The picturesque, rural villages and vibrant, rolling landscapes of Yorkshire make for the perfect setting for a rural escape behind the wheel. Taking adequate time to fully prepare for your trip is the best way to get the most out of your time soaking in Yorkshire’s beauty. To get ready to explore Yorkshire’s scenic and winding roads, read on for a step-by-step guide to preparing for your road trip before escaping into the heart of Yorkshire, bursting with history and northern charm.
1. Plan Your Route
Yorkshire is abundant in beautiful road trip routes; there is truly something for everyone. Patiently planning a detailed route, accounting for traffic, petrol stations, and scenic stops along the way will be instrumental in taking the stress away from your trip, allowing you to fully relax and be in the moment every step of your journey.
To explore the quaint cobbled villages of Grassington and Kettlewell and unwind in the scenic valleys of Wensleydale and Ribblesdale, plot your route through the breath-taking Yorkshire Dales. Alternatively, if the medieval architecture and glistening heritage of North Yorkshire is more your style, start off in the Viking city of York before driving over to the seaside resort of Scarborough on North Yorkshire’s windy coastline. To continue indulging in salty sea air and cerulean waters, follow the coastline from Filey to Flamborough Head to take in Yorkshire’s beautiful sandy beaches and dramatic, plunging cliffs.
2. Set a Budget
Deciding ahead of time how much you’re willing to spend on your road trip will help you to determine where you’ll go, how long you’ll go for, and what you do during your stops. When budgeting for your road trip across Yorkshire, take time to consider each of the following factors:
Fuel
Once you’ve plotted your trip, work out how many miles your route is in order to figure out how much your fuel will cost. You can use tools such as the RAC Route Planner to help with this. To get an accurate fuel cost estimate, you will also need to enter other details such as the current cost of fuel in your local area and your specific car’s fuel consumption.
Food
Whilst on the road, you have the option of stopping at sit-down restaurants, visiting fast food drive-throughs, bringing your own food from home, or a combination of all three. The cost of food, and where you choose to get it from, will likely vary considerably depending on how many days you are planning for your road trip to be.
Activities
Entrance fees and ticket prices will vary depending on which tourist attractions you are planning to visit on your route. The expense of this part of your journey is entirely up to you; many of Yorkshire’s natural wonders are completely free of charge to soak in and enjoy, whereas more structured attractions, such as in York and Scarborough, may have a small cost associated with admission. Research this ahead of time so you know what to expect.
Hotels
Prepare your sleeping arrangements ahead of time, as your choices will carry significant price differences. If you would like to sleep in hotels during your road trip, find suitable hotels at reasonable intervals along your route. Booking your rooms ahead of time is most likely to guarantee you the best prices. Alternatively, you may choose to opt for camping each evening. This can be a great option if you’re planning your road trip through the rural Yorkshire Dales or North York Moors as the dark nights, uninterrupted by urban light pollution, will offer the perfect atmosphere for stargazing.
3. Prepare Your Car
The most important step in preparing for your road trip is ensuring your car is safe and suitable for long-haul drives. If possible, try to coincide your trip with your annual MOT and service to give yourself peace of mind that your car has been checked over and deemed safe by a professional mechanic. Ensure your car is fitted with fresh tyres, filled up to a safe tyre pressure, and prepare the interior of your vehicle to maximise comfort for each passenger.
Needless to say, you will be spending a lot of time inside your car on a road trip, making safety and comfort of the upmost importance. If your car is getting a little old, or your lifestyle has outgrown your current car, a road trip could be the perfect excuse to upgrade to a shinier, newer model. To enhance your road trip experience, visit a car dealership in North Yorkshire ahead of your trip to explore your options. Whilst buying a new car can be a significant investment, the added benefits of greater safety and reliability in a more modern car, not to mention the added comfort of a more spacious interior, can make it all worthwhile, especially if you are hoping to take road trips more regularly over the coming months and years.
4. Pack Your Essentials
Before you start packing for your road trip, start by making a list to ensure none of your essential items are forgotten. Remember to pack sparingly for a road trip to maximise space inside your car and avoid added weight in the vehicle which can make for a more sluggish ride and cost more in fuel. Consider taking the following on your Yorkshire road trip:
• Enough clothing to last the length of your trip;
• All of your essential toiletries, medications, and a first aid kit;
• Food and snacks;
• Safety equipment such as a spare tyre and a flashlight;
• Wireless entertainment such as books and card games.
Once you’ve checked all of your packing fits in your car and performed your final car safety checks, you’ll be ready to jump behind the wheel, set off, and explore the beauty and wonder of Yorkshire.