Taking a road trip provides a fun and easy way to get away for a few days, which can be just enough time to relax and de-stress. While a short road trip doesn't take as much planning as a longer vacation, you should do some advanced preparation to ensure your journey is hazard-free. These tips will help you stay safer on the road to ensure you enjoy your time away from home.

Plan For Emergencies

You should be prepared for minor emergencies by stocking your vehicle with a few essentials. Begin with a basic first aid kit that contains enough bandages, disinfectant, and other supplies for everyone in the family. You should add a flashlight, blankets, nonprescription painkillers, and any special medication that your traveling companions are taking. Beyond medical care needs, you should bring along a paper map in case you get lost or break down far from a city. It may also be helpful to bring along a handheld two-way radio. Your phone may lose service or run out of juice, so you shouldn't rely too heavily on its apps to help you get out of trouble.

Prepare Your Vehicle in Advance

Before you start your road trip, make sure your vehicle is in good condition for the drive. You should schedule a tune-up and oil change to ensure it's operating smoothly. If it's an older car, you may want to consider renting a newer vehicle for the road trip just to be sure you won't experience any major mechanical problems. Additionally, be sure there's a spare tire in good condition. You should also bring along a basic set of tools, a good quality jack, jumper cables, and road flares. Even if you're not skilled in auto repair, having these supplies may come in handy if a Samaritan stops to offer you some help.

Never Pass Up the Chance to Get Gas

In planning your road trip, take the time to plot your course using an online mapping application, such as Google Maps. This will provide you with the opportunity to identify the location of service stations along your route. You can also compare prices to help you determine the best places to fuel up. However, you should keep in mind that expectations and reality don't always match up. A gas station may have closed, and GPS services aren't always updated. As a general rule, you should begin looking for a place to get gas as soon as your gas gauge reaches the half-tank mark. Waiting too long could leave you stranded without fuel, particularly if you're traveling unpopulated country roads. While these routes provide beautiful scenery, you should keep in mind that amenities will be few and far between.

Avoid Highway Hypnosis

Driving long hours causes fatigue and general drowsiness, increasing the likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel. You can stay safer throughout your road trip by taking frequent breaks. Take advantage of rest stops to use the restrooms and stretch your legs. Spending just five minutes in the fresh air is enough to help you feel recharged. Stretching your legs by walking around will also reduce your risks of developing blood clots in your legs, which is common for people who spend long periods in a seated position.

Know What to Do in an Accident

If the unthinkable does happen and you're involved in a highway accident, you should know how to respond. Eventually, you'll need to consult a car accident lawyer in Albany, but you can help your attorney by knowing what to do at the scene. Be sure to collect the names, contact information, and insurance details of any other drivers involved in the accident. Names and contact information should also be gathered from passengers. Additionally, you should take pictures of the scene, getting close-up shots of the damages done to each vehicle. If you also get pictures of each vehicle's license plate, that will help you file your insurance claim. Finally, be sure to make a statement to the police and request a copy of the completed police report.

Following these tips will ensure there will be little to no unpleasant surprises during your road trip. That leaves you free to focus on rekindling your romance with your partner, bonding with your kids, or just enjoying the sites of a new place. When you return home, it will be with renewed energy and greater mental clarity.