Photo credit: Win Nondakowit FILE #: 98897150
There’s nothing better than going on a road trip with your friends and family. As a newbie, it’s essential to learn a few things. Follow these tips to prepare for your first road trip and have fun on your next adventure!
Make a Budget
Gas, food, and hotel rooms are a part of road trip plans. Budget the trip to avoid overspending. Set aside money to finance all trip aspects. Also, try to make smart spending decisions to save a few bucks. For example, buying snacks at a dollar store is cheaper than buying them at certain grocery stores. Furthermore, find coupons and discounts for hotels before booking rooms.
Inspect Your Vehicle
You can’t go on a road trip without a reliable vehicle. To guarantee safe travels, inspect your car and make sure it functions without any trouble. Also, don’t forget to prepare for unexpected situations by bringing a handy touchup paint kit. This small yet practical addition will help you address any minor scratches or chips your car may encounter during the journey, keeping it looking fresh and well-maintained throughout your adventure.
If you suspect issues like transmission trouble, find the problem’s culprit. A common source of transmission problems is contaminated transmission fluid. Before the trip, make sure you change the transmission fluid! You don’t want to risk roadside vehicle mishaps.
Visit your mechanic and have a professional perform a vehicle checkup. They can change your fluid, put air in the tires, and ensure everything is good to go!
Plan Driving and Rest Time
Prepare for your first road trip by planning driving and rest time. If you’re driving to a far destination, you need breaks. Stretching your legs, using the restroom, or grabbing gas station snacks are all great ways to unwind between driving.
Before your trip, map out break times. For example, after 2 hours of driving, you take a 15-minute break. Sometimes, rest includes fun activities. Perhaps you drive to a national landmark and snap a picture in front of it!
Pack Snacks and Drinks
Let’s all admit that snacks are the best part of road trips. This is the time to eat tasty and quick treats. Pack your favorite potato chips, trail mix, candy, and other hand-held snacks. Pack your favorite drinks too! Your personalized tumbler, water, soda, and juice are road trip must-haves. However, don’t drink too many liquids unless you’re cool with frequent bathroom breaks.
Don’t Forget To Bring Entertainment
Driving gets old quickly. Without entertainment, road trips seem endless and boring. So, don’t forget to bring entertainment! Create playlists or queue up podcasts to pass the time. For passengers, bring books and crossword puzzles. When in doubt, engage in fun conversations. After all, a road trip is a great time to bond with friends and family!
