Summer is almost here! Have you planned your summer vacation yet? (Photo courtesy of thechildbirthprofession.com)
The countdown to summer is on. Even if you don’t have school age children at home, you know that you too are looking forward to the extended daylight hours, warmer waters, and the idea planted in your head since you were a kid that “Hey, it’s Summer, I should do something fun!”
With Memorial Day weekend just days away, travel and travelers are expected to surge this summer compared to the past few. In fact, a Deloitte survey showed that 54% of Americans are planning to take a trip between June 1st and Labor Day. Kicking things off this weekend, AAA is forecasting 30.7 million Americans to travel by motor vehicles for the holiday weekend. According to the agency, the average distance traveled over the holiday weekend is expected to drop to 642 miles this year, from 792 miles last year. And that number is based on the price of fuel.
Gas prices through the spring have definitely cut into vacation funds but relief is on the way! Gas prices are actually expected to come down to around an average of $3.50 per gallon this weekend. With some states expected to see fuel prices near $3 into the summer.
If you are planning on becoming a road warrior this summer, save cash for the gas tank by remembering to stay at hotels that offer complimentary breakfast, free wireless Internet and free parking. The parking fees at some hotels can be more than $20 a night. Be sure you check that out BEFORE you pull in for the night.
Here are a few other helpful tips from the Travel Smart Blog:
Tips on Saving Gas During Summer Road Trips
Planning a Trip to Historic Destinations
Share Your Road Trip Tips
If you’ve racked up a fair share of miles on your odometer and have a worthwhile tip (how-to’s, where to go, or what to do’s) or story (lessons learned) to share, please post it in the comments section below or send it to travelsmartblog@gmail.com by 11:59pm EST on Thursday, May 31st. Feel free to send pictures too!
Next week, we’ll choose the five most unique and helpful pointers of the bunch and post one tip daily right here on the Travel Smart Blog. Three runner-up advice-givers will each receive a $50 Visa® Prepaid Card and have their tips featured on the blog on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of next week. The providers of the two best tips will each receive an amazon Kindle and will have their tips spotlighted on the blog either Thursday or Friday of next week.
In the end, everyone’s a winner, because we all get to hear some great travel advice. Looking forward to hearing how you make the most of your road-trip travels!
Check-In, Cash-Out Hotel Summer Sale
And, if you want to plan a last minute Memorial Day Weekend getaway or an inspired summer vacation, Hotels.com is offering great sales.
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Save up to 30% on your Summer Travel, plus earn up to a $100 prepaid Visa card, when you book your summer getaway. Now, that’s a deal! Remember to use your Hotels.com coupon code to receive your great gift. For questions on the Hotels.com summer sale, call 866-285-9498.
I can’t wait to read your road trip tips!! So send them in and find out next week if your travel advice earned a Visa Card or Amazon Kindle!
If you have questions or comments for the author of the Travel Smart Blog, Nicole Hockin, please email: 
Road trips are always exciting for my husband and I, but my 3 kids can be less than enthusiastic. We have certain rituals and foods that we only do when we’re on a road trip to help enhance the excitement for the little ones…a special DVD to watch, a craft (my kids love to fingerknit in the car, for example), a book of jokes, a few car games. Also, road trips are the only times my kids are allowed to eat Easy Cheese. I squirt little messages and special codes on their crackers and pass them to the back of the minivan. My kids go nuts for this! It’s the simple little rituals that get us through.
Don’t be afraid to go off the path. You have enough gas, gps, time to roam~ good reason to go off the beaten path and discover what is awaiting around the corner. You will surprise yourself at all the wonderfulness you find!
Some of my road travel tips: 1) When traveling during holiday weekends, leave early in the morning before traffic gets too heavy. 2) Be sure to check your state’s “511″ web site to see where construction might be going on and ways to avoid it. 3) Stop every 2 hours to stretch your legs. 4) Pack a small cooler with water and healthy snacks. 5) Pack games, books, DVDs to keep the kids entertained. 6) Don’t forget the camera and most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!
