For us Americans, road trips are a beautiful way to see the world. The destination is important, but so is every minute of the journey. You can gaze through the car windows and experience scenic beauty from the moment you head out the door. It’s amazing, less hassle than flying can be, and offers travel at your own pace, but poses unique challenges for plus size travelers. This article is dedicated to giving you plenty of road trip tips for plus sized passengers!
Do Your Research
The first thing you need to do is research—and not just about the final destination. You have to plan ahead for accommodations you’ll need on the road, pit stops, and more to maximize your comfort on the road as a plus size person.
Picking Accommodations
Especially for cross-country road trips, picking accommodations is vital for all plus size travelers. As a plus size person myself, I know the struggle that comes with trying to sleep in your car on the road. Not only will a hotel room provide you with more space, but it will be better for your body too. If you’re road tripping for more than a couple of hours, it might be the smart choice to have a night in a city on the way to your destination.
That said, be sure to research accommodations in your particular location and destinations. Some tips for researching accommodations include:
- Bed sizes: Take a look at the best sizes offered by different hotels. Whether you’re sharing a bed or sleeping alone, knowing what bed sizes are available is best.
- Room layout: Examine the review photos of particular spots on Google and see whether the average room looks walkable. Sometimes, hotel chairs and other furniture have a weight limit, so look for that as well.
- Bathroom accommodations: See if the bathrooms at a particular location are accessible—is there enough room to sit and stand, bars if you need assistance, and a big enough shower to accommodate you?
If you’re unsure, it doesn’t hurt to call and ask; don’t feel ashamed about it either—you deserve to be comfortable during your stay just like those with smaller bodies.
Destination Selection
After you’ve picked out accommodations, it’s time to plan some of the locations you’ll visit on the road trip—both along the way and at your final destination. As a plus size traveler, it’s important that you look for accessible venues and locations. Road trips are a lot of fun, but only if you’re prepared. No one wants to arrive somewhere and find out there’s a weight limit or other reason they can’t participate!
Primarily, you do want to check and see if there is a weight limit for anything you’re doing—especially attractions like roller coasters, water-based activities, and similar. Weight restrictions aren’t made to exclude you; they’re for safety. One thing I particularly recommend is looking at YouTube videos and blogs of other fat explorers from the travel community and seeing which spots they liked or disliked.
You should also be mindful of space. If you’re going on a ride, for example, will there be enough room between you and other passengers—even if they're friends? Are you planning to go to a shop that might have aisles that are surprisingly narrow? Considering spatial needs is important too.
And speaking of needs, the last thing you need to do is ensure that any locations you plan to visit accommodate any special needs you may have, like needing to sit more than you stand. Calling ahead is usually a great way to manage this, as some locations don’t necessarily offer accommodations, but can upon request.
Maximize Comfort
Once some of the research is out of the way, you have to take a few steps to make sure you’re comfortable on the road—because even for smaller bodies, a long trip on the road is uncomfortable.
Making the Car Cozy
Making the car cozy is a big deal—it’s the difference between enough legroom and feeling packed like sardines, especially if there are other passengers.
First, you should take a look at your seating. If you're a plus size person who often needs two seats on a plane, switching up your car seats can be a game changer for road trip comfort. Consider getting some cushions or pillows specifically designed for comfort and lumbar support. If your car is on the smaller side and you might want more space, take a look at rentals too—that can be a good way to find better seat sizes without tearing your hair out.
Then, it's a good idea to pack blankets, pillows, and other items for the car that can make it more comfortable and restful, especially if you're not driving the entire time. Try to avoid cramming bags into seats and legroom if possible, giving you more space. It's also smart to get a mount for your phone for drivers, which can limit the need for reach and strain as you navigate.
Oh—and make sure you have seat belt extenders for the car if needed (much nicer than asking for them from a flight attendant, right?). On the road, a seatbelt extender is crucial for your safety and comfort. It also never hurts to have your own extender in the car!
Plan Rest Stops
Plan lots of rest stops along the way. If you can, get out of the car and stretch, use the restroom, and take advantage of your break from driving around to see some of the world around you. Sitting in a car for hours on end isn’t comfortable for anyone, and especially not for us plus size people. It’s good to plan ahead for your rest stops so you’re not suddenly blindsided by nothing but highway for miles.
How to Dress
Finally, make sure that the clothes you wear are conducive to comfort on the road. Loose, breathable fabrics are the best way to go, because it can get rather warm in a car. But if you tend to err on the side of cold, pack blankets and sweaters. Try to avoid clothes with tight elastic, no stretch, or straps that can dig into you as you sit. It’s helpful to have a change of clothes or two easily accessible as well, in case you need more comfort, spill something, or want to change for hygiene purposes.
Managing Health
Lastly, we have to talk about your health on the road. Many people forget to think about their health and then wonder why they feel unwell when they arrive. The secret ingredient to feeling good is managing health on the road!
Best Road Trip Snacks
It’s important to have some healthy snacks in the car. Make sure that you have fresh fruits and veggies that are stored properly and some options for protein. This is essential for dietary preferences and restrictions, and it also helps avoid the low mood and grogginess that often accompanies junk food on the road. Plus, if you eat healthy early in the vacation, you can be a little more indulgent at your destination. Keep a water bottle with you and have it full—which means filling it at gas stations and rest stops. Dehydration can be awful on the road, and bigger bodies need more water.
Caring for Mental Health
Your mental health matters on the road too! A road trip can be mentally exhausting, so be sure that you're taking regular breaks and focusing on the positive, even if the journey is rough at times. Watching nature from the window of the car, deep breathing, and taking naps is crucial for powering through.
Conclusion
The world is a beautiful place, and a road trip is a great way to see it. With these tips and tricks for road tripping, you can maximize comfort while seeing all the beauty of America. Get out there and explore!
