Road trips can be a lot of fun, they’re a great way to see various locations and enjoy the warmer weather. However, your fun can turn into a bad situation if you aren’t properly prepared. Here’s how to prepare for a road trip.
1. Perform maintenance on your vehicle.
This is incredibly important before you take a road trip, especially if you plan to be traveling for days at a time. The worst thing that can happen during a road trip is for your vehicle to break down unexpectedly due to lack of maintenance.
First, make sure your tires are properly inflated, you’ll have to look up the proper PSI on the tread of your vehicle’s tires. Not only will this help your vehicle’s fuel economy, but it’ll prevent your tires from becoming flat during a long trip.
Secondly, check your vehicle’s internal systems including the steering, braking, exhaust, and electrical components. If any of these were to fail while on the road it could cause damage to your vehicle, or worse cause an accident. Make sure everything is functioning correctly.
Lastly, check the fluid and hose lines in your vehicle for any cracks or leaks, because you don’t want to be driving and have something like a fuel line burst when you’re miles away from home. Be prepared, and if you notice something strange, make sure you schedule an appointment with your local mechanic right away to prevent an issue from becoming worse.
2. Pack minimally and accordingly.
If you want to save space and the discomfort of lugging bags, suitcases, and other items back and forth with you, pack minimally. Tortuga Backpacks has a great article on how you can pack your backpack with the right items for travel.
What you actually need will depend on where you’re headed to. A trip to Florida will call for sandals, shorts, and sunglasses, while a trip to Alaska may require extra blankets and a sweatshirt. Pack accordingly, and make sure you understand the climates you and your family will be visiting.
3. Always have emergency essentials on hand.
In the event of an emergency such as inclement weather, a car accident, or other unlikely catastrophe it’s important to be prepared. Make sure you have an emergency bag in your vehicle at all times to help you and your family during unpredictable events.
Items like a first aid kit, jumper cables, a tire jack, a flashlight, and a fire extinguisher should be stored safely in the truck of your vehicle.
3. Have our mobile app installed.
You’re probably using an app on your phone to navigate and an app to play music as you travel cross country, but do you have our insurance mobile app? If you’re wondering how to prepare for a road trip, our mobile app is an important tool to have with you along your journey. Our app can help you call for emergency services, take date and time stamped pictures in the case of an accident, and even file a claim. We never want any of our clients to go through an accident, but in the event you do, just know through our mobile app, we’ll be there even after office hours.
4. Have snacks handy.
If you’re stuck in traffic, it can make you feel antsy, especially if you’re hungry. That’s why it’s important to keep a bit of food in your vehicle before the long haul.
It may be tempting to snack on a bag of chips, but opt to bring something healthier if you’re wondering how to prepare for a road trip. Nuts, seeds, granola bars, oats, jerky, popcorn, dried fruits, tuna pouches, crackers, and even protein powder that you can mix with with water are great non-perishable food items you can bring with your family on a road trip.
Additionally, Greek yogurt, string cheese, cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, hummus, sliced fruit and veggies, salad, and even juice are healthy options to keep your family satiated for hours. Simply put them in a lunchbox or cooler, and pull it out for a quick bite on the road.
5. Check your auto insurance.
What many don’t think of when they wonder how to prepare for a road trip is the coverage on their auto insurance policy. At Paradiso Insurance, this is something our licensed agents can help you with. It’s important to have the right coverage because if you don’t, you’re at a major loss if you get into an accident.
Don’t let your dream plans turn into a nightmare. Before you go on a road trip, make sure you’ve got the proper protection first! Simply click the button to get a free quote on your vehicle today.
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