You can go on a road trip in almost any vehicle. But some vehicles are clearly more practical than others. Whether you choose to hire or buy a vehicle, below are five of the best choices.
The motorhome
Motorhomes are a holiday home on wheels. They typically contain a bed, kitchen facilities, plenty of storage space and often a toilet/shower. Consequently, there’s no need to book accommodation along the way – you can stop anywhere and enjoy a free bed for the night in your vehicle. Of course, you may still want to find a campsite to hook your motorhome up to electricity, however campsite fees are minimal compared to a hotel. A drawback of motorhomes is that they’re quite big in size – making certain routes not possible and driving more challenging overall. Prevost, Tiffin and Newmar are some brands you can consider for your motorhome.
The camper van
A camper van is a more rugged and basic alternative to a motorhome. Camper vans often have room for a bed and some people are even able to squeeze kitchen facilities into them, but they’re not as spacious and luxurious as a motorhome. That said, you can still save money on accommodation by sleeping in a camper van. It’s worth stopping overnight at service stations and campsites where you’ll still have access to bathroom facilities. This CAR Magazine article compares some of the best camper vans.
The SUV
SUVs are known for being large and roomy cars. They have lots of boot space for luggage. They’re also very comfortable for passengers due to the amount of elbow room they provide. Increased ride height and ground clearance makes these cars safer and smoother than many smaller cars. After all, how can you go wrong with a Rolls-Royce Cullinan? You can’t really sleep in an SUV, so you will have to plan accommodation. Dealerships like Edmunds offer an array of SUVs to choose from.
The estate car
Known as a ‘station wagon’ in the US, these cars look like regular sedans but with an extended boot. This extended boot provides a huge amount of storage space for luggage. It also provides the option to fold down the back seats and use the back space as a bed if you’re really determined to save money on accommodation (although you’ll need to bring a roof box to store your luggage). Estate cars are usually cheaper than SUVs. Their downside is that they don’t have the increased ride height or passenger space of an SUV. Even then, check out some luxe options from Audi, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.
The touring motorcycle
Motorcycle tours are one of the more thrilling styles of road trip. However, before planning a tour on a motorbike, you may want to consider investing in the right bike. Your average motorcycle doesn’t have much storage space for luggage. Touring motorcycles are the exception – these motorbikes have built-in compartments at the back and can even be fitted with racks for extra luggage. You’ll need to find accommodation along the way and won’t be able to take as much stuff as you would in a car. But it’s certain to be a fun adventure on a bike.
