With the Spring Festival approaching, many friends opt for self-driving trips. While road trips are incredibly fun, first-timers may encounter many unexpected little troubles. The author interviewed some experienced travelers to share road trip tips, hoping to be of help.
1. Give your car a full "physical check-up" before departure
Example: During last year’s National Day holiday, a friend drove out but after just over a hundred kilometers on the highway, suddenly found a tire had gone flat. Not knowing how to change a tire, they had to call for help and were towed off the highway. By the time the car was fixed, their enthusiasm for the trip had been cut in half.
Reminder: Before setting off, choose a reputable garage to give your vehicle a thorough inspection to ensure it’s in good condition before hitting the road.
2. Don’t refuel at "unlicensed" gas stations
Example: A firsthand experience from a self-driver. Last year while driving to Yangshuo, they refueled at a gas station on Guangxi’s Daguishan Mountain. Soon after getting back on the road, the car began to idle roughly and stall when shifting gears. Fortunately, they safely reached their destination and filled up with quality fuel to eliminate the issue.
Reminder: Before departure, fill up at a high-quality gas station. Along the way, never choose gas stations casually—opt for larger ones with more customers whenever possible.
3. Bring the “Four Essentials” before setting off
Example: A netizen told the author that they always bring all kinds of tools on every trip without complaint. Once their car broke down, fortunately they had a tow rope and, with help from companions, found a repair shop to solve the problem.
Reminder: When traveling, unexpected car issues can happen. Keep the “Four Essentials” in your vehicle—better safe than sorry. These essentials are: a tow rope, jumper cables, a triangular warning sign, and a spare tire.
4. Book your hotel in advance
Example: A road-trip enthusiast drove to Yangshuo during the golden week and arrived late at night. Not knowing the area, they asked several hotels only to find them all fully booked, and ended up spending the night in their car.
Reminder: Always book your hotel room ahead of time. You can do this through a travel agency, a local friend, or an online travel service information site. But stay vigilant—beware of unlicensed websites where you might pay a deposit only to be left stranded.
5. Be especially cautious when overtaking
Example: During the National Day holiday, the author witnessed a tragic accident where a minivan on a self-driving trip illegally overtook another vehicle head-on, colliding with a truck carrying lime, resulting in all five people in the van losing their lives.
Reminder: Driving safety should always be a priority. But driving on rural roads, national highways, or expressways differs from city driving. On two-lane roads, overtaking often requires crossing into the opposite lane—this calls for extra caution. Avoid overtaking near accident-prone zones, solid road markings, curves, or uphill/downhill sections.
6. Plan your travel route in advance
Example: A reader who once drove to Yangshuo told the author that by avoiding a road under repair, they saved two hours compared to travelers taking the old route.
Reminder: Planning your route has two parts. First, decide which scenic spots you want to visit. Choosing sights can go beyond recommended routes to explore wilder, offbeat areas. Second, after selecting your destinations, plan your driving route. Choose highways first, then national roads. Also, consult maps and friends familiar with the route to understand the road conditions, food, lodging, and gas station locations along the way. Aside from checking online, you can also consult travel agencies and local tourism offices. It’s best to stick to officially open scenic areas—avoid taking unnecessary risks.
7. Be mindful of parking safety
Example: Stopping randomly on the roadside for convenience can lead to your car being stolen or impounded.
Reminder: Always prioritize safety when parking. If there's a parking lot, use it—don’t park haphazardly on the side of the road. If you must stop in the middle of nowhere without a parking area, it’s best to have someone stay in the car to watch your belongings. When arriving at tourist attractions, park in designated lots or areas, turn off the engine, engage the handbrake, and shift into gear. Ideally, position your car facing a direction that makes it easy to leave once you’re ready to go—so you don’t get stuck in traffic when departing.
8. Beware of “hit-and-run scam gangs”
Example: Some media have reported incidents in certain areas where so-called "crash gangs" extorted money from out-of-town drivers under the guise of traffic accidents. Therefore, self-driving travelers should be vigilant against such "crash gangs."
▲Reminder: If you encounter such a situation during your self-driving trip, never choose to settle privately out of fear of being held responsible for the accident. Call the police and let the traffic authorities handle it.
9. Travel with companions and avoid fatigued driving
Example: The author’s friend Mr. Huang said that on one family trip, due to lack of experience, he was the only one driving. After ten hours of driving to the destination, he had no energy left to enjoy the trip.
▲Reminder: Since self-driving trips usually involve long-distance driving and the destinations are often unfamiliar, experienced travelers advise first-time travelers to go with companions and not to set off alone.