5 Tips For Making Summer Travel Easier!

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All this week, I have been preparing for the various road trips my family is taking this summer.  School is out and we are ready to hit the road!

This summer we are destined to visit Medieval Times, Knott’s Berry Farm, The Del Mar Bird Sanctuary, The Museum of Making Music, Adventure City and so much more.  We also have family vacations planned to Oregon, Washington and Georgia to spend time with long distance relatives.  My head is just spinning thinking about it!

But before we go, I have several things I need to do.  So I created a list.  I find lists are the most effective way for me to get organized, especially when traveling.

Here are my 5 Tips for Making Summer Travel Easier for your family!

1. Google your destination ahead of time.

Don’t wait until the last minute, when you are in the car, and realize you forgot the address of where you are going.  In fact, I did this very thing today.  We were on our way to a pool party and I forgot the invitation.  So I had to drag my kids back out the car and into the house to get it.  So to save time while on vacation, I always google where we are going ahead of time.  Call me old-fashioned, but I also like to print out a copy of the directions, just in case something goes wrong with my cell phone.  It is better to be safe, then sorry!

2. Stock up on snacks and drinks.

Hungry kids make for grumpy passengers.  Therefore, I always stock up on an ample amount of snacks and drinks for the long road ahead.  I like to bring a combination of fresh fruit, nuts, cheeses and crackers along for the kids to eat.  Plus it is good to keep a stash of bottled water on hand to help stay hydrated.

3. Download new music.

Aside from playing games and talking, we also like to listen to music in the car.  It helps to make the trip go by faster.  However, I can only handle listening to kid’s music for so long!  That’s why I like to download a variety of “adult” safe music.  When the kids are passed out in the back of the car, I quietly turn on my favorite music and they don’t even notice.  Pure heaven!

4. Purchase event tickets in advance.

I admit it.  I am a bargain shopper.  Even before we go on vacation, I like to look for advance tickets sales and deals online for places I know we might like to visit.  There’s rarely a time when I can’t find some sort of deal.  Even if it’s just $2.00 off the price of admission, that’s $2.00 more dollars in my bank account!

5. Get an oil change.

Just this morning, I looked down at my odometer and realized I was due for an oil change.  Since we are headed to San Diego next week, I thought I better get it done.  I didn’t want to run out of oil while on the road.

So I went to my local Walmart, simply dropped off my car in the Automotive Care Center, and then did some grocery shopping while waiting.  While there, I discovered that Walmart had recently added Department Managers to Automotive Care Centers around the nation to provide some extra TLC to your experience, as well as your car.  It worked too!  I was in and out in less than 45 minutes.

With the large amount of driving I do, I choose to get my oil changed with Pennzoil’s Platinum Full Synthetic.

Platinum Full Synthetic helps to clean out the sludge lesser oils leave behind.  With PurePlus™ Technology, the Platinum® motor oil is proven to keep pistons up to 40% cleaner than the toughest industry standard and it contains a revolutionary process that converts natural gas into a 99.5% pure base oil.  Plus my oil change came with a free warranty that covers 15 engine parts that may fail due to engine wear or which experience abnormal wear due to friction.  That’s a nice perk!

From June 10th – September 9th, Pennzoil oil changes are on Rollback at Walmart ACC {Automotive Care Center} stores.

• High Mileage $35.88, compared to the regular Walmart price of $39.88. {Industry standard price is $46}
• Platinum Full Synthetic $45.88, compared to the regular Walmart price of $49.88. {Industry standard price $66}

What are some of your ideas for making summer travel easier?  Please share with us in the comment section below.

Happy Field Tripping!

Jilleen