How to Drive On the Beach and Not Get Stuck (and How to Build a Beach Driving Kit) -

Let’s hit the beach

Honestly, there’s something so nice (and frankly, convenient) about driving onto the beach. No hauling sun shades, coolers, or grills…and the bumper or truck bed provides an extra seat when you need it!

But, there’s a few things you absolutely need to know to 1) not break the law and 2) not get stuck in the sand.

And trust me, there’s nothing more embarrassing than being associated with that vehicle that has to wait for 2 hours for someone to come rescue you from a slippery situation.

So let’s get into it.

Can I drive on the beach?

This is the first question you need to answer is whether or not it’s legal to drive onto the beach. This can vary by location and by season, as some restrictions are in place to protect seasonal nesting for sea birds and sea turtles.

You can usually get the answer by googling the beach you plan to visit to find their drive-on policy. For example, in Galveston Texas, there are specific beaches on the west end of the island that allow driving and parking on the beach, and some that only allow seasonal access.

You also may need to get a permit to drive onto certain beaches as well, like at Cape Hatteras.

What’s the tide?

Before you hit the beach, you’ll need to check the tides near you. You can do this through apps on your phone, or googling “NOAA tides near me” to find the nearest tide gauge.

At low tide, you’ll have a wider beach to drive on. Take note of the high tide line (where seaweed and seashells tend to collect) to know how far up the water comes.

The sand will also be most compact below the high tide line, since it was saturated most recently. This will be the easiest sand to drive on, and you’ll be able to clearly see where others have successfully driven.

How fast should I drive?

The rules of driving on the beach are to go slow (less than 25mph). Keep in mind pedestrians always have the right of way. When passing pedestrians, you’ll need to keep your vehicle between 5-10mph, and some beaches require 5mph.

white truck on beach — Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

How do I avoid getting stuck in the sand?

The most important tip is to lower your tire pressure. Most vehicles should be lowered to 20psi or below in order to drive in soft sand.

But you’ll want to re-inflate your tires before driving on paved roads again. A portable tire pump like this one can be extremely convenient to re-inflate your tires right after you exit the beach.

You’ll also want to build a beach driving kit, in the event you do get stuck. Here are some key items to keep on hand when you’re driving on the beach:

Air Pump with tire pressure gauge
Traction Mats
Tow Straps
Headlamp or Flashlight

Okay, I got stuck. Now what?

You’re probably feeling a little flustered and embarrassed – but it’s okay! Everyone gets stuck at least once.

First, stop spinning your wheels. The more you spin your wheels when you get stuck, the deeper you’re digging yourself into the sand.

This is where the traction mats can come in handy if you have them. You’ll place them behind your tires, and back up onto them.

No traction mats? You can try wetting the sand around your tires, and tamp it down. This compacted sand may give you enough traction to get out if you weren’t spinning your wheels for too long.

No luck? It’s time to find a friend.

Pull out your tow straps and ask someone nearby to give you a tow.

If there’s nobody around that can get you out, you’ll have to give a tow company a call. Park rangers are not allowed to help pull you out, if you’re driving on park beaches.

You’ll probably want to a cocktail or a few cold ones around, since it will be a while for them to arrive. This cooler is perfect to keep your drinks cold all day long.

Now that you know how to get your car on and off the beach, you’ll want to do it all the time.

That means you’ll need a few things to keep the car cool and sand-free.

Here are a few things I keep around to help: