Just about to drive 6500km...what precautions should I take?
Discussion
I'm just about to undertake a mammoth 6,500km (4,000 mile), journey through Europe over the course of a few days from Gibraltar to Vienna and then back again.
My route is the following:
Gibraltar -> Valencia -> Barcelona -> Montpellier -> Monaco -> Italy -> Innsbruck -> Salzburg -> Vienna
I'm going to kip in the car between Valencia and Salzburg for 4-5 hours if I can. I don't fancy spending another £50 on a hotel for just that time or would it be best to take the hotel?
Of course I'll have plenty of water, spare oil (also checked and serviced), tyres are in good nick, and my brakes have been recently serviced. Also wiper fluid is full which during bug season (now), is a big plus.
My longest trip prior to this was 1,200km so it's quite a big hike on top of this! It'll be quite epic so looking forward to it.
I've got a good car which is barely 3 years old and kept in tip-top condition, but I'm wondering what extra precautions I should take before setting off?
My route is the following:
Gibraltar -> Valencia -> Barcelona -> Montpellier -> Monaco -> Italy -> Innsbruck -> Salzburg -> Vienna
I'm going to kip in the car between Valencia and Salzburg for 4-5 hours if I can. I don't fancy spending another £50 on a hotel for just that time or would it be best to take the hotel?
Of course I'll have plenty of water, spare oil (also checked and serviced), tyres are in good nick, and my brakes have been recently serviced. Also wiper fluid is full which during bug season (now), is a big plus.
My longest trip prior to this was 1,200km so it's quite a big hike on top of this! It'll be quite epic so looking forward to it.
I've got a good car which is barely 3 years old and kept in tip-top condition, but I'm wondering what extra precautions I should take before setting off?
If it was me, I'd splash the £50 or so on a hotel. You've been in the car all day so I would have thought a change of scenery / somewhere to get a proper kip would be a good idea.
You don't say what car it is, but when you wake up at 3am all cold, aching & needing a piss you'll hate it!
I've slept in the car plenty of times (normally at race circuits when I've got sick of the tent) & it's not comfortable & I definitely wouldn't choose to do it.
Sounds good though - is it work or pleasure?
You don't say what car it is, but when you wake up at 3am all cold, aching & needing a piss you'll hate it!
I've slept in the car plenty of times (normally at race circuits when I've got sick of the tent) & it's not comfortable & I definitely wouldn't choose to do it.
Sounds good though - is it work or pleasure?
Wow, that's epic alright.
What I usually do is buy some bottled water and freeze it. In a cool box/bag it will stay frozen (or at least partially) for 2-3 days. As mentioned it's also worth buying a 12 pack of Redbull as that's a mammoth journey.
I drove from Milton Keynes to Alicante a few years back in one go (2000km) and that took about 22 hours with stops and a 4 hour kip at a French services. Although I shared the drive with the wife I've since tended to book hotels as the extra cost is preferable to poor/inadequate rest.
Other than plenty of fluids I also tend to take a few packets of biscuits (garibaldi are my faves) and sweets like wine gums/midget gems. I've also got a camping stove and take bacon/sausages for a breakfast butty - just in case I get caught out between stops.
Other than that, plenty of loose change, a map (in addition to SAT NAV), blanket/pillow and a roll of toilet tissue
again, just in case!
Sounds a cool road trip though so hope you enjoy!
What I usually do is buy some bottled water and freeze it. In a cool box/bag it will stay frozen (or at least partially) for 2-3 days. As mentioned it's also worth buying a 12 pack of Redbull as that's a mammoth journey.
I drove from Milton Keynes to Alicante a few years back in one go (2000km) and that took about 22 hours with stops and a 4 hour kip at a French services. Although I shared the drive with the wife I've since tended to book hotels as the extra cost is preferable to poor/inadequate rest.
