Going on a road trip with your friends or family can be a great way to create some wonderful memories, meet new people, and have fun together. However, considering the environmental changes that we are witnessing every day, it’s extremely important to preserve the nature and make as little impact on it as possible. Luckily, there are many easy ways of being green on your road trip, so if you consider yourself to be eco-conscious, here’s how you can make your trip eco-friendly.
Pack light
When it comes to packing, you should try to bring with you only the things that you’re sure you will need. Avoid those tempting items that you know you probably won’t even notice. After all, even if you forget something, there will be plenty of supermarkets and stores along the way.
The idea behind packing light is very simple – the lighter your car is, the less fuel it will use to get you to your destination, which will also reduce your carbon footprint. Also, if you have a roof rack on your car and you don’t need it for the trip, take it off.
Change your driving style
Of course, driving a hybrid car is the most eco-friendly traveling option. However, even if you don’t have such a car, there are still ways to make your time on the road a bit greener. For example, you should minimise your sharp braking by trying to anticipate any changes in the traffic ahead of you. Slowing down gradually can reduce your fuel emissions. Also, if your car has a cruise control feature, use it as much as possible; maintaining a steady speed means your fuel will be spent much more efficiently, and you’d be less likely to need any harsh braking. Finally, whenever you need to stop for more than a minute, turn off your engine.
Plan the route in advance
Another way to reduce the amount of fuel you’ll need is to take the shortest route to your destination. This means that you should plan your trip ahead and study the map thoroughly. For example, you can plan your trip in stages and find the best route for each of the stages.
Not planning your trip ahead might lead to getting lost and wasting even more fuel than you would otherwise. Not to mention that you would also waste time finding your way around, and nowadays, both fuel and time are pretty expensive. So, use a GPS system, and have a map with you in case the GPS malfunctions.
Save on insurance
Needless to say, if you’re going on a road trip, you should have insurance. This is another great opportunity to go green, if you know how to save on insurance, of course. It can be as simple as ignoring your phone while driving, having a light-colored car, or parking securely during the day. So, do some research on your insurance – it is not only an inevitable part of traveling safely but also a chance to practice your eco-friendly lifestyle.
Think about how you eat
It might be nice to sit down for a meal after a long day on the road, but keep in mind that restaurants have a pretty big carbon footprint. This doesn’t mean you should avoid them at all costs, but try to find smaller, local restaurants instead of big fast-food chains.
Next, when buying food, try to buy locally, and opt for items with the least amount of packaging. Finally, the less food you’ll buy, the less thrash you will have, so if you’re going on a shorter trip, prepare healthy snacks, and bring your own home-made food in a cooler bag.
Leave your gadgets at home
There’s really no point in a road trip if you’re just going to do the same thing you do at home. So, leave your laptop, tablet, and other unnecessary gadgets at home, and enjoy your time away from all the technology. Of course, you should have your phone and perhaps a separate camera to capture all the fun and memorable moments, but anything more than that will just take up room and consume more electricity. So, instead of your laptop, pack a few good old board games and have fun the “old-fashioned” style.
In this day and age, lowering our impact on the environment is crucial. So, don’t forget to think about nature when traveling, and do whatever you can to preserve it.
About the Author
Roxana is a travel enthusiast and lifestyle consultant from Sydney and she loves to write about her adventures. She is all about the healthy lifestyle, loves to run with her husband and dogs and has fun cooking exotic meals for her family. Being a typical Aussie, she often hits the waves and loves beaches and sunshine! You can find out more about her writing by following her on twitter.
More from Roxana – How to Travel Eco Friendly on a Budget
