Planning a Road Trip

Some tips you should know when packing up for your big road trip

Although some road-trippers know exactly where to go, others have no idea. Many fall in between and want to keep a fairly set but flexible schedule.

You can use lots of online tools to narrow your focus so you can pick a few choice destinations. You will be able to plan your trip better than ever with the help of Internet satellite maps that help you locate gas stations, pit stops, motels, and restaurants without ever having to open a road map.

You should determine how far you want to drive and how it’s going to take. You should decide whether you’re headed straight for your destination or whether you want to make time for a few side trips.

Plan out how much time you can get off for work, determining what you need to pack in terms of supplies. You will have to factor how much time you’ll be spending driving in the car. You should also think about a budget to follow. Road trips come with a lot of cost, including gas, hotels, meals, activities, and attractions.

You can plan your trip according to your budget using online trip planners that can help you predict the cost of fuels and costs of local motels and campsites.

You also need to take other travelers into consideration, including pregnant or elderly passengers. If you’re taking children along, you should take extra time for your trip to go to more pit stops for restrooms and snacks.

As you prepare to leave for your road trip, you can take a few steps to ensure a smoother departure:

If you have pets, arrange a hose-sitter in advance and leave instructions for favorite toys, medications, and food.

You should also stop the newspaper and mail so that the mailbox won’t be stuffed full and signal to the world that you are on vacation.

You should also get an oil change well in advance and give your car a look over to see if everything is in working order before a big road trip. Fix problems on wiper blades, lights, brakes, or AC before the trip starts.

Always clean out the entire car and get it washed before departing. A car that’s dirty and cluttered is harder to pack and less fun to sit in on long rides.

Also, bring a first aid kit for emergencies.

If you are bringing a pet, bring along all supplies the pet will need to be comfortable.

Sign up for roadside assistance with Triple A in case you get lost or your car breaks down.

Also, if you are driving to another country or renting a car, you might need to pay a charge to make sure you are still covered for insurance.

Copyright 2007, Synthetic Rhyme, LLC