Make sure you update your GPS before going on a road trip to have up to date information and as a back up carry along a map or trip route just in the event your GPS malfunctions. As much as I love our GPS system, I always carry a map to be on the safe side. Always carry water!
We always take a cooler — it cuts down on expensive restaurant stops, saves lots of time and the food we like is easily accessible. It also is probably more healthy depending upon which you stock.
my tip is to buy your plane ticket online. i learned this years ago. when you buy your tickets online you go from baggage to plane in a matter of minutes. i also put medicines and toiletries in clear plastic bags avoiding timely searches
Road trip, Oh my! My road trips are from Texas to lousiana. I normally take the trip with my dog Ryder, who has recently passed. I try to book and pay for my room before i get them.I most always stay at the hampton inN. i BEGIN PACKING EARLY. HAVE MY CLOTHES LAID OUT I HAVE A SPECIAL ENVELOPE WITH MY INSURANCE, ROAD SIDE SERVIVE NUMBER AT EASY ACCESS so i can handle possible emargencies easy!
I believe the planning is one of the most important parts of a secesful road trip. Start by choosing where your going then check to see what events they have going on, what local specials are going to be happening and deffinitly chech their weather. After getting your timing down get the map down, try to make the most out of your trip down there as well. See what awesome attractions are a couple of miles our of your way, get it all in on one trip. Then prepare what you need to take with you on your trip; take plenty of drinks and snacks to save from having to stopy and buy, toys and activities to keep kids busy during the long trip, and make sure you have your car in order. Such as your fluids, belts and hoses, battery, brakes, spare tire, tools, etc.
During our last road trip we went on a 3 and a half hour tip to the beach. We were going to stay five days so I wanted to make sure we went when it was fun but not too busy. We ended up taking the trip the week before Mother’s Day and chose this time because the town also had two festivals going on during that weekend. While mapping out our trip we found a couple of great stops that were fun. During the long drive the kids were entertained by Dvd’s but it was not all so easy. About three fourths of the way there my son got sick and started throwing up all the rest of the way. I know now to bring those xtra xtra clothes.
All and all I suggest that you try to make the most of your trip and try not to be in a hurry and stress yourself out. Have fun and be safe.
I always try to book my flights and schedule everything with time so I can get the best prices. I make sure to take games for my twins to be entertained. Plenty of snacks and water to drink. I have a app that gives you the best gas prices all over the area you are at. And don’t forget to have fun =]
Make sure you’re not doing all the driving!
Never pay for bottled water! It’s a waste. Save money and stay hydrated by filling up a bottle with a filter in it with plain old tap water.
I’d like to start off with make sure you have your current registration and an oil change- two things I did not do on this 3500 mile road trip.
Then:
1. Pay attention to your bladder! If not, that peeing sensation sneaks up on you in a most unfortunate way!
2. Wear lots and lots of deodorant (or disgust your travel buddy).
3. Bring music you can sing to. Whether you’re by yourself or just need to forget that you’re ready to murder the person sitting in the passenger seat, belting out music helps you feel better.
4. Have some type of internet-able device (phone, laptop, tablet, etc.) in case you need to look up a hotel or oil changing place or if the person that worked at that sketchy gas station has ever murdered someone.
5. Remember your manners! You’ll meet plenty of interesting people, and they tend to have interesting things to say. Talk to them and they’ll talk to you!
