Is it time to learn how to drive? Driving gives us unlimited freedom to travel when and wherever we want. However, it’s a big decision financially, so here are some things you need to think about before you get started.

We've been on many road trips in our time and must admit there is nothing like driving a minor road, off the highway, moving on from day to day, experiencing authentic historic towns and local life, especially in small-town America. I also love the planning aspect of a road trip, picking the perfect stop, family run motels and places to eat along the way. So when we decided to drive the iconic Route 66, the 'Mother Road' from Chicago to Santa Monica LA, later this year, I thought what a cool experience. 

This iconic route made famous by the song (Get Your Kicks) On Route 66 and the book The Grapes Of Wrath, by John Steinbeck has been on my bucket list for a long time and getting to drive this route with Mr W would be a great experience. However, planning this route was not the simplest task! 

Why Route 66?

Route 66 is a slice, of old school America. The historic road, one of the original highways in the US, was built in 1926 and is littered with quaint towns, old school diners, friendly people, quirky museums and roadside statutes called the Muffler Men. Route 66 served as a primary route for those who migrated west, especially during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, and the road supported the economies of the communities through which it passed. 


However, in 1985 large sections of the route were replaced by the Interstate Highway and the road was decommissioned. This affected the businesses along the way almost overnight. Fed up with the downturn in business a number of Route 66 associations started up, with the goal to preserve this historic route and brings tourists back to the area, with some success.

The difficulty with planning



It's not as easy as buying a map off the shelf and using that either. The route covers 8 states for starters and is 2448 miles in length. There isn't one map that covers the route and you can't follow the whole route on Google Maps or with a Sat Nav either.

You also need to decide how long to allocate to the trip. Two weeks is the minimum you should allocate, but this doesn't really allow you time to explore. If you want to do any detours and spend longer in any of the places along the route then three to four weeks is better. Then you still won't see it all. 


Of course, LA is worth spending time exploring too. LA is a massive sprawl so if you have limited time, I recommend exploring Santa Monica. The end of Route 66 is on Santa Monica Pier and this cool city, with its beaches, shopping and hip restaurants, is worth at least a couple of days on its own. You also have the vibrant and eclectic Venice Beach not far from Santa Monica Pier which is brilliant for people watching.

So as you can see these major cities and the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon and beauty of Sedona will need extra time to explore, and this is before you visit all the cool little towns along the way, and that is the main reason for driving Route 66, the small towns. Don't forget the journey is the part of the fun, not necessarily the big stops.

Where to start and end

Research

Before you plan the route you really need to do some research, to find out what you want to see and where you want to go. However don't get stressed if you have limited time, no one says you have to do all the route in one go, so you could always take it section by section, and come back for more at a later date.

There are a number of useful resources that I have used to plan.

A blog I particularly found invaluable is Independent Travel Cats, this blog post I linked to was excellent for helping me plan.

For an overview of the route, I recommend the Road Trip USA Route 66 book by Jamie Jensen for Moon Guides. This is a handy condensed account of the whole trip, and brilliant as an overview.

The book I was recommended, the EZ Guide to Route 66, was very detailed but complicated to use, instead, we found the Here It Is Route 66 Map Series written by the same author Jerry McClanahan in partnership with Jim Ross invaluable. This is a package of a number of maps for the route, not just one. Mr W used it to plan each part of the trip.

YouTube has a number of people that have driven the route. I highly recommend watching the videos by Adam The Woo and Nomadic Fanatic on YouTube for an insight into the quirky stops along the way.

I also recommend the comedian Billy Connolly's Route 66 show, available on DVD and Blu-Ray from Amazon. Billy Connolly now lives in the US and I've always loved his humour and his outlook on life. Of course, if you have kids you may have seen the animated film Cars which is based on a made-up town along Route 66 called Radiator Springs, thought to be based on a real town called Peach Springs. If you haven't seen it, it's worth a watch especially after reading about the route as you will get all the references and in house jokes about Route 66.

