Tag: Spring-road-trip

Planning a Spring Road Trip: 6 Tips to Keep in Mind 

Between inflation and lingering pandemic fears, you might not feel like boarding a plane or have the spare ticket cash. However, vacations are necessary for your body and mind. You become an unproductive zombie going through the motions each day if you skip them year after year.

Why not load up the family truckster and seek adventure on America’s highways and byways? Here are five tips to keep in mind when planning your spring road trip.

 

Prep Your Vehicle 

When was the last time you took your car to the shop for inspection? Some states don’t require it, but a breakdown can throw a big-time wrench in your fun. At the very least, change the oil if it’s been a while. Neglecting to do so causes heat damage, eventually leading to complete engine failure if you aren’t careful.

 

Tend to your car’s interior, too. Springtime sunshine feels heavenly on your skin, but its harmful UV rays fade your leather, leading to cracks and rips. Do you want a quick and easy fix? Invest in a windshield cover that blocks the sun from entering your vehicle, doing double-duty by keeping you cooler on hot days.

Pro-tip: Carry maintenance essentials in your vehicle. At the very least, you should have triangles, flares and a jack for changing a flat tire. You could also include a small tool bag if you’re handy enough to perform relatively easy tasks like swapping out the radiator on an old Jeep CJ. Check with your insurance before you leave about your roadside assistance coverage — bump it up or join a club like Triple-A for maximum peace of mind.

 

Pack the Essentials 

Road trips can get costly if you forget things and have to buy them along the way — especially with today’s inflation. Here’s a shortlist of what to include in your spring road trip go-bag:

 

● Mix and match clothes: Two or three shirts with one dressy bottom and one casual keep it light.
● Extra underwear and socks: Take some heavy socks if car temperature wars leave your flip-flop-clad feet shivering.
● Prescription and OTC medications
● Any assistive devices — including your glasses, contacts and solution
● Electronic devices and chargers: Include your Airpods and peripheral devices, such as extra lenses for professional cameras.
● Hygiene supplies: A few areas still have COVID-19 restrictions in effect. To be honest, you should always carry sanitizer and it doesn’t hurt to have a mask or two for entering crowded areas.
● Water and snacks: Food prices continue to soar and restaurants raise theirs to compensate. Save cash and eat healthier by stocking up on trail mix and other healthy snacks you feel good giving your kids.
● Blankets, toys and comfort items: A blanket can be your best friend if you break down on a chilly desert highway at night. Your kids need something to soothe them, too — perhaps their favorite plush toy?

Choose Your Destinations 

You could hit the road and let the wind dictate your direction. However, safety rules say you should chart a course, leaving a copy of your “flight plan” with someone on the home front. The chances of something happening are slim, but it’s comforting for folks to know where to look if you don’t arrive at your destination on time.

 

Where should you go? If you’re on the east coast, why not tour Cape Cod or head south for the Miami to Key West crawl? Are you west of the Mississippi? Historic Route 66 can’t be beat for scenery changes — you can nearly experience all four seasons in one 2-week jaunt.

Reduce Fuel Costs 

If you drive a standard Hummer,  you might cringe at the pump. Why not consider leasing an electric vehicle? You’ll find oodles of charging stations in many popular vacation destinations, allowing you to take in the sights while you recharge.

At the very least, check your tires. Poorly inflated ones decrease fuel efficiency. Turn off your AC whenever possible, especially when pulling big hills, to further reduce demand.

 

Manage Your Road Debris 

Sadly, most gas stations don’t have recycling bins. However, letting all those bottles roll around your car’s floor while you travel causes stress. That’s what you’re trying to escape on your holiday.

 

Make your life easier by packing two bags — one for trash, the other for recyclables. A quick Google search reveals nearby sorting centers if you start to overflow. That way, you aren’t dumping perfectly reusable plastic in landfills, adding to the climate crisis.

 

Planning a Spring Road Trip 

Everyone deserves a vacation getaway. However, you might not have the time or money for boarding a plane and departing for foreign shores.

 

Why not head out on the highway to find adventure and family fun? Keep these five tips in mind when planning your spring road trip.

 

About The Author

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors, and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.

