September 2008
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Smart Traveler:
How to Survive Your Next Long Drive
By Ingrid Ahlgren Photograph by Richard Price/Getty Images
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Drivers are treated to stunning views along a California highway. |
Getting there is half the fun—but planning is the key for a smooth trip.
 espite soaring gas prices, Americans have not given up their love affair with the road trip. And summer's heat and road congestion are making way for more pleasant autumn driving. To ensure your drive is smooth and efficient, planning is key.
• Schedule a tune-up Join the AAA or other car membership club in case you need a tow. Worried your car might start acting like the van in Little Miss Sunshine? Keep basic tools in the trunk, plus a list of good mechanics along your route. National Public Radio's "Car Talk" lists reliable auto repair shops across the country.
• Assemble the toolkit Taking a laptop or BlackBerry? Bookmark your favorite websites. If you're traveling Internet-free, print out driving directions, restaurant reviews, and hotel information beforehand. Carrying a cell phone? Program phone numbers for hotels, police, and emergency contacts. Cheetos and Cokes are favorite road snacks, but nuts, cheese slices, granola, and water prevent sugar crashes and give you more energy.
• Taking the kids? Pick a theme for your road trip. Burn a CD of regional tunes, say Motown if you're driving through Detroit, or the blues if you're bound for Memphis. Headed for the national parks out West? Pack some cowboy music and photo books by Ansel Adams. Choose books on CD that are set in places you'll see. Crossing the Mississippi River? Try Twain's Huckleberry Finn. Passing through Philadelphia? Pack Ben and Me by Robert Lawson.
• Take a break "Eight-hour marathon hauls are not healthy," says Road Trip USA author Jamie Jensen. Stop to stretch your legs, read a historical marker, or pick up fresh fruit from a roadside stand. Plan stops and discover interesting slices of America at RoadsideAmerica.com. Choose authentic diners in place of generic food chains; find them at Roadfood.com.
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