Other than plenty of fluids I also tend to take a few packets of biscuits (garibaldi are my faves) and sweets like wine gums/midget gems. I've also got a camping stove and take bacon/sausages for a breakfast butty - just in case I get caught out between stops.
Other than that, plenty of loose change, a map (in addition to SAT NAV), blanket/pillow and a roll of toilet tissue
again, just in case!Sounds a cool road trip though so hope you enjoy!
Just off the top of my head:
Trye Sealant (dont know if you have space saver etc)
Spare fuses
Spare bulbs
As a minimum some basic tools
Spare radiator fluid
Spare oil
Min 5L of spare fuel
Breakdown cover!
If your car is rare/unusal take spare belts etc as they may not be able to be ordered where/if you break down.
Food/Water/Blankets/Sleeping Bag enough for 24hrs
Mobile phone on multiple networks
Let some one know your exact route and some rough check in times just in case something goes wrong.
Problably more but essentially plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Epic drive, your very lucky. Enjoy
Trye Sealant (dont know if you have space saver etc)
Spare fuses
Spare bulbs
As a minimum some basic tools
Spare radiator fluid
Spare oil
Min 5L of spare fuel
Breakdown cover!
If your car is rare/unusal take spare belts etc as they may not be able to be ordered where/if you break down.
Food/Water/Blankets/Sleeping Bag enough for 24hrs
Mobile phone on multiple networks
Let some one know your exact route and some rough check in times just in case something goes wrong.
Problably more but essentially plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Epic drive, your very lucky. Enjoy
Edited by Session8 on Friday 14th September 11:39
As someone else said, its not the car that will have the issues. Its the driver.
You'll be bored out of your mind after 4 hours, aching and have a numb arse after 6 and be wanting to top yourself after 10.
Get the appropriate rest, its safer and will make the whole thing more enjoyable.
You'll be bored out of your mind after 4 hours, aching and have a numb arse after 6 and be wanting to top yourself after 10.
Get the appropriate rest, its safer and will make the whole thing more enjoyable.
I've done something very similar recently, do not underestimate how knackering this sort of thing truly is. I find it odd that you're willing to take advice on precautions for your car but not yourself and £50 is feck all for your safety (and others) so get a hotel and stop pissing about.
I nearly wiped myself out twice on my epic 20 hour journey through lack of sleep and all because I didn't want to lose a day of my holiday. Never again.
I nearly wiped myself out twice on my epic 20 hour journey through lack of sleep and all because I didn't want to lose a day of my holiday. Never again.
Drek said:
I've done something very similar recently, do not underestimate how knackering this sort of thing truly is. I find it odd that you're willing to take advice on precautions for your car but not yourself and £50 is feck all for your safety (and others) so get a hotel and stop pissing about.
I nearly wiped myself out twice on my epic 20 hour journey through lack of sleep and all because I didn't want to lose a day of my holiday. Never again.
+ a millionI nearly wiped myself out twice on my epic 20 hour journey through lack of sleep and all because I didn't want to lose a day of my holiday. Never again.
As per my post above, I've done similar to this recently and hated almost every minute of the dull, tiring and numbing experience.
Please DON'T take spare fuel. Unless you are going across the sahara you won't need it. Its dangerous and most continental places make it illegal to carry. If you get down that low then 5L prob won't help as you would have just filled up wherever you passed 5L of fuel earlier. If you have to do 'Battleship tactics' and fill up anywhere near 1/3 of a tank so be it. Unless you are in an M5 or something exotic the range will be enough you will want to have a quick wee and a walk anyway after 3-4 hours.
Just my 2p.
Just my 2p.
Yup, you are just looking at motorway, the whole way.
I'd heartily recommend a hotel, or even a youth hostel; anywhere with a bed really. Even this early in the year it'll be getting decidedly chilly in the Alps (I guess that's where you'll end up sleeping) and sleeping in a car is no fun at the best of times.