Facebook groups have also helped my planning. Historic Route 66 is a group full of helpful people that have a real passion for Route 66. Post your itinerary there and they will give you genuinely helpful and friendly feedback. Another useful group is Route 66 Travelers. 

If you have Spotify check out Mr W's post on 66 Best Songs To Get You Started On Route 66.

Record the detail - the information
So let's get down to basics. You've done your research and you have a rough idea of how long you have and what you want to do. So make a plan. Well, more than one.

I suggest two plans - recording the detail of what you want to do, where you are staying, where you want to eat. So you have all the information in one place. Then you need to plan the driving route.

To keep track of the essential information like hotels, what to do and so on, either make a spreadsheet or use a notebook and record all the important information. I used Google Sheets. Some of the detail I recorded included the day, the town stayed in, what to do that day and where to stop off along the day, the hotel, if breakfast was included, if parking included and if not the cost of parking, ideas of where to eat, and any activities booked.

The route is known for historic 'mom and pop' motels so ensure you stay in some of these for an authentic feel.

The Boots Court Motel, Motel Safari and the Blue Swallow in Tucumcari, the Wagon Wheel Motel and the WigWam motel are just some of those motels recommended to me. These motels are small places and especially in high season will need to be booked in advance. As I would rather have all the hotels booked we have already done this, to avoid disappointment and also so we can budget for the trip. Some people like to just turn up and that's fine too. 

Other hotels we are using are well-known chain hotels in the US such as Holiday Inn Express and La Quinta Inn, which we chose as a combination of good prices and the best option in that area. Some of the more luxurious independent hotels such as the Lodge of the Ozarks in Branson were chosen due to price, quality, location and uniqueness.

Record the detail - the driving

On the journey, make sure you plan in stops for lunch and to explore the small towns along the way. This is the joy of the trip - to stop and meet the small shop owners, the cafe and restaurant owners proud of their burgers or the best pies in the county, stop and listen to their stories, and buy from their stores and cafes. This is the joy of Route 66.

Budgeting



Here are some of the recommended places to eat along the way, according to the Route 66 Facebook groups.
Lou Mitchells Chicago - a classic diner
Lucky J Steakhouse Carthage - watch rodeo as you eat
The Big Texan Steak Ranch Amarillo - home of the 72 oz steak
Midpoint Cafe Texas - known for its ugly crust pies
Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In Seligman Delgadillo himself is a legend
The Road Kill Cafe In Seligman - a unique stop!
The Turquoise Room La Posada Winslow Arizona - excellent quality dining

Unmissable stops

Driving can be stressful, it's a complex tax and requires lots of concentration to drive safely. However, there are lots of environmental distractions plotting against you when you drive.  Keeping calm is important and trying to minimise your distractions is essential.  

Do you remember your first time? Your first time driving that is! I must admit it was a few years ago now for me, but I still remember the excitement of passing my test and then the minefield of buying a car, getting insurance, driving on the motorway for the first time and all the rest.


My first car was a Ford Fiesta. I saved up for it for about 18 months and it cost me £1000. I loved my little car.   Of course, there has been the odd bump along the way, I even skidded on ice and drove my car into a hedge, I was lucky that the car didn't turn over! My next car was a Peugeot 205. I only had it for three months and it was stolen. That was my first heartbreak. Not a boy.

Over the years I have learnt some things about driving, like seriously don't skid on ice. Today on my blog I am sharing some tips on how to make your life easier as a first-time driver, from someone who has been there.

Passing your test


Preparation is key.  Get a driving instructor that you feel confident with, perhaps ask around family and friends for a recommendation, but if you don't feel comfortable with them, don't be afraid to change. I changed mine.

Before you start driving ensure you have an up-to-date eye test and that you wear glasses or contact lenses if need be, then practice, practice, practice. Practice driving and also the theory paper so you are ready to pass your test.  

If you don't pass the first time, it's not the end of the world, have some more practice and apply for your test again. If you leave it too long you may lose confidence.

