Also, if you’re traveling with your family or a group of friends, consider staying at an all-suite hotel or even renting a time share as alternative to cheap hotels. They're usually a better value and a great option for families taking a road trip. 90 percent of people who own a timeshare don’t utilize it on a regular basis. Many great offers can be found at some of the bigger hotel chains that offer timeshares and many of them even have a washer and dryer. For my road trip to Scottsdale, I booked a fantastic one-bedroom suite with a kitchenette at a Sheraton Time Share property directly through the hotel for just $100/night including tax at the Sheraton Desert Oasis Villas. Country Inns & Suites, Staybridge Suites, Embassy Suites Hotels, and Cottonwood Suites are fantastic all-suite hotels and Holiday Inn Club Vacations also has villas available. Now, if you like camping on your road trip, I've recently discovered Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resorts at campjellystone.com. They're packed with family fun and are an economical getaway in the great outdoors. You'll find a range of accommodation choices - from rustic to downright luxurious - to help you plan a vacation the whole family will love. Reservations are recommended at campgrounds, too, especially ones as popular as Jellystone Parks. 3. Give your car a full tune up. Give your car a full tune up before you go or consider renting a car. Making sure your automobile is in tip top working order is essential for road trip planning. One week before you go on your road trip, take your car in for a tune up and ask your mechanic to ensure the car fluids are topped, air pressure in your tires is at its best for highway driving, and any other necessary concerns regarding your vehicle are addressed. Should you need to get something fixed, it is best to do it at a place you can trust before your road trip. Plus, it can be more expensive when it is a have-to situation. Also, make sure you pack a roadside safety kit just in case of an emergency. For me that kit includes my AAA membership card (Premier Membership). If you have a car that is no longer under warranty or has automatic roadside assistance, then a AAA membership is a necessity as it will save you a fortune in the unfortunate event you have a break down and have to have your car towed. If you’re concerned that your current vehicle is not “road trip worthy,” then you may want to consider renting a vehicle for your road trip. I did this for my trip to Arizona as I found a great deal on a rental car through Expedia.com and had the peace of mind for my road trip. PHOTO CREDIT: NITIN DHUMAL 4. Pack your own food and plan a picnic. I used to be addicted to stopping at fast food joints on a road trip. There was something that felt fun about that on a trip, but I’ve since learned that I prefer to pack my own food for my journey. It doesn’t just keep me eating healthier, but it also saves money, too, especially if you’re traveling with your family. Also, if you plan ahead, you may find that there is a great stop for a scenic picnic in your travels and packing a picnic is so much better than flying through the Drive-thru. If you do make a stop, either for a picnic or to explore a cool sight along the way, check out my Sun Safety Tips. I wrote them for cruisers, but they apply to road-trippers, too. One thing I like about road trips is that I can pack a little more luggage than when I fly and have some creature comforts, I can't bring on a plane, like a full-size pillow. If you need luggage, you can get $50 off your purchase of $400 and Free Shipping at Luggage Pros! Use coupon code "LP400" at checkout. 5. Bring great music or Audible Books with you. Music is truly the soundtrack of our lives, and every road trip needs a soundtrack. You might want to start with the top five best travel songs ever and choose some great tunes new and classic pop rock. I think of my trip to Seattle every time I hear a Phil Collins song from “No Jacket Required” because that was the primary music I was listening to on that trip. I think of the Bahamas Harbor Island and the amazing walks on the Pink Sands Beach every time I hear Wilson Phillips music. It’s sort of like having a theme song for every vacation but hearing the music even today will evoke fun memories of wonderful trips. Twitter: www.twitter.com/globalonemagg
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