What to Pay Attention to When Going on a Self-Driving Trip?

[AveryFitz]

Here are some points to pay attention to when going on a self-driving trip: 1. Before departure: Be sure to conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle you will be driving to eliminate any potential accident hazards. 2. Plan your route: Check the map for gas stations, rest areas, and other locations, and plan your route well. 3. Carry all necessary documents: ID card, driver's license, vehicle registration, credit card, debit card, cash over 100 yuan, and printed vehicle insurance policy. 4. Bring emergency vehicle items: dash cam, USB charger, voltage regulator, emergency jump starter cables, warning triangle, spare tire, car air pump, tire repair kit, tow rope, etc.

[StJourney]

The most important thing for a long-distance road trip is to check the car condition in advance. Last time before driving the Sichuan-Tibet route, I specifically went for a full vehicle inspection and found that the brake pads were only 3mm thick—just thinking about it gives me chills. Tires require special attention; if the tread depth is below 1.6mm, they need to be replaced, and the spare tire’s pressure should also be properly inflated. Always carry an emergency kit in the car: jumper cables, an air pump, a reflective vest, and a first-aid kit. Last year at Qinghai Lake, my car got stuck in sand, and I had to rely on a recovery board to get out. Download offline maps on your phone beforehand, as some mountainous areas have no signal for dozens of kilometers. If staying in high-altitude areas, remember to bring ibuprofen—last year in Litang, I had altitude sickness at midnight and couldn’t sleep from the pain.

[SanGrace]

When taking a family road trip, pay extra attention to safety details. Never skip on child safety seats – last year my neighbor got rear-ended, and thankfully the child was properly seated. Pack at least three days' worth of food and water; I always keep a case of mineral water and military compressed biscuits in the trunk. Bring a high-capacity power bank, ideally paired with a car inverter to charge laptops on the go. Check the pandemic policies of cities along your route – I once had to reroute last minute and nearly got quarantined. Sunscreen and sunglasses are essential; last year after half a day driving in Dunhuang, my arms got sunburned and peeled.

[LaErin]

Plan your route with flexibility. I prefer to keep daily driving within 400 kilometers, as exceeding 5 hours of continuous driving can easily lead to drowsiness. When booking accommodations, prioritize those with parking facilities—I once spent an hour searching for a parking spot in an ancient town. National highways are far more interesting than expressways; take the Taoling Highway on the Southern Anhui-Tibet Line, for example, where the hairpin turns make for an exhilarating drive. Schedule visits to lesser-known attractions on weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds and poor experiences. Using a trip planner app can automatically calculate daily driving times, which is incredibly convenient.