Top Ten Tips For the simplest Road Trip Ever

There is nothing more fun than an old-fashioned road trip. i really like taking to the open road and exploring our country. Now, i have been a “road tripper” for a few time and though i really like aviation , i really like the road trip because that’s how you’ll really experience the country. So it is time to urge your favorite tunes and munchies ready and plan your open road trip adventure with these ten easy road trip travel tips.

Plan your trip.

First, you would like to work out where you are going to travel then plan your trip. Planning doesn’t need to take an extended a time, but you are doing got to know the route you are going to drive and points of interest along the way that you are going to require to prevent and explore. Half the fun of a road trip is seeing the sites along the way. i prefer to MapQuest my trip and have that as my main plan of attack for my road trip. GPS is extremely popular lately and that i recommend them, but you cannot always believe them once you hit construction zones or accidents on your journey. That’s why it’s essential that you simply have a true map with you for the areas you will be traveling to and to plan alternate routes if necessary.

Make your hotel reservations BEFORE you go.

a part of the fun when traveling on the road is stopping wherever your heart desires, but there’s nothing worse than a “no room at the inn” experience on a road trip. you’ll not realize that there’s a “Comic Book fair ,” “Strawberry Festival” or convention in town while you’re visiting and there are not any rooms to be had. If you are doing not book your reservations beforehand , not only are you running the danger of getting to sleep in your car but also you cannot manage your road trip budget effectively. If you’re traveling together with your family or a gaggle of friends, consider staying at an all-suite hotel or maybe renting a time share, an excellent option for families taking a road trip. Did you recognize that 90 percent of individuals who own a timeshare don’t utilize it on a daily basis? Many great offers are often found at a number of the larger hotel chains that provide timeshares and lots of of them even have a washer and dryer. For my road trip to Scottsdale, I booked an incredible one-bedroom suite with a kitchenette at a time share property directly through the hotel for just $100/night including tax at the Sheraton Desert Oasis Villas.

Give your car a full tune up before you go or consider renting a car.

One week before you continue your road trip, take your car certain a tune up and ask your mechanic to make sure the car fluids are topped, atmospheric pressure in your tires is at its best for highway driving, and the other necessary concerns regarding your vehicle are addressed. do you have to got to get something fixed, it’s best to try to to it at an area you’ll trust before your road trip. Plus, it are often costlier when it’s a have-to situation. Also, confirm you pack a roadside safety kit just just in case of an emergency. on behalf of me that kit includes my American Automobile Association card (Premier Membership). If you’ve got a car that’s not under warranty or has automatic roadside assistance, then a American Automobile Association membership may be a necessity because it will prevent a fortune within the unfortunate event you’ve got an opportunity down and need to have your car towed. If you’re in the least concerned that your current vehicle isn’t “road trip worthy,” then you’ll want to think about renting a vehicle for your road trip. I did this for my trip to Arizona as I found an excellent deal on a rental car and had the peace of mind for my road trip.

Pack your own food and plan a picnic.

I wont to be hooked in to stopping at nutriment joints on a road trip. There was something that felt fun that on a visit but I’ve since learned that I like better to pack my very own food for my journey. It doesn’t just keep me eating healthier, but it also saves money, too, especially if you’re traveling together with your family. Also, if you propose ahead, you’ll find that there’s an excellent stop for a scenic picnic in your travels and packing a picnic is such a lot better than flying through the Drive-through. If you are doing make a stop, either for a picnic or to explore a cool sight along the way.

Bring great music or audible books with you!

Music is actually the soundtrack of our lives and each road trip needs a soundtrack. i feel of my trip to Seattle whenever I hear a Phil Collins song from “No Jacket Required” because that was the first music i used to be taking note of thereon trip. i feel of the Bahamas Harbor Island and therefore the amazing walks on the Pink Sands Beach whenever I hear Wilson Phillips music. It’s kind of like having a topic song for each vacation but hearing the music even today will evoke fun memories of wonderful trips. I also love catching abreast of books I’d wish to read but somehow find it easier to concentrate to. That’s where audio books are available and you’ll download them to your mp3 player, iPhone, or other PDA device. !

