Family Car Travel TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-207 -- More Projects » Travel expert Dawn Duffy shares tips for making family vacation traveling easier. Plan Ahead
- If time allows, plan on making side trips and visiting tourist attractions along the way.
- Plan carefully to allow plenty of travel time. Factor in rush hours, construction, rest stops or other possible delays.
- Meet with a professional travel counselor or call the Department of Transportation for each state in which you will be traveling to learn about road delays, alternative routes and popular sights.
- When traveling in the car with a cooler full of soda, water and fruit, instead of small, cubed ice, freeze water in milk cartons or jugs. It lasts up to four days longer, will cost less and won't leave food lying in water.
Vehicle Check
- Be sure your vehicle is properly and regularly checked according to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. Check oil levels, change the oil if necessary, and check the tires and lights.
- Carry a tire gauge in your car for checking the air pressure.
- To make sure you have good tread on your tires, insert a penny into the tread (Lincoln's head first). If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, you should consider getting new tires before your trip.
- Trouble reading maps? Highlight your route on the map before you leave home.
- Be sure to know your car and where the spare tire and jack are located. It would also be a good idea to practice changing a tire at home so that if you ever need to do it out on the road, you will be able to do so.
Travel Kits
- Prepare a general travel kit, complete with paper towels for spills, moist towelettes for sticky fingers, and a small flashlight for reading in the dark.
- Put together an emergency travel kit that out of a coffee can or small plastic box and be sure that it includes the following:
- Start by tying a white cloth around the outside with a string or twine that is sturdy enough for other emergency uses. The cloth can be used as a signal banner or bandage.
- Tape at least two quarters or a calling card to the plastic lid for telephone calls, matches in a waterproof container and candles to provide light and a way of heating food. (Be sure to open window when using candles.)
- A small flashlight with spare batteries is important. Remove the batteries when not in use to avoid accidental switch-on and burnout.
- Include a small knife, can opener, safety pins, paper towels, tin cup to heat liquids, food, spoons and aspirin. Also pack any high-calorie foods that are canned or packaged, such as stew, honey, semisweet chocolate, instant coffee, tea, soup, raisins, candy bars and or chewing gum.
- In addition, have these items handy: a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit, a light blanket, road flares or reflective triangle, booster cables and a tow cable.
Tips For Kids
- Remember to pack travel pillows for each passenger for long journeys. Sleeping children are quiet children.
- If it's going to be a long trip, be sure to pack lots of snacks and drinks.
- Have children put together their own travel kit in a tote bag they can hang over the back of the seat, with books they like to read, their own snack and preferred drink with a cap (if old enough to handle), games for the car, etc. This way you won't have to stop each time they need something.
- It's a good idea to pack a separate tape player for the kids. Dual jacks are available at electronics stores, and this will allow the driver to concentrate on the road or traffic information.
- Get a book on tape. Children love them, and it helps pass the time on long-distance road trips. Most libraries now have them.
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