How to Prepare For and Have a Successful Cross Country Journey

Preparing for a cross country trip across America takes a lot of thought and planning. It involves more than just getting into the car and driving until you reach your destination. Whatever reason you are travelling for, you will need to make sure you are well prepared. Start by compiling a pre-planning checklist in place for your journey.

Care of home

1. Choose someone to take care of your home and any pets in your absence. The lawn will need to be mowed, plants watered, mail picked up, bills paid, household waste and recyclables taken out and collected each week. A house sitter would be the best option, if this is possible. If not, ask them to stop by at least every other day to make sure that there is no damage to the house or that no one has tried to break in. Remember to give the person a spare key!

What to pack

2. Decide what you will need to pack for your journey. Include appropriate attire for the region and weather conditions you will be visiting. Include an adequate supply of toiletries. It is better to have too many than too few. If you are going to a hotter climate than you are used to, do you have enough sun screen, mosquito repellent, sun glasses and hat? Colder regions will require thermals, gloves, hat, scarf and a warm coat.

Vehicle checks

3. Make sure your vehicle is ready for the trip. Start from the front and work your way back. Check that the headlights, taillights, indicators, emergency flashers and reverse lights work. If not, repair as required, as soon as possible. Check that all fluid levels are properly serviced to include, windshield washer, radiator, brake, oil and transmission. Ensure your tires are inflated to the proper pressure. Don't forget your spare when you are carrying out tire pressure checks! The manufacturer's recommended tire pressure can be found on the sidewall of the tire. While you are doing this, make sure that the tire tread is adequate and there are no bulges in the sidewalls. If there is a bulge in the sidewall replace the tire immediately. The car would not be safe to drive, as the tire could blow and cause a crash. Windshield wipers should be in good condition before you set off. Check them for dry rot, tears and rips. The jack needs to be in good working order, in case you end up with a flat tire. Having a piece of board in your car to set the jack on so it does not sink into the dirt would be a very good idea. Have an emergency roadside kit to include triangles or flares, water, blankets, First Aid kit, flashlight and extra batteries, and non-perishable food items. A roll of duct tape would come in handy if you were to spring a leak in a radiator hose.

Maps

4. Take time before you leave to map out the journey you will be taking. Invest in a good road map or go online for driving directions and maps. Check for construction along your route and also check the weather for when you will be travelling. Also, do some research into rest areas that will be along your route.

Children

5.If you are going to be travelling with children make sure they will be entertained along the way. Include card games, video games, music, to suit the age of the child(ren). Remember, if a child is actively engaged in a pursuit they enjoy, they are less likely to distract the driver.

Get some rest

6. Make sure that you start the first day of your journey in the right frame of mind. That means taking the time to get some proper rest the night before you set out. If you start driving when you have not had adequate sleep, then you will be very drowsy and not as alert to the road as you need to be. You are also more likely to fall asleep at the wheel and be involved in a collision. Drinking coffee is not the solution: sleep is! So make sure you get to bed early the night before. Plan how long you will drive between stops. Some drivers only stop for refreshments and refueling purposes. But you may need to stop sooner. If you start to feel tired, pull over and rest until you feel able to drive again. Do not keep on driving just to make up time. In the end, it could cost you and your loved ones dearly. So work out what will work best for you. Perhaps driving for four hours at a time will work well for you, combined with rest stops and breaks. If you have an idea of how long you will be on the road for and your exact route is mapped out, you can also plan to stay in a hotel or motel along the way. Some establishments will offer discounts if you arrive later in the evening, so ask about these. Use these stops as an opportunity to recuperate, ready for the next day.

If you carefully follow these guidelines your journey is more likely to be pleasant and trouble free. Enjoy your trip!