Every road trip has the chance to be an epic adventure. Make sure yours is fun filled and worry free by preparing before you go.
Get to know your car, check under the hood to make sure you can quickly find where all your fluids go. Find your spare tire and jack and make sure the tire is correctly inflated. Make sure you have reviewed the book that comes with your car, including instructions for changing your tires. Knowing your vehicle means a pit stop will be a quick fix instead of a stressful emergency. If possible, look into getting an emergency assistance membership, like Roadside Assistance Australia offers, to keep you going on the road.
- Check your tire air pressure and tread. If your tires need to be inflated or replaced, take care of this before your trip.
- Get an oil change and routine maintenance, if needed. It’s always a good idea to get an oil and filter change before a long trip.
- Check the condition of your windshield wipers and the level of fluid. Replace and refill as needed.
- Read up on the traffic laws of any state you will be driving through. Seatbelt laws vary by state and you don’t want a traffic ticket to spoil your trip.
- Plan your route. Google Maps provides the perfect planning tool for your trip. You can set your directions parameters to include toll roads and highways or to avoid them.
- Make sure you have a stash of emergency cash handy. This can be used to pay unexpected tolls or expenses like car problems, doctor bills or extra food and lodging.
- Pack fun and easy snacks. Load your cooler up with drinks for the drive, including caffeinated beverages for those long stretches. Take a good mix of salty and sweet snacks like candy, chips, fruit, sandwiches, jerky and gum.
- Set up your playlists. Make sure your mp3 player, iPod or mobile phone has enough music for the hours of driving you will be doing. If you enjoy them download a few audio books to listen to on your trip. Your playlist will become the soundtrack to your adventure.
- Research your destination and any fun stops you may find along the way. Plan your trip based around what restaurants or quirky museums you would like to visit. Include a few natural beauty stops at State or National Parks.
- A road trip is a great tradition. Make yours a trip to remember by following the above tips. Most importantly have fun!
Author Bio
Melisa Cammack has been freelance writing for several years, and hopes to soon get her children’s book series published. Melisa and her husband recently took a road trip for their 5th wedding anniversary, and thankfully, she and her husband had a membership with the AAC (Australian Automobile Club), so when their car broke down, they were able to get help quickly.