5 Tips You Need For Your Next Road Trip

Summer is upon us, and that means it’s time to roll your windows down and pull up your favorite playlist. Road trips can be a great way to make memories and enjoy the journey. It can also be a great way to save costs on your trip, depending on where you’re wandering to.

If you want to make sure you have the best (and safest) trip possible, it’s good to know these top 5 tips to ensure you (and your vehicle) get the most out of your next adventure.

1. Double check your car maintenance

The fact is, if your car decides to break down on the road, it can put a real damper on the rest of the trip. The best thing you can do before a road trip (especially one longer than 5 hours) is take your car to the nearest mechanic and see if there’s any urgent tune-ups needed. The last thing you want is to be stranded in the middle of no where. Let’s not forget how expensive tow trucks can be, too.

Here’s 3 things you’ll definitely want checked before you hit the road:

• Check your tires and make sure they are properly inflated. This will ensure you’re getting the best gas milage for your journey, and will cut down on the chances of a flat tire.
• Change your oil before your trip. Oh, the things that can happen if you don’t have your oil changed! Just take our advice.
• Pay attention to your dashboard. Don’t ignore the check engine light that pops up before a trip. Get it checked out. You’ll regret it later if you don’t.

It’s important to make sure your car is prepared for the long haul – double check to ensure she’s ready!

2. Scope out gas prices

Assuming you made your road trip budget, it’s important you know what to expect for your fill-ups. You don’t want to be surprised when you’re on empty and you have to pay way more than expected to fill up.

GassBuddy.com is a great tool to use to make sure you know how much it’s going to cost to fill up your tank in certain states. Make sure you know roughly how many MPG your car gets, and then find an online calculator to accurately calculate your gas costs for the trip.

More tips on making sure you get the best fuel economy on your trip:

• Drive at a steady speed. If you can, use cruise control. This puts a lot less pressure on your engine.
• Try not to idle your car. Idling can drain your gas tank, especially if your air conditioning is left on. If you’re parked, turn off the car.
• Brake easy. Constant hard stopping and going is exhausting on your engine. Don’t be a lead foot.

3. Pack your food

Yes, this means a little extra work on your part but big savings in the long run. Fast food may seem convenient, but before you know it, your money has disappeared. Not only that, but usually on road trips it’s easy to eat whatever is in front of you. From a health standpoint, you’ll probably end up regretting that.

Buying healthy snacking options will save you money and unwanted calories. Get your favorite snacks at the grocery the night before and pack them in a lunch box. That way you’ll be less tempted to stop at the nearest fast food chain when the hunger (or boredom) sets in.

Here’s some quick and easy ideas for your lunch box on the road:

• Fruit and nuts. Grapes, apples, bananas, peaches, and oranges are great fruits for the road. Pair them with some cashews, almonds, walnuts and pistachios and you have a yummy (and filling) snack!
• Pre-made sandwiches. Either make them the night before or bring the ingredients with you. Get some bread, cheese, meat and your favorite condiments and boom!
• Popcorn/chips/pretzels. Whether it’s kettle corn, salt and vinegar chips and chocolate covered pretzels, get what you like and put it in a zip lock and enjoy.
• Water/cold brew. You’ll need to stay hydrated on your trip – make sure you bring some water bottles. And obviously caffeine – cold brew is a great way to bring coffee on the road. Just store it in your lunch box.

Packing your snacks for the road will cut down on spending costs and will help you get to your destination faster.

4. Have your favorite playlist prepared

What’s a road trip without singing your favorite songs at the top of your lungs? Have your favorite songs in a playlist and ready to go for the road. Not only will it make everything more enjoyable (let’s be real, sitting in a car for hours isn’t great) and will make time go by quicker.

If you’re extra prepared, make a playlist that’s about as long as your road trip. That way you can know exactly how long until you’ll be at your destination. You can make playlists on apps like Spotify and Apple Music.

5. Invest in an emergency kit

You never know what you’re going to encounter on your trip. Even if you think you’re perfectly prepared, there could be unavoidable mishaps. Emergency kits usually come along with first aid supplies, food rations, blankets and light sticks in case you were stranded in the dark. Roadside kits are also a very good idea. These usually have flash light, booster cables, batteries and other essentials.

It’s good to be prepared for whatever a trip can bring. Since road trips have more accident factors involved in them, it’s wise to have what you need in case of an emergency.

Get out there and have fun!

Roadtrips are times where you can make lifetime memories. They don’t have to be long and boring. If you do it right, it can save you a lot of money and even give you a chance to see more things along the way! These 5 tips will help you be prepared and ready for your adventure, no matter where it takes you. So roll your windows down, put on your favorite playlist, eat your packed lunch and enjoy the ride.

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