Do not forget to pack a boredom buster bag for the youngsters .

One thing I’ve learned from producing for TV’s “The Travel Mom” Emily Kaufman, is that if you’re traveling with kids, you would like to form sure you’ve got plenty to entertain them during your road trip. She calls this the boredom buster bag. do not forget to pack some kid music your children like along side fun travel games that include magnetic board games. DVD players are an option for really long trips and as long as your child isn’t susceptible to motion sickness . Of course, electronic games will keep your kids occupied but i might encourage you to limit the time on these toys especially if you’re traveling through some great scenic areas. It’s a superb chance to bond as a family and your child’s memory of the trip are going to be lost if they’re lost during a Game Boy.

Remember, a road trip is the maximum amount about the journey because it is about the destination. one among my all time favorite road trips was the day my niece, Jessica, and that i drove 52 enchanting miles on the “Road to Hana” on the island of Maui in Hawaii. I’ll always remember that the guide book said, “Remember, Hana isn’t a destination, it is a journey.” Hana is found about 52 miles from Kahului, however a typical trip to Hana takes a minimum of three hours, because the road is extremely winding with approximately 620 curves over 59 bridges, 46 of which have only one-lane. This delightful road trip may be a memorable journey that winds through a lush, tropical rain forest that’s laced with tumbling waterfalls, black sand beaches, scenic lava cliffs, fresh fruit stands, and tropical hillsides. Jessica and that i stopped a minimum of ten times including one stop to picnic thereon black sand beach. We took photos by waterfalls, delicious fruit stands and delightful tropical flower gardens. you ought to treat your road trip vacation an equivalent way we did our Road to Hana: Enjoy your road trip as a journey, not a destination.

Observe use of each stop.

i prefer to plan my stops for fuel, food, and restrooms in order that I utilize my time efficiently and do not waste time making three stops rather than one. Probably the foremost important thing is that each time you are doing stop, confirm everyone within the car uses the restroom (even if they think they do not need to right then). this may hamper on the stops you’ll make just for that purpose. Also, if you’re traveling with kids, and you only got to stop for the restroom, i like to recommend stopping at a Starbucks. Parents can get a coffee or an iced tea , the restrooms are clean, and there aren’t tons of distractions for teenagers (like toys to buy) that a service station or gasoline station may have. Use the Starbucks store locator at their website to assist you propose your stops before you go. Do be a “good egg” and make a sale at Starbucks while you’re there.

Avoid Trouble.

When you’re on a road trip, you would like to be street wise. do not be a target for crime by leaving your valuables on the seat in your car (DVD players, Game Boys, etc.) and do not advertise you’re on a road trip with pillows and blankets every where. once you park your car, hide your valuables and road trip comforts . If you’re proactive at keeping your “I’m on a road trip clues” clearly hidden, any thief or troublemaker should just walk right by your car. Other street wise considerations is to always park where there’s good light and pedestrian traffic and confirm your windows are rolled up and therefore the doors are locked whenever you allow your car. you’ll also want to get items like “the Club” if you wish that extra insurance for safety. Finally, when you’re driving, watch your speed. Speeding gives you the prospect to urge a ticket and more importantly, it decreases some time to react if the necessity should arise. If you’re the driving force , you’re liable for your passengers. once you see signs that say, “Speed limits are photo enforced,” believe them. Other good driving tips include avoiding hour , especially in bigger cities, and whenever possible alternate driving with people within the car. You’ll also want to avoid driving in the dark if you’re not conversant in your surroundings.

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Final Tips:

do not forget your telephone and confirm you’re “hands free” once you do use it while driving. In many nations , it is the law, but it is also down right dangerous. Always use your telephone “hands free” once you drive. do not forget to update your software on your mobile before you allow because you do not want to be charged higher rates for roaming charges. Finally, it is a real good idea to email a replica of your itinerary to other relations or friends just in case of an emergency – this is often especially an honest idea for ladies traveling together. Now, drive safe and have fun!