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Road trips are a great way to spend time together as a family, but they can be exhausting, too. Planning an upcoming trip with your family? While you can’t predict that everything will go as planned, preparing ahead of time will help things to go smoothly. If traveling is on the horizon for you and your family, now is the best time to start getting ready for the journey ahead. Keep the following tips in mind as you prepare for your upcoming trip:

1. Budget for Gas

Before you embark on your journey, it’s best to know how much you’ll need to spend on gas. Though gas prices are always fluctuating, it’s ideal to plan and budget for gas as much as you can. Factoring the mileage into your predicted expenses will help you get an accurate idea of how much to shell out at the gas station.

2. Download Offline Maps

Downloading an offline map is a great idea if you know that you’ll be traveling outside of your cell phone’s network coverage. Visit Google Maps, find your destination, and click on Download Map Area to get an offline version of a map. Bring along a portable charger as well to make sure you can access your phone during the entire trip.

3. Think Ahead

Have you been thinking about buying a new car this year? If so, it would be very wise to buy a new vehicle before your family road trip so that you are far less likely to have any car problems along the way. You can find cars that are very reliable and affordable at the GMC Dealership in Baton Rouge before your road trip. You and your family will have much more peace of mind and will have a more enjoyable experience overall.

4. Check Your Car’s Oil

If it’s been more than six months since your last oil change, schedule one right away. Regularly changing your car’s oil is a simple way to prevent pricey and inconvenient mechanical problems down the road. Changing your vehicle’s oil at a dealership every 2,500 miles can help you catch and address problems before they become too big of an issue. That way, you can save time, money, and frustration on your upcoming trip.

5. Perform Car Maintenance

Making sure your car is in good working order is a must before hitting the road with your family. Likewise, make sure your spare tire, fluid levels, and brakes are up to par, and that you have roadside assistance info on hand. Ask a friend or family member to go for a test drive with you to double-check safety features such as seat belts, airbags, and antilock brakes.

6. Keep Kids Busy with Activities

One of the challenges that can arise when traveling with kids is keeping them entertained. Over a long car ride, it’s not uncommon for kids to get bored and start fighting or whining. Make sure you bring a wide variety of activities (books, cards, games, toys) to keep their minds occupied.

7. Stay Safe on the Road

Staying safe on the road is another must for family members planning a road trip. Whether that means keeping your youngest children in a car seat or taking into account the current weather before traveling further down the road, driving carefully should be a high priority. Before going on your journey, make sure all drivers are familiar with local laws and have the necessary documents for insurance, driver’s license, and the like.

8. Have an Emergency Supplies Bag

If you’re planning a road trip with your family, it’s also essential to have an emergency supplies bag in your car. Creating a kit helps keep you and your family safe as well as organized during any kind of travel. Inside the car should be items like extra clothing, flashlights, water, food, and medical equipment. While these are all things you can buy ahead of time, assembling them yourself ensures that everyone knows where everything is inside of your vehicle.

9. Take Regular Breaks from Driving

No matter how far you’re traveling, try to take regular breaks from driving. It’s easy to get tired and distracted when you’re behind the wheel for a long time, so try to stop every two hours or so. At each break, everyone should get out of their seats and walk around a bit. Stretch your legs, eat some snacks and rest your eyes. Consider having multiple drivers for your road trip to make sure everyone stays safe on the road.

Conclusion

With summer vacation just around the corner, many families are planning their summer road trip vacations. Make sure your upcoming travel plans are as safe as possible to keep your family happy once you’re all on the road again.