|
| Updated |
Jul 7, 2004 20:28:59 |
| Rating |
 417 ( 90 +21.58% ) | | Author | Shannon White |
|
|
| Other author's articles: | - Road Rulz Introduction - Now that the temperatures are rising right along with that urge to skip town, it's time to start seriously thinking about planning your summer vacation. Whether it's a weekend getaway or an extended holiday, traveling by car can be an economical and…
| | Show all author's articles |
Description:
Road trips are a little like an all-you-can-eat buffet: they sound like a good idea at first, but can often cause serious intestinal discomfort and indigestion. Even the most meticulously thought out trip can take a wrong turn into the highway to...well, you know where. If you are looking for a bit of adventure to spice up your otherwise drab existence, then by all means leave the majority of your planning to wherever the road may lead --but at least play it smart.
Often times the eager beaver, I have been known to set a course for adventure without much thought to pre-planning. And, let me tell you, almost every possible scenario you can think of has happened to me on the road at one time or another (including blowing a head gasket climbing a mountain in the middle of Arizona at 3:00 am with no town in sight and a sleeping baby in the back with no cellular phone). Now, even though I may not know exactly where the road ahead may take me, at least I know exactly how to prepare for just about anything.
I have my mental checklist of must-haves, as should you, fellow travelers. Always be prepared for the worst. Expect to have some sort of car trouble along the way. Think ahead and consider the most likely scenarios.
Pack at least two gallons of water for both your passengers and your vehicle, should either overheat.
Have a full-size spare tire stored away in your trunk, along with the proper equipment to facilitate a change along the side of any road. Check out Autobytel.com’s partner, TireRack.com, for all of your tire and wheel needs.
Purchase an Emergency Repair Kit from your local auto center or discount retailer. The kits usually run about $20-25 dollars, and include such items as a flashlight, flares, plastic rain slicker, and more.
Check into Roadside Assistance packages. With such benefits as towing, roadside service, emergency lockout service, etc., it is a minimal investment that could be a lifesaver (as well as a money saver). Check out Autobytel’s Driver’s Elite Auto Plan and save $20 today.
Carry a cellular phone at all times (and make sure your battery is fully charged). Being caught in the middle of nowhere without a phone creates a huge headache, not to mention a grueling hike to neighboring towns, only to find the payphone is out of order and the diner is closed. If you don’t have a cell phone yet, step up to the 21st Century and visit the Autobytel.com Store today.
Map out your route carefully prior to leaving. The Internet is a great resource for driving directions, hotels, coupons and sights to see along the way. Through MyGarage, Autobytel.com now offers driving directions with detailed maps powered by Mapquest. Best of all, it’s free and printable, so you can bring it along.
Make sure your automobile is road-worthy before taking off. Schedule an appointment with an Autobytel.com Accredited Dealer through MyGarage. We offer free service quotes and other handy tools to help maintain your vehicle.
If you know your car will not endure the trip, look into renting one. Most rental companies offer unlimited mileage packages for very reasonable rates. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Visit MyGarage to book a reservation through Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Be sure you and all others driving are insured through your policy. Although generally your insurance covers both yourself and anyone driving your vehicle with your permission, call your carrier before hand just in case. If you would like a free comparative quote through Autobytel.com, visit our Insurance Resource Center.
Part 1: Road Trip Rookie
By Shannon White |
|
