Monday, June 25, 2012

Planning A Flawless Family Road Trip

By Louis Kinchel


Getting the family together for a road trip can be quite an exercise. The process of getting there, between the heavy traffic, driver's fatigue, and bored or restless kids, can test anyone's patience.

If you want to make the experience enjoyable rather than frustrating, you can do some diligent planning for everything such as fuel costs and rest stops.

For families that are planning their next road trip, here are some advice to consider.

Before You Go

Make sure that you take time to plot your journey from beginning to end. How about planning your trip online? If ever you have no access to the Internet, then try contacting the nearest local travel office.

Calculate your gas costs.

Give your car a checkup. Your vehicle should be checked and inspected by a certified auto technician.

Keep in mind that timing is everything. As you plan your trip, make time allowances for traffic jams, road construction and other factors that may reduce your expected speed.

On the Road

Starting fresh is important. Don't leave early after staying up late packing clothes and loading your vehicle but instead, the night before your trip, get plenty of rest. Driving drowsy is extremely dangerous and results in many crashes and deaths each year.

Being safe. Make sure that all passengers are secured properly with safety belts and child safety seats as needed. For your kids, choose the proper child safety seats and make sure that they are installed properly. When it comes to child safety seats, about 90% are incorrectly installed.

Try keeping your family engaged. If you are traveling with children, they'll need something to keep them busy. To help them pass the time, make sure you brought some books and games. On-board DVD players are now featured in many vehicles and these can help keep children entertained for hours.

Stop periodically to stretch your legs. Taking a break every 100 miles or every two hours is a must especially if you are traveling with children and pets. To avoid driver fatigue, make arrangements to alternate with other drivers.




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