We take road trips at least twice a month. I’ve found that you can bring everything you need, except gas. We pack a lunch and extra snacks, lots of extra snacks, you can always take the leftovers back home. Bring loads of water, it is crazy how thirsty you get when you are exploring. I always stop at visitor centers for free maps and information so that I don’t miss the more obscure local places. If you know where you are going in advance do some internet research and you will be able to find even more places that are off the beaten path. Do be afraid of small towns they actually have a lot to offer, aren’t as crowded and the locals are usually fantastic. I recommend you plan ahead with things to entertain the kids, portable DVD players m hand held or travel versions of games, because as much as we adults love I spy and sing-alongs it grows old for the kids very fast. One thing I learned the hard way is always carry extra camera batteries and extra memory cards, I’ve both run out of batteries and space if I unexpectedly find a fantastic stop off. Make sure you are current with AAA or at least have a cell if you break down on a desolate country road you need a plan. Have fun, relax it‘s meant to be a good time. I try not to fret if time won’t allow me to see everything I like to think of it as an excuse to go back later.
Take a nice supply of Quality Snacks. Beef Jerky, Nuts, Fruit, and plenty Bottled Water. The Girl Scout in me says “Always Be Prepared”
When I was backpacking across Europe for a month by bus and train, travelling smart became second nature. This is for the budget-minded student or the daring adventurer who wants to get the most of the world but with the least amount of money. Here are a few tips:
1. Be fashionable but don’t be a fashionista. Sure, we all want to look great in those pictures, but don’t plan for a photoshoot. Pack pieces that are versatile. Something as simple as a black shirt that can be worn with any kind of skirt or pants can transform into a totally new outfit depending on how you style it with accessories. And ladies, be realistic with the shoes. Do not bring the ones that make you feel like a model but have you walking like a newborn giraffe. Less is more and never underestimate comfort!
2. Be ready with plan B…C…D…and E. The more you plan today, the less likely that you’ll be stuck in a catastrophic situation. Don’t just rely on google maps and your GPS (reception is not McDonald’s…it does not exist everywhere). Bring a map just in case!
3. Plan realistically and give yourself me-time. It’s great to get the most of your experience but sometimes we need a vacation from our vacation. Before you get there, plan a day or two to just relax. Go to the beach, take a stroll, and just leave the agenda open! Sometimes the best memories are totally spontaneous.
4. Don’t be afraid to go economy class. Nowadays, everyone craves luxury and comfort, but under a budget, you have to make certain compromises. You can’t dine at the most expensive places, sleep in the best hotels, travel around in the most comfortable forms of transportation (I travelled through Spain in a bus that smelled of feet), but that’s ok! You learn a lot about yourself and others that way. Be open to new experiences! Plus, they make great stories.
5. It’s not what you do, but who you travel with that makes the difference. Travelling is not the same as shopping for groceries so don’t treat it like a checklist. Cherish the people around you that will make the trip truly memorable.
When taking a road trip, PLEASE:
1) Do Not Drive Distracted! This means, among other things, DO NOT use alcohol, narcotics, certain OTC’s, hand-held cell phones, attempt text messaging, eating while driving, avoid unnecessary distractions from other passengers in the vehicle, or ANYTHING that will let you focus no less than 100% of your attention on the road and weather & traffic conditions.
Take breaks often to make sure that you and other drivers of your vehicle are well-rested, and alert.
Half the fun is getting there, but most importaintly, Arrive Alive!
Download plenty of podcasts and audio books!! My favorites include This American Life, Smart People Podcast and NPR’s All Songs Considered
In the early 80′s I tried to paint my nails on the way to Vegas in the middle of summer in a car w/o air conditioning, they dried way too fast and looked awful!
When taking long road trips I always try to be as efficient as possible when I have to take a pit stop. I literally try to stop off on exits that I can get food, gas and use the bathroom to save time. I’m also a big fan of creating a great roadtrip playlist. It always amazes me how quickly time passes when I’m singing to the top of my lungs during every song on my iPod!
We have 5 kids, so travelling is always an ordeal. We download lots of audiobooks for their ipods. It’s so much better than having them watch dvds. There’s lots of sites where you can get them, but we found one that we like a lot because the stories are all original and they’re free. This is the link if anyone is interested. http://www.twirlygirlshop.com/short-stories-for-kids