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 The family road trip is as American as Mom and apple pie. Just like attending baseball games and eating salt water taffy on the boardwalk, the road trip is a quintessential pastime.
When warm weather rolls around, it's your cue to start looking at beaches, campgrounds and amusements parks. It's time to start researching cities that you've always wanted to visit, but never found the time to see.
This year, after some serious debate and consideration, perhaps you've decided to take your family on a driving tour of South Carolina and Georgia. Starting in Savannah, and ending in Charleston, this 200-mile stretch through the Low Country will bring you past estuaries, tidal marshes and ancient oak trees draped in Spanish moss. |
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Here are 5 tips that you should follow in order for your family road trip to be as successful as possible:
1. Make sure your car gets a tune-up before you leave It's better to be safe than sorry. Even if your car is new and hasn't had any mechanical problems, take it to your trusted mechanic and have him give it a once-over. Make sure the oil is changed and there is enough air in all of the tires. Be sure that there is a spare in the trunk. If you do not have AAA, look at purchasing roadside assistance before you hit the pavement.
2. Get the right car insurance to cover what's needed on a road trip. This type of preliminary planning is often overlooked. While an accident is probably the farthest thing from your mind, you need to be prepared for the worst. Before you pack up the minivan and head for the Interstate, check out CarInsuranceQuotes.net to compare plans and ensure that you have the best insurance for your situation.
3. Bring a cooler or two. If you're stopping to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at restaurants or fast food chains, then a family road trip can quickly become expensive. If you have two coolers (one for drinks and the other for food), you will be able to cut down on expenses. Purchase cold cuts at a local supermarket, then pull over at a rest stop to make sandwiches for lunch. You never know when the kids are going to be hungry or thirsty, so it's best to be prepared.
4. Make all of your hotel reservations ahead of time. Spontaneity and flexibility are good traits, but having a solid plan goes a long way, too. After driving all day, the last thing you want to do is scramble around to find a place to stay in Georgia . You can avoid that hassle with a bit of advance planning.
5. Books, music and games are an integral part of the family road trip. Entertainment helps pass the time in your car or hotel room, plus it is also a form of family bonding. The family road trip is about sightseeing and having new experiences. More importantly, it is about having fun and bonding with your loved ones.
While this year's family road trip is focused on Savannah, Charleston and the Low Country, perhaps next year you will drive farther afield. After all, aren't small driving tours like trial runs for a long, cross-country haul? Once you decide to pack up the family and drive to California, you're going to need a whole different list of tips. |
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