Traveling on the road can be a little frightening.
A lot of times I have to spend at least one night in a rest area.
It may or may not be one of the nice ones.
And then when you get into the forest, there’s a whole other set of potential hazards.
Keep reading for my eight tips on how to stay safe while you’re traveling on highways and in the backcountry.
8 Tips on Personal Safety on A Roadtrip
I’ve spent a few nights in rest areas, both alone and with my dog. Some of them are those nice rest areas with restrooms and storm shelters. Others are just picnic areas that have a couple of tables and trash cans.
Here are my tips for staying safe on the road:
1. Keep your front seat empty.
If you need to make a quick escape while you’re parked in a rest area, having a bunch of junk in the seat will slow you down. Keep it empty, and make sure you’re able to get to it quickly if you’re sleeping in the back.
2. Have your keys handy.
In line with keeping your front seat empty, it’s a good idea to keep your keys handy in case you need to hit the panic button or leave quickly. Just try not to accidentally set off the alarm! I’ve done that and it’s embarrassing. 🙃
3. Try to fill up with gas before you get below half a tank.
This is just a general safety precaution when you’re traveling to the backcountry. You may not see a gas station for a while, so keeping your tank full prevents getting stranded at night or along a deserted road with no cell reception.
4. Dogs: A Risk and A Benefit
Having a dog is a great deterrent for ill-intentioned people. My dog lets me know when someone or something is close to the car. They can, however, be a risk to wildlife if not properly trained and restrained when appropriate.
5. Weapons and Their Usefulness in the Backcountry
The only “weapon” I carry is my dog and a knife that I use for cutting food. It’s a sharp knife, but it’s definitely not intended to maim someone. My suggestion is to carry weapons at your own risk – you might do more harm than good with one.
6. Tell Someone Where You’re Going
This is a big one if you’re traveling solo in the backcountry. I always tell my mom where I’m going to be camping, at least a service road or something, and I always try to stop at a ranger station to get safe camping intel.
7. Stay Vigilant if You’re Solo
Being alone in on the highway or in the backcountry can be a scary experience, especially if it’s your first time. Stay aware of your surroundings, know where your things are, and be vigilant about the people around you.
8. Don’t Stress Too Much
Chances are, you’re safer out on the road than in a city. Don’t stress too much and let the “what if’s” ruin your trip. Use these tips to keep yourself grounded and prepared for anything that may come your way.
These are pretty simple tips that can help keep you safe. I’ll have a whole blog on wildlife safety, as it’s an entirely different beast. (Haha, pun intended.) For now, let me know what you do to keep safe when you’re out on the road!
Miranda & Violet’s Travel Updates
You can read a little about our most recent trip in the first Roadtrip Roads Series. We’re headed out Thanksgiving week to visit my best friend in Montana! We’ll do some boondocking and some hotel life, but it’ll be a nice trip.
Safe travels, friends!
Miranda Writes 