| There is nothing more fun than an old-fashioned road | | | | some great scenic areas. It's an excellent chance to |
| trip. I love taking to the open road and exploring our | | | | bond as a family and your child's memory of the trip |
| country. Now, I've been a "road tripper" for some | | | | will be lost if they're lost in a Game Boy. |
| time and though I love air travel, I love the road trip | | | | 7. Remember, a road trip is as much about the |
| because that's how you can really experience the | | | | journey as it is about the destination. One of my all |
| country. So it's time to get your favorite tunes and | | | | time favorite road trips was the day my niece, |
| munchies ready and plan your open road trip | | | | Jessica, and I drove 52 enchanting miles on the "Road |
| adventure with these ten easy road trip travel tips. | | | | to Hana" on the island of Maui in Hawaii. I'll never |
| 1. Plan your trip. First, you need to determine where | | | | forget that the guide book said, "Remember, Hana is |
| you're going to go and then plan your trip. Planning | | | | not a destination, it's a journey." Hana is located |
| doesn't have to take a long a time, but you do need | | | | about 52 miles from Kahului, however a typical trip to |
| to know the route you're going to drive and points | | | | Hana takes at least three hours, as the road is very |
| of interest along the way that you're going to want | | | | winding with approximately 620 curves over 59 |
| to stop and explore. Half the fun of a road trip is | | | | bridges, 46 of which have only one-lane. This |
| seeing the sites along the way. I like to MapQuest | | | | delightful road trip is a memorable journey that winds |
| my trip and have that as my main plan of attack for | | | | through a lush, tropical rain forest that is laced with |
| my road trip. GPS is very popular these days and I | | | | tumbling waterfalls, black sand beaches, scenic lava |
| recommend them, but you can't always rely on them | | | | cliffs, fresh fruit stands, and tropical hillsides. Jessica |
| when you hit construction zones or accidents on | | | | and I stopped at least ten times including one stop to |
| your journey. That's why it's essential that you have | | | | picnic on that black sand beach. We took photos by |
| a real map with you for the areas you'll be traveling | | | | waterfalls, delicious fruit stands and beautiful tropical |
| to and to plan alternate routes if necessary. | | | | flower gardens. You should treat your road trip |
| 2. Make your hotel reservations BEFORE you go. Part | | | | vacation the same way we did our Road to Hana: |
| of the fun when traveling on the road is stopping | | | | Enjoy your road trip as a journey, not a destination. |
| wherever your heart desires, but there's nothing | | | | 8. Make good use of every stop. I like to plan my |
| worse than a "no room at the inn" experience on a | | | | stops for fuel, food, and restrooms so that I utilize |
| road trip. You may not realize that there is a "Comic | | | | my time efficiently and don't waste time making |
| Book Trade Show," "Strawberry Festival" or | | | | three stops instead of one. Probably the most |
| convention in town while you're visiting and there are | | | | important thing is that every time you do stop, make |
| no rooms to be had. If you do not book your | | | | sure everyone in the car uses the restroom (even if |
| reservations in advance, not only are you running the | | | | they think they don't have to right then). This will cut |
| risk of having to sleep in your car but also you can't | | | | down on the stops you'll make only for that purpose. |
| manage your road trip budget effectively. If you're | | | | Also, if you're traveling with kids, and you just need |
| traveling with your family or a group of friends, | | | | to stop for the restroom, I recommend stopping at |
| consider staying at an all-suite hotel or even renting a | | | | a Starbucks. Parents can get a coffee or an ice tea, |
| time share, a great option for families taking a road | | | | the restrooms are clean, and there are not a lot of |
| trip. Did you know that 90 percent of people who | | | | distractions for kids (like toys to buy) that a truck |
| own a timeshare don't utilize it on a regular basis? | | | | stop or gas station may have. Use the Starbucks |
| Many great offers can be found at some of the | | | | store locator at their website to help you plan your |
| bigger hotel chains that offer timeshares and many | | | | stops before you go. Do be a "good egg" and make |
| of them even have a washer and dryer. For my road | | | | a purchase at Starbucks while you're there. |
| trip to Scottsdale, I booked a fantastic one-bedroom | | | | 9. Avoid Trouble. When you're on a road trip, you |
| suite with a kitchenette at a time share property | | | | need to be street wise. Don't be a target for crime |
| directly through the hotel for just $100/night including | | | | by leaving your valuables on the seat in your car |
| tax at the Sheraton Desert Oasis Villas. | | | | (DVD players, Game Boys, etc.) and don't advertise |
| 3. Give your car a full tune up before you go or | | | | you're on a road trip with pillows and blankets every |
| consider renting a car. One week before you go on | | | | where. When you park your car, hide your valuables |
| your road trip, take your car in for a tune up and ask | | | | and road trip creature comforts. If you are proactive |
| your mechanic to ensure the car fluids are topped, air | | | | at keeping your "I'm on a road trip clues" clearly |
| pressure in your tires is at its best for highway | | | | hidden, any thief or troublemaker should just walk |
| driving, and any other necessary concerns regarding | | | | right by your car. Other street wise considerations is |
| your vehicle are addressed. Should you need to get | | | | to always park where there is good light and foot |
| something fixed, it is best to do it at a place you can | | | | traffic and make sure your windows are rolled up and |
| trust before your road trip. Plus, it can be more | | | | the doors are locked whenever you leave your car. |
