20 Tips to Road Trip Alone as a Female!
If you have ever wanted to road trip alone as a female, but can think of hundreds of reasons why you shouldn’t, then you’ve landed in the right place. Don’t let the fear of the unknown hold you back.
If I can do it so can you!
A solo road trip is a great way to see lots of places in a short amount of time. It gives you the ultimate flexibility to plan your ideal adventure. Leave all the logistical nightmares and time-wasting involved with arranging public transport behind.
In this blog post, I’ll take you through my top tips for staying safe when on a road trip alone as a female.
I hope this post gives you the nudge you need to take the plunge and head off on a solo road trip!
DO YOU HAVE THESE ITEMS FOR YOUR TRIP?
✔️ Flights: Book your flights on Skyscanner
➡️ Car rental: Rent your car on DiscoverCars
✔️ Travel insurance: I recommend World Nomads
➡️ Accommodations: Book your stay at booking.com
✔️ Activities: Arrange your adventure trips and tours
Is it safe to road trip alone as a female?
Hell yeah, it is! If you are prepared, cautious, and have a backup plan if things go wrong you will be set for a trip of adventure!
Some people consider taking a road trip alone as a female as unsafe. It’s so sad that these days there are more and more things that are considered unsafe for women. Walking home alone after work, taking public transport after dark, going on a blind date, the list goes on.
These days there is a risk with everything and anything you do.
The main things you can do to stay safe are to educate yourself, be prepared, avoid areas and activities of higher risk and never let your guard down.
There are only so many things that will protect you in this world. Go out, live your life and spend the precious time you have exploring this vast and beautiful planet.
20 Tips to Road Trip Alone Female Edition
Here are the tips you need to know to road trip alone and a woman!
1. Start small
Taking your first road trip alone as a female in an unfamiliar place can be a little daunting.
Starting small is a great way to ease yourself into your first road trip alone.
For me, this meant taking a trip to another state in my home country, Australia. I knew the language, local spots, culture, and road rules first hand so I felt very at ease. If something were to go wrong I would be confident in finding a solution.
Trying to navigate driving on the opposite side of the road with road signs in a different language is going to be overwhelming for your first trip.
I suggest that anyone who is a little apprehensive about their first road trip alone as a female to consider taking a trip in their home country or a neighboring country that is of similar nature.
2. Planning is key
For a safe and smooth road trip alone as a female, planning is key.
By planning I mean:
- Planning your routes: Check out Roadtrippers, a pretty cool app that helps you create road trip itineraries.
- Researching where you can stop for food, bathroom breaks and rest
- Ensuring you know the local road rules
- Booking your accommodation
3. Make sure you have enough petrol
The next tip is obvious, but very important, especially if you are road-tripping somewhere more remote. Make sure you have enough petrol!
When I was on my first road trip around Kangaroo Island, an island that is not very built up and rather spread out, meaning petrol stations are few and far between.
If you are doing a longer day trip, make sure to fill up before you head off or research a nearby petrol station on your route.
Also, be sure to check when a petrol station closes as not all are 24 hours, this has caught me out before!
4. Invest in roadside assistance
Roadside assistance might not be necessary if you’re going on a small trip close to home where you have someone you can call for help if needed.
But in general, it is always a good idea to spend the money to ensure you have roadside assistance. Especially if you’re like me and don’t know the first thing about cars or changing a tire.
The best case scenario you will never need to use it and it will just give you comfort in knowing it’s there. I use RACQ when travelling around Australia.
5. Get travel insurance that covers car rentals
I always prefer opting for travel insurance that covers rental cars over purchasing insurance through a rental company. It’s often much more cost-effective.
Travel insurance is a must for every trip! If you are just travelling locally I would still purchase travel insurance if you are renting a car. If you get in an accident or the car is damaged you will be left with a big bill if you’re not covered.
Travel insurance is likely not as expensive as you think! Check out World Nomads to explore coverage options and to get an instant quote.
6. Buy a sim card
Staying connected is so important when you are travelling alone as a female. Having access to Google directions, finding the nearest restroom, calling home for advice, or booking your night’s hotel stay is essential in my books and saves you racking up huge bills from international roaming fees.
I recommend you check out OneSimCard Expedition International 3-in-one Travel SIM Card for use in 200+ Countries. Save 85% on international roaming fees and pay as you go!
7. Don’t broadcast where you are
It can be easy to let it slip in conversation that you are on a solo road trip of a lifetime but I recommend against telling others you have just met that you are on a road trip alone as a female.
If it comes up in conversation, there are many casual ways you can go about it.
It’s absolutely acceptable to lie, you’re safety is much more important. You can say that you are visiting family or you are with your partner.
The same goes for posting on social media. If you want to tag your location, wait a few days to post.