I'd heartily recommend a hotel, or even a youth hostel; anywhere with a bed really. Even this early in the year it'll be getting decidedly chilly in the Alps (I guess that's where you'll end up sleeping) and sleeping in a car is no fun at the best of times.
Check on the AA website for overseas travel requirements.
Some countries require you to have fluorescent jackets for every passenger. Some require spare glasses/lenses if you wear them. Some require a pocket breathalyser (but only when the president's mate produces them).
It's also a good idea to have all your travel documents.
I've never actually needed any of the above, but you can get in trouble if the police decide to do a spot check and find you're missing one of the requirements.
Some countries require you to have fluorescent jackets for every passenger. Some require spare glasses/lenses if you wear them. Some require a pocket breathalyser (but only when the president's mate produces them).
It's also a good idea to have all your travel documents.
I've never actually needed any of the above, but you can get in trouble if the police decide to do a spot check and find you're missing one of the requirements.
Just done 3600km over last 2 weeks, 1400km ish in one run.
All good advice above.
Insurance. Double check your cover note; most insurance companies require that you notify them AND tell them which countries you will be going through.
All good advice above.
- Don't forget your tabard/bulbs/etc.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Hotel - yes, every night - you might not be physically tired but your brain will need a rest. Aim for at least 7 hrs a night.
- Speed - it's much, much more tiring to drive at speed for long distances. Speed limit +/- 5mph and cruise control will eat up the miles and be more relaxing.
- Break it up into legs. Take breaks every few hours. Try to take a good 30-45 min break for lunch and walk about, etc.
Insurance. Double check your cover note; most insurance companies require that you notify them AND tell them which countries you will be going through.
Some good advice, thanks 
The car is a BMW 116d so as I mentioned it's pretty new and comfortable to drive in. I've cruised through Germany on my way to the UK from Austria many times at 200kph without any problems. It's also purchased in Europe so I've got all the fluorescent jackets, bulbs, fuses as suggested but it's a top tip for all travelling in Europe.
I think I might just look for a cheap hotel outside of Monaco as it'll be late by the time I get there.
My biggest concern is the lack of spare wheel in my car. When you see the size of the battery in the back of a 1 series, you realise why. I've got tyre sealant and a mini compressor which works surprisingly well but I'm hoping I won't have to use it.
Also stocked up with 6 cans of Red Bull and a pack of Pro-Plus but I will stop if I feel tired. I've no qualm about having 40 winks by the side of the road. Makes all the difference.
Any recommendations for a cheap roadside travel lodge style hotel in France? My old man mentioned "Formula 1 Hotels" but I've never heard of that.
ETA: Insurance is all good. I pay specifically for travel in Europe. Just never done this much before! Also got cruise control and it's a major plus. I use it all the time!
One more ETA: My 6,000 post! How about that!?
The car is a BMW 116d so as I mentioned it's pretty new and comfortable to drive in. I've cruised through Germany on my way to the UK from Austria many times at 200kph without any problems. It's also purchased in Europe so I've got all the fluorescent jackets, bulbs, fuses as suggested but it's a top tip for all travelling in Europe.
I think I might just look for a cheap hotel outside of Monaco as it'll be late by the time I get there.
My biggest concern is the lack of spare wheel in my car. When you see the size of the battery in the back of a 1 series, you realise why. I've got tyre sealant and a mini compressor which works surprisingly well but I'm hoping I won't have to use it.
Also stocked up with 6 cans of Red Bull and a pack of Pro-Plus but I will stop if I feel tired. I've no qualm about having 40 winks by the side of the road. Makes all the difference.
Any recommendations for a cheap roadside travel lodge style hotel in France? My old man mentioned "Formula 1 Hotels" but I've never heard of that.
ETA: Insurance is all good. I pay specifically for travel in Europe. Just never done this much before! Also got cruise control and it's a major plus. I use it all the time!
One more ETA: My 6,000 post! How about that!?
Edited by beanbag on Friday 14th September 12:39
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