May 28, 2015

With summer just around the corner and the nice weather already here, plenty of us are thinking about getting in the car and heading out for new destinations. It’s part of what’s great about America is being able to see so much. But the important thing is to plan accordingly. Clinton Honda has some advice for keeping your road trip fun and safe.

 

Planning

As much fun as it can be to hop in the car and just go, longer trips, especially multi-day tours, do require a lot of thought ahead of time. Make sure you know your route and have some thoughts on major destinations. It’s helpful to not try to pack too much into a short trip to keep things light and enjoyable.

 

What to Bring

Along the planning part, make sure you pack accordingly. If you’re heading international, be sure to bring at least two forms of ID and, if you’re travelling with kids, be sure to bring copies of birth certificates. Always make sure you have a map or atlas in the car. As great as GPS and smartphones are, plan for the worst and hope for the best. Finally, music and snacks! Just make sure your road food isn’t likely to distract you.

 

Where to Go

Hitting the highlights is always a sure bet, but make sure you take some time for out of the way places. There are plenty of websites that will guide you off the beaten path. Doing so can leave you with a bit more of a feeling that you experienced a place and not just saw it.

 

What to Keep in Mind

All trips benefit from planning, but there comes a point when we all need to let go and let a trip be what it is. Forcing an itinerary can often be disastrous. Be open to changing plans and seeing what there is to see. Along that line: take your time. If you rush, you may miss it all.