Be Prepared This Summer for Your Road Trip
School’s out for summer. The days are getting longer and the weather’s getting warmer. It’s the time of year when you start thinking about getting away. Summer means vacations, the beach, and spending time with your family. That often means taking a road trip. It can be a wonderful way to relax, bond with your loved ones and recharge your batteries, metaphorically speaking. At Elite Towing & Transport Inc., a family owned and operated company, we want to make sure you’ve also charged your vehicle’s battery before you go. We’ll be there for you if you need a tow, and we also want to give you some tips on how to make plans to help you get the most out of your summer family road trip.
Making Plans Before You Leave
The best family road trips mix careful planning with spontaneity. You should plan ahead and think out what you want to do, but you should also be flexible enough to change those plans. It’s a good idea to have a family meeting to discuss where you’re going to go and what activities you’re interested in doing. The website, roadtripamerica.com, suggests that you try to find activities that will appeal to all members of the family. Getting input from the whole family is also important. Pre-planning is important, but there’s also nothing wrong with deciding to do things on the spur of the moment. Flexibility is also needed when things go wrong. Families need to understand that all trips encounter unexpected delays because of traffic, weather or other unforeseen occurrences. The more you roll with the punches, the happier you will all be.
Look at maps and guidebooks and plot out where you will stop, where you will eat and try to estimate your travel time. One major decision is figuring out how much travel time you should allow between stops. Parade Magazine recommends that you split your time 50/50, meaning that you spend half of your time engaged in activities at your destination while spending the other half of your time in your vehicle. It’s a good idea to print out an itinerary for your trip including directions to where you’re going. Even if you use a GPS or travel app, the printed directions can serve as a backup in case you lose service or something goes wrong.
Preparing for Time on the Road
Packing for even a day trip requires careful consideration, especially if you have kids. It’s important to remember to pack electronic devices and charge them. A portable DVD player can help pass the time as well. There’s nothing wrong with going “old school” too. You can play car games like “20 Questions,” look for as many out-of-state license plates as possible. Point out what attractions you see or when you cross state lines or go into a major city. Road trips are a great time to have family discussions, share remembrances of past vacations or talk about family history. The important thing is to have fun and grow a bit closer.
Elite Towing & Transport Inc. Is There When You Need Us
Elite Towing & Transport Inc. hopes you get a chance to spend as much time as possible with your family this summer. We hope you have a safe trip wherever you’re headed and if you need roadside assistance on Long Island, we’ll be there for you. Also, if you have an exotic car that you just can’t leave at home, we can transport it for you. Contact us today.