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On the Road Again

Summer Road Trip Tips

By Linda Sutherland

Summer will be upon us any minute, and I think we could all use a change of scenery! Many people are planning road trips this summer as a lower-stress and more flexible alternative to flying. Once you’ve decided that a road trip is in your family’s future, it’s time to start planning. Being prepared for a variety of scenarios will give you peace of mind when the rubber meets the road.

First things first! Before you set off on your adventure, there are some routine vehicle maintenance items that need to be addressed. If you’re renting an RV or another vehicle, all the preparatory maintenance should be covered by the rental company, but be sure to ask.

If your car hasn’t had a tune-up in a while, it’s a good idea to get one before you head out. Even if your car has been serviced recently, you should check your fluid levels (oil, transmission fluid, and washer fluid) and top them off, if necessary.

Check your tires to make sure they’re properly inflated and not too worn. Be sure to check the spare, too, to make sure it’s at the ready if the need arises. (This might also be a good time to review your tire-changing technique and make sure you know how to work the jack.) Have someone walk around the car when it’s running to make sure all of the lights are in working order, including the high beams, fog lights, and turn signals.

Your glove box should contain your insurance documents, car registration, and roadside assistance information. Check to make sure your GPS tracker is in optimum condition. (Old-school navigators should have paper maps at the ready.) Stock the car with emergency items like a first aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, and spare cell phone charger.

For some people, the appeal of a road trip is the freedom to go where you please, when you please. Even so, it’s best to plan at least a general route ahead of time and make sure that a family member or friend knows where you’re headed. You can still take a few side roads, but someone staying behind should know your destination.

Now, let us address the home you leave behind. Be sure to set timers on interior and exterior lights so it looks like someone is home. The last thing you want is for your house to look abandoned. Stop newspaper and mail deliveries and arrange for lawn care if you will be gone for a while. To save energy, plan to set your HVAC system to lower air-conditioning usage while you’re gone.

I know I sound like a buzzkill, but do not use social media to update your location and whereabouts while

you’re away. You can easily become the target of a burglar if you broadcast that your home is empty. Resist the temptation to post until you are back home. One organization you should notify is your bank. If your cards are suddenly being used in a new location, they might suspect fraud and freeze your account. You should also let your alarm company know when you’ll be away.

Traveling with kids? In the movies, kids on road trips spend their time fighting with their siblings and asking, “Are we there yet?!?” If you want a more peaceful trip, the kids will need some entertainment. Of course, kids will be more than happy to bring their devices along. For non-technical activities, don’t forget books! Kids may also be interested in information about the places you’re going or the sites you’ll see. You could give the kids an envelope that they open as you cross each state line. It could have fun facts in it about the state and a treat, as well.

Easy-to-travel games like tic-tac-toe and scavenger hunts or play-out-loud games like I Spy or 20 Questions can also be good backseat (or whole-car) activities. For maximum organization, use a back-of-the-front-seat organizer for the kids to keep all the gear they want to access in the car.

Road trippers of all ages need snacks! Try to bring healthy snacks that will take a while to eat, and avoid anything too messy (don’t forget napkins!). If you’re ready to upgrade your leaky travel cooler, consider one that stays cool by plugging in to the cigarette lighter in the car. (These can also keep food or beverages warm, if you’re looking ahead to winter travel.)

Now that your home is ready, your car is ready, and your passengers are ready, it’s time for the change of scenery we all so richly deserve. Let the summer road trip adventures begin!

Sources for this article included: travelingbroad.com, safety. com, and twirlsandtravels.com.