TRAVEL

5TIPS FOR PLANNING YOUR ROAD TRIP

By Daisy McCarty

Are you intent on hitting the open road this year? If you want your excursion to be an amazing adventure instead of a perilous journey, take the time to create a solid travel plan. Below are five tips to prevent you from having a regrettable road trip.

1SET A REALISTIC BUDGET It's easy to overspend on the road. The cost of fuel and lodging is only part of the equation. Dining out, purchasing admission to shows or museums, and buying souvenirs in gift shops can add up as well. Determine the total amount of pocket money you can afford to spend on these extras. Consider setting aside cash or a low limit credit card for these purchases to reinforce your spending rules. Remember to use your senior discounts.

2PRIORITIZE YOUR ITINERARY There might be dozens of places you want to visit on your road trip. Try to identify your personal top ten and structure your trip around those stops. That way, you don't run out of steam before you see the things you really want to see. Space your travel stops evenly throughout your trip rather than trying to cram too many experiences into any particular day. If you do have a cluster of events in one area of the country, plan to spend a couple of days in one spot to recuperate.

3CHECK FOR SPECIAL EVENTS IN EACH CITY Check the online visitor information center for cities you plan to visit. Review the calendar for large scale conventions, sports games, or other major events. Unless you want to attend, plan to stop at these locations before or after big events. Otherwise, you may waste a day in bumper-to-bumper traffic or get stuck paying outrageous rates for lodgings.

4GET MAPS YOU CAN HOLD IN YOUR HANDS Don't rely solely on GPS using your mobile device or your car's navigation system. Print out directions from one stop to the next for each leg of your road trip. Also, purchase a larger map covering the region through which you will be traveling in case you need to make a detour. To save money on a high quality atlas, look for one that is being discontinued in favor of a newer version. A slightly outdated regional map is likely to be accurate enough for your purposes–especially if you double check your route online beforehand.

5PACK AN EMERGENCY BAG Stock a backpack containing enough food and water for at least 48 hours for each person in your party. Include a first aid kit, a Mylar emergency blanket, sunscreen, bug spray, and other items that will help you survive if you get stranded. Take into account the seasonal weather in the regions through which you are planning to travel. If your road trip takes you from Texas to Minnesota in the spring or fall, this might mean planning for sunshine as well as snow.

Finally, remember that proper planning doesn't ruin spontaneity. Instead, having a plan ensures that you get the most out of your road trip!

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