Are you considering taking a long road trip to explore some new places this summer? Or have you arranged to visit your distant family members for your yearly meet-up? If so, you might have a long journey ahead and you’ve got some planning to do!
If the route you’re taking has very few turns or complex junctions, your drive might seem fairly straightforward. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t lots of important preparatory steps that you need to take before you set off.
Whether you’ve got a second-hand car from one of the best Waxahachie car dealerships or you’re renting an automobile, proper preparation is key to a smooth and comfortable journey.
Let’s run through some of the essential preparatory steps that you should take to get yourself ready for a long road trip.
Fill Up Your Car
This might sound like an obvious one but you’d be surprised at how easy it is to forget about filling up your car’s fuel tank before you set off. Even if you think you can drive the full journey on half a tank, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Before you set off on your long road trip, head to the gas station and fill up the tank. You can rest assured knowing you won’t run out during the drive. The last thing you want is to break down halfway to your destination!
If you think the journey will require more than one full tank of fuel, plan a route that enables you to pass a gas station along the way.
Pump Up the Tires
By law, your tires need to be inflated to a specific tire tread depth. This will be specified in your driver’s manual and you will be able to find this information online as well.
Check your tires and pump them up if they don’t meet the minimum legal requirements. All you need is a tire pressure gauge.
While you’re checking your tire pressure, inspect them to ensure there are no other problems. Your tires need to be in optimal shape for your long-haul journey.
Plan Your Route and Rest Breaks
If it’s your first time driving to this destination, you’ll need to plan the route and familiarize yourself with it. When planning the route, make sure you identify safe places to take a break along the car journey.
You might want to stop at a service station or find a landmark to visit during the journey so that you get out of the car and stretch your legs.
Declutter Your Car
Driving with a trunk full of heavy boxes and bags will decrease your vehicle’s fuel economy. It will require more fuel to travel the same distance if it weighs more.
To maximize your miles per gallon, declutter your car before you set off on your long road trip. Take any heavy items out of the trunk if you don’t need them.
Use this as an opportunity to clean your car and get rid of any old food wrappers or screwed-up receipts. A clean car will help you to feel more relaxed as you drive.
