How To Prepare For A Road Trip

How to Prepare For a Road Trip in Chamblee, GA

What's more fun than a road trip? There are a lot of different reasons people take road trips, such as for business or to go on vacation. No matter what your reason is for taking one, you should keep in mind that there is a lot of preparation to consider doing before you hit the road. Being prepared can make all the difference and could even keep you from having a bad time out on the road.

To help you prepare, we've made a list of things you should take into consideration. To learn how best to prepare for a road trip, keep reading!

How to Prepare Your Car

Have a mechanic look over your car
1. Have a mechanic look over your car.

To help you avoid any mechanical mishaps on the road, definitely have your vehicle looked over by a mechanic. You'll be able to drive with more confidence and peace of mind once you've had a multi-point inspection performed. And if you're going to drive through any mountains or twisting roads, you should definitely have your brakes checked.

Inspect your tires
2. Inspect your tires.

Your tires should have plenty of traction before you head out on the road. Having a good set of tires will help make your ride on the interstate smoother, plus they'll help ensure your vehicle has enough stopping power should you need to make a sudden stop. Not sure about your tires? Have your mechanic check them over for good measure.

Inspect your tires
3. Don't overload your vehicle.

When traveling by yourself (or with just one other person), it's unlikely that you'll overload your car. When traveling with family or a group of friends, overloading can sometimes be a bigger problem. Once you've loaded the car, make sure you can see out the rear window and that nothing gets in the way of your ability to drive. Another point to keep in mind is to make sure your vehicle isn't too heavy, as a weighed-down car won't handle as well. This can cause problems when changing lanes or merging, and can even cause your vehicle to be more sluggish.

How To Prepare Yourself

Have a mechanic look over your car
1. Charge your devices.

Make sure you charge your phones and devices beforehand, even if you have car chargers. Phone batteries can run down quickly when continually searching for a signal in areas with spotty coverage. Using data can also drain a phone's battery at a faster rate.

Inspect your tires
2. Bring plenty of supplies.

Be sure to have extra supplies for the road in addition to your luggage. This may include things like flashlights, water or even extra jackets during the colder months. You should also have a first aid kit and tool kit in your car at all times, even when not on a long road trip.

Inspect your tires
3. Bring snacks and coffee.

Even if you're not a fan of coffee, you should have something to help keep yourself awake, especially on long, uneventful drives. You don't want to doze off at the wheel, endangering yourself, your passengers and other drivers. Also, be sure to get a good night's sleep before heading out on your road trip.

Inspect your tires
4. Bring a GPS.

A GPS can be a wonderful gadget to have when on a long road trip. If you don't have a GPS device, consider having a passenger navigate for you on a map or on their phone. A good idea is to also take a look at a map before leaving, in case your GPS malfunctions or loses signal.

Inspect your tires
5. Stay safe.

Always remember that your destination isn't as important as the lives of you, your passengers or the other drivers on the road. Never answer a text or use your phone when you're behind the wheel, and be sure not to speed. If you're not the one driving, you can help keep the driver accountable.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to prepare your vehicle for your next trip, or want to get it checked beforehand, come see us at Curry Honda in Chamblee, GA, at 5525 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Chamblee, GA 30341. We look forward to serving our customers from Atlanta, Alpharetta and Gwinnett!