The summer vacations are in full swing, which means any day now you’re probably planning on heading off on vacation before school starts. If this year, you have decided to do something a little more exciting than normal and road trip across the US, you need to have everything planned out.
Traveling with kids always takes a lot of preparation, but even more than usual is needed when you’re planning an extended trip. That’s why it’s so important that you’re aware of all the ins and outs of preparing for a road trip across the US. So that you’re able to do everything that you need to. To help you ensure that you’re as prepared as possible, I thought I would share some tips and advice with you.
Plan your route in advance
The first thing that you need to do, once you’ve selected where you want to go, of course, is plan your route. It’s easy to think that you’ll just go with the flow and go where the wind takes you, but this can be seriously stressful. Especially when you have little ones with you. That’s why it’s best to plan every aspect of your trip beforehand, to ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible. Plan out a route and mark on the map the order in which you’re going from place to place. As well as bringing a navigation device to get you from place to place, it’s also worth packing a road map – just in case.
Decide on what vehicle to take
The next step is to think about what vehicle to take on your trip. Will you take your car, RV or will you hire a car or motorhome? Opting to travel in an RV is probably the best option, as this will make your trip easier and less expensive. However, before you can do that, you need to get your RV checked over for any problems. To do this, book it in for a service, that way, any issues can be dealt with, and you shouldn’t have any problems while you’re away. That being said, just in case you encounter problems while you’re away, it’s best to ensure that you have adequate vehicle recovery. Just in case there are any issues.
Whether you’re taking your SUV or RV, it’s worth considering to get the car seats outfitted with new covers to keep as backup. If you’re going to be on the road for weeks or months on end, you may not be able to get your vehicle cleaned and serviced for some time. That’s why it’s best to have reserves of car essentials in case of accidents that need the help of professionals to clean or fix.
Book accommodation beforehand
If you’re not traveling via motorhome, it’s important to book your accommodation beforehand. Else, you could end up arriving in a strange place with nowhere to stay. Even if you plan on camping, it’s crucial that you book your pitch beforehand. This is especially important during peak season, as pitches get booked up fairly quickly.
Research each place
The next step is to take the time to research each place that you plan on visiting. This is important as doing so will allow you to get to grips with what’s on offer in the area, such as all the best sights and attractions. As well as all the best places to drink and dine. The best resource for research an area has to be Trip Advisor as it’s packed full of honest reviews. Have a browse and look out for any places to restaurants that are child-friendly.
There you go, everything that you need to know about preparing for a road trip across the states. Take the above tips and advice on board, and you can ensure that your trip is as enjoyable as you hoped it would be.
Laura says
I think it's important when going on a road trip that you make sure your vehicle is large enough for the passengers to get comfortable in. Nothing's worse than being squashed in the backseat between other people.