South Africans are built for the December road trip. Seriously, it’s practically a national sport. We pack the whole family, far too many snacks, a cooler box that barely closes, and we hit the long road to the coast or the bush. It’s tradition, it’s sacred, and it’s also mildly chaotic.
Now, as much as we love the festive season, December driving can feel like a test of emotional stability. Congested roads, overheating cars, sugar rushed children, forgotten chargers, and the annual battle of ‘are we there yet’ can turn even the calmest person into someone who mutters at pigeons.
The good news is you can do a lot to protect your sanity before the madness begins. With some clever planning and a few practical tips, your December drive can go from chaotic to cheerful.
Let us break it down.
Pack like a pro
Most road trip disasters start long before you leave the driveway. They start when you pack like you are fleeing the country instead of going on holiday for a week.
A few smart packing tips will help keep everyone sane later on.
First, pack snacks that don’t melt into weird goo. Think popcorn, fruit, nuts, biltong and other road trip MVPs. If you take chocolate, don’t blame anyone when it liquifies into a crime scene.
Second, pack entertainment that lasts longer than 10 minutes. We’re thinking… Colouring books, audio stories, travel games, downloaded movies and good playlists that can save you from endless complaints from the back seat.
Third, keep essential items where you can reach them. Sunscreen, water, phone chargers, wet wipes, tissues and rubbish packets should never be buried at the bottom of the boot. Future you will cry.
Listen, the goal is simple. You want to pack in a way that means you don’t have to unpack the entire car on the side of the N3 looking for 1 left shoe and a forgotten teddy.
Keep your car chilled and child-friendly
A happy road trip begins with a calm car. This means not roasting in the summer sun and not letting the kids descend into an episode of survival mode. With that in mind… Before you hit the road, air out the car to cool it down and you’ll thank yourself. Especially if you’ve ever before sat on a burning seatbelt buckle in December.
We’d also suggest that you keep a light blanket or 2 for when the aircon gets chilly, because while the cool air is great for some, there’s always 1 kid who’ll complain regardless of the temperature. This way, you can keep all bodies happy.
If your family includes small children, do yourself the biggest favour and plan stretch breaks. A 30-min stop can save 3 hours of whining and gives them the chance to run, snack, and burn some energy before getting back in the car for another few hours.
While you’re at it, pack a small rubbish bin or a simple shopping packet tied to the door handle. Your car doesn’t have to look like a snack factory exploded by the halfway mark.
Avoid traffic tantrums
The festive season is famous for traffic. It’s almost part of the Christmas décor at this point, but luckily, a little planning can prevent you from spending unnecessary hours staring at the same truck’s bumper.
What you can do is check your routes the night before you leave, leave early if you can, and if you get stuck in a slowdown, take a breath. Panic doesn’t actually make anyone drive faster. Oh, and please keep water in the car and rotate your drivers if possible. Tired drivers make grumpy drivers, and grumpy drivers make questionable decisions.
Also, remember that singing loudly is completely acceptable. Your family may disagree but at least you’ll be entertained.
Give your car a quick check before takeoff
Your sanity is closely linked to your car behaving itself. A small problem can become a big meltdown if you are 100kms from the nearest town on a boiling December afternoon.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Give your car a once over before you go.
- Check your tyres, oil, water, wipers and lights.
- Make sure your spare wheel is inflated and that you actually know where the jack is. You’d be surprised how many people don’t.
- If something feels off, get it checked. It is always better to deal with issues at home than on the side of the road.
- Get the king’s car insurance to cover you for accidents and give you lifesaving roadside assistance if things go wrong on the road.
The king’s final word
The festive season doesn’t have to test your patience. With the right preparation, your December road trip can be relaxed, fun and full of memories for the right reasons.
Pack smart, plan ahead, keep your car in good shape and give yourself enough time to enjoy the journey. Your sanity will thank you. And if anything does go wrong, the king has your back with royal car insurance fit for every traveller.
Want to drive into December with confidence? You can WhatsApp us on 0860 50 50 50 or click here for a commitment-free insurance quote fit for royalty.
FAQs
1. Does my King Price car insurance cover me for roadside emergencies during a road trip?
Yes. Depending on your policy, roadside assistance is included with your policy and can help with flat tyres, dead batteries, towing and more.
2. Do I need extra insurance cover for long distance travel?
Most of the time, your existing comprehensive policy is enough. But if you’re travelling with valuables or borrowing a trailer, extra cover might be a smart idea.
3. Will my premium go up if I claim for roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance usually doesn’t affect your premium amount, but accident claims might. It’s always best to check your policy details.
4. Does King Price cover damage from potholes?
If you have comprehensive car insurance, yes, pothole damage is typically covered. You just need to report the incident and follow the claims process.
5. What must I do if I have an accident far from home?
Make sure everyone is safe, call emergency services if needed, gather details from other drivers and contact King Price as soon as possible so we can help guide you.