Thursday, October 27, 2011

Take Your Family On A Holiday Road Trip

By Harold Spencer


Air travel has become so popular, that many people have forgotten the joys of taking a family road trip. Traveling by car allows you to become more familiar with your own country, since you will need to discover different routes and break into territories you have never visited before. Your country has a lot to offer, and traveling by car can help you discover what it is. Since you are able to customize your route, you can include different things you want to see in it. However, there are some things you should be aware of before you go.

Road trips must be planned carefully. Spend weeks or even months deciding on your route. Leave room for some flexibility because you might always hear of a great attraction when you're on the road that you didn't anticipate.

Many of these books are available in libraries and at your local bookstore. You should invest in a few comprehensive maps also. They are going to come in handy. Chances are good that you will get lost at least one time.

When you plan your route, highlight the places where you would like to spend more than an hour or so. Plan where you will be staying the night, and try to decide whether you prefer to sleep in a trailer, camping ground, or hotel. Also, try to plan ahead on where you will eat. Large cities have many restaurants to offer, but it is not always the case in small roadside towns. If you don't want to spend a lot of your road budget on food, then consider packing a cooler. All you will need to do then is to stop by grocery stores along the way to replenish supplies and drinks. This will save you money and time, as you will be able to stop at any rest area picnic table to dine.

As a final consideration, make sure your car is in good conditions before you leave for your trip. Get a full inspection and make sure you are current on all your stickers. Tell a trusted mechanic that you are preparing to put thousands of miles on your car and you want everything in ship-shape. Fluids, belts and hoses should be in perfect conditions. And, check your tire pressure as you go, since it can make a huge difference in how much gas you will consume. If you are planning to drive through the desert or in the winter, you might want to take a few other things into consideration. You might need to take with you an extra supply of air conditioning coolant or even snow tires. And it never hurts to have an emergency kit. Things such as road flares, spare tires and some tools can sometimes save the day.




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