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Road trips don’t have to be a headache, although the only way to guarantee a journey that’s free from snafus is to plan it thoroughly in advance.
If you’re in the dark about what to do in this situation, stick around. We’ll talk through the main points you need to consider.
I’m sharing about this topic of stress-free road trips, because I’m a bestselling author and happiness researcher. I’m known for my bestseller called Happy Habits.
In my research, I learned a lot about how to make sure you develop positive habits which lead to your best life. Guess what? Taking road trips with loved ones is a research backed “happy habit.” It bonds you – and creates memories for years to come.
I want to help make sure these are happy memories – not stressful memories! So in this article I explore a step-by-step guide to planning a stress-free road trip.
While you might not need to map out your route using a physical atlas any more, it’s still sensible to think carefully about which roads to take and what stops to pencil in along the way. Given that there are over 4 million miles of highways knitting the nation together, you’ll need some digital assistance in this scenario.
First, pick your platform of choice. While Google Maps is a good default option, serious road trippers tend to rate Waze more highly because it’s all about user input and condition analysis.
Next, consider where you’re headed. Look for potential stopping points along the way. Penciling in a break every hour or so isn’t just useful for rest and relaxation. It also lets you take in attractions you might otherwise have missed.
Finally, determine your journey time and adjust expectations based on how far you’re going, how many of you will be traveling, and the mode of transport you’ve selected.
For instance, if you’re based on the east coast and you’re looking into Pennsylvania RVs for sale as a means of making a mega cross-country trip to the west, your cruising speed will be lower than if you were driving a smaller sedan or SUV. But you’ll get there more comfortably and serenely. So it’s a worthy trade-off.
Packing smartly is another must if you want to eliminate stress from a road trip.
Here’s what you need to consider:
Ensuring your vehicle is road-ready prevents unexpected issues – and given that data from Agero shows there are 69 million breakdowns each year, with an economic impact in excess of $41 billion, you need to consider that the chances of something being amiss are pretty high.
Start by inspecting the tires; check for proper inflation, adequate tread depth, and any visible damage. Next, examine the oil level and quality – an oil change might be necessary if it’s been a while since the last one. Check coolant levels to avoid overheating on long drives.
Also, don’t forget to inspect other essential fluids like brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Assessing these can help maintain optimal performance throughout your trip.
Examine the battery condition as well; clean any corrosion from terminals and ensure it’s fully charged. Test all lights including headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and interior lights to guarantee visibility at night or in bad weather.
Lastly, review your wiper blades’ effectiveness by checking for wear or streaks they leave behind on the windshield – consider replacing them if needed. These steps make sure you catch potential problems before hitting the road.
Once you’ve got a handle on these road trip fundamentals, you’ll truly be able to get behind the wheel with the whole family onboard and make amazing memories together on the open asphalt, rather than tearing your hair out as soon as you reach the end of your street.
Get more tips to live a life you truly love! Check out my bestselling book Think Happy!