When you decide to go on a cross country road trip vacation in your own car, the experience can turn out to be very thrilling and adventurous. But before actually embarking on a cross country road trip like this, you need to follow certain precautionary measures.

First of all you have to plan this car trip strategically.

Do you want to derail your holiday by not doing the mandatory planning? To enjoy an organized holiday, you must do your thorough homework much in advance, even if that doesn’t sound very romantic or exciting. You have to study the places where you will be going, you have to study all the possible routes and their alternatives, the time you might take to reach these places, the hotels where you will be staying, the kinds of food that will be available in different places and their prices etc.

You can read up internet travel sites and you can derive help from the American Auto Club in plotting a course. The latter can also help you find fuel stations, food and lodging, heavy traffic spots and construction hindrances. The glove box in your car must carry maps and a good road atlas.

Then you have to ensure that your car is mechanically sound and all the components including brakes, tires, cooling systems and engine and other vital systems are in top order. The tires should have the proper amount of air, the oil should have been serviced recently and remember to use fresh coolants and other fluids.

You must be ready for unforeseen roadside emergencies such as a radiator leak or a flat tire. Therefore spare tires, tire changing kit, road flares, jumper cables, jacks etc should always be stored in your car. Another thing that you must always carry in your car is a first aid box for emergencies. At a minimum it should contain an antihistamine, motion sickness medicines, antidiarrheals, analgesics, fingernail scissors, tweezers, alcohol, antiseptic, antibacterial cleanser, antiseptic ointment and bandages.

It is also a good idea to carry some snacks, fruits, dry fruits, bread, butter, jam, jelly, cookies, chips etc and some water or refreshing drinks to keep you going or in case the car breaks down in a remote spot.

Don’t over plan how far you can travel in a day, it will be important to take frequent breaks to refresh yourself, and make sure you are sleeping well. If you do get too fatigued, just stop driving and seek refuge in a motel or inn, it’s not worth the risk.