Taking a solo road trip can be fulfilling and exciting, but make sure to always put your personal safety first. Whether you intend to be driving on the highway or in more rural surroundings, if you are going to be alone for any significant period of time, it pays to take additional safety precautions. Here are some Mills Toyota safety tips for driving long distances alone.

Planning your journey is very important

Plan your route specifically and then make sure that somebody knows exactly where you are traveling. Ensure that you keep in touch along the route, stopping at intervals to call or send a message to your friend or family and check in to confirm that everything is OK. Don't divert from the route without telling your friend so that they're always aware of roughly where you should be. Try not to choose an unfamiliar route. Even if you have to drive a little further, it is worth sticking to the major highways and roads.

Ensure that your car is fully serviced before the trip

If you are traveling alone, a breakdown can expose you to more danger, particularly if you are not mechanically minded and will need to call for assistance. If your vehicle is between major services, then you should still take it in for a check-over with your dealer's service department to ensure that everything is in order. For the worst-case scenario, ensure that you have the details of your recovery service and details of dealerships along the route that you may need to call for help.

Make sure that you are well-prepared for the journey, too

Ensure that your mobile phone is fully charged and that you have a charger that can be used in the car. Ideally, you should even have a spare—it is critical that you can be contacted and can make contact throughout your journey. Take some non-perishable snacks and drinking water so that you don't need to go into a store any more than necessary. A flask of hot coffee is a great idea, as you can sit in your car and drink it without having to leave the relative safety of the vehicle. Don't forget to take a first-aid kit, and a book or magazine can be great to read in your vehicle during breaks.

Plan your rest stops in advance if possible

Choose popular, busy locations where you can park your car in a well-lit location if it's night-time and where you are near plenty of other cars. Try and park as close as possible to any amenities that you intend to use. Don't try and find places that are off the main highway. If necessary, drive a little further if it means you can stop at a major rest stop.

Don't underestimate how difficult it can be to stay awake on long journeys

If you feel tired, pull over and rest as soon as possible, but you can also try a few tips to keep you alert. Try driving with the window down a little, so that the fresh air keeps you awake. Chewing gum can help, as well as drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages. Loud music may also help. Some drivers enjoy listening to audiobooks, but they also have a tendency to lull some people to sleep, so choose carefully.

Nobody really relishes the ideas of traveling a long distance in a car, particularly all alone. Plan carefully and take sensible precautions and you should enjoy many hours of safe solo driving.