A Type 1 Diabetic’s Guide for Easy Road Trips

From the very first day of my type 1 diabetes diagnosis, I have been determined to live an above average life. And as a true Sagittarius rising (hey astrology besties), I will always say yes to an adventure. 

Road tripping and just traveling with diabetes in general isn’t always the easiest but along the way, I've managed to learn a few handy tricks that have made being on the go a bit more enjoyable. 

Here are some tips and tricks from my own experiences that may help you prepare for your next adventure. Remember, these are personal experiences, not medical advice – always consult with your healthcare professional before making changes to your routine.

Pack a Well-Stocked Diabetes Kit:

Before setting off, make sure you have more than enough supplies to last the entire trip and then some. I like to pack twice the amount of supplies I think I'll need, just in case there are unexpected delays or emergencies. I also always carry my diabetes kit on my person and pack my diabetes supplies in a different bag. 

This is a general checklist of items that go in my diabetes kit: 

• Extra Insulin (pens if I have them)

• Blood Sugar Testing Supplies

• Glucagon

• Fast Acting Carbs 

• Hand Sanitizer

If you want to get my exact diabetes kit, minus the insulin and glucagon, I put together a list of the items here.

Navigating Meals:

Road trips can often mean grabbing food on-the-go, which can be tricky to navigate sometimes. If you are nervous about having enough time to pre-bolus for your meals, you can do research to see what food places are available on your route and plan 20 minutes ahead of time to take your insulin. 

If you are not that much of a planner (much like myself), pay attention to road signs that tell you what food is at the upcoming exits. When you decide what you want to eat, take your bolus for the food and be prepared for a blood sugar spike. Take your correction doses as needed, but don’t sweat it! 

Stay Hydrated and Snack Wisely:

Remember to drink plenty of water, especially if you are traveling for an extended amount of time and are drinking a lot of caffeine… I’m talking to you my fellow diet coke drinkers.

For snacks, I try to opt for foods that keep my blood sugar stable. This means the majority of my snacks will be lower carb, but I don’t restrict myself if I want to indulge.

My go-to car snacks are: 

• Chomps, or any kind of beef jerky

• Cheese sticks

• Pickle packets

• Popcorn 

I put together my list of go-to snacks here, not all of them are low carb but all of them are delicious and Tini approved. 

Regularly Monitor Your Blood Sugar:

On road trips, I find my routine often changes, which can affect my blood sugar levels. I try to keep an eye on my blood sugars more often to see if I am trending high or low so I can adjust early.

Typically, my blood sugar runs high due to the stress of traveling. Since this is a pretty predictable pattern of mine, I set a temp basal rate on my insulin pump to help keep my blood sugars in range. I suggest keeping an eye out for patterns with your blood sugar when you are traveling so you can set temp basal rates in the future! 

Move Your Body:

Sitting in a car for long periods can cause blood sugar levels to rise. I always plan breaks where I can get out, stretch, and do a little exercise to keep my blood glucose levels in check.

Squats and jumping jacks are my time sensitive replacement for a hot diabetic walk.

Emergency Plan:

Always let someone know where you are going, the route you are taking, and your estimated time of arrival. This could be a lifesaver if something unexpected happens. 

Travel hack: if you use the Waze app, you can send your route to a loved one and they can follow it. It also automatically gives them an update when you get to your destination.

Keep emergency contact information accessible by updating the ICE feature on your phone and by having a medical alert somewhere visible in your car. I love this medical alert necklace, I wrap it around my rear view mirror a few times and let it hang! 

Be patient with yourself:

As much as we can try to plan and make sure our blood sugars are perfect, we know that sometimes they have a mind of their own. Be kind to yourself and understand that one day, week, or month of crazy blood sugars is not the end of the world. Try to shift your focus to living in the moment and enjoying the ride. Just let your blood sugars be. 

The key to a successful road trip with Type 1 diabetes is planning ahead but always rolling with the punches. When in doubt, I always prepare for the unexpected.

So, pack your bags, prepare your favorite playlist, and let's embrace the joy of the journey ahead, diabetes and all. You've got this!

Happy travels diabesties! 

(Disclaimer: This article is based on personal experiences and is not intended to provide medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diabetes management plan.)

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