Check the Car – Are your tires properly inflated? Do your oil and fluid levels need to be topped off? Is the AC working properly? If you need a tune-up you can find a repair shop in your area, or if you're really ambitious, Edmunds.com can help with do-it-yourself car maintenance tips.
Cater to the Kids – Nothing can ruin a family road trip quite like a cranky kid. If your child sleeps well in a car, consider leaving at bedtime or during early morning hours. Bring healthy snacks and water – especially electrolyte water, which hydrates kids quickly and stays in the body longer (meaning fewer potty breaks).
Pack Some Entertainment – No TVs built into the headrests? No problem. Portable DVD players are very affordable, and of course, passengers can always fire up movies or games on a laptop or tablet. Even if you don't pack the technology, there are still plenty of old-fashioned road trip games – like I Spy, 20 Questions and the Picnic Game - that the entire family can enjoy.
Know Where You're Going – Even if your car isn't equipped with a navigation system, there is a wide variety of free navigation apps – such as Google Maps – available for your smartphone. No matter what app you use, choose one that offers real-time traffic information to avoid crippling backups. And it's never a bad idea to have paper maps on hand in case there are issues with your phone or its network connection.
Keep Calm and Carry On – Whether it's the kids screaming behind you, or the jerk who just cut you off on the freeway, you never know when a flash of road rage will hit. The best way to avoid angry outbursts is to make sure you're rested. Get a good night's sleep before your trip, and for especially long road trips, take a break every two to three hours.
Source: Edmunds.com
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