Road trips are wonderful – you get to take the scenic route, travel at your own pace, and see all kinds of fantastic things that you would have missed had you just flown to your destination.
Desert road trips, however, aren’t exactly your garden variety adventure. While they’re just as fabulous and fun, they take a little more preparation than simply driving up the coast to visit friends or family. That’s why we’ve put together this list of things you need to know before embarking on a desert road trip. Preparing for these factors will help ensure everything goes smoothly.
It Gets Dark Out There
In suburbia, street lights ensure that we’re never left in the dark. Highways and small towns follow the same practices, and many campgrounds even have their own lighting infrastructure these days.
The desert, however, seems to have missed the memo, so if the moon isn’t out, it can get pretty dark out there. Because of this, we suggest fitting one of the best LED light bars for 4x4s before embarking on your journey.
You’re A Long Way From Civilisation
Now, this may be the point of your road trip, but being miles away from civilization comes with some drawbacks alongside the peace and other perks. The most important thing to consider is the fact that if you require medical attention, it’s a long way away. Carrying a decent first aid kit stocked with ample medical supplies is a must. It’s also helpful to have someone back home who knows where you’ll be and when you’re due back.
Your Phone Probably Isn’t Going To Work
Following on from our last point, it’s important to be aware that your phone probably isn’t going to work when you’re out in the middle of nowhere. Because of this, it’s a good idea to carry a satellite cell or CB radio to help you get in touch with someone who can help if anything does go wrong.
Staying Hydrated Will Take Some Extra Effort
We all know that we’re supposed to consume an average of eight glasses of water a day, but when you’re in an environment that has such low humidity, staying hydrated becomes even more vital. Unfortunately, it also becomes harder.
Make sure you pack plenty of drinking water as well as some extra to spray on yourself if you’re feeling a bit too hot and dry. Dehydration can be really dangerous, so you can’t really go overboard with packing water. When it comes to hydration, it’s always better to have too much than not enough.
It Can Actually Get Pretty Cold
The desert and cold temperatures aren’t really something we’d commonly associate, but when you’re staying overnight, temperatures as low as sub-zero are common. Because of this, you’re going to want to make sure you have some thermal clothes, or at the very least a decent blanket. That way, you won’t be caught off guard when the sun goes down and the temperature plummets.
Embarking on a desert road trip is a fun and exciting way to spend your free time, but it isn’t the safest of activities if you’re unprepared. These five things are far from an exhaustive list, but they are some of the most important points to keep in mind before you pack up your car and drive off into the sunset. If you’ve got any other tips to share with the community, drop them in the comments below, then go make sure you’ve accounted for these variables, and have yourself a fantastic adventure!
