5 ESSENTIAL ROAD TRAVEL TIPS YOU DON’T ALREADY KNOW

1. Prepare Your Car

Prepare your vehicle to travel. This will be your home away. You should plan at least one month ahead for any unexpected repairs. You can adjust the following if necessary:

• Coolant
• Oil
• Tire Pressure
• Spare Tire
• Brakes
• Belts, caps and hoses
• All lights, signals, wiper blades, and windshield wiper fluid.

2. Get Ready

It would be best if you were as prepared to get on the road as your car. Get a good night’s sleep and tell people where you are going. It is also important to make sure your phone can reach emergency personnel from where you are traveling. Get familiar with your route and weather forecast before you leave for your trip. Pack the essentials and comfortable clothes.

• First aid kit
• Snacks and water
• Pillows and blankets
• Jumper cables, flares
• Maps and brochures for travel
• Toolkit and cutting tool
• Chains or traction (especially for winter driving).
• Waterproof matches
• Books on tape or CDs

3. Make Reservations and Check Hotels in the Region

You can make your overnight rest easier by following these steps:

• If you know where your destination is going to be, make reservations. Consider if there are any nearby concerts or festivals. It is important to ensure that you can get a room at an affordable price.
• Make a plan for your hotel location. It will save you time and gas by not having to stop at exits and stopping at hotels to check the availability and rates.
• You don’t want to wait until you get on the road in order to reserve a room. Call to make reservations at the beginning of the afternoon. The majority of hotels will begin filling up in the evening and late afternoon.
• Hotels that offer discounts for families or discounts for members of the automotive club or warehouse club are worth looking at.

4. Make Smart Gas Mileage

Gas prices are on the rise and you might find yourself spending less money on your vehicle. These are some ways to save gas.

• Reduce your acceleration. This will help you save up to 30% on your gas mileage.
• It is best to buy your gas at night.
• Keep your speed moderate. You will save nearly 21% on your gas mileage by traveling 55 mph, compared to traveling 10-15 miles more.
• When traveling at high speeds, keep your windows shut. Open windows can decrease gas mileage by up to 10%. This is comparable to air conditioning.
• Avoid driving on bumpy roads. They can reduce your gas mileage by up to 30%.
• You can cool down the automatic transmissions by placing them in neutral at long lights or traffic stoplights.
• Reduce excess weight in your car – this can help reduce gas mileage.
• You should ensure that your tires are pressurized to at least the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
• Get an estimate of the cost of fuel for your trip by visiting the Fuel Cost Calculator.

5. Travel safe and alert

Safety on the road is only possible if you are safe and alert. You want to avoid any unexpected situations that may arise. Take these things into account when you commute.

• Check for road hazards
• Pay attention to aggressive drivers and tailgaters.
• If you are in an emergency, don’t pull over on the sidelines of the road.
• You should always have enough gas for exits
• Stop for breaks to stretch and avoid falling asleep behind the wheel
• If you are feeling tired, try turning the window down or listening to music.
• To avoid highway hypnosis or fatigue, share driving responsibilities

Relax and remember why your trip was planned. It’s always a good idea to enjoy the journey as much as you love the destination. You can make any trip worthwhile, whether you are traveling for business or pleasure.