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Are you looking for a multi-day getaway from the norm? Look no further. Road trips are exciting adventures to experience with loved ones on the great open road. It's the perfect time for bonding with others, engaging in long argumentative conversations, eating loads of junk food with absolutely no nutritional value and all while seeing memorable views along the way. As adventurous and spontaneous as road trips can be, there are a few things you need to settle before you hit the road.
First off, you want to get your car serviced.
It is important to make sure you have all the logistics down – and by that, I mean, make sure your vehicle is serviced. The last thing you want on your road trip is a car problem that could’ve been easily avoided. Be on the lookout for service specials to save a few bucks. Here are the most important services you want to be checked prior to your trip:
- Oil and filter change
- Car alignment. Ever feel that your steering wheel is shaky on the road? Yeah, that’s not good. Make sure to avoid this at all costs.
- Battery. This one is especially important! This is your car’s heart and soul. Avoid leaving the radio or lights on for too long when taking breaks from driving.
- Wash Your Car. Although this doesn't seem nearly as important as the other services, washing your vehicle can actually be beneficial for your safety on the road. You want to have clean windows that are free of dirt to be able to see the road clearly at all hours of the day.
Once that all checks out, you are one step closer to hitting the road!
Make sure you know your route.
For some of us, we are the kind of people that like to wing it and plan as we go – that’s cool. For others, we like to know ahead of time the logistics prior to our destination – probably the safer option. In the case of a family road trip, knowing your route is essential to avoid any unforeseen circumstances of getting lost in a car filled with worried kids.
It’s important to have a solid knowledge of the route you’re taking: what type of road you’ll be driving on (freeway or highway), weather changes (will my car overheat?), and an idea of the nearest gas stations, grocery stores, and food places.
- Study the time duration of your trip. If it’s going to take hours to get to your final destination, allot time for gas, bathroom and food breaks.
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Bring a GPS and a map. Luckily with the SQ5, a built-in GPS is already provided in the vehicle, and that is one less thing to worry about and one less thing to bring!
Now, the fun stuff.
Below are some tips on what essentials to bring that will perfect your family road trip:
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First and foremost, an emergency kit will provide medical and car supplies in case you face the unexpected. Typically, you can purchase these premade from any drug store, but it is also easier to make it yourself to personalize it to the things you might actually use. This may include:
Flashlight
Jump starter cables
Extra engine oil
Spare tire
Spare batteries
Band-aids
Blankets and towels
Motion sickness pills
Passports and ID’s in case you are crossing state or country borders
- Bring your own Wi-Fi. This is optional, but sometimes driving on unknown roads, Wi-Fi can be delayed or even nonexistent. If your GPS loses connection, a portable Wi-Fi will allow you to connect to it and you’ll have access to GPS on your phone.
- Pack your favorite snacks and meals for the road. You want to bring a combination of some healthy snacks and quick, easy meals that can hold you and your family off until you reach your destination.
- Come up with fun car road games to keep everyone entertained. You can vary it from the famous 21 Questions or to fun sing-along to song lyrics.
- Preset your music playlists. Music is a must for every road trip. Make a playlist that suits everyone’s musical preferences. You’ll know you’re doing it right once you have The Rolling Stones and Journey on your queue.
- Lastly, don’t forget your camera! Some of the best views are the ones you didn’t expect to appear right in your face. Don’t be afraid to pull over to the side of a road to capture every moment. It’ll make your road trip more memorable.
In conclusion
There really isn't anything like exploring the unknown. Traveling doesn't always mean spending money on airfare tickets. It can be as simple as getting in your car, turning on your engine and driving in a high-performance SUV vehicle with your loved ones. Once you have all your logistics down and handled, you can begin enjoying the journey of a road trip just as much as the destination.
