7 Tips for Planning the Perfect Day Trip

Now that we are emerging from lockdown, it’s time to start thinking about vacations.  While a long vacation with lots of travel may not be in the cards right now, you can always plan fun day trips and explore some of the hidden treasures nearby.  Here are seven tips to help you make the most of your outing:

1. Pick A Destination.  It may seem obvious, but picking a destination is extremely important when it comes to planning a day trip.  Keep in mind that you have to get there (and home) in a day, so make sure that you calculate how long it will take to drive to your destination.  If the place you pick is 5 hours away, just remember that’s a total of 10 hours in the car.  It’s doable, but just recognize that the farther away your destination is, the less time you will have to enjoy the surroundings once you get there.
2. Plan Your Activities.  What do you want to do once you get there?  Are their specific places that you want to check out?  Is there a local tour that you are looking forward to?  While you don’t want to plan every minute of your trip, it’s good to have a general plan for what you want to see and do and think about timing for each activity – especially if you have tickets for an event or need to be there at a specific time.
3. Establish a Budget.  When we take a long vacation, we usually know how much we will spend on travel and lodging, and allocate a certain amount for extras.  Treat a day trip the same way – determine how much you are willing to spend on the day and work backwards.  It will save you in more ways than one!  Things to consider: entrance fees, meals, and gas.  And don’t forget to budget for the unexpected!
4. Prep Your Car.  Your car is key to a successful day trip!  Take the time beforehand to check the tires, oil and other fluids, and even do that scheduled maintenance check to ensure that your car is road-ready and you won’t have any unnecessary surprises along the way.  You don’t want your day ruined because something simple became a major problem. And don’t forget to start with a full tank of gas!
5.  Pack the Car.  Even though you’ll be gone for less than a day, it’s important to make sure you bring everything you need.  Pack snacks and water for the trip, lunch if you plan to stop along the way, extra clothing just in case, charger for your smartphone (so you can still use your GPS or call for help).  If you have kids, don’t forget to pack some car-friendly activities to keep them busy while on the road.
6. Leave Early.  You want to maximize your time at your destination, so plan to leave home early.  Not only will you get there sooner, you’ll most likely avoid some traffic you might run into if you left later in the morning.
7. Be Flexible.  Part of the fun of a day trip is the adventure, so be flexible!  Don’t worry if things don’t go according to plan.  Sometimes the best memories happen “by accident”.

A day trip is a great way to get away from the day-to-day sameness we’ve all been experiencing lately.  If you need help planning your day trip or your next big vacation, give Luxury Destinations Concierge a call at (805) 236-4437.