It doesn’t matter whether you’re driving a couple of hours to a relative’s house or driving across country, there are some things you should do to make sure that your road trip is easy and fun. Although there are certain elements that you can’t control, such as fuel prices, there are other simple things that will save you some money.

Make sure you know the route to get to your destination. Even if your road trip is familiar, road conditions may vary due to unforeseen factors, such as construction. To avoid the wasted mileage, gas, and time that occur when you are stuck in a traffic jam, you can dial 511 to get road updates. Also, look at maps before leaving home to determine the route that is the most direct.

Stay away from driving during rush hour. Many motorists make this mistake, which can cost them hours in driving time. Getting stuck in rush hour traffic can also cost you gas money and a lot of frustration.

Make sure you take your car for a tune-up before leaving home. There’s nothing worse than being stuck on the side of the road on vacation. A lot of people avoid taking their cars in because they are afraid of repair bills. But it’s worth saving you a headache on vacation.

Finally, make sure you have a roadside assistance program. You can’t always foresee when your car will breakdown. Having a road service program will give you peace of mind so you can enjoy your trip.