As summer comes to an end, you may want to enjoy one last “hoorah” with the family before school schedules become the focus of the household.
If you’re looking for a fun way to end the summer season, why not take a road trip? They’re a great way to explore new sights and travel. However, a road trip can turn sour if you aren’t properly prepared. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of things you need to do before your road trip to stay safe and have fun.
1. Give your vehicle a routine maintenance checkup.
Vehicle maintenance is important before you take a road trip with your family. Even if you plan to travel for one day, your plans could face dismay if your vehicle suddenly stops working. We certainly wouldn’t want your vehicle to break down unexpectedly due to lack of maintenance, so be sure to thoroughly check it before you hit the road.
First, make sure your tires are properly inflated, you’ll have to find out how much air your vehicle’s tires require by checking on the tread of the tires or your vehicle manual. Properly inflated tires prevent them from becoming flat during a long trip and can help you save on gasoline expenses too.
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. That being said, it’s imperative to 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 traveling 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. Keep the kids entertained.
While you and your spouse may enjoy the scenery of a long winded car ride, your kids may not as much. Car rides can leave younger children feeling restless and bored. To prevent this, simply bring travel friendly games, activity books, portable devices, and other forms of entertainment during the road trip so your kids can relax, and the driver can keep their eyes on the road.
4. Create an emergency kit for your vehicle.
In the event of an emergency such as inclement weather, a car accident, or other unlikely catastrophe, it’s important to be prepared when traveling on a road trip. Make sure you have an emergency kit 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.
5. Have our mobile app installed.
Are you using your smartphone to help you navigate your family across the country through a navigation app? We understand apps are important to everyday life, which is why we wanted to tell you about our insurance mobile app installed. Our app can come in handy during a road trip, because it 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.
6. Have snacks handy.
You don’t want to be stuck in traffic on an empty stomach. That’s why should keep a few snacks handy in your vehicle for everyone to enjoy.
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, and juice boxes are great options for your kids to enjoy. Simply put them in a lunchbox, so they stay cool during your travel.
7. Check your auto insurance.
Before you head out on a road trip with your family, it’s imperative to make sure you have the proper automobile insurance. This way you’re properly covered in the event something happens while you’re behind the wheel. At Paradiso Insurance, this is something our licensed insurance agents can help you with.
Before you take the family on a road trip, make sure you’ve got the proper protection first! Simply click the button to have one of our licensed insurance agents talk with you today.
