With summer here, there are significant benefits to reaching your destination by vehicle rather than by airplane. And the good news is, there’s not a lot of work to do in planning a road trip.
A road trip is a great way to enjoy breathtaking scenery along the journey and discover places you didn’t know existed. Plus, summer is a beautiful time of year to visit parts of the country.
So, save your airplane ticket money for gasoline and hit the road. But before you do, make sure you have the following five things in order.
Confirm your destination from start to finish
Know where your last stop is on your road trip. This is important because it will give you direction and allow you to manage your time and costs better. You’ll know how far you have to go and how much you’ll need for food, gasoline, and lodging.
This can all be tentative. If, along the way, you find attractions that catch your eye or an emergency comes up, having a tentative destination lets you make necessary changes. A destination primarily serves as a guide on your road trip.
Choose the route to your destination
Once your destination is decided, determine how you’ll get there. The most memorable and meaningful road trips are the ones that take scenic and less-traveled routes. So, consider traveling through the backroads instead of on highways.
Use a virtual or physical map to determine the best backroads and avoid blue highways, which are backroads without scenic routes (think strip malls and quiet neighborhoods). Many United States maps indicate if a backroad is a worthwhile route by marking it with a red dot.
Have all necessary documents
Anything can happen while on a road trip, and you may encounter law enforcement. If so, make sure you’re equipped with all the necessary paperwork and documents to make those interactions simple and fast.
Have vehicle registration, insurance information, and your driver’s license. If you have any traffic or parking tickets, make sure they’re paid before you depart.
Join a roadside service
Roadside service is essential if you’re planning a road trip that will last for several days. Driving long distances and for a long time can naturally wear down your vehicle, so it’s realistic to expect problems to stop you along the way. Especially in the summer, with its high temperatures, your vehicle can easily overheat and shut down.
So, connect with a roadside service company such as AAA. Having emergency numbers of approved local tow services and auto mechanics can also save time, eliminate stress and ensure you maintain a high level of safety while on the road.
Tune-up and prepare your vehicle
You want to make sure your vehicle is in optimal condition before traveling. Have a quality auto mechanic check the vehicle’s brakes, fluid levels, and tires. Bring along jumper cables and extra windshield wiper fluid, and make sure your vehicle’s battery is good to go.
The number one thing you need for your road trip
The most important thing to keep in mind when planning a road trip is the type of vehicle you’ll drive. Not all vehicles are designed for comfortable long-distance travel.
Generally, vehicles like convertibles, sports cars, and small crossover SUVs are ideal because they have excellent gas mileage. Minivans are another spacious choice when traveling with several passengers.
To find the perfect vehicle for your road trip, check out Auto Market of Florida. We’re a top car dealership in the area that offers quality used vehicles at competitive prices. And with our experienced staff, you’ll walk away with a vehicle that sticks with you for many road trips.
Check out our expansive online inventory of quality vehicles perfect for any road trip, and contact us to get to your long-awaited summer destination today.
