5 Holiday Road Trip Tips

Halloween is upon us next week. This will kick off my favorite time of year known as the Holiday Season. Some of us will be playing host for the ever-loved holiday feasts on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Others will be traveling to visit friends and family. With airfares and delays increasing more frequently, traveling by car is slowly becoming more popular than plane travel. Here are 5 road trip tips for holiday travelers:

1. Bring plenty of music CDs or audio books. If you don't have satellite radio you could drive through remote areas with no radio reception. There are several " dead spots" when we drive from Vegas to Oregon.

2. Stow some blankets and extra water in your trunk. This is a must, especially in the winter months. I am often reminded of the young couple stranded for several days after a freak snowstorm in Nevada.

3. Have additional routes planned for your travels. We drive to Southern California a lot. I-15 could be shut down in a heartbeat. I can make the drive using frontage roads or alternate highways in a snap.

4. If you don't have a vehicle with built-in GPS buy a dashboard-mounted model, they are invaluable. Not only do they provide you with directions but the closest services like fuel stops and food options.

5. Check your vehicles fluid levels, tire pressure, and spare tire. Radiator coolant, brake fluid, oil, and wiper fluid need to be topped off. Proper tire pressure ensures better gas mileage. Make sure your spare tire is properly inflated and crack free.

I love road trips, especially when the terrain is spectacular. Some of us dread the thought of hauling the tribe cross country cooped up in a coupe. Use these tips to give some peace of mind while road tripping just like the Griswold's heading to Wally World.