Holiday Road-Trip Travel Tips

 

Holiday Road-Trip Travel Tips

 

Traveling during the holidays has become increasingly popular. With more people traveling, that means more traffic and more accidents. So, when you plan your next holiday road trip, here are some travel tips to bear in mind before you begin.

 

Keep All Your Documents Updated and Ready

 

A road trip will take you through all kinds of highways and backroads. On the off chance that you get pulled over, it is not a good idea to have documents missing or not up to date. So, make sure that you update all your documents, including registration, license, and insurance. Also, make sure that you have paid all your traffic citations. It is the last thing that should be ruining your holiday.

 

Have a Mechanic Check Your Car

 

On a road trip, you will spend most of your time in the car, you have to be sure to make your car as comfortable as possible. Have a mechanic give the car an overhaul. They will make sure that your spare is inflated, the fluids are topped up, check the brakes, and refill the wiper fluid.

 

If you are carrying camping gear and other such equipment, then make sure that the roof rack is fitted correctly. You will also require booster cables to tie down the equipment to the rack.

 

Keep an Emergency Kit Handy

 

Once you hit the road, anything can happen. So keep an emergency kit at hand. The kit should include a first aid kit, flares, flashlights, jumper cables, batteries, an extra cell phone and bottled water. 

 

Get a AAA Membership

 

An AAA membership gives you a lot of benefits. Not only do they provide emergency assistance, but they also supply maps, travel guides and hotel and restaurant ratings. What’s more, some hotels and restaurants give you a discount if you are an AAA member. So, don’t delay, join the AAA now.

 

Keep a Full Tank

 

Because a road trip may take you into unfamiliar terrain, the AAA recommends that you always keep your gas tank more than a quarter full. This may mean more number of stops, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

 

Carry Real Maps

 

Sometimes, exploring uncharted territory can take you to places that do not have the best cell phone reception. To avoid being stranded in such places, it is best to carry a real map instead of relying on your smartphone entirely. An actual map will also list some breathtaking spots that may not show up on your GPS.

 

Practice Changing a Tire and Jumpstarting the Vehicle

 

Knowing how to change a tire can be of use in case of a flat. This saves you precious time that would be spent on waiting for help. Also, learning to jumpstart your vehicle can come in hand in case your car battery dies. You will need jumper cables and a portable jump starter.

 

Try both these techniques a couple of times before heading out for your road trip. A portable jump starter can also come handy in charging your phone and other electronics. Some even come with emergency radios and lights.