We’re already halfway through the summer, so there’s still plenty of time left to hit the road and apparently more of us are doing just that. In this turbulent economy, more Americans are climbing into their car rather than onto a plane for vacation. And speaking as someone who just spent five days and 3,025 miles in a car with his wife and three-year-old daughter, I can attest to the upsides and downsides to the all-American road trip.
Admittedly, I’m a road-trip veteran and love the sense of discovery that comes with every drive. I’ve also driven across the country several times in cars that most people would question for a quick spin to the corner market. So, I’ve developed a methodology to road tripping and below are some ideas and tips to help make yours easier and more fun.
PICK A DESTINATION – Don’t get in the car with the thought that you’ll simply drive until you find someplace interesting. You’ll get bored quickly, because the trip seems pointless. Pick a destination, be it a city (Pittsburgh), landmark (the Duquesne Incline in Pittsburgh) or event (the Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pittsburgh), and use it as the anchor to travel the back roads and stop at mom-and-pop ice cream stands and antique stores along the way. The sense of purpose or a goal will make the trip more satisfying.
INSPECT YOUR CAR – Car problems can happen any place and any time, but do the preventative stuff to beat the odds. That means ensuring the tire pressures are checked and the engine doesn’t need oil or coolant before you hit the road. Annoyances you put up with on short drives will drive you nuts on long drives, so take care of tire vibrations, streaking windshield wipers and the like before you leave, too. And for the sake of comfort, sanity and family harmony, make sure the air conditioning system is up to snuff!
BALANCE THE ROAD FOOD – On our summer road trip, we knew we couldn’t avoid road food altogether, so we compromised: We packed some snacks and healthy food and knew we’d be buying some lunchtime burgers. We’re not big on breakfast, so we filled a small cooler with a half-gallon of milk, cheese snacks and yogurt, as well as some breakfast bars. They lasted all week. Buy those provisions at the grocery store before you head out, because it’s all a lot more expensive at truck stops and gas station convenience stores. We also brought our own water, filling the bottles nightly at the motels we stayed at, while also using their ice machines to replenish our cooler every morning.
TAKE THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE – Our three-year-old was too young to appreciate mountain scenery or look for license plates from all the states – and her version of “I spy” involves mom or dad having to telepathically guess the object in her mind that is probably at home – so besides a small library of her favorite books, we brought along a portable DVD player. We may not get nominated for creative parents of the year, but that thing was a godsend for a little girl whose nap schedule wasn’t exactly regular. Popping in her favorite video soothed her – and her parents – at key moments. Whatever the equivalent pacifier is for your kids, do it. You’ll all be a lot happier, even if the parenting magazines would rather you build origami versions of the state capitols.
IF TROUBLE FINDS YOU – If the worst happens and you experience car trouble or you’re driving a car you’re less than completely confident in, keep these tips in mind:
Aim for a truck stop, not a rest stop. A truck stop or gas station off the freeway is better equipped to assist with or repair a problem, or at least direct you to help. You don’t get that at a rest stop. Use rest stops for bathroom breaks and truck stops for when your car breaks.
Stay in the light. If you’re hearing funny noises or simply don’t trust your car, don’t drive after dark when you’re far away from home. Unless you’re traveling with a police searchlight, it’s all but impossible to inspect a car on the side of the road in the dark. Besides that, it just doesn’t feel good to break down in the dark.
Don’t blow your cool. If your car begins to overheat, turn off the air conditioning and turn on the heater full-blast. That will help circulate more coolant through the system. If possible, keep moving, even if that means taking a side road to avoid stop-and-go traffic, as air rushing into the grille will help cool the engine. Also, try to get the car to a gas station or truck stop, but don’t try to open the radiator or coolant tank. The system is too hot too handle.
By Barry Kluczyk, Van-Pools.com Blog Contributor
Tags: children, distraction, flat tire, food, fun, games, road trip, save money, tips, trade
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
