Preparing For Your Summer Road Trip

Nothing is quite as freeing than a good old fashioned road trip. The wind blowing through your hair as you cruise down the open highway can harken back to the days when you got your first car. While taking a road trip may seem spontaneous, a lot of planning needs to be done so you can get the most out of it. This simple guide will help you make the proper preparations so you can get the most out of your road trip.

Choosing a Destination

The first step can always be the most difficult. There is no road trip without a destination. Luckily, Cleveland is located within driving distance of many of this country’s greatest cities. If you’re looking to stay within Ohio, Columbus and Cincinnati both have plenty of attractions. For those that are a little more adventurous, you could make a trek to cities like Detroit, Chicago, Buffalo or Pittsburgh. Even New York or Canada are possible destination for your summer road trip.

Plan a Route

While simply finding your way there nowadays is easy with everyone having a GPS built into their smartphone, the journey itself is still part of the fun of a well-planned road trip. Depending on what type of route you are looking for, several tools are available to help you plan the best route. Are you looking for the route that will save you on money? TravelMath can help you plan a route that will save you both money and time. What about if you are looking to visit interesting attractions along the way? Use RoadTrippers will help you find the best places to stop. What if you are a foodie looking to experience some local cuisine? Try Roadfood or TVFoodMaps to find some of the best restaurants along the way.

Prepare Your Car

The most important tool in any road trip is, well, your car. Without a properly working car, the trip is a no-go. This is why running a routine maintenance check on your car prior to any road trip is very important. Here is a quick checklist of what you should inspect:

• Check the fluids in your car such as engine oil, transmission fluid, gasoline, brake fluid, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, etc.
• Inspect your tires. Check the tire pressure along with the threads on your tires. It may be a good idea to pack a spare tire just in case of a flat.
• Test your headlights, tail lights and blinkers. Nothing is worse than a burnt out bulb at night.
• Make sure your battery has an adequate charge.
• Check your hoses and belts for any leaks.
• Nobody wants to be stuck in a hot car for a long period of time. Check that your air conditioning is functioning properly.

What to Bring

While there are several essential items you should always keep in your car, it is especially important to have an emergency kit when on a road trip. Emergency supplies such as a spare tire, jack, jumper cables, flashlight, toolbox and first aid kit are always a good idea for long car trips. A phone charger can be an absolute life saver if you are using the GPS on your phone. If you have a standalone GPS device as well, a backup certainly wouldn’t hurt. To prevent frequent stops, bring along with snacks and beverages. Of course, do not forget to pack a sufficient supply of clothes depending on the length of your trip.

Do you want to make your car look brand new again before or after your next road trip? GK’s Custom Polishing, Inc. offers world class auto detailing to all of the Greater Cleveland area. Our talented detailing crew will work tirelessly to clean every nook and cranny of your automobile. After 6-8 hours of work, your car will look like it just came out of the show room. We even offer loaner vehicles completely free of charge so you don’t have to go a day without transportation. Visit our website to learn more about our detailing process. To set up an appointment for your car, give us a call at (440) 937-4457 or send us a quick email.