Top 10 Steps To Plan the Perfect Summer Road Trip

June 7 2010 by Bryson Forbes

summer-road-trip.jpgNow that the May 2 - 4 weekend is behind us, my family is ready to plan our summer road trip. As you also think about your summer travel plans, consider the following 10 steps to ensure you get the most out of your family vacation this year.

10 - Plan now. Industry experts agree that last-minute deals are not going to be as abundant this year as they were last. If you want to save costs, start planning and book now.

9 - Determine the setting. Are you looking for big city adventure, small town charm, cruising along the beach or a combination of everything? Think about your expectations for a summer vacation and spend time researching old destinations and specific locations before looking at flights or hotels.

8 - Review your rewards points. Take a peek at your travel rewards programs and cash in saved points to help stretch your budget. Also, keep an eye out for promotional offerings that make sense for your family. Best Western, for example, is giving its Best Western Rewards members a one night free-voucher after completing just two separate stays, beginning June 20.

7 - Create a realistic budget. Family vacations don't need to cost a fortune. Setting a budget that matches your vacation expectations, and sticking to it, can be easy to do with the right planning. My colleague Amy Graff, who pens the popular blog "On The Go With Amy," can help you with ideas to keep on budget, as she travels with her family of four on road trips for less than $250 a day - which includes gas, lodging and all entertainment.

6 - Get a CAA membership. For starters, it is always nice to have peace of mind that you can get roadside assistance with unplanned car trouble no matter where you are. But the real value of a CAA membership lies in the deals offered by partners, including savings of 20 percent at Best Western hotels across Canada, and a discount on gas at Petro Canada.

5 - Set the guest list early. Gather the family together and determine who's along for the ride: just immediate family members or if your adventure will include other friends and family. It's best to discuss early, especially for families with younger kids, before summer travel plans are the hot topic at BBQs and birthday parties.

4 - Get an oil change before you go. Spending $30 to $50 on a trip to the mechanic to change your oil is a worthwhile expense before hitting the open road. You don't want to be that family with the hood up, smoking engine and kids crying in the back seat. Trust me.

3 - Set your pace. A TripTik® from CAA is a great tool to help map the journey and set an appropriate pace. Remember why you are traveling, which is not to set a record time driving from point A to point B. Mapping your route and setting your pace will also help you avoid the scenario where it's late at night, you and the kids are tired but two hours from the nearest hotel.

2 - Buy a journal. Documenting the entire vacation process with the whole family, from planning to packing to playing, ensures you'll capture those great memories. Pulling that journal out in a few years will give you and your family a chance to revisit this summer's journey.

1 - Have fun. Remember that you are making memories that last a lifetime. Enjoy the process and don't forget to take a lot of pictures!

What tips would you like to add?

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