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IntervalWorld.com INTERVAL WORLD Summer 2015

The Basics

Confirmation notice and

other information about

your vacation exchange

or Getaway

Route directions,

including navigation

systems

and

maps and

route printouts

Important phone

numbers, including

emergency road service

Hotel reservations if

you’ve scheduled an

overnight along the way

Vehicle documents as

required by law, and other

important travel materials,

such as passports if

you’re crossing an

international border

Emergency Items

Flashlight

Jumper cables

First-aid kit

Thermal blanket (for

cold-weather travel)

Spare tire

Tire iron and jack

Warning light, hazard

triangles, or flares

Just in Case

Chargers for phones,

games, and other

electronic devices

Prepaid phone card

(you may find yourself

in an area where you

can’t get cell service)

Extra set of car keys

Change for toll roads

(or check whether your

electronic toll payment

system will work for the

roads you’ll be taking)

Creature Comforts

Water and other

beverages

Snacks with a minimal

mess factor: apples,

bananas, dried fruit,

carrot sticks, pretzels,

and popcorn

Wet wipes or paper

towels for cleaning up

Electronic entertainment:

games and DVDs (for the

passengers), and audio

books, music, and

podcasts

Other entertainment:

books, car games,

crossword puzzles, and

children’s coloring books

Pillows and blankets

For Your Destination

Be sure essentials such

as suitcases, sunglasses,

medications, even cash and

credit cards are accounted

for before you pull out of the

driveway. Also, consider

items you absolutely must

have to make your vacation

accommodations your

home away from home.

This might be anything from

childproofing gear and a

night-light to your can’t-

start-the-day-without-it

espresso maker.

ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS

self with the recommended route ahead of time, and to consider your

priorities: Do you want to get to your destination as fast as possible?

Or would you prefer the most scenic way, even if it means a longer

trip? Also, it’s wise to pack printed directions and a map, just in case

of any technical problems.

Getting Your Car Road-Ready

Ensuring that your vehicle can get you to your destination efficiently

and safely is the most important aspect of preparing for your drive.

Nothing can dampen enthusiasm like an overnight stop while your

brakes are being repaired, or a long drive through the desert —

without air conditioning.

Shortly before your trip, take the car in for a tuneup: Fill and rotate

the tires as needed — keep in mind you may need to adjust the air

pressure depending upon the weight of the load. Change the oil.

Check fluids. Make sure everything is working, including headlights,

windshield wipers, turn signals, and the defogger.

Preparing for Trouble

Don’t let a car emergency derail your journey. In addition to keeping

your road-service membership up to date, be prepared in case of

a breakdown: Pack jumper cables, a flashlight, and a warning light or

reflective hazard triangles. Make sure your spare tire is in the trunk —

and in usable condition. (Now might also be a good time to learn

how to change a tire, if you don’t already know.) Take a car charger

to keep your cell phone juiced so you can call emergency assis-

tance if necessary.

Making It Fun

There are lots of ways to assure a pleasant journey and eliminate the

“Are we there yet?” refrain from the back seat.

Stock up on (or download) passenger pastimes: music, movies,

audiobooks, podcasts, and games — electronic and otherwise.

Plan for plenty of comfort stops. Walk around a bit when filling

up the tank. And although it’s wise to pack snacks, there’s value in

stopping for a sit-down meal in a restaurant from time to time.

Schedule fun breaks, too. Take the exit and see that famous cave

advertised on billboards for the past 100 miles. Visit that Civil War bat-

tlefield or odd museum. Even a round of putt-putt golf can provide

diversion and a pick-me-up.

Driving breaks are particularly important for the driver. Stop for a

15-minute power nap if the caffeine isn’t keeping you alert.

“With regards to a checklist … I have several

of them — a standard one for things we

always need to pack or take care of at home

before we leave, and then extended ones

based on the type of vacation (i.e., drive/fly,

hiking/beach/etc.)”

— zipporah8

“For the back of the car, I have two large

Rubbermaid storage containers. I find

that almost all of our food, snack, laundry

items fit in them. It makes it really easy to

load the car and to unload it at our

destination.”

— rogers92026

Members’

Road-Trip Prep