Since the summer is in full swing and many of our customers are preparing for their road trips, we decided to share some of our tips for avoiding the most common road trip mistakes. Just a little extra knowledge and preparation can save you from a road trip disaster. So be sure to buckle up and grab a pen and paper to take notes on what we have to offer!
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Common Road Trip Mistakes:
- Not Making A Plan
If you are more of a go-with-the-flow type of person, road trips might not be the best vacation choice for you. While you don't need to plan every single thing you do on your trip, you should have a basic idea of what you want to do on each day of the trip. You want to plan out where you are going to sleep each night of the trip and make it a goal to get to that sleeping check point at the end of each day. This way you will be able to have a rough idea of how many hours you will spend driving each day and what main stops you will be taking. - Forgetting To Get Pre-Road Trip Maintenance
Even if you think your car is perfectly fine, it never hurts to get it checked out by a professional just in case. When you find yourself on the road, dealing with a car that won't start, you'll wish you had just gotten the necessary maintenance. You should have a mechanic check out your vehicles oil, windshield wiper fluid, tire pressure, and more. Finding yourself stranded is never fun, so it's best to get these systems checked before it comes to that point.
In fact, if you are looking for a convenient way to get a road trip review appointment, give Wrench's mobile mechanics a call. While you plan and prepare for your trip, we will make sure your vehicle is ready to go right in your own driveway! The green light from our expert mobile mechanics will give you the peace of mind knowing your car is working at it's best. Then you will be able to enjoy your road trip without a care in the world! - Ignoring Traffic Conditions
If you don't look at the traffic conditions for the road ahead of you, this would be a good time to start! Check the traffic conditions for the road you will cover before you head out in case there is a lot of traffic. Sometimes it might be in your best interest to take the backroads in order to avoid sitting through hours and hours of traffic. These conditions can change according to the day of the week or if it is a holiday, but at least take a look so you can make the best decision for you! - Leaving Your Valuables Visible
If you are on a long road trip, you shouldn't expect to be in you car at all times. Sometimes you will stop for a meal or sightseeing. No matter what you do, you should make sure you take you valuables with you. If you absolutely can't take them with you, make sure they are out of sight so your car won't be a victim of thieves. Things you should take with you might include; money, electronics, jewelry, etc. If someone breaks into your car, that will surely put a dent in your vacation. - Always Taking The Shortest Route
Sometimes taking the short route can be a good thing. Maybe it will help you avoid hours of traffic or save you money on gas. But taking the short route all the time will take away from the point of the road trip. When planning out your road trip, make sure you include some scenic drives so you and your passengers can enjoy the view every once and a while. Take a nice drive along the coast or through the mountains and you will enjoy your trip a lot more. - Driving Too Much In One Day
You also don't want to spend too much time each day driving. If you are planning on taking a road trip for multiple days and every day your spend 12 hours on the road, you are going to get burnt out pretty fast. When you are planning out your trip, you should limit the time you are driving so you don't get tired. Falling asleep at the wheel is really dangerous and one of the ways you can prevent it is limiting the time on the road. Another thing you can do is take lot of breaks to get food or stretch your legs! - Waiting Too Long To Get Gas
You probably already know the dangers of waiting too long to get gas, but when you are on the highway and gas stations become more sparse you might find yourself in a tough situation. It's always better to stop and get more gas sooner rather than later, so keep an eye on your fuel level. Finding yourself stranded without any gas would take a lot of your time, so stay on top of your gas! - Only Packing Junk Food Snacks
We aren't saying you can pack any junk food snacks for your road trip, but be sure to get in proper nutritional foods. You should look for high protein snacks so that they will give you enough energy to keep you awake. Avoid eating lots of sugar because you might get tired after a couple hours of driving. Some popular road trip snacks include; granola bars, jerky, trail mix, etc. Find snacks that you enjoy and will give you lots of energy!
Before you embark on your trip, be sure to schedule an appointment with our Wrench mobile mechanics! If you are in need of a diagnostic check, a last-minute repair, or a simple maintenance service before you head out, we are here for you! Our mechanics will come to your location and take a look at your vehicle so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest extent. If you find yourself having any car troubles along the way, look at the locations we provide services in and we might be able to come out and help you! We look forward to seeing you soon and hope your road trip is as enjoyable as possible. Book your auto repair or maintenance appointment with Wrench today!
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