Labor Day is just around the corner, and AAA predicts one in four families will be traveling this weekend.
If you're traveling by car, it's a good idea to make sure you're prepared before hitting the road.
Top five things you should check your car for before you head out
1. Check your tires for tread wear, and make sure each tire is properly inflated.
2. Give yourself an oil check. Take a look at the level and condition of your oil.
3. Did you know hot weather can shorten the life of battery? It's a good idea to have it tested before a long trip.
4. Be on the look out for worn, cracked or blistered belts and hoses. But do make sure the engine is off before you look.
5. Check the coolant. Remember, it's a 50/50 mixture of water and coolant.
Experts recommend taking your car to a mechanic if you can't perform these checks on your own. If you just need a bit of a refresher, AAA has multiple car maintenance and repair videos on its website.
And it's a good idea to make sure you have an emergency kit with a flashlight, first aid kit and jumper cables in your car.
An easy way to avoid a potential problem? Try and plan your route ahead of time, and keep an eye on your gas tank. Don't let it get below one-quarter of a tank.
Now that you've got the car taken care of, it'd be a good idea to make sure your passengers are taken care of too! AAA has plenty of car travel tips to keep the whole gang entertained.
Top five things you should do to keep everyone entertained in the car
1. Bring books, games or music for the ride, as well as a comfy pillow so passengers can doze
2. Bring along some information on your destination so you can figure out exactly what you all want to do when you get there.
3. Got kids? Plan for frequent rest stops so they can get up and move around and burn off some energy, whether it's running around a rest stop playground for ten minutes or a jumping jacks face-off. If the kids are too old for the playground, try to plan your rest stops around unique or fun places that would be worth a quick walk through, whether it's a quirky small town, a beautiful park or a delicious lunch stop.
4. Make up some games to watch the miles go by, whether it's the classic spot the different states license plate game, track different cities or landmarks you've passed for a quick geography lesson or having the kids count the number of trucks, trains or planes you pass.
5. Pack some snacks. While you shouldn't eat to entertain yourself, you don't want anyone to get hangry either. Bring along some healthy snacks like unflavored popcorn, carrots, celery and peanut butter or trail mix.
Feeling a bit more prepared? Get your car in gear and rev up for a great long weekend!