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5 Tips to Help You Get Ready for Your Spring Break Road Trip

This has been a wicked Winter but rest assured Spring will soon be here. I know it's hard to believe while those mounds of dirty snow just outside your window but hang in there Spring is on its way!

As we gear up for our annual Spring Break Road Trip I decided to share some traveling tips with some of my fellow road warriors.  These tried and true tips are sure to help you save money as you and your family gear up for your road trip. 

#1  Make Sure ALL of Your Tires Are Properly Inflated
         Winter has wrecked havoc on city streets and potholes are everywhere.  Lessen your chances of a blowout by making sure your tires are properly inflated.  My mechanic suggests steering away from those gas station tire inflators with the auto tire gauge and don't rely solely on the your car's tire pressure monitoring system.  He suggests a quick visit to your local mechanic or tire shop is the best way to make sure your tires are properly inflated.  Don't forget about the spare tire tucked away in the trunk of your car.  Be sure to keep a tire gauge in your car's glove compartment at all times.  Properly inflated tires help save money at the gas pump as well. 

#2  Schedule a Checkup
         Before hitting the road you should always schedule always check fluids and your car's air filter.  Make sure oil, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid and wiper fluid levels are where they should be.  My mechanic checks belts and hoses for wear and tear and always clears the corrosion on our car battery.  Recently, he cleaned my headlights.  OMG what a huge difference. 








Checkups aren't expensive either.  Some mechanics offer vehicle maintenance specials just in time for the Spring Break Road Trip season.  Be on the lookout for specials in your local newspaper.  Also, be sure to ask about discounts.  Some mechanics offer discounts for military, retirees, or my favorite Ladies' Day. 

#3  Make Sure Your GPS Software is Current or at least have a Roadmap
         For months you've ignored the flashing Update GPS Software notice on your phone or GPS, but if you're planning to hit the road now is the time to make sure your software is current.  Technology helps answer the dreaded road trip question "Are we there yet?"  There's some reassurance being able to tell the kiddos exactly how long it is til we reach our destination.   Plus having the latest software is the best way to make sure you don't take a wrong turn end up crossing the border into Mexico.  It only happened once but my family refuses to let me forget it.  Yes...this REALLY happened.

#4  Change the Air Filter
         Chances are you probably haven't changed your air filter since...  Changing the air filter is often one of the simplest and least expensive changes you can make.  Just like changing your A/C air filter helps cut costs on your home energy bill, changing your car's air filter helps cut costs on your car's fuel bill.  Changing the air filter only takes a few minutes.  Check online for How To videos or ask your mechanic to show you how to change your air filter during your next visit.
        
#5   Combat Boredom 
          Be sure to pack a tennis ball, Frisbee, and a camera to combat boredom.  Get out the car and enjoy a quick game of ball toss or toss around the Frisbee with the kids.  Have extra chargers for those electronic devices and puzzle books for those real, real "Mom, I'm bored" moments.

Be sure to snap pics when you stop for gas or even at road stops or attractions along the way.  For safety's sake don't share via social media when you and your family return from your vacation.  Check out area rest stops along the way and take pics posted up near the stateline for some really memorable photos.  Oh, if you're traveling along I-40 in the New Mexico area, be sure to check out the teepee-style rest area. 

Do you have any road tips to share?

Comments

You are right, plenty of activities including books, electronics and music. Also good snacks are a must for a successful road trip, and it's cheaper to bring them than buy them on the road.
Glam Karen said…
It definitely pays to be ready before you go on a road trip. I appreciate all the pointers that you made here, it's good to make sure that you have everything you need and that your car's in good shape!
AiringMyLaundry said…
These are some great tips! We won't be doing anything for Spring Break this year, but we will be doing stuff over the summer! My husband is good at checking over his truck before we go anywhere far.
candy said…
Always have the car checked over whenever we are taking long road trips. Check spare tire as well and make sure there is a first aid kit in the car stocked and ready to go.
Marysa said…
I try to keep my car as well maintained as possible, to keep our family safe. It is a good idea to have a checklist like this especially when you're doing a lot of driving. Another big one for us here is getting our snow tires put on for winter travel.
You're tips are very true! We have unfortunately experienced several car mishaps during our road trips. It's never fun to be in the middle of the country in summer and have the air conditioning stop working. I agree with you about taking pictures at every stop. Sometimes unscheduled sights are worth so much more!
joannabri said…
These are all tips that we do when travelling. We aren't doing spring break this year, it's just too crowded. Thankfully we homeschool and can take spring break whenever. ;-)
Mimicutelips said…
Our winter has been extremely cold. I have a lot of construction taking places in my neighborhood and that means nails/screws in my tires. Now I need to take care of those before we take any road trips.
Lisa said…
Lots of activities and lots and lots of snacks. I find taking a big variety is key or else everyone always ends up wanting something you don't have.
Heather Jones said…
We always end up forgetting something on a road trip. I'm grateful when we remember the most important things and nothing happens to a vehicle. We've been really lucky not to have any real car problems when traveling, but we are always smart in making sure oil has been changed and tires are properly inflated or have even been rotated.
Saidah said…
We love spring break. We always find something fun to do with the kids when they are out of school.
Anonymous said…
We do a lot of road trips especially during the spring and summer. We love hitting the open road and going on an adventure. These are great tips!
Pam said…
Making sure your GPS is current is so important. I've made the mistake of not having mine updated before a trip to Atlanta... it made a big difference.
Our Family World said…
This post is a great reminder. Soon lots of us will be going on road trips and this article sure provided good tips to make it a success! Car safety is very important. I think it is more important than saving on snacks!
Sara Welch said…
This is an amazing post. You covered everything people will need to know and then some!
Kita Bryant said…
I have made the mistake of bad tires. The day we were supposed to leave it went flat and the tire store was closed.
Carol Cassara said…
My husband and I would always have the car checked before we go on a road trip, it's part of the things that we always make sure to do because there's no such thing as being too safe. Love all the suggestions that you have here.
Laura Dove said…
Great tips! Checking your tyres is always a great thing to do, you can never be too safe before a trip!
Unknown said…
Good idea to get that all squared away before a big road trip. Wouldn’t want any rude awakenings. And yes, it really has been a wicked winter! At the tail end of it now though.
tat2gurlzrock said…
These are great tips. We are looking forward to a roadtrip soon!
mytyreman said…
Are terminated tires safe?
Old tires are perilous, paying little mind to step profundity. While there's no governmentally endorsed wellbeing direction on when a tire is too old to ever be protected, flat tyre repair numerous carmakers suggest substitution at a long time from the date of production. Old tires have been the guilty party in lethal mishaps

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