We are huge fans of road trips for their affordability and the chance they offer to soak in Australia’s beauty. But we also know that wildlife collisions, unpredictable weather, traffic, and vehicle issues can quickly ruin a long-distance trip.
Preparing for long-distance road trips by planning your route, avoiding fatigue, and making sure your car is comfortable all help ensure a smooth road trip.
Here are our best tips to prepare for a successful, enjoyable long-distance drive in Australia.
8 Tips to Prepare for Long-Distance Driving in Australia
- Prep your car
- Plan your route
- Watch out for wildlife
- Get comfortable
- Follow weather conditions
- Stay alert
- Avoid distractions while driving
- Be considerate of other drivers and follow the road rules
1. Prep Your Car
Prep your car for long-distance road trips with these tips:
- Bring your vehicle in for an oil change and general maintenance before long-distance trip to ensure the engine, brakes, brake fluid, alignment, and essential fluids are in good working order
- Make sure your windshield is clean
- Top up your washer fluid
- Have a roadside safety kit and first aid kit
- Carry recovery equipment (for off-roading adventures)
- Plan an alternate route in case of bad weather or road construction
- Make sure your windshield wipers are working properly
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2. Plan Your Route
Plan your route to keep you focused on the road and help avoid closed roads or construction. Set up your route on your mobile device or GPS ahead of time. Always plan a backup route in case of road closures.
Bring along a paper map in case you lose cell service or your phone battery dies. It is also helpful to be aware of where service stations and rest stops are located along the way.
To help plan your route ahead of time and mark down designated rest areas, we recommend The National Library of Australia’s Main Roads Guide. It is full of helpful information that will make it easier to plan your long-distance route, including roadside amenities and rest areas on major routes in Western Australia.
3. Watch Out for Wildlife
This tip applies to any road trip, no matter how long or short. Australia is full of unique wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, birds, and wombats.
Each year in Australia more than 7,000 insurance claims are made after collisions with kangaroos. (Source: Kangaroo Management Taskforce)
Always be on the lookout for possible wildlife or livestock crossings. Be especially cautious around dusk and dawn when wildlife species are known to be the most active. If possible, avoid travelling at dawn and dusk to reduce your risk of a wildlife collision.
If you spot a kangaroo or other wildlife, slow down and sound your horn to try to safely scare it off.
4. Get Comfortable
For long-distance trips, prepare your vehicle to be as comfortable as possible with these tips:
- Adjust your mirrors
- Adjust your seat to a comfortable position
- Always buckle up
- Invest in high-quality seat covers
- Wear non-restrictive clothing
- Invest in a padded steering wheel cover
- If you don’t have AC, check out our guide on How to keep your car cool without AC
Here are more of our favourite tips on making your car tips more enjoyable: 9 Ways to Make Your Car More Comfortable
5. Follow Weather Conditions
Australia’s weather can be wildly unpredictable, with bushfires and flooding being common concerns. Before you head out and throughout your trip, monitor current and upcoming weather conditions.
Here are our favourite tips for monitoring weather conditions on road trips:
- For bushfire information, alerts, and warnings, visit Australia’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services website
- Research areas that are prone to flooding and monitor conditions
- Check the Emergency WA Warnings and Incidents Map for details on active storms, floods, bushfires, and other natural disasters
- Call Main Roads on 138 138 for bushfire alerts
- Watch for road signs with the latest Fire Danger Ratings
- Know your car’s maximum wading depth (this should be stated in the owner’s manual)
- Avoid driving through flooded roads as it can sweep your vehicle away, damage the engine, short-circuit the electric systems, warp the brake’s rotors, and more
6. Stay Alert
One of the most important parts of a safe, successful road trip is staying alert while driving. Driving while tired puts you, your passengers, and other drivers and road users at risk.
To stay alert while driving, try these tips:
- Take regular breaks (consider stopping for a quick break every two hours or as needed)
- Limit driving time to eight hours a day
- If you feel drowsy, find a safe place to pull over, get out, stretch, and walk around for at least 15 minutes
- Have your passenger take over driving, if possible, if you feel drowsy
- Get a good night of sleep before long drives
- Schedule regular stops (service stations, beaches, tourist sites, rest stops, etc.) along the way to keep your trip interesting while also keeping you alert and energised
- Stay hydrated
- Pack healthy snacks (homemade trail mix is our favourite long-distance driving snack) to fuel up during rest stops
7. Avoid Distractions While Driving
Along with driving while tired, driving while distracted is one of the most dangerous things you can do.
Avoid distractions while driving with these tips:
- Do not text and drive
- Pull over to eat rather than snacking at the wheel
- Remove any items that obstruct your view out of the dashboard or the rear windshield
- Avoid messing with the radio or your phone unless you are pulled over
- If you have a passenger, have them double check directions, change the radio, or do any other tasks that take your attention off the wheel
8. Be Considerate of Other Drivers and Follow the Road Rules
Be sure to know and follow road rules and always be considerate of other drivers. Here are some concepts to keep in mind during long-distance trips:
- Adhere to speed limits
- Leave a safe distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you (this is particularly important on gravel or dirt roads or in foggy/poor driving conditions)
- Buckle up!
- Overtake other vehicles safely
- Dim your headlights if needed
- Allow yourself extra space to give yourself adequate reaction time if you are driving a heavy vehicle or towing a trailer or caravan
Ready to Hit the Road?
Following these long-distance driving tips will help ensure a safe, smooth, and successful road trip.
If you’re looking to make your car as comfortable as possible for a long-distance trip, our specialists at Shevron Auto help. Since 1988, Shevron Auto Accessories has helped car owners enjoy customised, comfortable rides with our vast selection of affordable auto accessories.
Contact our team with questions or for personalised product recommendations to make your vehicle more comfortable.