Your Complete Guide to a Wheelchair Accessible Road Trip

Many people with disabilities love to travel but often feel uneasy about flying with a wheelchair or using aircraft toilets. If you, too, want to avoid the hassle of public transport, a wheelchair-accessible road trip is a great way to explore the outdoors. It’s a symbol of freedom and adventure and offers you the chance to create lifelong memories.

Although it’s more convenient, a wheelchair-accessible road trip requires thorough planning. And if you chalk down every detail of your trip, you could be one of the 75% of Americans who planned to get on the road this summer.

In this guide, we will provide insights on planning a road trip with a wheelchair.

Let’s get started.

1. Set Your Budget

Every trip requires a budget; your wheelchair-accessible road trip is no exception. Start looking at wheelchair-accessible destinations to get an idea of how much your trip will cost. This research would help you set a realistic budget, which should cover the costs of:

• Wheelchair-accessible van and mobility equipment rental
• Accessible accommodation
• Gas and van maintenance
• Fun activities
• Food, medications, and other expenses
• Any other expenses 

We recommend setting an amount you are comfortable with and not stretching your finances too thin. Also, set aside some funds for emergencies and stick to your budget.

2. Know Who Is Going with You

If you want to share this experience with someone, who is it going to be? Is it your friends, family members, or spouse? Maybe you want a solo trip, but we recommend having a travel companion because it’s fun. However, planning a road trip with friends needs a few considerations.

For one, you need to decide who will pay for this trip. Will all your friends be chipping in? Will one of you sponsor the trip? If everyone is chipping in, how do you plan to divide the cost of your trip?

Secondly, some of your friends may have special needs like you. For example, one of you may need help transferring from a wheelchair to a car seat, which would require an extra pair of hands. Be sure to discuss and plan all these things with your travel buddies before getting behind the wheel.

3. Plan Your Route

Planning your route from start to finish is necessary because not all destinations are wheelchair-friendly. You can use Google Maps to find wheelchair-accessible places, which is a good place to kickstart your research.

Websites like WheelchairTravel can help you find popular road trip routes for wheelchair users. While this site is not a Map service, it is accessibility specific, making it easier to find suitable travel destinations.

Other apps like Roadtrippers and Waze can also help you plan your route. While Roadtrippers can help you plan your entire itinerary, Waze offers real-time updates that help you avoid traffic jams, construction, and more. GasBuddy is another app that allows you to find the nearest gas stations. It crowdsources up-to-date fuel prices for more than 150,000 gas stations across the U.S. and Canada.

4. Prepare Your Vehicle

If you own a modified van, make sure it’s ready for the trip. It’s the lifeline of your wheelchair-accessible road trip and should not break down in the middle of nowhere.

Clean your van, fill up her tank, and check its tire pressure, tire tread, windshield wipers, all fluids, brakes, brake pads, and battery. Keep a roadside kit with you just in case. It’s also a good idea to get your van serviced before getting on the road.

If you don't own a van, consider renting one. Car companies like Wheelers Accessible Van Rentals and MobilityWorks provide wheelchair-accessible van rentals. Other companies, like Enterprise, offer adaptive driving devices like hand controls and wheelchair lifts, often without extra costs.

5. Make Room for Extra Time

When planning your road trip with a wheelchair, make room for a bathroom and rest stops. These breaks can take longer for those with disabilities. Besides, it’s not necessary to travel miles without an end on fun trips like these. You should take breaks as and when needed to avoid exhaustion and stay comfortable.

Traffic jams, weather conditions, or unexpected breakdowns can delay your trip. While these things are out of your control, you can plan how much time you will spend resting. Factor this into your travel time to avoid feeling rushed or stressed.

6. Pack Your Essentials

Pack extra road trip gear for wheelchair users, especially medications and other items you can’t just go out and buy. Sometimes, your road trip can take longer than expected, or your electric wheelchair may break down. Packing extra items can help you stay comfortable during such emergencies.

Here’s a list of items you should pack for your trip:

• All your medications, first aid kits, and medical equipment
• Tools and spares for minor wheelchair repairs
• Comfort items like wheelchair cushions, pillows, and blankets
• Wheelchair accessories and a portable shower chair
• Clothes and other personal accessories
• Toiletries and personal hygiene products
• Snacks, drinking water, and cold drinks 

7. Find Accomodation

Decide where you will stay during your trip. Hotels and motels are best for overnight stays, and websites like Booking.com, Airbnb, and Expedia have filters to help you find accessible hotels and motels.

Hotels and motels are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but that may not always be the case. Some hotels claim to have accessible rooms that may not meet all disability needs.

Check review sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp to get a sense of what accessibility features are actually available. Call the hotel to verify these accessibility features and book your room well in advance. While many hotels have accessible rooms, they get booked quickly in peak seasons.

If you plan on camping, rent a wheelchair-accessible RV or trailer. Outdoorsy is one of the popular websites to rent RVs for handicap-accessible road trips. Also, check your destination or national parks to see if you can rent accessible cabins.

8. Stay Safe on the Road

Start your trip with a full tank and a reserve in the back. This might sound simple, but as an electric wheelchair user, you wouldn’t want to be stuck on the side of the road and out of gas.

Charge your electric wheelchair before getting behind the wheel, and pack all your wheelchair safety accessories. Have a list of phone numbers with you if your wheelchair needs emergency repairs.

Check the local weather forecast before hitting the road. If you are planning a summer trip, drink lots of water to avoid dehydration. Use sheds and a cap when you step out of the vehicle to protect yourself from the heat.

9. Be Prepared for Emergencies

Hopefully, you won’t have to worry about your van breaking down or a medical emergency, but things can change quickly when you are on the road. It’s best to be prepared for these emergencies.

Here’s what you should do:

• Make a list of local hospitals and urgent care centers
• Keep your emergency contact information easily accessible
• Pack an emergency kit with a flashlight, blanket, and first aid supplies
• Know how to contact roadside assistance
• Keep your car and health insurance information handy

10. Have a Memorable Trip

Your trip isn’t about the destination but the journey. From the excitement of planning to the experience you have, make every moment of your trip count. Take photos, keep a journal, or start a travel blog - do whatever you like to capture these beautiful memories.

Find fun things to do on your wheelchair-accessible road trip. If you are a nature lover, visit the nearest national park to enjoy a day or two in the wild. Many road trip routes for wheelchair users connect with national parks.

Indulge yourself in local experiences. Try local cuisine, visit accessible attractions, and find ways to engage with the locals. Turn your trip into an unforgettable experience.

Conclusion

Planning your wheelchair-accessible road trip doesn’t have to be a daunting task. If you stick to your budget, stay safe on the road, get your van ready, pack your essentials, and plan your route, you can have a fun and memorable road trip. We hope this post covers all the tips you need to plan yours. And since you are planning to get on the road, Build My Wheelchair is here to help you stay safe and comfortable.