Planning a Spring Road Trip? Cover These 5 Things First

 

After the involuntary confinement of the past year, you might be raring to hit the open road and enjoy some hard-earned adventure. That said, your first holiday in months can turn nightmarish if the unexpected strikes.

 

A little preparation can help any driving holiday go more smoothly. If you’re planning a spring road trip, cover these five things first.

 

Prepare for Towing

Where will you sleep? If the past year caused you economic hardship, you aren’t alone. As much as you want to help rebuild the tourism industry, you can find better rates at campgrounds than even the least-expensive motels.

 

As much as you might crave the great outdoors after spending so much time inside, tents leave much to be desired in terms of comfort. Plus, they take up all your trunk space. Most vehicles can tow a small pop-up camper if you maintain your tires and suspension.

 

Unless you are an experienced DIY auto expert, you should take your ride to the shop to get your tow-hitch fitted. They have specialized equipment like wheel-balancing machines that can protect your vehicle’s suspension from uneven wear and tear — a trailer can worsen existing imbalances.

 

Prime Your Vehicle

While you have your car in the shop, have your mechanic give her a thorough inspection. They should check all your belts, hoses and fluid levels. Good hoses feel firm and pliant — take your car for service if you detect squishy spots or signs of belt cracks and fraying.

 

Even if you take every precaution, car trouble can still strike. Before you depart, learn how to perform tasks like changing a tire and adding fluid to your radiator. It’s always wise to carry roadside assistance coverage, but it isn’t a failsafe. You don’t want to sit for hours at night on a dark desert highway when a little lug nut know-how could get you rolling again more quickly.

 

Pack the Right Supplies

Springtime is a tricky vixen. One day feels nearly tropical with temperatures in the 80s, then the next, a blizzard threatens. Some areas of the country are more volatile than others, but you can expect wide temperature fluctuations nearly anywhere. When packing your suitcase, bring mix-and-match separates for every season.

 

You should always carry basic first aid and safety supplies in your ride when planning a spring road trip. Include the following:

 

● A car safety kit: You should have flares, a spare tire and jumper cables at a minimum. You also need to check and change your car tires on a regular basis to maintain safety on the road. When choosing new car tires, it is important to deeply research reviews of car tire brands because it will help you to find the right type for your vehicle.You might also want to include a few hand tools and some motor oil, radiator and windshield wiper fluid.
● A first aid kit: Along with the basic bandages and ointments, please take any prescription medications. Talk to your doctor about getting a 2-week travel supply you can stash in your luggage.
● Water: A good rule is two liters per day, per person, in case you have to abandon your vehicle and walk — or wait a long time for help to arrive.
● Snacks: While these aren’t strictly essential, relying on road fare can lead to dubious nutritional choices. Consider packing something healthier, like nuts.
● Blankets: Few things are more miserable than freezing while you wait for help, and you might not be able to run the engine if you need to conserve gas.
● Extra batteries and chargers: The worst time to breakdown is when your phone runs out of juice.
● Copies of documentation: It’s a smart move to save copies of your driver’s license and any cards in a flash drive or secure cloud account. If someone steals your wallet, you’ll be grateful for the 411 at your fingertips.

Polish and Share Your Plans

If you plan on taking a solo road trip, choose your stops with an eye on security. Call hotels and ask about their safety measures and look elsewhere if they seem sketchy. Saving a few dollars isn’t worth putting yourself in danger.

 

Always leave a copy of your itinerary with a trusted individual at home — print your route off Google Maps so they know your course of travel. Schedule check-ins so that your folks at home know to contact authorities and where to point them if they don’t hear from you.

 

Provide Ample Drive-Time Entertainment

Are you taking your little ones with you? If so, carefully evaluate how many times you can hear, “Are we there yet,” before losing your patience.

 

Take along plenty of drive-time entertainment. Now isn’t when you should worry about screen restrictions — you can limit device use once you reach your destination. You can also pick up activity books inexpensively at any dollar store, and a brand-new set of markers and crayons can delight kids for hours.

 

Cover These 5 Things When Planning Your Spring Road Trip 

When planning your spring road trip, cover these five things. You’ll safeguard yourself and your loved ones while enjoying a more pleasant — and well-deserved — journey.

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About The Author

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors, and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.
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