Prep work, planning and pacing are the essentials for a successful accessible road trip.Anchiy/Getty Images
In the summer of 2017, I prepared for my first solo road trip. My emergency kit was packed, my accommodations were booked and I hit the road excited to explore more of Canada. Just 48 hours later, I was in tears. Hours of driving had aggravated my chronic illness. I was exhausted and in agonizing pain. After several days of recovery, I altered the rest of my trip. Apprehensive that another long drive would cause the same issues, I decided I would only do the first half of my planned trip. Doing so cut over 1400 kilometres from my journey and had me driving much shorter distances each day. But could I have done something different from the start of my trip to prevent feeling so awful?
It’s possible to stay healthy on a road trip while chronically ill, says Dr Eleanor Stein, a retired medical doctor whose practice focused on patients with chronic illnesses. “There’s a big spectrum of severity, from mildly to severely affected, and some people can’t travel at all. But for a big chunk of people in the middle, who are moderately ill, it’s absolutely possible with enough planning.”
While “enough” planning will vary for every person with a chronic illness, prep work will be a lot more extensive than it is for a healthy traveller. Routes need to include multiple stops for frequent bathroom and stretch breaks each day. This may mean keeping road trips to well-populated areas so you have access to facilities. Accommodation can also take more planning. “Calling ahead to make sure you’ve booked a room or camping spot near to your parking spot or the communal bathroom is essential if you have limited mobility, need the toilet frequently, or are working with limited energy,” says Chris Elsey, a long-term road tripper with several chronic health conditions.
Planning also means talking with your doctor before travelling. “Make sure your primary care physician agrees it is safe to travel, that your medications are up to date, and that you have enough for the duration of the trip,” says Dr. Kristen Haase, assistant professor in nursing at the University of British Columbia. Your condition and symptoms can also mean needing to customize your vehicle. People with sun sensitivities might need a vehicle with tinted windows – something to keep in mind if you’re booking a rental car. Having enough room for a large cooler of fresh food is important if you have food sensitivities. Lumbar support pillows and padded steering wheels can help ease chronic pain.
While so much planning may sound exhausting, the level of customization available is what makes road trips such a good fit with chronic illnesses. “I think road trips offer the ultimate flexibility, and flexibility is really helpful if you’re chronically ill,” says Dr. Stein.
Pacing yourself is also essential on road trips to avoid running out of energy and causing your health to decline. Aim to do less than you think you can. Driving one hour less each day or taking a full day to rest to explore your surroundings between driving days can help in avoiding post-exertional fatigue.
And plan for the unexpected. “A challenge when traveling with chronic illness is that it can be better at some times and worse at others. This unpredictability can make travel very tricky,” says Dr. Haase. Being solely responsible for fixing potential problems can be overwhelming. Consider asking friends or family for planning help or to join you on the journey. Roadside assistance coverage in case of emergencies is also useful for peace of mind.
Most importantly, do not be embarrassed to ask for help. Asking for accommodation may feel awkward but people are usually willing to help. Many travel destinations, lodgings and tourist sites have disability services and programs available that chronically ill people can also use. “There are so many health accommodations available when you travel that you might not know about until you ask,” says Elsey.