Ever since Ford rolled out the Model T over one hundred years ago, Americans have been taking to the roads for adventure. Whether you're planning to visit Wally World with the kids or finding a White Castle, the road trip is an American tradition. Here are a few tips from Mills Toyota to help you make sure your trip doesn't go from comedy-adventure to Irwin Allen disaster.

Under the hood

You don't want to spend your vacation on the side of the road waiting for a tow. Take time to make sure your car is tuned up and ready to roll. Two to four weeks before you hit the road, make an appointment with your mechanic to take care of any major repairs. You can save the little stuff until the week and days before you go.

  • Tires: Check the pressure and the wear. Don't forget to check the spare.
  • Fluids: Change the oil and the filter too, while you're at it. Make sure your other fluids are all topped off including coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid. Now's a good time to change your wiper blades too.
  • Air filter: Change the air filter. A nice clean filter will help your car run more efficiently and increase your fuel economy.
  • Belts and hoses: Look for frayed edges and spongy hoses.
  • Air conditioning: If you're going on your road trip in the heat of summer, you need to make sure your A/C isn't going conk out in the middle of it.
  • Brake check: If it's been a while (over 6 months), make sure your brakes are in good shape.
  • Battery: If it's an older car, give the battery a load test.

Now's also a good time to clean out your car. Not only are you making room, you're saving weight and gas. And be sure to fill up your tank the day before you go. Nothing puts a dent in the excitement of a road trip like a gas stop 50 minutes into it.

Just in case

It's always wise to have an emergency kit in your car. Here are the essentials for a road trip emergency kit.

  • Cell phone
  • First aid kit
  • Water
  • Snacks
  • Maps
  • Basic tools: screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, rubber mallet, rag, and a roll of duct tape
  • Flashlight

Close quarters

No matter how much you love your friends and family, road trips can test your patience--it's a lot of togetherness. Make sure you have the right supplies along to help pass the time and keep that blood sugar above cranky levels.

  • Map: Have a route planned, but be flexible enough to detour to see The World's Largest Ball of Twine (it's in Cawker City, Kansas, by the way). Give the kids their own map, so they can follow along in the back.
  • Snacks: Non-sticky items are best, like granola bars. M&Ms might not melt in your hand but they can be crushed into carpet. Individual Ziploc bags of crackers and cookies keep people from having to (gasp!) share. Bring along a little fruit too. It's not only good for you, it tastes good too!
  • Water (lots of it). You can put some drinks in a small cooler too.
  • Aspirin, motion sickness pills and upset stomach medicine.
  • Moist towelettes and a roll of paper towels. There will be spills.
  • TP: You never know!
  • Trash bags: Keep the car as clean as you can as you go.
  • Travel games
  • Books: For those travelers who are impervious to car sickness. For the weak-stomached ones, there are always audio books.
  • CDs: Take turns controlling the music so everyone gets to hear their favorites
  • DVDs: If you have an in-car entertainment system or portable DVD players
  • A few pillows and blankets: A nap or two can do wonders.

Don't forget to bring patience, humor, and a sense of adventure. The best parts of any road trip are the ones you didn't expect.