Selecting a suitable destination for your road trips will depend on various factors. You have to take into account such things as financial resources, your traveling partners, type of vehicle and other issues. If you are traveling alone you may not want to choose a location that forces you to drive for a longer time than you are comfortable. A trip with a group of friends can help ease this problem, as you can take turns driving. Be sure to set aside enough finances to provide gas, food and toll fees, if necessary. For really long road trips you may also plan to stay in hotels, so pre-booking rooms can avoid overnight problems.
Inspecting you car before hitting the road is an important part of any trip. A malfunction while on the road can be costly and dangerous. Taking a few moments to go over certain aspects of the car is imperative. Check the tires to be sure they are properly inflated and suitable for your trip. If you haven't had your recently inspected and rotated, do so. The wear from a long drive can cause a blowout. Change your oil as well to help avoid engine failure. Inspect your windshield wipers and the levels of your brake and wiper fluids. Be sure to pack such items as jumper cables, tire changing equipment, bottled water, snacks and blankets just in case you do have a malfunction. Owning a valid AAA membership can help you deal with most major road problems.
Familiarizing yourself with the surroundings will help you stay on task as you travel. Using landmarks can help you regain your bearings if you fall off course and help you during the ride home. While you may want to use back roads to try to avoid traffic, this may become unsafe if you have a sudden car malfunction. Using a GPS system can help you plan the best route while avoiding traffic. Do not allow your car to get too low on fuel because your meter may read differently than what is actually in the tank. Plan intervals to stop for stretching and to freshen up your body during the long ride.
