You were a road warrior before they ever invented the term. Your memories are replete with summer vacations spent traveling the roads of America from the back seat of a car. You remember the first summer that you had your license and how your Dad would let you help out behind the wheel, much to your mother’s protests. Green revolution or not, there is no one who is going to take your summer road trips away.

Here are some basic road trip tips to avoid the need for emergency auto assistance.

Before You Hit the Road

• Before you hit the road, have your vehicle inspected. A basic inspection is not very expensive and will cover the brakes, tires, suspension, lights, cooling system, and other basic drive train components. Also, if you have an older vehicle, an air conditioner inspection is also a great idea. You don’t want to be driving for hours in the summer with a full load of passengers without air conditioning.
• Check your tire pressure before you leave on a road trip. Most tires require between 30-32psi. Don’t forget to check the spare tire as well.
• If you packed anything on the roof of the vehicle, make sure the majority of the weight is concentrated in the middle of the roof.
• Don’t pack anything heavy inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Heavy and sharp objects can become projectiles during an accident.
• Pack an emergency kit with you. A good emergency kit should include a flashlight, a first aid kit, jumper cables, gloves, rope, and tire inflator.
• Always bring extra water. Although you may be traveling on major roads, a flat tire or breakdown can occur miles from the nearest exit. Standing on the side of the highway in the hot afternoon sun can lead to dehydration. Having extra water will help.
• If you’ve never changed a flat tire, perhaps you should try it in the comfort of your own driveway a few days before you head out on your trip. The instructions are in your owner’s manual and it only takes a few minutes. Don’t wait for an emergency to learn.
• While on the road, try to take a 15 minute break every 2 hours. This will keep you alert and fresh.
• Pack plenty of entertainment for children. Travel toys and games can help pass the time and reduce the chances of hearing “are we there yet?” every 10 minutes.
• Whenever you travel make sure that everyone has proper identification and required documentation. This is especially important when traveling across state and national boarders.

(Source)

And last but not least, make sure you are signed up with a reputable emergency auto assistance service to cover you should something go awry.