It’s that time of year again… Time to see just how much you can squeeze into the family minivan before it begins to sag in the middle. Time to see how far you can get before a child calls out: “Are we there yet?” And time to see how just how many miles exist between McDonald’s locations when you are cruising through Pittsburgh. Ah, yes, the family summer road trip of 2007… surely it will be one to remember (or at least one that will include events that will be hard to forget).
Before you head out on the highways and byways that crisscross this great country take a few minutes to peruse this list of road trip reminders. Because even if the adventure you are about to embark on is an annual event, there’s always something to be said about learning from others mistakes (namely mine own family’s).
Plan For The Worse Case Scenario
Basically; you want someone to have your back in case of an emergency. If you are on the road long enough, eventually you will end up in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire, a dead battery or a shredded serpentine belt. Which is why it is wise to join a roadside rescue service prior to pulling out of your driveway. Having an 800-number that connects you with someone who can lend a hand (be it a tow service or mechanic) will save you precious time and needless anxiety—especially if you are traveling with a van full of “Are-we-there-yets?”
Division of Labor
Know your family members’ strengths and weaknesses. If you have a whiz kid give him or her the map and put him or her on navigational duty. If you have a picky eater in the group make sure she helps with the meal planning. If one of your travel companions has a weak bladder make sure that he is manned by a person who will not let him into the cooler stocked with 64-ounce beverages. Know who does what well, and divvy up the travel-related duties accordingly.
Never Leave Home Without A Phone… Card.
Yes, cellphones are extremely handy inventions, but you want to supplement them with a phone card, especially if you are driving in areas that offer limited cell signals. Having a reliable pre-paid phone card in your travel arsenal will be invaluable when you are traveling along Route 110 in the far reaches of a picturesque peninsula with a non functioning cellphone.
Photo Source: Truecar
Check back for more Road Trip Reminders in my next blog.
Related Articles:
Preparing For Your Road Trip: Part 1
Preparing For Your Road Trip Part 2
Preparing For Your Road Trip: Part 3
The Family Road Trip–A Lesson In Compromising
On The Road With Children–“Sanity-Savers”