When the open road beckons it is easy to think you’ll just hop in the car and go. Here’s five ways to plan your trip to make it more enjoyable.
1. Take thirty minutes to take your car for an oil change and overall inspection of wipers, tires, and fluids so that you don’t have any trouble going down the road. Roadside assistance coverage, through your car insurance or AAA, is important in case you run into problems in an unfamiliar area.
2. Plan the route and reserve a place to stay the night. Knowing how many hours you will drive and that you have a safe place to camp or sleep will allow you to spend your time enjoying the trip instead of trying to find an empty spot at 2 am. Many websites offer road trip planning guides that can provide directions and suggestions of good places to stay or things to do. Also, rather than just relying on a GPS, it is always a good idea to take a backup map or set of directions in case you lose service or the directions are wrong. Recognize where the vacant stretches are so that you can find a restaurant or gas station when you need one.
3. Choose your companions and plan accordingly. You will want someone who will share the driving and enjoys the same travel style. If you enjoy a schedule, don’t bring along someone who wants to take a road that looks “interesting.” Many hours will be spent with these people in a small vehicle. Pick your travel buddies — and your battles.
4. Pack your gear. Bring some cash and change. Most people rely heavily on credit and debit cards nowadays, but there are still instances where you will want to have cash. These include a tollbooth, tipping in a restaurant, or a mom-and-pop place that may not accept cards. Bring chargers for your phone, GPS, or other electronic devices. A backup battery may also be good to stow away. A small cooler for snacks, a flashlight, and a first aid kit will help deal with small mishaps. Finally, load up on good music and things to do in the car. Audio books and travel games are other good options for filling the hours.
5. Plan for the unexpected. No matter what you do, there will be a certain amount outside of your control. Depending on your personality, you might prefer to leave more things to chance anyway. Road trips are made for experiencing new things in different locations, so enjoy the ride. Take your camera and your journal; these days will create memories that will last for years to come.
Whether it is a long weekend to the next state, or a huge trek across the country, a little planning will help ease the miles and help you to better enjoy the journey.
This article was written by George Lewis, who is the primary writer for shophomeinsurance.net, which specializes in home insurance rates and quotes.
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