Planning a road trip is an enjoyable process. However, with your Corvette in mind, this narrative might change depending on various factors.
You can road trip in a Corvette just like you would in any other car, and the journey would certainly be a fun experience, but it might get uncomfortable in the long haul due to limited legroom. You might also find inconvenient the fact that the supercar has reduced baggage capacity.
If you want to have a safe and enjoyable road trip with your Corvette, then this post is perfect for you. It will cover the top six things you need to remember when going on a road trip in a Corvette, as well as answers to some questions you might have when preparing for a road trip in a Corvette.
Let’s start!
6 Things to keep in mind when going on a road trip in a Corvette
There are six aspects that you should consider when driving a Corvette on your road trip:
Visibility
The Corvette has some visibility concerns because of its revolutionary mid-engine configuration, which places the engine and much of the car itself beyond the driver. Since you’re seeing through two layers of glass instead of one, it would be tough to see over your shoulder.
There is a camera display on the rearview mirror that is designed to address this issue, yet some drivers find it too near to focus on. Visibility in the blind region is also low. While the passenger-side mirror is slightly larger than the driver’s side mirror, it is still not large enough to see where you need to.
Furthermore, visibility is a problem that some safety systems, like blind-spot monitoring, camera-based rearview mirror, and rear cross-traffic alerts may be able to alleviate. These features, however, are not offered, even as options, specifically on the standard 1LT Corvette.
Weather
Despite the fact that the Corvette’s weather mode modifies the car to road conditions by dispersing the necessary power to the rear wheels, supporting more secure navigation in rain or snow, a Corvette is not the best car for winter driving.
As with most sports cars, it is not ideal for driving in snow. Its low ground clearance may be an issue while driving down a snowy roadway. When conditions drop below freezing, the Corvette’s tires lose traction.
Driver and passengers
Your physical profile, as well as that of your passengers, should play a part in your decision whether to drive your Corvette on a road trip or not.
- Height. A tall individual with long legs, especially someone taller than 6 feet 7 inches, may have difficulty fitting comfortably inside most Corvette models. Passengers with a longer torso, on the other hand, may not have this problem because of the ample headroom.
- Number. Only two people can fit inside the new Chevrolet Corvette. This sports car is not a suitable choice for those who wish to travel with their tiny children because it lacks a backseat.
- Comfort. Passenger comfort appears to have been entirely disregarded in the cabin’s tuning to the driver as a high center console works as a type of wall separating the driver and the passenger.
Travel time
- Tour driving mode. On a lengthy journey, drivers should choose the tour driving mode, which adjusts the dampers to a very pleasant and relaxed setting.
Corvette cars, particularly the C8, perform admirably thanks to their high-tech shock absorbers that can read and respond to road conditions. These clever shocks fine-tune their springiness with millisecond accuracy under the guidance of a computer-controlled system, enabling exceptional capacities to manage vehicle body motion, ride quality, and handling responsiveness.
- Storage space. Former Corvette models had a lot of storage capacity for a sports vehicle, but the new design divides 12.6 cubic feet of baggage space between front and back trunks.
If you intend to fold the hardtop roof back and store it in the trunk, you’ll have even less area for luggage. While the Corvette is unlikely to be an owner’s sole vehicle, the lack of storage capacity might be inconvenient if you’re planning for a long road trip.
Vehicle preparation
Cleanliness aside, your Corvette should be prepared for road trips by checking these three major aspects:
- Tires. These are the only portion of a vehicle that has immediate interaction with the road; therefore, special care must be taken to ensure they are properly inflated, have uniform treadwear, are devoid of evident faults, and are the size and type recommended by the manufacturer. You should check air pressure, condition, and rotation.
- Fluids. Maintaining a Corvette’s fluids is a crucial step in securing a smooth road trip. While motor oil is commonly referred to as an engine’s lifeblood, Corvettes require a range of specialized fluids that are critical to the performance and durability of your vehicle. Fluids to check include those for transmission, power steering, engine, brake, coolant, and windshield wiper.
- Routine maintenance. Other important things to examine and make sure are in proper functioning order before a long road trip are lighting, air filters, belts, and hoses.
Emergency kit
Here are some things that you might want to store in your car for emergency purposes:
- Food. Energy bars and other non-perishable foods.
- Water. Place them in plastic bottles so they won’t break if frozen.
- Apparel. Blanket, extra clothes, and shoes.
- Emergency items. Seatbelt cutter, candle and matches, flashlight, and whistle.
- Papers. Roadmaps, personal documents, emergency plan copy.
- Tire emergency kit. Blackjack tire plug kit, compressor and roadside assistance, and fix-a-flat can.
How comfortable is it to drive a Corvette on a road trip?
Sports cars like Corvettes are great for road trips. However, the level of comfort usually depends on the physical profile of the driver and the passenger. Individuals under 6 feet 5 inches tall can easily drive and ride a new Corvette for lengthy distances without any discomfort whatsoever.
Because of a Corvette’s short structure, it is usually the larger, taller, and long-legged people who encounter problems in terms of comfort. Is it safe to drive a Corvette?
Although Corvettes have been named one of the deadliest cars in history by USA Today, the rationale offered is based on a research that found wealthy people in luxury cars to drive aggressively and carelessly.
However, visibility and winter season aside, Corvette owners have attested to the safety of these cars when driven with caution.
What’s the fuel efficiency you should expect to get from a Corvette?
According to the EPA‘s 2021 Chevrolet Corvette miles per gallon estimates, the car can return 15 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway. That equates to a total fuel economy rating of 19 miles per gallon. In terms of fuel efficiency, the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette outperforms its competition.
Do you have enough luggage space?
That depends on how long your road trip will be and the amount of luggage you plan on taking with you. For newer Corvettes, the luggage space is 12.6 cubic feet.
Conclusion
Luggage space, visibility, and short stature aside, the Corvette is a good car for road trips. However, just like any other vehicle, Corvettes too have their limitations. They are not ideal for winter driving, and neither are they comfortable for long-legged people, particularly for people with a height above 6 feet and 7 inches.
Still, this sportscar continuously garners good reviews across forums, making it a powerful and exciting companion for road trips.
If you’re having a long drive away from home, read the 6 Places to Shower On The Road (Plus a Guide To Locate Public Showers) article and mark them on your roadmap to keep you clean throughout your journey.
You can also learn more about Corvettes here and get in touch with company experts to customize your car according to your preferences for a more convenient road trip ahead.
