If you’ve never done it, you should. The open road, stops at highway diners, motels with blinking neon signs just off the interstate. Road trips are a staple in the American culture from cross country family vacations, to college freshman making their way home for the holidays.
While a road trip can be the foundation for lifelong memories of fun and adventure, without the proper preparation, they can also be, well, a nightmare.
Here are some tips to keep in mind if you have fantasies of road tripping on the brain:
First, anticipate a problem with your vehicle. Nothing can shut down a road trip and eat up precious time like car problems. Time your routine maintenance check up about two weeks before you plan to go.
This will give you time to have the problem repaired by a mechanic before you leave. If the trip is impromptu, take your vehicle into a mechanic the morning before you leave and ask for a quick test of the important basics: fluid levels, air pressure, brake pads. If you feel your vehicles in good enough shape, you should still expect something to go wrong. Lots can happen on the open road and regardless of the condition of your...