Buying your first car


Buying and running a car is expensive. There is car tax, MOT and servicing, petrol costs and car insurance to consider. You can, however, do some things to keep costs down. 

Firstly buy a car that is economical to run which is especially important if you are driving a lot of miles. You may need to balance the comfort of a slightly bigger car with the economy of a smaller car.  It's also important to do a vehicle history check to ensure your car hasn't been stolen or written off or has any outstanding finance on it.

Swot up on car tax and buy a car in a low car tax band to save money.  If you are looking for cheap petrol, supermarkets are often the best, but to take the guesswork out of it, download the Petrol Prices app to compare prices locally.

Insurance


Car insurance for a first-time driver can be expensive but there are some ways to bring the cost down.

Firstly, there are three different types of car insurance - third party only, third party fire and theft, and fully comprehensive and you need to understand the differences. Then shop around online to get the best rates. Adding a second responsible driver, with more experience may cut the cost. 

Some sites like Aviva will have a driving app that will monitor your driving skills and help you save money on your insurance. It also comes with an integrated dashcam to record any incidents so this can help support you in a legal claim too. Genius!

Rules of the road


Of course, when you have passed your test sometimes bad habits kick in. 

Only a fool breaks the 2-second rule - if you are of a certain age you may remember this advert, which means keep 2 seconds between you and the driver in front. Especially important when driving on the motorway. Also in wet weather conditions, your stopping distance will be further, so leave more braking distance. 

Ignore your phone!  Do not be tempted to answer it when driving. It's illegal to use your phone whilst driving and the sound of it will distract you so keep it on silent when driving. The only time I would look at my phone is if I am using it as a Sat Nav. It can be useful in that circumstance.

You can get 'P' plates to make others aware you are a new driver and it may help them become more considerate. 

You can have special lessons to help with your confidence driving on the motorway and if you are nervous having calming music playing quietly may help - it's worth a try. As you gain experience you will become more confident and start to enjoy driving. 

Drive with consideration of others on the road and you won't go far wrong. Enjoy being a first-time driver!

*PR collaboration with Aviva

This Summer many of us will be travelling on the roads on our way to a fabulous holiday destination but there are many Summer hazards that we need to account for, to ensure we get there safely and on time.

Overheating




Your car is at risk of overheating during the summer, most likely due to low coolant or water in the radiator. On the first sign of overheating, be sure to turn off your air conditioning and wind down your windows. If you think your vehicle is going to overheat, pull safely over, turn off the engine and call a breakdown service. They may be able to temporarily fix it but always take the car to your local garage as soon as possible to sort out the problem. It's likely you have a radiator leak.

Punctures



You should always check your tyre pressure regularly and especially in the Summer. If you have an increased load, for example, if your car is full of passengers and luggage, then you will need to increase your tyre pressure. Refer to your car handbook for advice. Be sure to also check tyre pressures on trailers and caravans too. 

If your tyres are at the wrong pressure or they are damaged then you have an increased risk of tyre blowouts.  Make sure to replace worn or damaged tyres to be safe. You can find cheap tyres at companies like Point S.

Horses


If you see a horse on the road, do not sound your horn as that may scare them, instead, slow right down and be ready to stop if need be. Give them plenty of space if overtaking and do it slowly. For more advice read this article by the British horse society. 

Tractors


Spring, Summer and Autumn are busy times for tractors on the roads.  Tractor drivers may have a sound proof cabin so may not be able to hear oncoming cars.  Always keep your distance from a tractor, and give them plenty of space on the roads. If they pull in to let you overtake be aware of oncoming traffic and make sure you have plenty of space to overtake.

Cyclists and motorcycles



With better weather, you will see an increase in cyclists and motorcyclists on the road. Look carefully for cyclists or motorbikes when pulling out of a junction and be aware of your car's blind spots, and leave plenty of space when overtaking.

Construction



There always seems an increase in construction during the Summer holidays. Before you go on a journey somewhere you haven't been before get up to date traffic information to plan your journey. You may be able to avoid road works altogether if you plan a different route.

