Top Summer Road Trip Tips to Ensure an Unforgettable Adventure

Summer is here! And, this is a great time to get away with your family and have fun in the sun. Fun road trips for families, vacations, and other fun outdoor activities, like building a campfire, are some of the great ways to mark the season.

But, a broken-down car, or ill-preparedness, can spoil the party and ruin an otherwise fun summer road trip.

So, before you set out, you need to make sure that you’re well prepared for unexpected road trip eventualities.

Tips for a Safe and Fun Summer Road Trip

Below, we give top summer road trip tips to help you prepare yourself and your car. Thus, you can have the best summer road trip ever.

First, prepare yourself:

Get enough sleep

You’ll be on the steering wheel for a long, and feeling sleepy or drowsy is the last thing you want to think of. You need to get enough sleep to rejuvenate your energy reserves so you can drive for long without getting exhausted.

Then, start your journey in the morning, and if possible, refrain from driving between 1 and 3 p.m. Dr. Michael Breus, The Sleep Doctor, advises that people tend to be naturally drowsy during this time when the body’s temperature is lower.

Plan your rest stops

You need to stay alert throughout the journey. Regular rest stops are a great way to refresh and look around to see the countryside. A great rule of thumb is to stop after every two hours drive, or after covering roughly 100 miles.

Check your health insurance

You’ll be visiting new places with different climate conditions than what you’re used to at home. Such a change may cause a medical emergency for you or a family member, prompting the need to see a doctor.

Your health insurance covers medical and surgical expenses in case of an accident or illness. It also pays for checkups, screening, and vaccines.

So, ensure that your health insurance is working to avoid surprise out-of-pocket hospital bills that may increase your summer trip costs. 

Then, prepare your car:

Check fluids

Before setting out for your family’s summer road trip, it’s important to double-check your fluid levels and quality. Your car should also be checked for any loose hoses or leaky seals, and whether there’s a need for fluid flush and replacement.

Important fluids to check include:

Brake fluid: For an effective braking system, especially if you plan to drive through mountain roads.
Power steering fluid: For turning responsiveness to give more control over your car
Transmission fluid: To avoid a grinding sound when shifting gears
Coolant: A hot summer drive requires your reservoir to be filled properly. Also, make sure the fluid is in good condition and circulating properly to avoid overheating or knocking your engine.
Oil: To avoid damaging your engine, consider making an oil change. Or, check to see if your oil is in good condition and there’s no leak.

Other things to check, include tires, battery, brakes, headlights, signals, air filters, and putting together an emergency kit.

Check your car insurance

Driving without insurance may turn out to be costly and spoil your summer adventure. So, make sure you buy an auto coverage policy before you go.

If you already have car insurance, check to see whether your policy is up to date, and renew it accordingly. If you’re using a rental car, you may consider getting rental car insurance.

An independent insurance agent can help you find the best auto insurance policy for your vehicle. They work with a large network of the best insurance companies. Thus, they can easily and quickly help you get the most comprehensive auto policy at an affordable price.