These are tips for US road trips, but they can also be used for other travel as well. It is always important to be prepared, to put in some time and research, and some extra care before leaving on that scheduled road trip.
Car Maintenance:
The first step should be to check your car and make sure it is prepared for a long road trip:
-An overall checkup is important for making sure that your trip is comfortable. Either take it to a mechanic, or if you are so inclined too, do it yourself. But make sure that all your fluids are full, all lights are in working order (tail, head, and blinkers), your tires have plenty of air and tread, your wipers are in good shape in case of rain, and that everything under the hood is in general good shape. If for some reason you are really concerned about your car making the trip, consider a rental.
-Your trunk should be part of your safety net in case something happens. Having some sort of a tool-kit is vital, and you can customize it with the supplies that you think are important, but you should always keep a fire extinguisher, a flash light, a first-aid kit, a tire iron, some road reflectors, and some bottled water. Anything above that you can stock as you please.
-Another important trunk item (it is usually in most trunks) is a spare tire. Have it checked and make sure it has plenty of air and that the treads are in good shape. If you can, and there is plenty of room, consider swapping the space saver spares for a full-size tire.
-Be sure to fill the tank up when close to home, because gas prices in residential areas tend to be less expensive than gas prices along the highway.
-One of the last important car items should be a cell phone. It is always good to have a phone in case of any emergency on the road, or if there is an emergency at home that someone needs to let you know about. Some vehicles have built in phones and emergency systems, but a portable phone is a good addition. Before you leave, check your cell phone for its coverage level as you travel where your going.
Car Fun:
If your going to be traveling with your family, and there are kids involved, you know it is important to keep boredom to a minimum if possible. Otherwise, there are the inevitable questions of "Are we there yet?", among the repeated requests for bathroom breaks.
-Consider first what snacks you are going to have in the car. You may not feel like using food as a bribe, but many kids can get cranky simply because they are hungry and/or tired. So, having easy to grab snacks handy can really work wonders. If your child is prone to car sickness ginger snaps can come in really handy. Otherwise a simple juice box, some prepackaged crackers, or string cheese make simple and quick snacks.
-If your wanting some quiet time, or just a good calming moment, then consider the kind of music you may have playing. Consider some low key talk radio or classical music for quiet moments, or some movie soundtracks the kids might recognize. Not the rock soundtracks, but the classical ones from movies like Anastasia. If your kids enjoy sing-a-longs, or you need to break up a fight, consider easy to remember and well known ones like the classic '99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.
-Some good car games can keep the kids occupied, having fun, and not picking on each other. The License Plate Game will keep them focused for a little while and you can offer extra credit for cars with tags out of the contiguous United States. Another good game to start at the beginning of the trip (so that hopefully it can last longer!) is a Scavenger Hunt. Give kids a list of items to look for as they are traveling, and base your sightings on the terrain your going through. So, if you are in a city have them look for flashing traffic lights, or in the country try having them find massive round hay bales. If it is not something easily and readily found then it will keep the game lasting longer.
Packing and Stowing:
Whether you are traveling in a smaller car or a large SUV, it can be important to consider what you are packing. If your are like us, it can be tempting to pack the whole house (you never know what you may need!), but keeping your load down can help your gas mileage and car wear and tear on the trip.
-Keep important items that you will need during the trip handy and easily accessible to the front seats. A nice, heavy-duty, canvas bag can work great for keeping road maps, a small first-aid kit, tissues, baby wipes, a small pocket knife, and kids items ready for you when you need them. This will help to alleviate stops and surprises on the road. If the bag has a good, strong zipper it can be easily opened, but help to keep small hands out.
-Have extra blankets and a few travel pillows for those who sleep on the road. Travel pillows will take up less space and are easier to handle. Travel blankets can be found pretty much everywhere now for reasonable prices if you are really concerned about space.
-When you are packing the family, especially if you have teens packing for themselves, setting a 'one bag' per person rule can be the key to fitting everything in the car. Softer bags, such as duffel bags and backpacks can be squishier and easier to get into cramped quarters. Big, hard suitcases can be harder to handle and take up much more space.
-It can be even more awkward hauling around your dirty laundry for all the world to see, so remember that there are still coin laundromats in existence! You don't need tons of clothes, or every pair of shoes. Pick several good pairs of pants and socks, and a variety of different tops (short sleeve, long sleeve, tank, dress, t-shirt, etc). You can wash a quick load of laundry on the road, and to limit the shoes pick one good pair for walking, and a pair for dress if you will be going out. Something neutral that will go with anything will make things even easier. If you are going to be on the beach at any point, you could probably get away with a thin pair of flip-flops in your one bag!
Road Food:
Good snacks and drinks can be part of the key to a good road trip. Not only can it cut down on 'on-the-road' expenses, but it can make stops quicker and easier. Get a good, sturdy cooler with a long cold life and stock away on a variety of travel-easy snacks. Here are some choices:
-Juice Boxes and Bottled Water--pre-cool the juice boxes, and empty a small portion of the water out of some of the bottles, then freeze. The rest of the water can be refrigerated before packing, and both sets of drinks will help to extend your ice's life and keep them cooler cool longer.
-Keep on hand some fruit slices, crackers, or cookies (in plastic baggies for easier storage and packing) for some good nutrient rich spreads such as peanut butter. The peanut butter is easy to spread while driving, and is a good source of protein.
-Trail Mix can be a great source of energy and nutrition and easy to buy or make on your own. Just mix some pretzels, nuts, granola, and dried fruit into individual snack size bags and it is good to go.
-Hard cheeses are easy travel companions and will keep longer as the cooler gets warm. Some good cheddar, Swiss, or Gouda are flavorful and easy to find.
-Hard boiled eggs are great, not only for their ease of travel, but they are filled with protein and nutrients.
-Vegetables are always a must, just make sure they are small and pre-cut. Celery sticks, sliced peppers, baby carrots, radishes, and cherry tomatoes are just some of the ones you can make. Either put them in plastic containers or baggies for ease of sharing.
-Even with all the preparation before hand, bring a small cutting board and knife along for the trip. It will make snack time easier.
Taking the time to prepare for your trip can make it a much more enjoyable and safer trip for everyone involved. The less stress while on the road will make stops easier and smoother as well. Knowing your route is key, so take the time beforehand to plan how your are going to get there and how long it may take. Online tools like Google Maps and MapQuest.com can be very helpful in doing this. You may also want to check and see what obstacles you may encounter along the way. But, don't forget to be flexible. Unless you have to be on a strict schedule for some reason consider stopping along the road at new and interesting places. This will help to make for some lasting memories of your trip. And make sure you do not forget the CAMERA!!! Whether it is disposable or digital, taking photos will be a way to ensure a lasting momento.
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