Are you ready for a summer road trip? That sound you hear is the sound of a zillion hands being raised all across the nation. With Dr. Fauci’s announcement that we have finally crossed through the pandemic designation for the country, people feel like this summer is a chance to start getting back to normal. That used to mean a summer road trip for many people. Well, maybe this is the same we see more people reviving that tradition.
Not only are many people planning to get out of the house this summer, but they’re also not planning on staying close to home. Of the 80% who are planning at least one trip, less than a fifth of them (18%) aren’t planning to venture more than 100 miles from their house. In fact, just as many of them are planning to travel more than 500 miles away as are planning to keep close to home this summer.
A few years ago, we wrote a 7-page guide called Making Your Summer Road Trip The Best It Can Be. Since the chances are you’ll be hitting the road this summer, let’s review the important points you’ll need to consider.
Tires are part of the car’s safety system, as well as having an impact on gas mileage (something everyone is concerned about these days). Don’t go by the maximum tire pressure listed on the tire’s sidewall, go by the recommended tire pressure from your car’s manufacturer.
The way cars are engineered these days, the AC system doesn’t just keep you cool, it also powers things like the water pump and alternator. If you’re planning a long trip, it’s a good idea to have the system checked out by a mechanic. That way, you won’t have an unexpected breakage while driving across the Arizona desert.
What kind of things would be a good idea to be prepared with? Coolant, 2 quarts of oil, an actual paper map, duct tape, and a real spare tire