a specific speed, then automatically slows the vehicle when another vehicle comes into its path and then accelerates it to its desired speed as the vehicle blocking it gets out of the way. When you combine the two, focussed drivers will end up feeling rejuvenated by the end their day.
Look for a car that has ADAS features like lane-keep aid as well as adaptive cruise controls when planning for an excursion. To go even further you can also look for vehicles with blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking and lane-tracing assistance which actually assists in steering the vehicle around turns. These options are probably the latest technological advances and can make a 2-100-mile trek an enjoyable trip.
Surprise! These Features Don’t Matter (Much)
Performance
Sure, a massive amount of horsepower and a massive amount of torque are both enjoyable and make driving more exciting. However, when you’re taking an adventure most likely, you’ll appreciate smooth, easy performance more than thrilling thrills. Choose a car that is easy to drive for an extended duration, and not enjoyable to drive for a shorter period of duration.
Fuel Economy
In no way do we recommend that drivers sacrifice 55 mpg for a Toyota Prius Prime in favor of 13-mpg Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody. The first would cost around $100 for our route for a road trip and the other one is closer to $400. But, if your choice is between a commuter 40-mpg car with uncomfortable seats with limited cargo space, or a crossover with 28 mpg that offers plenty of space and comfort… we suggest we suggest you go with the crossover.
The majority of road trip miles occur at highway speeds which is where hybrid vehicles perform most effectively. Find a vehicle that will get decent mileage on the highway , and then focus on the most important things following that. When you consider the cost of traveling by air, driving would nearly always be the more economical choice. In the hybrid-free 2021 Kia Sorento the road trip cost us just $220 for fuel.
Navigation
Navigation systems onboard were once a premium choice, with a high price tag. They are now mostly found in high-end models. They’re still around, but they’re not as effective than Google Maps, which is very accurate and well-known with millions of customers. The Kia Sorento test car had an onboard navigation system. It was beautiful and had many options. We only used it for a few minutes. Android Auto + Google Maps is only better.
Planning Your Route
Avoid cities If you’re not sightseeing and would like to climb up the Empire State Building, See the Liberty Bell, catch a Baltimore Orioles game, or take a stroll on across the National Mall, try to avoid the city. It’s an unwelcome surprise to nobody city-based destinations are likely to be the most crowded with traffic on your journey. There is nothing that can ruin an entire morning (or even an estimate of time) as much as a ninety-minute traffic congestion.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time
However, traffic congestion can be seen in the country as well. One of the most difficult traffic we saw on our trip was on Interstate 81 North through Virginia. To avoid these unexpected slowdowns, try giving yourself more time than you need every day. Not only will this alleviate any stress if you are caught in a blockage, but it will also allow you to take advantage of the worthwhile roadside activities.
Allocate time for rest Stops
When we took our road trip, we found that a typical day would require additional ten minutes each hour of driving time. If our map of our route claimed to require six hours to complete, we figured that it would take seven hours. Sometimes it was because our Sorento required fuel. Sometimes, it was due to fuel shortages. Or, it could be just needing to go to the bathroom.
Based on the length of your journey (and the age group of passengers) your estimation may differ However, our suggestion is the same: be prepared that your drive will take little longer than the navigation software predicts.
Go Out of Your Way for Experiences
The first three tips we gave were all about maximising efficiency and avoiding unexpected events. In this case we’re saying “embrace surprises.” Planning ahead and staying clear of traffic will allow you to stop at places you consider worthwhile. And at the end of the day they are what make road trips such an unforgettable type of travel.
As we headed back to Massachusetts We took the decision at last to make a two-hour stop in order to go visit Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia. We wanted to go on an adventure along the Appalachian Trail and see wild ponies. Since we were ahead of our schedule (and in truth due to the fact that we were comfortable in the Kia Sorento) We had no trouble making the trek. We hiked a stunning portion of trail and met a welcoming (if slightly stinky) Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, and had one of the most memorable experiences of our trip.
However, we didn’t have any ponies.
The Bottom Line
Road trips are still a great and fun way to explore the country, bond with family and friends and explore new locations. These trips are as affordable and, with the advancements in vehicle technology, are more comfortable and simple to take as never before.
With the best car with the right attitude and the proper plan you will be able to enjoy an unforgettable road journey. All you have to choose is your destination.
Alex has been with us from the start, providing readers with the latest news and comprehensive reviews. Her extensive knowledge of the automotive industry makes her an invaluable asset to the team.