10 Tips for a Successful Road Trip

Road trips are a fun way for friends and family to get away for a weekend or for an undisclosed amount of time. Road trips require a lot of preparation in order to ensure the safety and happiness of everyone involved in the road trip. This article will look at 10 tips for preparing for road trips based off personal experience.

1. Inspect your car

Nothing ruins a road trip faster than your car breaking down or having mechanical difficulties. According to AutoZone, you should check your wiper blades, lights, tires, fluid levels, belts and hoses, AC, brakes, and check for leaks. Also, make sure to change your oil before any long road trip, as it will keep the engine clean and running during the entirety of the trip. Click here to read all of AutoZone's tips for car safety for road trips.

2. Pack lots of extra snacks and water

When I plan road trips I will typically eat on the road to save car space, however, it is vital for the sanity of all road trippers to bring along extra snacks and drinks. You never know where your next meal is going to be, especially if you drive throughout the night.

3. Bring a GPS and car charger

GPS has made getting lost during road trips a thing of the past. Some of the fun during road trips is getting lost. However, GPS has made road trips much easier by being able to locate gas, food, and lodging based on your current location.

4. Mobile iPod/MP3 charger

Whether your 8 or 75, music is undoubtedly an essential for any road trip, which means you should bring an iPod or MP3 charger to keep the songs going during the entirety of the trip.

5. Cell phone

You may want to ditch the BlackBerry at home because you want to get away from work, however, cell phones; especially smartphones can come in handy during a road trip. BlackBerry's and iPhone's, for instance, have internet and GPS, which makes them vital for checking reviews for motels or restaurants. I use my BlackBerry every time I road trip, and simply do not answer emails or phone calls related to my job.

6. Plan ahead

Map routes, restaurants, and motels (or hotels) in advance before going on the trip. If you plan on going for adventure and not having a set destination, I still recommend doing a little bit of research as it may help to find attractions and great restaurants along the way.

7. Playlist

No road trip is complete without the proper playlist on your MP3 player. Make sure to pick playlists that everyone in the car will agree with, something neutral makes for happier individuals. If everyone has different styles of music, challenge everyone to create their own playlist and switch off playing from your music devices, this creates for some great expansion in music knowledge.

8. Money

If the road trip you are planning is with your friends be sure to ask for fuel and toll money ahead of time. I cannot begin to describe how many times I have friends let me pay for all tolls and gas during a road trip because they "forgot" to bring enough money. Make sure EVERYONE has enough money for the trip.

9. Bring a map

I think I grew up in the generation that did not learn how to read maps because of GPS and smartphones, but having a map with someone who knows how to read it is vital for any road trip. GPS units lose signal in certain areas and get "confused", and cell phones can lose service in remote locations.

10. Bring blankets, pillows and meds

If you plan to travel all day you will want to bring pillows and blankets for the passengers. I have never been on a long road trip where I did not sleep at least some of the way, and having a pillow or blanket available made it much more comfortable for an in the car nap. Always remember to bring prescribed medication as well as Tylenol or Ibuprofen to cure headaches and pains that may occur during the road trip.

Sources:

http://www.procarcare.com/icarumba/resourcecenter/articles/icar_resourcecenter_articles_roadtrip.asp (check out this great website for road trip car maintenance tips)

Personal experience with road trips