Now that it is warm out, people are starting to plan spring and summer road trips. I think a road trip with old and nostalgic music, a few friends, and beautiful weather just go together naturally. Kids can also enjoy seeing the countryside on the way to your destination. Not to mention, it will save you a bunch of time and money over figuring out the cheapest way to fly.
But often times people just jump in their car and go. That must be the epitome of spontaneous, huh? I have actually had a friend whose engine blew a few hundred miles from home. Ouch, that puts a damper on things.
Maybe detecting the possibility of your engine blowing is out of the question, but what are some of the things you can do to raise the probability of success for your road trip?
Maintenance and Mechanical
1. Check Fluids.
These include: engine oil, power steering fluid (ever drive a car without power steering? It sucks, quite frankly), brake fluids, transmission fluids, windshield washer fluid, and antifreeze/coolant. Checking the fluids doesn’t cost anything, but it could save you a bundle if you notice you are low on a fluid. Tow trucks cost A LOT more than any of the aforementioned fluids.
2. Inspect Belts and Hoses.
Your car has a lot of belts under the hood. A belt that fails can affect the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering, and the cooling system. It may be something barely noticeable, or it may leave you stranded on the side of the road with a blown motor and $1,500 repair bill. Cooling system hoses deteriorate from within sometimes, so you might want to consider replacing old hoses and clamps even if they appear to be in marginal condition.
3. Examine Tires.
Hot air expands. Cold air contracts. That is pretty simple chemistry. What does this matter to you? Check your tire pressure when the tires are cold to ensure a more accurate reading. By cold, this generally means before being driven… not necessarily the outside temperature. However, it wouldn’t hurt you to check it before driving and in the morning to make sure the pressure is correct.
You should also make sure that the tread is wearing evenly. If it isn’t, you may need an alignment. If your tire has any bulges or bald spots, you have an increased risk of blowout and/or loss of traction.
4. Know Your Cost Per Mile.
I recently posted about how I use Fuelly to track my mpg and cpm. Knowing your cars cost per mile will better prepare you to budget for your trips gas usage. Also, keeping a running log of your cars mileage per gallon can keep you in tune with your cars mechanical health. I noticed a year or so ago that my cars running average had dropped off and held steady a few miles per gallon less than where I had been for months preceding this occurrence. After making sure my driving habits were the same and checking fluids, I realized I has skipped a “recommended” tune-up almost 10,000 miles prior. After getting the tune-up I watched my mpg go back up and actually wound up higher than my old average.
Expectations
5. Anticipate trouble spots.
Know which radio stations provide traffic and weather updates for each state that you will be driving through. You don’t want to find yourself in a state unable to figure out what the traffic or weather looks like ahead. If you have determined a trouble spot ahead, have a contingency plan in mind. For example, if you just flipped on the weather station and they said their are tornadoes touching down 100 miles north of you… you may want to evaluate your current itinerary. Stopping at the closest hotel might be the best option.
6. Don’t advertise your travels.
This is common knowledge: Bad people prey on the unsuspecting and the helpless. If your out-of-state plates aren’t enough of a red flag… don’t give people any more ways to tell that you are a tourist. Try not to have expensive items like cameras and GPS units in plain view. If you stop at a rest stop or a restaurant and you have a luggage rack, park where you can see your car from inside. Luggage is easy to grab and go.
Packing
7. Pack light.
According to FuelEconomy.gov:
Packing items in roof-top bins and racks can cut fuel economy by 5%.
Depending on the length of your road trip, this may not amount to more than a few dollars.
BUT, by packing light, you will get the added benefit of worrying less about having to keep your car in range of your view, as mentioned in the last bullet point.
8. Emergency kit.
An emergency kit is a vital item to have in your car. If you were to break down, what do you think the most important things would be? Food, water, light, health, and warmth (Thanks, Maslow!). Follow the instructions from my post on what to keep in a car emergency kit.
9. Remember personal items.
There are a bunch of items that you should bring so that you don’t find yourself spending money on them a hundred miles into the trip. You should definitely bring blankets and pillows to make sleeping on the trip more comfortable. Snacks and water/beverages can cut down on your pit stops pretty astronomically. Common medications like aspirin, neosporin, and benadryl will make sure that you can enjoy your trip without having to stop by a CVS. Music is, obviously, essential on any road trip as I mentioned above. And books, games, and movies are a great way to kill time on your trip.
10. Be prepared for the weather.
Make sure you pack seasonal maintenance items. If you are traveling in the winter or early spring, pack a window scraper, blankets, and shovel. If you are going to an area that gets a lot of rain, pack a few umbrellas and a change of clothes in an easy to reach area.
11. Get a good map, or a GPS.
I think that I have taken at least one wrong turn on every road trip I have ever been on. The first few road trips involved using a map and figuring out how to get back on track that way. As technology progressed, I started using MapQuest printouts in combination with a good map book to get us back on track if we screwed up. As technology keeps progressing, all you really need is a good GPS. It wouldn’t hurt to bring a map, too, just in case your GPS loses reception or gets stolen.
I use the Garmin nüvi 270 which is pictured to the right. I have had a great experience with it. My girlfriend actually liked mine enough that she got one for her car by signing up for a credit card. Pretty sweet deal for her, and a pretty sweet GPS!
12. Don’t forget cash/change.
If you are traveling, cash and change are good to have on you. You don’t want to get stuck at a tollbooth with no way to pay. I don’t know the penalties, but I imagine it is just a burden. You also don’t want to get stuck at a gas station in Everydayville, USA with just a credit card when they only accept cash.
Enjoy Your Travels!
I hope this provided a good run down of what you should do prior to and during your road trip.
Does anyone have anything else to add to help the readers?