Hit The Road This Season: These Tips Will Help Make Your Trip A Success.
Spring is here! You know what that means. It’ll be warm enough to drive with the windows rolled down. If you’d like to celebrate the arrival of a new season, we recommend taking a road trip.
Can’t take more than a day off? No worries. You don’t have to drive far. No matter where you might live, you can probably find a state park that’s close enough for a day trip.
Not an outdoorsy type? That’s okay. Find a play, concert, museum, comedy club, art gallery, sporting event, or shopping mall that’s within a few hour drive. You are only limited by your imagination.
No matter where you choose to go, the planning process remains basically the same. If you want to make sure you have a nice trip, follow these three steps.
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Make A Budget (And Stick With It)
If you have an idea where you are going, there will usually be these three primary expenses: gas, food, and lodging. Let’s start with gas because it’s unavoidable. A trip calculator estimates your total fuel cost.
Food can be as cheap or expensive as you need it to be. If you’re a fan of fine dining, feel free to splurge. If you’ve got boring taste buds, just pack a cooler with portable foods like chopped fruit and sandwiches. Helpful hint: stop at a park to stretch your legs and have a picnic.
If you need to book a room, check out travel search engines or apps like Kayak, Orbitz, Expedia, and Priceline. Or there are other options like Airbnb for various accommodations. You might save hundreds of dollars on a lucky day. Most places today accommodate your furry friend, so bring that little pet along, too.
Give Your Vehicle A Safety Inspection
There’s never a good time to break down, but getting stranded on a trip is the worst case scenario. You’re far away from any friends or family who might be able to help. Even AAA. You’re stuck in an unfamiliar area. You’ll be forced to choose an auto shop on the fly. Not to mention your plans are ruined.
Sounds awful, doesn’t it? Sorry for stressing you out, but I want you to understand why this is important. Now that I have your attention, let’s discuss a basic safety inspection you can do at home. I recommend going to a mechanic, because they will do a more thorough job; but hey, this is better than nothing!
Park your car on level ground and leave your engine running. To make sure your battery is doing well, turn on your headlights and interior lights. Are they dimmer than usual? That could mean your battery is about to die. Engage your windrows up and down. If they move slowly, that’s also a bad sign.
Stop your engine and let it cool off for two minutes. Get a rag, pop open your hood, and look for your motor oil. If you can’t find it, consult your owner’s manual for help. Remove the dipstick, wipe it off, and put it back. Take it out again and check the level. If it reaches “full,” you’re Ok. If it only reaches “add,” see a mechanic.
You’re almost done. Now take a look at your tires. Please don’t kick them. It won’t provide you with any useful information. Inspect their condition. Are there any holes, tears, or cracks? If so, that sounds like a blow-out waiting to happen. Check the inflation. You can go to a gas station or most convenience stores and buy your own gauge. Many people need to see a demonstration to understand the procedure; look for our video on how to do this.
I hope the auto safety inspection doesn’t intimidate you. It will be tough the first few times you try it. After you gain experience, it will become second nature. I can promise you this much: the stress of getting stranded is worse than the inconvenience of having to learn something new. Choose wisely.
