How to Plan a Route by Car

With extra fees on luggage, security hassles and general anxiety when it comes to flying, many families opt to travel by car instead of plane. Planning a successful car trip requires knowing where you're going and how to get there. Take the steps to plan your route before you get in the car, and you'll find that you won't have as much hassle down the road.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

GPS (optional)
GPS (optional)

Step 1

Map your route with current maps. Some GPS units require you to purchase map updates via DVDs or map download.

Step 2

Map out your destination and print at least two mapped routes using sites such as Google or Yahoo Maps. Store the maps in a dry, safe place within your vehicle.

Step 3

Research the route once you have mapped it. Check with state transportation departments for potential construction, detours and other situations that can slow you down.

Step 4

Plan for inclement weather by researching the areas you'll drive through. If you determine you'll be driving through area with conditions that could be hazardous or slow you down, make adjustments to your route. For instance, if you're driving through an area that is potentially icy, modify your route to ensure you're traveling through the safest areas possible and adjust your schedule for delays.

Step 5

Ensure that your car is equipped with everything you may need on your trip and is ready for a long journey. Check air pressure, ensure that all lights are working and all turn signals are operational. Equip your car with everything you may need for your trip such as an emergency kit, registration, insurance information and spare tire kit.

Step 6

Save time for stops. When taking a road trip, the journey has the potential to be every bit as enjoyable as the destination. Make provisions within your schedule for taking the time to enjoy the scenery, make comfort stops and see the sights.

Tips & Warnings

Plan a fallback route in the event of construction or traffic congestion. Print out any secondary routes and place in your glove compartment or a safe place within your car before you begin your trip. When using GPS, save your secondary routes to your GPS' memory. When mapping by a GPS unit that's installed on your vehicle's dash, be sure to plan your route a few days before your trip. This will ensure that you don't have to rush to route your plan right before your trip or, worse, attempt to plan the route while the car is in motion. When traveling with pets, ensure that you pack their vaccination information and veterinary records.

When mapping by a GPS unit that's installed on your vehicle's dash, be sure to plan your route a few days before your trip. This will ensure that you don't have to rush to route your plan right before your trip or, worse, attempt to plan the route while the car is in motion.

When traveling with pets, ensure that you pack their vaccination information and veterinary records.

Article Written By Kylie Keeler

Kylie Keeler has been freelance writing for more than 12 years. She has consulted and written for a number of publications and websites on Walt Disney World travel and Florida travel in general. Some of her former clients include Gannett Publications, Families.com and various private clients.

Editor's Pick

5 Top North American Wildflower Hikes

Springtime brings a sense of new beginnings and new life as flowers begin to bloom and fill the air with their sweet and pleasant fragrance. Luckily we can see wildflowers all summer long, since spring hits at different times throughout North America. See flowering cactu...
More National Parks...
Popular Article

National Park Substitutes: Great Spots Without the Crowds

Coping with crowds at national parks can get tiresome, especially during the peak tourist season. If you want to escape from the herd, or just take a breather from the bustle of bigger attractions, the United States has plenty of less-visited but still worthwhile spots t...
More National Parks...
Featured Destination

Prevent Yourself from Getting Lost While Hiking

When you're hiking you're going to want to make sure you stay found. What I mean by that is that you've put an itinerary in the car, you know the area that you're hiking to, you know the route and the trail you plan on being on, you know what the trail markers are going ...
More Camping Basics...