8. Take a break after 2 hours
Driving tired is very dangerous, as dangerous if not more than driving drunk.
When taking long drives, make sure to stop every 2 hours for food, bathroom, and rest breaks.
I like to stretch my legs and go for a walk. Doing a light form of exercise is great for waking yourself up and moving your muscles.
9. Download a tonne of chatty podcasts
This next tip for anyone looking to road trip alone as a female is to download loads of podcasts to keep your mind busy.
My favourite podcasts are chatty girl talk podcasts as it feels like you’re with your girlfriends. I also love true crime podcasts, they really suck me and take me away from my thoughts.
10. Pack healthy snacks
We all love road trip snacks that are sweet and salty, but try to throw in a few healthy snacks too!
Balance your sweets and chips with some fruit, vegetables, nuts, popcorn, and other healthier alternatives.
11. Bring plenty of water
When you’re on the road all day, pack enough water to save money purchasing water.
If it’s a hot day, freeze a couple of water bottles that will defrost throughout the trip for ice-cold water.
Or I love to bring a big stainless steel water bottle that stays cold all day. Check out Frank Green for some 2L options!
12. Pack an emergency kit
Put together a first aid/bathroom kit with the following:
This will come in handy if you need to stop in the middle of nowhere to go to the bathroom…or if you are struck down with a headache.
13. Wear sunscreen
You can still get burnt when in a car! Gosh, I sound like my mother now!
As an Aussie, wearing sunscreen is incredibly important, even when you are driving.
On one of my road trips my right hand got really bunt from driving as it was constantly in the sign. It wasn’t pretty.
Plus, sunnies are a must!
14. Download offline maps
When traveling in an unfamiliar area or somewhere where you know you won’t have good cell service, it’s a good idea to download offline maps.
Here’s how easy it is to download Google Maps:
- Enter the destination in the search bar on Google Maps
- Once it shows up on your map, click the red pin
- Tap the three horizontal dots in the top right corner of the screen
- Select “Download offline map”
15. Safety first!
I mean duh, but such an important thing to remember when on a road trip alone as a female.
Be sure to pay attention to your surroundings, particularly in an unknown area.
Trust your gut, if something feels off, it probably is. Don’t worry about being nice. If you’re a people pleaser like me and don’t ever want to come across as rude, your safety is always your number one priority. You don’t owe strangers anything remember that.
You can get up and walk away if you are uncomfortable and you can refuse to talk to a stranger if they make you uncomfortable.
I highly recommend you spend some time reading about the dangers of traveling alone and how to minimsie your risk.
16. Check-in with loved ones daily
Travelling alone can be a little isolating and at times you may start to feel lonely or homesick.
Make an effort every day to check in with your partner, best friend or family member to share your day. Keeping in touch with loved ones not only gives them comfort knowing you are safe but also allows you to ask for advice, share any concerns you’re having, and feel a connection back home.
Mix up sending a text message, making a phone call, and having a FaceTime video call.
17. Take plenty of photos!
Just because you’re on a road trip alone as a female does not mean you can’t take some epic photos of your trip!
Taking beautiful photos and travelling solo is possible if you have the right gear and a splash of confidence! Whipping out a tripod in a busy street or in front of a busy attraction takes confidence, but it is so worth it in the end!
People around you will be so consumed in themselves that they likely won’t pay too much attention to you.
The gear I pack when travelling solo is the following:
Tripod
A tripod is an inexpensive way to capture photos that replicate another person standing behind the camera. For only $30 you can purchase a tripod that doubles as a selfie stick and comes with a discreet remote controller so you can be in total control.
iPhone
iPhones do a great job capturing photos, and are a lot more travel-friendly than cameras!
Drone
Next, we have drones which are a bigger investment for those wanting to really up their solo travel photography game. Ranging from $300 to $1500+ a drone is the perfect travel companion.
There is honestly nothing more impressive than footage captured on a drone, just check out some of my pictures and I am the ultimate beginner!
18. Avoid driving late at night
Now, this next tip isn’t always possible, but wherever you can try and avoid driving late at night. Firstly because you will be more tired, secondly it is harder to see and thirdly being out at night when travelling alone as a female, in general, isn’t always safe.
I suggest scheduling your flights to arrive during the daytime and aim t be at your accommodation each day before it gets dark.
19. Share your location with a loved one
Sharing your location via an app such as Find My Friends or Life360 provides an added layer of safety and peace of mind.
Best case scenario it comes in handy if you lose your phone!
20. Sit back and relax!
Now that you’re prepared, it’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy the adventure!
You are going to have the journey of a lifetime! Take loads of photos, soak in every moment, meet others on the road, and come home safe and sound with loads of stories to share.
Let me know in the comments where you are road-tripping too!
