It's fun to send the season off with a Labor Day weekend road trip. Already a busy travel weekend, even more people are expected to be out on the roads this year.
With low gas prices and record setting heat waves in some areas, a lot of families will be looking to get their vacay on this Labor Day weekend. Because of this, there will heavy traffic on the roads. So, allow for plenty of driving time and make a plan to be safe.
Labor Day Weekend Road Trip Travel Roles
Where are people going this Labor Day weekend? Most American families will be headed toward the water.
For the most recent Hankook Tire Gauge Index, survey takers were asked which type of summer destination they would drive the farthest to get to. 55% of respondents voted for "the beach." This was followed by "a lake" with 29% of the vote and 13% opted for "a water park."
On a road trip, everyone in the vehicle will probably have a defined role to play. Some roles are more popular than others, but all are important for a fun and safe vacation.
- According to Hankook, 44% of Americans prefer to be the driver. 56% of men want to be behind the wheel, while only 25% of women want to drive.
- 25% claim that they prefer to be "the navigator." This is the person who is responsible for directions and locating stops along the way.
- 16% of travelers enjoy being the "snack supplier." This passenger is in charge of making sure that there are enough snacks and drinks for everyone.
- Only 12% of survey participants showed interest in being the "music DJ." Therefore, it must be hard to pick music that everyone can agree on.
- The least popular road trip job is apparently that of "entertainer." Only 8% of Americans said that they want to be the one who keeps the kids happy throughout the trip.
Designate roles before heading out. And make sure that everyone is content with their assignments. This will cut down on the kind of grumbling and complaining that could make the trip less fun for the entire group.
Labor Day Weekend Safety
A Labor Day weekend road trip should be fun and memorable, but the most important thing is to keep everyone safe. Before leaving, drivers should create a list of items to check.
This Hankook Tire Gauge Index survey has revealed that 90% of American travelers check their car's gas level before starting out on a long drive. However, only 55% check their oil and tire pressure. 45% of drivers don't bother to make sure that their spare tire is ready to use if needed.
Make sure that your vehicle is road trip ready by checking (at least) the following things:
- Gas Level
- Oil
- Tire Pressure
- Wiper Blades
- Lights
- Brakes
Taking the car to a trusted mechanic for an overall inspection is the best thing to do before taking a road trip. Also, the emergency roadside assistance kit should be equipped with everything that might be needed in the event of a roadside breakdown.
Items that should be included are:
- Jumper Cables
- Flares
- A First-Aid Kit
- Motor Oil
- Coolant
- Blankets
- A Small Tool Kit
- Tire Pressure Gauge
- Paper Towels
- Washer Fluid
- Energy Bars
- Bottled Water
Being prepared for a safe trip is the best way to have a more enjoyable vacation. Not having to worry about being equipped to handle an emergency will allow more time to make great memories.
A Safer Car for a Better Trip
If your current car isn't reliable enough to take on a long trip, or if it's not even safe to drive on a daily basis, it's probably time to purchase a newer model. If you know that you will need to buy a vehicle in the near future, but have credit issues that might get in the way of financing approval, Drivers Lane can help.
We can match you with a local dealership that is qualified to work with bad credit buyers. Also, it is possible to buy a new or used car with little or no money down.
There is no charge for this service. So, go ahead and fill out the simple and secure online application to get started today.
