Now that it’s finally a little safer to leave our houses after being cooped up for so long, it’s time to hit the open road. Summer is on its way, and it’s the perfect time to strap yourself in your vehicle and see where the wind takes you. As nice as that sounds, a great road trip actually requires a good deal of preparation if you want it to go well. This guide to planning a great summer road trip will help you make sure everything goes smoothly.
Figure Out Your Budget
Road trips can get costly, especially if you don’t have a proper budget to fall back on. Fuel is going to be one of the biggest expenses that you’ll need to pay for, as well as lodging. So, you need to factor these things in when deciding where and how far you can go. If you leave without a budget, you risk spending more money than you realize until it’s already too late.
Create an Itinerary
You obviously want to leave room for spontaneity, but a guide to planning a summer road trip wouldn’t be complete without mentioning how you need a driving plan. If you want to drive a long distance, you need to know where you’ll stop each night and who will take the wheel at various times. Having an itinerary will help ensure you reach your destinations without any major hiccups. Furthermore, it’ll help you stay on track when the hours of driving start to get to you.
Get Your Car Ready
You’re about to put it through its paces, so you need to make sure you get your car ready for the trip. There are a few crucial things that you need to check before you head out for the long drive, which we list out below:
- Make sure you won’t need an oil change in the middle of your route.
- Check all your fluid levels and make sure you’ve topped them up.
- Prepare for emergencies with spare tires, jumper cables, etc.
- Pack essentials, such as blankets, pillows, and extra food.
Plan Where You’ll Take Breaks
Even if you’re not going that far away from home, you should still schedule breaks. Driving for hours on end can be detrimental to your mental and physical health, which is why it’s so important to plan out occasional rests ahead of time. Having those pauses to look forward to will help break up what could be hours upon hours of monotonous driving.
Have Entertainment Ready
Not every minute of your road trip will be action-packed. You’ll want something in the car to entertain yourself and your passengers along the way. You can make a playlist of songs you all like or agree on a podcast to listen to together. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something that everyone in the car can enjoy.
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