| expensive when it is a have-to situation. Also, make | | | | You may also want to purchase items like "the Club" |
| sure you pack a roadside safety kit just in case of | | | | if you like that extra insurance for safety. Finally, |
| an emergency. For me that kit includes my American | | | | when you're driving, watch your speed. Speeding |
| Automobile Association membership card (Premier | | | | gives you the chance to get a ticket and more |
| Membership). If you have a car that is no longer | | | | importantly, it decreases your time to react if the |
| under warranty or has automatic roadside assistance, | | | | need should arise. If you are the driver, you are |
| then a American Automobile Association membership | | | | responsible for your passengers. When you see signs |
| is a necessity as it will save you a fortune in the | | | | that say, "Speed limits are photo enforced," believe |
| unfortunate event you have a break down and have | | | | them. Other good driving tips include avoiding rush |
| to have your car towed. If you're at all concerned | | | | hour, especially in bigger cities, and whenever possible |
| that your current vehicle is not "road trip worthy," | | | | take turns driving with other people in the car. You'll |
| then you may want to consider renting a vehicle for | | | | also want to avoid driving at night if you are not |
| your road trip. I did this for my trip to Arizona as I | | | | familiar with your surroundings. |
| found a great deal on a rental car and had the peace | | | | 10. Get a Go City Card and save up to 55% on |
| of mind for my road trip. | | | | attractions and theme parks at your vacation |
| 4. Pack your own food and plan a picnic. I used to be | | | | destination. Last year, I flew my 8-year-old niece, |
| addicted to stopping at fast food joints on a road | | | | Alexis, and 10-year-old nephew, Tyler, out to Los |
| trip. There was something that felt fun about that on | | | | Angeles for their spring break (using Southwest |
| a trip but I've since learned that I prefer to pack my | | | | Airlines Reward Miles, of course) and we took a road |
| own food for my journey. It doesn't just keep me | | | | trip down to San Diego. That's when I discovered the |
| eating healthier, but it also saves money, too, | | | | money saving Go City Card for San Diego. With this |
| especially if you're traveling with your family. Also, if | | | | card, I saved hundreds of dollars in admissions to |
| you plan ahead, you may find that there is a great | | | | Legoland, the Wild Animal Park, the San Diego Zoo |
| stop for a scenic picnic in your travels and packing a | | | | and other attractions including a Whale Watch on the |
| picnic is so much better than flying through the | | | | Pacific Ocean just by purchasing a Go San Diego |
| Drive-thru. If you do make a stop, either for a picnic | | | | Card. |
| or to explore a cool sight along the way. | | | | Instead of paying individually for each local attraction, |
| 5. Bring great music or audible books with you! Music | | | | you pay one price for up to 40 attractions |
| is truly the soundtrack of our lives and every road | | | | (depending on the city your visiting) and you get to |
| trip needs a soundtrack. I think of my trip to Seattle | | | | create your own experience, tailoring your activities |
| every time I hear a Phil Collins song from "No Jacket | | | | based on what you like to do, while also enjoying |
| Required" because that was the primary music I was | | | | tremendous savings. For example, with the Go Los |
| listening to on that trip. I think of the Bahamas | | | | Angeles Card, you can choose one, two, three, five, |
| Harbor Island and the amazing walks on the Pink | | | | or seven day cards at a low, pre-paid price to gain |
| Sands Beach every time I hear Wilson Phillips music. | | | | access to 40 included attractions. This saves up to |
| It's sort of like having a theme song for every | | | | 55% compared to buying tickets directly at Universal |
| vacation but hearing the music even today will evoke | | | | Studios Hollywood, LEGOLAND California, Knott's |
| fun memories of wonderful trips. I also love catching | | | | Berry Farm, Paramount Studios, the Queen Mary, and |
| up on books I'd like to read but somehow find it | | | | many more attractions. Go City Cards are available in |
| easier to listen to. That's where audio books come in | | | | many cities and vacation destinations in the U.S. |
| and you can download them to your mp3 player, | | | | including Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Las Vegas, |
| iPhone, or other PDA device. ! | | | | New York City, San Diego, San Francisco, Honolulu, |
| 6. Don't forget to pack a boredom buster bag for | | | | Orlando, Miami, Seattle, Blue Ridge and even Toronto. |
| the kids. One thing I've learned from producing for | | | | Final Tips: Don't forget your cell phone and make sure |
| TV's "The Travel Mom" Emily Kaufman, is that if | | | | you're "hands free" when you do use it while driving. |
| you're traveling with kids, you need to make sure | | | | In many states, it's the law, but it's also down right |
| you have plenty to entertain them during your road | | | | dangerous. Always use your cell phone "hands free" |
| trip. She calls this the boredom buster bag. Don't | | | | when you drive. Don't forget to update your |
| forget to pack some kid music your children like along | | | | software on your mobile before you leave because |
| with fun travel games that include magnetic board | | | | you don't want to be charged higher rates for |
| games. DVD players are an option for really long trips | | | | roaming charges. Finally, it's a real good idea to email |
| and as long as your child isn't prone to car sickness. | | | | a copy of your itinerary to other family members or |
| Of course, electronic games will keep your kids | | | | friends in case of an emergency - this is especially a |
| occupied but I would encourage you to limit the time | | | | good idea for women traveling together. Now, drive |
| on these toys especially if you're traveling through | | | | safe and have fun! |