What to know before embarking on your first long road trip

The hacks that will make your trip as stress-free as possible.

Embarking on your first long road trip is an exciting prospect – all that open road, new landscapes, cute cafes to stop at along the way and at the end of it, your destination.

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But it can also be arduous to spend a lot of time on the road, and it’s all too easy to forget some of the key essentials that will make your trip run as smoothly as possible. To prevent this from happening, we’ve shared the best road trip hacks for your first long-distance journey.

What car are you taking?

First and foremost, some vehicles are just better for long-distance driving. SUVs in particular have developed a reputation for being the best for long-distance driving thanks to their ample space, power and ability to deal with diverse terrains.

GWM’s Tank 500 is one such car. A large luxury SUV, it fits seven people (perfect when you want to bring the whole friend group) and is packed with the latest technology and safety features, like blind spot detection, emergency braking and a 360-view camera. Opting for a vehicle that has you covered no matter what you encounter on your trip is a surefire way to put your mind at ease.

Pack correctly

If you’re headed out on a long trip, it’s likely you’ve got a lot of gear to pack, particularly if there are multiple people in the car. There’s a correct way to pack it all in though, and taking the time to do so will prevent any objects or bags flying forward if you brake suddenly.

Firstly, make sure the heaviest items go in the boot and place them as low and far forward as possible. If you’re driving a larger car like the GWM Tank 500, make sure to tie down particularly heavy objects to ensure everyone’s safety. If you’re stacking the roof racks, don’t overdo it – if you make your car too top-heavy, it can increase the chance of it rolling over in a crash.

Give your car a once-over

Always make sure you check your car’s fluids before embarking on your road trip. The most important of these to check is the engine oil and coolant, but it also pays to check the wiper blades and fluid, your tyres, your car battery and your lights and indicators.

Pack power banks and chargers

There’s nothing worse than your phone dying in the middle of a long road trip, so make sure you’re fully charged before you leave and don’t forget to pack power banks and charging cords.

The GWM Tank 500 has the added bonus of a wireless phone charging feature (we love anything that minimises the amount of charging cords we have to pack) along with USB-A and USB-C points in the first two rows. This prevents second-row passengers from having to lean into the front row when they need some more juice for their phones.

Build a playlist you love

Creating a road-trip-worthy playlist is worth the time it takes. It means you won’t have to queue up a bunch of songs in one go when you’re already on the road and it allows everyone to settle in rather than demanding song requests every few minutes.

The GWM Tank 500 is primed for the best possible listening experience, with a 12-speaker Infinity sound system, wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, AM/FM and digital radio. There’s also active noise-cancelling, taking your road trip playlist to the next level.

Make sure you’re car sickness-ready

Car sickness is an unfortunate reality of long-distance driving, so it pays to be prepared. If someone you’re travelling with is particularly prone to car sickness, seating them in the front of the car is a wise move. Visual input plays a role in motion sickness, so if they’re up front with their eyes on the road they’re less likely to be surprised by any turns or bumps.

Make sure you pack a DIY kit in case anyone takes a turn for the worst. Put some grocery bags in there for any last-minute surprise pukes, mints and gum, paper towels and baby wipes. When you’re dealing with car sickness, comfort is key, something the GWM Tank 500 knows all too well. With Nappa leather-trimmed seats that can each be heated and ventilated, and window shades and climate control functions for the second row, you have everything at your fingertips to minimise the chances of sickness.

Don’t forget snacks and water

Last but not least, don’t forget to pack your favourite snacks. Crackers, chips, popcorn, muesli bars and trail mix make for easy, low-effort snacks that can be passed around, and make sure you fill up your reusable drink bottle before hitting the road. Hydration is key!

Experience open-road freedom with the Tank 500 from GWM.