Summer and road trips are nearly synonymous. With the summer sun in your rearview mirror, heading for a weekend at the cottage or an adventure to somewhere you’ve never been before are some of the most memorable experiences. That being said, many people do not adequately prepare for their summer road trip and undergo issues while on the road.

By following our top four summer road trip tips, courtesy of Ambitious Drivers, you ensure your summer road trip will go smoothly.

Do a Preliminary Check

Before spending hours on the road, it’s important to make sure your car is up for the adventure.

The following items should be tested before even leaving your driveway:

• Oil
• Spark plugs
• Tires
• Windshield wipers and fluid
• Lights and battery
• Brakes
• Horn
• Key fob

Make sure to also bring a copy of your owner’s manual. You might be stuck in an area with minimal cell service, so it will be difficult to look up any questions you may have on your phone. In your glove box, include your car insurance and emergency car service contact information as well.

Stop Frequently

A road trip doesn’t need to be stressful! Take time to explore the destinations you’re heading to while enjoying your stops along the way. This is also a great way to prevent becoming agitated behind the wheel or even tired after a long period of driving. Another way to overcome this is by having multiple drivers in the car. When someone is feeling tired, you can just swap, while the other takes a nap.

Even though your final destination may be unknown, it’s wise to plan ahead for your first few nights of accommodation. Be realistic when mapping the distances and try to avoid driving at night.

Pack an Emergency Kit

You already know what should be in your emergency kit, but it’s important to not forget it when heading out the door. A few additional items you should include for your road trip are an extra phone charger, jumper cables, and a jerry can.

If you’re heading somewhere more remote, consider also purchasing some maps or bringing a GPS with you. This way you ensure you’re not driving in circles and get to your destination quicker.

Do a Pre-Road Trip Clean

Although you might think cleaning your car before a road trip is counterintuitive, it is going to be the place where you spend the majority of your time for the next few days. Remove all old food wrappers and give your car a thorough vacuum. Move the front seats forward to reach all of the hidden dust and other treasures that call your car home.

Create a system that you use throughout the road trip to make sure you don’t end up hoarding mass amounts of garbage. One way of doing this is by bringing along a few plastic bags and placing all wrappers and other waste items in the bag until you reach your next stop. Gas stations are a great place to pull over and purge yourself of these items, they might even have a windshield cleaner for your windows!

Ambitious Drivers provides professional, high-quality driving lessons in Scarborough, Ontario. Our instructors emphasize defensive driving and are committed to training new drivers to become responsible members of the road. To book your lesson, call 416-293-6500 today!