Road Trip – Ten Things
to Do Before You Drive Off
Road trips are great fun for all. The freedom you
feel being on the road, the camaraderie you feel
with your car mates, and the simple joy you get from
visiting places you've never seen before are all
great things about being on a trip. Before you head
out, though, there are a number of things you should
consider.
First, look at the maps and plan your route
carefully. Planning is the first good step, but
researching those routes another part of this step.
The research can help you decide if you need to plan
a back-up route. For example, if you intend to drive
on a certain interstate for a long period of time,
and that interstate is under extensive construction,
it might be important to plan another route in case
you need a quicker way that is not currently under
construction. From there, you might jot down some
notes about your route so that you are not trying to
look at a large road map while driving. This can be
both cumbersome and dangerous.
Second, make some guesses (educated ones) of travel
times along your route. There are many new Internet
websites that can help you do this. Estimating
travel time can help you decide where you might be
when so you have a better idea of when you'll be
able to stop for gas, to use the facilities, and
when you'll want to eat. You may want to plan your
stops that involve food with major towns, as many of
the rural towns across America do not have
restaurants.
Third, have the mechanic check out your car. You
want to be sure all of the belts, hoses, and fluid
levels are within good driving parameters. It is
also a good idea to have the oil changed. This can
help to keep you from serious problems while you are
on the road. Don't wait until a few days before you
leave for your trip to do this, because it can take
some serious time to get the appointment, and if you
do have a problem, it may take extra time to get
things fixed. You may want to do a little driving
around your town, too, to be sure that whatever the
shop has fixed remains repaired. You'd hate to get
stranded twelve miles into your trip.
Fourth, be sure your car is prepared for the season
you'll be traveling in. For example, if you intend
to visit a snowy region in the winter you may need
snow chains and extra anti-freeze in your car. If
you intend to visit the desert in the summer, you
air conditioning system may need more coolant fluid.
It is important to take into account both the
weather you will be driving in and the weather at
your destination.
Fifth, if you have a wheel lock instead of a hubcap,
be sure you know where your key is. A flat tire is
one of the most common problems people encounter on
the road. It can be impossible to change if you have
a wheel lock and no key. It can be fairly standard
maintenance if you know where your key is.
Sixth, have your car cleaned. You probably plan to
be in your car for a long period of time, and both
you and your passengers will feel better in a clean
car. Don't forget that you won't only be traveling
in your car while you're trying to get to your
destination, you'll probably be traveling in your
car once you reach your destination as well. Having
a clean car can make that a bit nicer.
Seventh, pack an extensive emergency kit in your
vehicle. You want to be sure to include things like
motion sickness pills, pain relievers, and bandages.
It might even be a good idea to include those new
instant ice and cold packs. These chemically
activated products can be really helpful when you're
nowhere near an emergency clinic.
Eighth, find some entertainment to take along. You
have a number of choices in this arena. You can
listen to old radio shows on cassette or CD. You can
take along some of your favorite tunes to jam to as
you're flying down the highway. You can even watch
DVDs on a portable player if that's what you're
into. If you want to go a bit old fashioned, you can
have a sing along or tell stories. Anything to make
the time pass will be helpful to you.
The ninth tip for preparing for a road trip is to
check your vehicle licensing and insurance
information. Be sure both you and your vehicle are
properly licensed before you set out. This can save
you a lot of hassle if you get stopped on the road.
You should also have your insurance information
handy in case you are in an accident. A one eight
hundred number might be helpful to you in that
situation.
The final tip for preparing for a road trip is to
fill the car with gas before you pack and leave so
the fumes won't bother your passengers. While you're
at it, it is a good idea to go ahead and check the
tire pressure. It can change the gas mileage on your
car throughout the trip.
