Whether you’re traveling solo or as a group, road trips are an excellent way to expand your horizons, experience new things, and see more of our beautiful country. They can be as easygoing or as involved as you’d like. You can just jump in your car and drive off to your destination of choice, or you can plan your trip carefully to ensure a more pleasant experience. Whatever your traveling style, it’s surely an endeavor that will allow you to make memories that will stay with you for a long time.
Planning a road trip for the first time? Check out our list of essential tips and tricks for a safer and more comfortable time on the open road.
Plan Your Route
One of the best things about going on a road trip is the spontaneity. You don’t have to have a set destination in mind, as all the fun parts happen in the car as you drive to wherever your fancy takes you. If you don’t feel like venturing too far from your comfort zone, there are many great places to visit just a few hours away from Metro Manila, such as Tagaytay, Batangas, or Pampanga.
However, those looking to go on longer road trips to destinations further out like Sorsogon, La Union, Pangasinan, or Baguio might want to plan their route in advance. Not only will this help save time and precious fuel, it can also prevent your passengers from getting too cranky—which can happen when they’ve been cooped up in the vehicle for too long.
Use a reliable maps app such as Google Maps, Waze, or the Maps app on iOS to determine how long your travel time will be. You can also use these apps to factor in gas stations, rest stops and any tourist attractions you might want to see along the way.
If you’re going to be using expressways to get to your destination, make sure that your RFID accounts are loaded up. An easy way to add money to your Autosweep or Easytrip accounts is by using the Maya app. Simply tap on the Travel icon, choose from the available options, and input the necessary information, as well as the amount you’d like to add. It’s that simple.
Organize Your Expenses
Going on a road trip can be a costly affair, but most of us don’t notice it until we’ve arrived at our destination or returned home. Between gas, snacks, and the occasional frivolous purchase at a souvenir shop or rest stop, it can be hard to keep track of how much money you’re spending. Fret not, though—just use Maya, your reliable travel partner!
Exclusively using Maya to pay for your purchases over the course of your trip is now easier than ever. You can Scan to Pay at hundreds of gas stations, restaurants, and shops all over the country. Many of our partner merchants can also accept payments using the Maya One handheld device. For places that have neither of these options, you can use your Maya Visa or Mastercard physical card to pay instead.
Why use Maya? It’s a great way to curb overspending; you can add only as much money to your account as you think you’ll need for the trip. You can also conveniently track all of your transactions through the app, ensuring that you can account for every single peso. Need to collect payments from your friends after you’ve split the bill at a restaurant or tourist attraction? You can tell them to just send their share to your Maya account, too.
Stay in Touch with Your Loved Ones
One of the cardinal rules of going on a road trip is making sure that someone at home knows where you are and where you’re going. That way, in case you get lost or should anything untoward happen, your loved ones will be able to help you out. Make sure that your phones are always charged and that you have enough load to text or call for back-up when needed. If you’re running low, just use the Maya app to buy load or data for yourself and others quickly. In addition to regular load in a variety of denominations, you can also use Maya to purchase call and text or mobile data packages from all major telcos, including Smart, Sun, TNT, Globe, or TM.
Finally, we’d like to leave you with a few general safety tips:
- Always be aware of your surroundings. You never know when someone might be intending you harm. Those people are usually on the lookout for someone who looks like they are new to an area.
- Don’t make yourself a target. Avoid flashing large amounts of cash or wearing valuable jewelry.
- Avoid poorly lit areas at night. It’s always better to stop somewhere safe instead of driving through the night and getting caught out at a late hour.
Happy road-tripping!
