Summer road trips are a wonderful way to see various parts of the country or even visit another country. A road trip is a creative way to see several landmarks during one vacation period; and expose you to the richness and history of other cultures. When you travel the open road with family and friends, you’ll have time to bond and create beautiful memories.
5 things you need in order to enjoy your summer road trips
Before you pack up and hit the road, here are a few things to make your road trip enjoyable.
A Tune-Up
Whether you’re driving a car, van or RV, have the vehicle inspected before getting on the road. Make sure the brakes and tires are working at their best. Also, ask your mechanic to top-off all your fluids. Check the battery and replace it if necessary. You should also have a fully inflated spare tire.
Take a pair of jumper cables with you just in case you have to restart your vehicle. If your current RV or car isn’t in the best condition for a long-distance trip, consider renting a vehicle so you can travel safely.
A High-Quality Camera
In today’s age of social media, you’ll likely want to post some pictures of your road trip online. Of course, you may also want to take a few pictures to keep for yourself. You’ll need a quality camera to capture the beauty of nature and popular landmarks. You can also create video footage as a digital keepsake from your road trip.
Bedding
If you’re going on a road trip this summer, you may want to plan to spend some time outdoors or enjoying the beauty of nature. Driving an RV can make it easier to travel long distances comfortably, so getting a quality memory foam mattress for RV can help you get a great night’s sleep. You’ll find quality mattresses that are similar to the ones that belong on traditional bed frames.
You can also choose from firm, soft or medium mattresses to ensure everyone on your road trip is getting a refreshing night’s sleep. It also helps to get quality bedding for your mattresses, or purchase sleeping bags so you can sleep on your mattress and still feel as though you’re camping out if summer nights are cool or rainy where you’re traveling.
A Journal
Bring a journal with you so you can capture your thoughts and emotions in writing during your road trip. You don’t have to use the journal every day or write a conventional entry; a sunset may inspire you to write a poem; or write an open letter to someone you meet while on your trip. A journal can be just as precious as a photo album when you want to look back on your vacation and remember the fun you had and the things you learned.
A Checklist
Even if you want your road trip to be impulsive and carefree, you should still have a checklist in place so you:
- Don’t forget important items before and during your vacation.
- Want to make sure you know which sites you want to visit and use a map to determine the distance between those locations.
- Don’t miss out on a few local attractions you want to see. For instance, if you’ve always wanted to try an obscure restaurant in a town or want to stay in a specific hotel, include these in your plans to make the trip especially interesting.
Budget Checklist
You should also include a budget in your checklist; it’s essential to know how much you can expect to spend on gas and food. Be sure to set aside some money for emergencies and unexpected vehicle repairs as well.
If you’re traveling in an RV, stock up on groceries and toiletries so you won’t have to stop repeatedly on the road. Make sure you have other small household items like chargers, air fresheners, or even your favorite books or magazines. This will help you pass the time and make you feel more at home.
When you have an idea of where you’re going, make plans for lodging, and include special locations in your road trip, you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime.
Aboutt the Writer: Tarah Mills has always had a passion for writing. Her philosophy is that not only can writing be educational, but it can change the world. While dedicated to her work, she still enjoys: a good game of basketball, curling up to a good book, and all things Star Wars. She currently resides in the Richmond, Virginia area with her family.
