(TNS)—Lower gas prices in 2016 are motivating more Americans to hit the road for a vacation. In fact, 69 percent of American families who are planning a vacation this year are taking a road trip, reported AAA.
If you’re planning to take one of the best summer road trips in the country, be careful not to offset those gas savings. Do a little trip planning, and make sure your chosen form of transportation won’t end up being a major travel expense. Here are five common road trip mistakes to avoid this travel season.
Letting your gas tank drop below half-full
As you go about your busy week, you might have a routine of filling up when your car’s low gas light goes on. However, when you’re en route to that vacation destination, you’ll want to keep your gas tank at least half-full, says Erin Gifford, family travel blogger for Kidventurous.com.
She also recommended stocking up on snacks and water bottles in the car, since you might not know how far the next gas station or convenience store will be.
“When you’re in West Texas and you see a gas station, you stop and fill up,” she says. “You may not see another gas station for 200 miles.”
Relying on GPS
Not taking the time to map out your route before you hit the road is a major road trip mistake, says Gary Flom, a car and driving expert, and president and CEO of automotive retailer BNF Partners. Even if you have a GPS system, there’s a chance it might not work when you need it most — or give you bad directions.
“Always bring along printouts of the necessary maps to have for references throughout the trip,” he says. “You never know when you will need to take an alternative route because of unforeseen road construction or an accident. It can be very expensive to get lost.”
Driving with under or overinflated tires
Neglecting to properly inflate the tires can affect your vehicle’s maneuverability and put you at a higher risk of an accident on slick roads. Also, the summer heat can make your tires expand, so it’s important to avoid overinflating, according to CAA South Central Ontario, a Canadian auto club. Overinflated tires can wear out your tire tread unevenly and might increase your chances of getting a flat. Periodically check the air levels in your tires, and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s specifications.
Taking your own car
If you’re taking a particularly long road trip, you might want to look into renting a car.
“Everyone loves a road trip — except your trusty family vehicle, which bears the brunt of all that extra mileage,” says Jonathan Weinberg, CEO of car rental comparison site, AutoSlash. “Consider renting instead, and save the depreciation.”
Forgetting to service your vehicle
If you decide renting a car is not for you, and you do end up taking your own car — or a family member’s or friend’s car — take it to the dealership or mechanic for basic service well ahead of time. A quick vehicle inspection, inflating the tires and checking the breaks and car fluids is enough to determine whether you’re fit for the road. Then, you can reduce the chances of breakdowns en route, according to Samarins.com, a car advice website.
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