Getting ready for the open road
Traveling can be stressful, but with the right preparation — for fun and emergencies, your next trip will be a breeze. Get organized and prepared with these simple Grinnell Mutual checklists and look through our tips and tricks before heading out.
Before setting out on any road trip, it’s a good idea to get your vehicle into a mechanic. for a checkup at least two weeks in advance to allow time for any repairs needed. If you are under-the-hood savvy, we have a checklist to help you DIY.
Prevent car sickness. If your child gets car sick easily, have them sit where they can get the best air ventilation or take a long nap. Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine is one brand) can also help with motion sickness in children 2 and older — but talk to your doctor to see if it’s right for them.
Pick the right car seat. Proper car seats are the most important protection for children riding in a vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. All car seats come with installation instructions that should be followed. If you have questions, often local police or fire stations can do spot checks. You can find more information about proper car seat regulations on NHTSA’s website.
Grab the snacks. Pack your kids’ favorite snacks to ensure they’re chewing more than they’re screaming. Think nutritious and non-perishable things like trail mix and juice boxes. Don’t bring snacks that may be potential choking hazards such as whole grapes or uncut hot dogs. You know your kids best, so choose snacks you know they’ll like and can easily handle.
Set up your car theatre. Pack your kids’ favorite DVDs or download the movies and episodes at home before you disconnect from the Internet and take along a laptop or tablet to show them on. If you have multiple kids watching, make sure they all have headphones, or ways to see and hear the screen.
Get back to the classics. If your electronic devices die and you have no way to charge them, then never forget the power of “I spy,” “Would you rather,” and “20 questions.”
Light reading. Swing by your local library and check out some new books to help entertain the kids through the daylight hours. And if you expect a lot of nighttime driving, booklights run under $10. Audiobooks are also a great way to keep them entertained without resorting to TV.
Plan stops along the way. Let the kids get out, stretch, use the bathroom, and run off some of their pent-up energy. A stop every two hours or so can go a long way toward making the whole family’s trip more fun.
Keep them contained. Pet seatbelt harnesses are a comfy way to let your pets have a little freedom while keeping them safe. A car crate is also a good option, but make sure it’s secured and can’t slide around.
Keep them fed and watered. Have plenty of water and kibble for your pet. For very long trips where they need to eat, downsize the portions of food so they don’t get sick. Some animals may even need anti-anxiety and/or motion sickness medicine before the ride; talk to your vet about what’s best for your pet.
Keep them entertained. Take your pets’ favorite toys and blankets to help ease their anxiety and create a more familiar and comfortable spot.
Don’t leave Fido in the car. Temperatures can soar above 100 degrees inside a vehicle in no time according to the Humane Society. So, where you go, your critter goes.
Always have an emergency kit on hand. A definite must if doing any extended driving. Especially if you are in and out of cell reception. Build your own kit with our handy car emergency packing list.
Arm yourself with analog maps. Siri and Google can’t help if you can’t connect, so go old-school and take along ye olde paper maps.
Perfect your packing. Use our packing checklist to help remind you about all the stuff you should take along.
The information included in this publication and program was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however Grinnell Mutual makes no guarantee of results and assumes no liability in connection with its use. It is the user’s responsibility to comply with any applicable regulations or laws. Information obtained from or via Grinnell Mutual should not be used as the basis for legal advice, but should be confirmed with alternative sources.
Updated 5/2023