Ready for a Road Trip?

By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy flickr

With the school year nearly finished, many families thoughts turn to going on vacation.  While for some that means packing the family onto a jumbo jet, for others it means taking to the road.  If you’re one of the those who loves to head out with your family on the open road, this week’s blog is for you.  So, buckle up and get ready to learn some tried and true tips to make this a vacation to remember.

An Ounce of Prevention

The best way to ruin a road trip is to have the family sedan breakdown on the road.  That goes double when the temperature outside is hovering somewhere in the mid-90’s.  Talk about throwing a damp rag over the expedition.  Even though you can call for roadside service in most places, by the time the tow truck arrives, your family are going to be anything but happy campers.  The best way to avoid a breakdown is to have your vehicle thoroughly inspected by a mechanic before you head for the interstate.  You’ll want to have all the fluids topped up and the tires checked out. You’ll also want your mechanic to inspect the battery, brakes, hoses, filters, air conditioning and serpentine belt to make sure they’re up to snuff.  While it might cost you a few dollars to get your car ready, that beats having your dream vacation turned into a nightmare in a hurry.

The Breakdown Bag

Image courtesy Pixabay

While taking the time to have your vehicle inspected improves the odds against having a breakdown, that doesn’t make you immune.  That’s why the next step in bulletproofing your road trip should be to create what I call a breakdown bag.  Its job is to help you and your family deal with a breakdown should it prove difficult or impossible to summon roadside assistance.  The bag should contain a flashlight, jumper cables, pliers, road flares, a can of fix-a-flat, a roll of duct tape, an empty 1-gallon gas can, a socket set, a folding shovel, and a set of reflective triangular road markers.  While the contents of the breakdown bag won’t help you solve a major engine problem, it can make the difference in dealing with many minor automotive issues.

Stocking the Pantry

Even if you’re planning on stopping at restaurants along the way, taking a supply of groceries with you is vital to the success of any road trip.  Aside from having munchies to nibble on along the way, if you wind up stuck by the side of the road for any amount of time, you will appreciate having food handy.  I usually pack a supply of granola and/or protein bars, raisins, peanuts, and trail mix.  I usually toss in a couple of those open and serve cans of cling peaches as well.  The trick with packing for a summer trip is to avoid things that melt like chocolate.  For beverages, bring plenty of bottled water and some juice boxes too.

Camping Gear

Image courtesy Pixabay

Whether you’re planning to camp out or not, another way to keep a vacation from turning into a tribulation is to pack some camping gear.  This way if you wind up having to tough it out overnight until help arrives, you won’t have to rough it.  Whenever I’m thinking of taking a long road trip, I always pack a 4-man tent, an electric lantern and sleeping bags.  Believe me when I tell you that sleeping in a tent beats sleeping in your car hands down. 

First Aid Kit

Anytime you and the family are out and about in the great outdoors, there’s always the potential for an injury.  Whether we’re talking a scraped knee or a snake bite, every family needs to be prepared.  That means pulling together a serious first aid kit as opposed to one of those tiny kits that contain little more than a few bandages and bottle of salve.  A substantial first aid kit should include gauze pads and roll gauze, surgical tape, Band-Aids, disinfectant, an ace bandage, butterfly bandages, elbow and knee bandages, cold compresses, hydrocortisone cream, chewable aspirin, a thermometer, a splint, a pair of tweezers and scissors.  If you don’t want to take the time to put one together ofnyour own, the Red Cross offers a Family First Aid Kit that contains most everything you need. https://www.redcross.org/store/deluxe-family-first-aid-kit/321275.html

Technology

Since you and your kids will no doubt tote a ton of technology along for the ride, make sure you bring the appropriate chargers, including those that you can plug into your vehicle.  The last thing you want is to have your kids tech toys run out of juice during a long drive.  Talk about ruining a road trip.  You’ll never hear the end of it.  I even carry an external battery that I can plug into my cellphone or laptop just to be on the safe side.  If you don’t want to be subjected to listening to rap music as the road unwinds, I also suggest you bring along headsets for your kids.

Miscellaneous Supplies

Don’t forget to pack the sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, hand lotion, lip balm, aloe vera, antacid, nail clippers, trash bags and a pocket knife.  A couple of bath towels are also a good idea.  Make sure you bring along a supply of Kleenex, toilet tissue, soap, an umbrella and any other supplies you or your kids can’t live without.  Speaking of living without, don’t forget to bring sufficient cash for the trip.  While credit cards are accepted in most places, when it comes to paying tolls or stopping at roadside stands, cash is king.

Traveling with Pets

Image courtesy Pixabay

If you’re like me, you’d never think of excluding your dog from the trip.  While this takes a little more planning, there are tons of pet-friendly hotels and motels out there.  There are several websites I’d recommend when it comes to finding lodging for you and your dog or cat: https://www.petswelcome.com, www.pet-friendly-hotels.net, https://www.bringfido.com  For your pet’s sake, don’t forget to bring pet food and water bowls, leash and a couple of toys to keep them amused while on the road.  Before you roll down the driveway, make sure they’re all wearing collars with your contact information affixed to it in case they get separated from you. And make sure you have a way of securing your pet inside the vehicle.  The last thing you want is to send your pet flying if you step on the brakes.  A loose pet can be a distraction that can lead to a crash.  Did you know that 30,000 traffic accidents are caused every year by unrestrained dogs and cats?

Catherine Powell is the owner of A Plus All Florida, Insurance in Orange Park, Florida.  To find out more about saving money on your auto insurance, check out her website at http://autoinsuranceorangeparkfl.com/