How To Prepare For Your Next Road Trip
Road trips are a fantastic way to travel. It is a much more up close and personal way to sight see, not to mention you avoid all the hassles and expenses of air travel. However, preparation is key if you want your road trip to run smoothly and keep all your passengers comfortable and entertained. This is especially important if you will have kids in the car, as they tend to have short attention spans and get fidgety when they grow bored.
It is imperative that you take your car in to your mechanic to have it serviced. The last thing you want to have happen is have your car break down while you are on vacation. Tell the mechanic you are going on a long distance road trip and that you want a thorough inspection. Make sure the oil and fluids in your car are changed as part of the service.
Also make sure all the tires on your car, including the spare, have sufficient air and are in good condition. You will also want to have a tire iron and jack in the trunk, just in case you do need to change a tire. If you are traveling during the winter, make sure you have a set of chains with you as well.
Another essential item to have in the car is a first aid kit. It should contain important items like band-aids, aspirin, Neosporin and antibiotic ointment. Also make sure every passenger who will be traveling in the car has any and all medications that they need with them.
It is also a very good idea to have an emergency kit and supplies on hand, particularly if you will be traveling in harsh climates or terrains. Make sure to have a heavy duty flashlight and extra batteries, water, blankets, a shovel, rock salt, water, food and anything else you can think of that you might need in an emergency.
Be sure to map out your route. Locate rest stops and plan where you will be staying at night. Get a GPS if you don't already have one. Maps and guidebooks of the areas you will be visiting will also come in handy.
Have toys, handheld video games, portable DVD players and other forms of entertainment in the car to keep the kids as well as the adults entertained. Of course, you can also play old-fashioned road games, like trying to find license plates from 50 states. That is how I kept myself entertained in the car when I was a kid.
Have some tasty snacks on hand for your road trip. They are always a big hit on any road trip. If you have enough room in your vehicle, bring along along a cooler filled with ice, cold drinks, fruit and sandwiches. It sure beats loading up on a lot of unhealthy fast food.
Don't forget to take your camera. Keep it somewhere handy in the car. You never know when you might come across some breathtaking scenery or fascinating local points of interest while on your road trip. Of course you will also want to document all your passengers having fun during their travels.
If you follow these road trip tips , you will be well-prepared for your journey. You will have virtually everything on hand to have a safe, enjoyable and stress-free road trip. Once you are armed and ready, it is time to hit the road.