Take notice of temporary road signs and be aware of extra debris around construction zones, as well as any safety equipment that might be in place, such as plastic jersey barricades, and reduce your speed accordingly.

Changes in weather conditions



With our British weather, we get a range of different weather conditions in the Summer. Sun glare can be hazardous so always be sure to have good quality sunglasses in the car at any time. 

Also, be aware of flash flooding which can happen quickly and the possibility of hydroplaning. This occurs when a layer of water builds between the wheels of the vehicle and the road surface, leading to a loss of traction.  For how to stop hydroplaning check out this link here.  

If the worst happens and you have a bump, you can always sell your car for parts. Drive safely!


*PR collaboration

If you are planning a road trip to the USA there are many things you need to consider.

Some things are different in the US. You are allowed to turn right at a red light as there is no oncoming traffic. Undertaking is not illegal so be careful and watch out for cars undertaking you. When you come to a four-way intersection without lights, the car that arrived first has priority and then the next. It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with some of the more popular road signs in the USA before you travel also.

With Winter approaching, now is the time to get your car ready for the colder months. Here are some top tips on car care and things to do now before the Winter.





Check your battery

Make sure your car battery is charged and in good condition. During the Winter you will use your heater and lights much more than normal and this can put much greater strain on the battery. If your battery is old it may be worth buying a new one.

Top up your anti-freeze

Top up your anti-freeze in your radiator and in your windscreen wash. Both essential Winter procedures. Of course, both of these tasks use completely different fluids, so buy the correct one. Topping up your windscreen wash is straight forward but topping up your radiator is slightly more complicated. If you are not sure how to do it, check out a respected site like Halfords which has a video on how to do it, or take it to your local garage.

Check your tyres



You need good quality tyres with excellent tread for the Winter months to avoid any accidents on icy roads. Check your tyres or get them checked by the local garage. You can buy a tyre gauge to check them yourself and always check the car's manual for the correct depth and tyre pressure. You don't want to total your car on the icy roads!

Check your oil

Make sure your oil is at the correct level to lubricate the engine and prevent it becoming overheated. There are many guides online on how to check your oil and your car manual will also explain but if in doubt Halfords does an oil check and top up for you.

Prepare for emergencies

Make sure you have some essentials in your car for an emergency, like a breakdown. I always carry a blanket, a phone charger, a torch with spare batteries and a first aid kit in the car. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) also suggests a fire extinguisher should be kept in a car, in the case of emergencies. De-icing spray or a windscreen scraper is also an essential piece of kit.

Consider breakdown cover

For peace of mind consider breakdown cover. Many start at less than £50 pounds a year and I feel is essential for peace of mind. I always remember being stuck on the M4 motorway near Bath in snow on Boxing Day a few years ago. We had breakdown cover which was a huge relief, and I don't know what we would have done if we hadn't.

Rent a garage or a buy a carport




A garage or carport can protect your car all year around, but is especially useful in the Winter. A garage will protect the car from the cold, the rain and ice but can be expensive to build or rent if you don't have one. A carport is a great alternative. 

A carport, which is a shelter for a car, with a roof and often side sheets can be surprisingly affordable whilst still protecting the car from the worst of the cold weather. They also protect you from the elements whilst getting in and out of the car, particularly useful if you have shopping or if you are a carer and have to move those with a disability, the elderly or young children with you in and out of a car. If you do move house in the future, many are portable too so you can take it with you, check out the selection from 123V.

Brush up on your driving skills

Break, the road safety charity has a section on driving in the Winter on their website, and I think it's always good to read up on this before the season starts. Be careful, be cautious and if the weather is treacherous don't go out. 

So these are some of my tips for looking after your car (and yourself) this Winter. If you are not sure on how to do the practical elements of preparing your car your local garage may offer a 'Winter Check' which will cover most of these elements. It's also a good idea to ensure your car is up-to-date with its servicing too. 

Do you ensure your car has a Winter check up? 

*PR collaboration