School is out and summer is in full swing. Now is the perfect time for families to begin planning their getaways. For lots of people, that means hitting the road. Road trips are a great family pastime. They create the perfect setting for bonding, exploration, and fun and in some cases, can be a lot more affordable than buying plane tickets. If you’re planning a summer road trip with the family, whether your destination is a few miles away or several states away, you’ll want to make sure you’ve covered everything on this checklist.

Get the Car or Van Serviced

Unless you’re going away and then getting something like campervan hire Devenport Airport once you arrive, you’re going to be putting several hundred or thousand miles on your personal vehicle. Unless you want to end up stranded halfway to your destination, it’s a good idea to have your car/van serviced. Your mechanic should check all your fluids, change filters, repair any damaged hoses, and complete any other tune-up work that will be required for you to travel such long distances.

Make Sure You Have Insurance

The longer you’re on the road, unfortunately, the greater your risks are of being involved in a car/van crash. You may already have insurance, but now that you’re traveling out of state and for long distances, you want to make sure that you have enough coverage. If you don’t, you can apply for auto insurance online and receive a quote in an instant. However, in the event that you do not have auto insurance, it may be the time for you to get one. That said, choosing one from a myriad of choices can be overwhelming. For instance, if you have a van, you may not know which type of insurance can best suit you. That is why asking for help from insurance brokers available at the likes of One Sure Insurance, who can help you find the best van insurance policy in a blink of an eye, could be a good idea.

Keep Luggage Light

When packing your bags you may get tempted to pile everything into the trunk space in the car (or van) or secure it on the top of the car (or van) with a roof box. However, too many items in the vehicle can cause visibility issues. If not properly secured to the roof, it could also fall off putting other drivers at risk. Not to mention, the more the vehicle weighs the more gas you’re going to go through. Try to keep packing light when on your road trip. If everyone can get their belongings in one bag, that would be best.

Pack Entertainment

You may love your friends and family, but once you’ve been in an enclosed space with them for several hours, you tend to get a bit cranky. Not to mention, unless you’ve chosen all scenic routes, chances are you’ll be staring at trees and mountaintops for most of the trip. You can save yourself and others by packing some entertainment. For children, try packing coloring books, stuffed animals, or mobile devices they can watch movies on. As for you, you can bring books to read, a smartphone or tablet for your viewing pleasure, and of course, a long playlist with your favorite songs. You may want to download or play online a few games to pass the time so you don’t get too bored. Checking out this link can show you some games that may take your fancy for your trip.

You’ll Need Snacks as Well

Unless you plan on making several stops along the way you’ll want to pack a few snacks for your road trip. There is nothing like a rumbling tummy to put anyone in a bad mood. Having something quick to replenish you can help. It doesn’t have to be much. Fresh fruit, juice boxes, crackers, string cheese, and a few other treats will do the trick. Be mindful of how much liquid you give the kids or else you’ll end up pulling over for bathroom breaks more than you’d like.

Getting out on the open road and spending some much-needed quality time with your family is the perfect way to start your summer. If you’re going to have a vacation without any problems, you’ll want to make sure you keep the above advice in mind. In doing so, you ensure that your family is safe, entertained, comfortable, and happy throughout the entire trip.