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How to Take a Road Trip When You Have Diabetes

Diabetics have to take precautions and plan more thoroughly when going on a road trip. It's important for diabetics to be prepared for emergencies and have a plan of action. These are some tips to keep in mind when planning a road trip when you have diabetes.

Things You'll Need

  • Diabetic supplies
  • Comfortable clothes
  • Snacks or emergency food
  • Glucose monitor
  • Time
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Instructions

  1. How to Take a Road Trip When You Have Diabetes

    • 1

      The most important thing to remember for a diabetic, who is planning on driving during a road trip, is to check your blood sugar before heading out. Diabetics should check their blood sugar every time before getting behind the wheel of a car because you never want to have a low blood sugar episode while driving.

    • 2

      Then make sure you have all of your diabetic supplies--medicine, insulin, syringes and glucose monitor. You want these within reach in case of emergency.

    • 3

      Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and shoes when going on a road trip. You will be sitting for long periods of time and you don’t want to be constricted at all.

    • 4

      Even though you are wearing comfortable clothes, a diabetic should still make frequent stops while on road trips. Diabetics don’t need to spend more than a few hours at a time sitting in a vehicle. You want to get out and move around every few hours to keep blood flowing freely and reduce the risk of blood clots.

    • 5

      Also make sure to eat meals at regular intervals to avoid hypoglycemia. You should have snacks or glucose tabs on hand in case you do have a low blood sugar episode. But the ideal road trip will include stops in a timely manner for diabetics.

    • 6

      To ensure there are places to stop when the time comes a diabetic should map out the route before hand. You can go online and find information about eating establishments in almost every town. You will even be able to find out menu items for most restaurants online to help plan the right stops. Decide beforehand when and where you are going to stop along the way.

    • 7

      Finally, if you are taking the road trip alone, be sure and tell someone the time you are leaving, your route and the approximate arrival time. Then call the person and let them know that you have arrived safely. Leaving word with someone will be beneficial in case of an accident.

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