Planning your road trip close to the summer months is nice, but if you're going during July and August, be prepared for crowds at the national parks and other popular destinations and make your reservations early.
Service your car and have a mechanic ok your car for the long trip.
Bring tools, extra fan belt, quart of oil, gallon of water, Hand Wipes,
flash light, tire pressure gauge (check tire pressure often), car manual, garbage bags, tire chains if expecting snow, matches, can opener, pillows, babies special items, Vector Power Inverter, cooler & picnic items. Picnic Tips Picnic Supplies
Check your spare tire and make sure you use your car jack to make sure it works & if all the cars tires can be removed.
Have a Road Emergency Kit with jumper cables and a gas can
Each person should have there own set of car keys. Don't forget a Portable First Aid Kit, and some Sun Screen & Lip Balm.
Buy a Rand McNally road atlas map book and maybe buy Driving Software to find campgrounds and points of interest along your chosen route. Try a Portable Talking GPS Navigation System but also have maps just in case.
Find out if there are any special events happening along your route that you might want to see or avoid. News Papers Events
American Automobile Association (AAA) is a good place for resources. If you become a member you might be able to get some discounts at certain places. Automobile driving links to check for road closures and safety tips
Make reservations to campgrounds or Hotels if needed.
Make a list of things and gear that you might need. Recommended Gear.
A few days before you leave, pack your car with all your gear to see if everything will fit.
Follow the rules and regulations of the places you are visiting and always be nice to the small town locals.
Make a Travel Check List.
Cell Phone & charge cord. Check with your cell phone provider to see if you have coverage in the places you are visiting. Write down and input emergency phone #s into your cell phone of the places you're visiting, hotel phone #, tour group phone #, car rental phone # & the airlines 800 # incase of flight changes, embassies, police, hospitals & your doctor to name a few.
Travel Cell Phones and GPS Rentals Wireless solutions for over seas
Leave plenty of extra time on your trip to be spontaneous. Try to avoid driving in congested areas during rush hour traffic.
Driving long distances is tiring so take breaks and share the driving. Also bring things to entertain yourselves, like music, games, toys for kids and a journal to write about your trip. Bring a camera too.
Bring your sense of humor and be prepared to get under each other’s skin because not sleeping good, not eating good and being out of your comfort zone makes everyone a little more susceptible to irritations from travel mates. So be aware that this is usually unavoidable even on short trips. Talk about these moments before you leave. Stay safe and stay in control. Enjoy.
