Summer is the perfect time to load up the car, stock up on snacks, and hit the road. However, planning a road trip takes more than just plotting a route. You need to be prepared with everything from updated car insurance to the perfect playlist. Here are a few easy tips to help you plan the perfect trip before you get behind the wheel.

3 Summer Road Trip Tips Your Car Insurance Agent Wants You to Know

1. Stick to Scheduled Mealtimes

It might be tempting to blow off lunch to reach a particular destination earlier, but doing so isn’t in your best interest. Increased hunger makes it harder to focus and often causes tempers to run higher than usual. Instead, plan ahead. Scout restaurant recommendations along your route online and plan your drive days accordingly. When possible, stay away from chain restaurants and try a few local eateries. You might find that the diner in a small town in West Virginia has the best blueberry pie in the world, but if you stick to chains, you’d never get to taste it.

2. Don’t Rely Solely on GPS

Smartphones and GPS navigation are incredibly helpful tools to have, but when you lose cell service, those navigation apps might not work. Instead of getting stranded, purchase a road atlas or state highway maps that cover the route you plan to travel. Check that you’re buying this year’s edition as road improvements and closures might not be shown on older maps. No matter what, let your passenger navigate or make sure you’re parked safely if you need to read the map. Looking at a map while driving increases the risk of getting involved in an accident and may force you to file a car insurance claim.

3. Teach Yourself the Basics of Car Maintenance

Before heading out on a road trip, you need to know how to check the fluid levels in your car. Pull out the car manual and familiarize yourself with the location of the oil dipstick and the radiator fluid. To check the oil, grab a paper towel, remove the dipstick, and wipe it clean. Then, reinsert it and remove it again. If the engine has enough oil, both dots on the bottom of the dipstick should be coated. If not, you may need to add more oil.

For the radiator fluid, look for the opaque container under the hood. The container will have two visible lines on the side. The top line is the maximum fill line. If the fluid drops below the bottom line, fill it somewhere between the max-fill line and the bottom line. This way, your engine won’t overheat on the trip.

Preparing for a road trip this summer? Contact the team at Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency in Chillicothe, OH, to schedule a car insurance review. They’ll examine your current coverage and make sure you have the proper insurance for your upcoming trip. Learn more online and call (740) 773-1620 to schedule an appointment.