Road trips always sound like loads of fun, but not when you’re only a half-hour down the road and kids start asking ‘are we there yet?’ If you’ll be traveling this holiday season, this could be a glimpse into your future. I know, you’re wondering why we’re talking about the holidays already. Well, October is over with and November and December are crazy months, aka the holidays will be here before you know it. So this week we want to help you get ahead of your to-do list with some helpful tricks and tips for preparing your vehicle for your holiday travel. If you’re wondering why you have to prepare your vehicle for a road trip because you just hop in and go, then it’s a good thing you wondered onto this week’s blog! Below you will find a handful of helpful tricks to help make your travel smoother than ever before! So what are you waiting for? Check it out below!

Get The Right Tunes

• Road trip rule #1, don’t rely on the radio
• The radio goes in and out in different spots and the same songs will get old quickly 
• Prepare ahead of time and make a playlist has a little of everyone’s favorites to keep the ride entertaining 
• Go ahead, feel free to throw in some holiday tunes to get everyone in the holiday spirits 

Keep The Kids Entertained With Kits For The Kids 

• Few things are better than surprises when you’re a kid. So stash some road trip kits to break out when they’re getting restless
• Include little goodie bags filled with stickers, coloring books, crayons, or anything you think could keep your little one entertained

Stock Up On The Essentials 

• Depending on how long your ride is, be sure to pack snacks, water, medicine, and plastic bags for trash 
• Other crucial items? A full tank of gas, a phone charger, a first aid kit, and a few blankets.

Make Sure Your Ride Is Road Trip Ready 

• It’s important that you service your vehicle if it has not yet been 
• Driving in the winter months means you could find yourself running into a mix of weather conditions. Making sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape is crucial to your vehicle’s performance and your safety 

It’s All About The Journey

• The holidays are a time to spend with the family but with November and December being so busy you might find that you’re spending less time with them. Instead of bee-lining to your destination, enjoy the journey and maybe stop at some attractions along the way. Create those memories!

Let The Kiddos Have Some Screen Time 

• No parent is comfortable letting their kids stare into a screen for hours at a time, but it might be a good idea to let up on the screen time restriction to help keep your ride a little more peaceful. It’s always a good idea to have them play learning games or watch an educational show!

Have An Arsenal Of Games Ready To Go 

• No road trip is complete without family car games, so be sure to jot down a list of age-appropriate games before you get going.
• It’s a good idea to spread them out so that you don’t run out of games too quickly 
• We suggest playing one at the beginning to get them excited for the trip, then once they start getting antsy, and then periodically 
• Having small prizes for the winner is always a fun way to get them into a game 

Make Sure Your Ride Is Nice And Tidy Before Leaving 

• It’s important that your vehicle is tidy and organized when hitting the road. You want to know where everything is and be able to access it easily as needed 

Prepare For Toll Booths 

• If you don’t have an EZ-Pass, be sure to have your money prepared for tolls 
• You don’t want to be that person fumbling around at the booth, plus it helps on time to hand over the cash and go 

Make Plans, But Don’t Worry About Sticking To Them   

• It’s no secret that you’re going to need to stop for bathroom breaks, food, stretch, etc. 
• If you’re planning your trip down to the minute you’ll find yourself stressing for no reason. Stay flexible and don’t stress if you fall behind on time a little bit

If your vehicle is in need of service this season, King Volkswagen is the place to be! Our team is here to help with small or major repairs! Plus, when you shop using our monthly service specials you can save big on the service your vehicle needs! So schedule your service appointment today and skip the line tomorrow!