Road trips can be complicated so it’s best to plan thoroughly. It starts when you pick out a location that you want to visit. Then, you go into more specific plans covering the places where you want to stay along the way, the kind of places you will want to see on the trip, the things to pack, and even the activities that may interest you.

A very big part of planning for any road trip is planning out a budget. You have to know how much you’ll spend on hotel rooms, souvenirs, travel insurance, food, and most importantly, how much you’ll end up having to spend on gas alone. The latter is so important because gas is expensive and it is often the largest expense on a road trip, especially on a long trip.

It can be hard to calculate what a car or truck will get on a road trip for those who are unfamiliar with their vehicles. Most people only have a vague idea of how many miles to a gallon their vehicle gets, especially if they don’t drive far very often. Before you go on a trip, you need to know to see how that plays into a budget that will include lodging and a travel insurance policy.

By far, the easiest way to calculate a car’s gas mileage is to look at the manufacturer’s book. The car company has already provided you with this information. They will know exactly how many miles a car gets on a gallon either when they’re driving in town or when it’s on the highway. This is important because some people don’t realize that a car gets more miles per gallon on a highway than they do driving a car around towns.

Now, the problem may be more complex if you don’t have that book anymore. Well, there are multiple ways that you can find this out. It just takes a little more time and a little bit more attention. All you have to do is pay attention to the odometer in the car.

The next time you fill up your car, make a note of where the odometer is at or, better yet, reset it entirely so that it’s at zero. Also mark how many gallons you bought. Drive the car until it’s time to fill it up again. Then, when it’s time to refill it, divide the original number of gallons that you bought by the current number on the odometer. In other words, take the amount of miles you drove and divide that number by gallons of gas you bought to get your miles per gallon. After that, divide the total distance of your trip by that number and you will know how many gallons you need. Then, multiply by the price per gallon and you will get your answer.

Whether you are traveling close to home or across the ocean, it is important to know what to bring when going out of town. If you’re like most people, you probably always have that feeling that you might’ve left something behind. Before you head out on your next trip, follow these simple guidelines so you can remember what to bring.

First, create a short list of basic essentials you will need for your trip. This should include the proper number of pairs of socks and undergarments, shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, and prescription medications. If you will be heading somewhere tropical, do not forget to include a bathing suit. It is always a good idea to bring two bathing suits if possible so you always have a clean extra one. Comfortable shoes are also a must. If the trip is a business related excursion, do not forget important items like a business suit and formal dining clothing. Your laptop computer or PDA is also essential for a business trip. Do not forget important paperwork such as: a passport, driver’s license, and your travel insurance policy. Keep paperwork in a waterproof container such as a zip top bag, and bring them in your carry-on baggage.

Other items to bring on your trip include your camera. You don’t want to miss those magical moments while out of town, so the camera is a must bring item. Video cameras are also a lot of fun to bring along so you can document your vacation. If you’ve purchased traveler’s checks of any kind, or single trip travel insurance, be sure to bring the appropriate paperwork for these items as well. If the kids are coming along, do not forget a favorite toy and a few games so they will be entertained while you’re on the road or in the air. A light snack is a great idea for long train or plane rides. If you are heading out on your trip by car, bring a cooler filled with sodas, bottled water, and snacks. For the pet owners who are bringing their dog(s) along, do not forget their medicine, toys, and other necessities as well. Once you’ve created your list, you can always go back and add other items later.

Starting a list of what to bring in advance will help to ensure that you don’t end up heading to your destination and then realizing you accidentally left something very important behind.

For people who are planning to go on a motorcycle trip, the obvious temptation is to jump on the bike and just take off. While this devil-may-care attitude may be appealing, it’s not advisable. You may remember that the two legendary motorcycle riders, Wyatt and Billy in Easy Rider did bring their stuff and you will be surprised that even the most free-spirited motorcyclists carry a travel insurance policy in their wallets, just in case anything bad happens to them.

Wherever you may plan to go and however long you may want to stay on the road, there will always be the possibility that your motorcycle will need some fixing up. For this reason, you will need a furnished toolbox to keep your bike going at least until the next motorcycle shop. The least you could do is carry a tire patch and some CO2 cartridges wherever you go. Most motorcycle brands come with a small tool pouch equipped with the most basic tools for motorcycle repair so make sure you bring it along.

A bike lock is also a must for any motorcycle trip, whether you plan to stay in a motel or camp out for the night. Disc locks are a good choice because they are small and sturdy, but they wouldn’t really do you any good if somebody just decides to haul off your motorcycle. That’s why many still prefer the bulky chain or cable locks to attach their bikes to something stable.

If you’re going to be riding under the bare hot sun, then, by all means, bring a waterproof, fast-drying sunscreen to protect yourself. Bring also a good lip balm to prevent chapped lips, which can be painful when exposed to the wind. Surely, you will not forget your riding gear such as: a high-quality leather jacket with lining, a cooling bandanna, fingerless, and full-fingered gloves, sunglasses, a face mask to protect you from the rain, a rain suit, a few shirts, a few pair of jeans, and underwear.

Camping gear is a must if you plan on doing some camping. These are often the most difficult things to pack because they are bulky, so make sure you bring a small tent and a good sleeping bag.

In this age, there are modern essentials you cannot live without, not anywhere or anytime. Your cell phone should always be with you, along with a cell phone charger that can be hooked to your motorcycle. Don’t forget to bring cash and credit cards and your travel medical insurance to cover any health expenses you may incur on the road.

Planning a trip can be an exciting, but expensive event. Whether you’re venturing out of state or heading across the ocean, it’s a good idea to gauge just how much the trip will end up costing you before you make the final plans.

If you are booking a flight, the sooner you can make your reservations, the better. Airlines typically trend their ticket pricing upwards as the days get closer to the actual flight. A weekend stay will usually guarantee a lower ticket price as well. Talk to a travel agent to see if they can get the best available price, or go online and use a service to compare pricing. If you plan on taking a long trip or an international vacation, purchasing travel insurance is also recommended. This will protect you against lost luggage, canceled airline flights, and lost identification. In some cases, you may also want to purchase travel medical insurance, which will help to cover any medical related expenses in the event of an illness or accident. Consider the cost of obtaining a passport if you do not already have one, and any other documents needed for international trips. When traveling by train, the price of tickets varies depending on the departure location and the dates.

For those traveling via automobile, the cost of gasoline should be factored in to the total overall cost. Look at your destination and figure out how many miles you will be traveling total, including to and from. Then, determine how many miles per gallon your vehicle will get to tally up the average cost of gas.

Don’t forget to include oil changes and other vehicle maintenance costs as well. Hotel room prices need to be factored into a trip cost. Do some research in advance to find the best prices and rates for overnight stays. Try to use a membership card or other possible discounts where you can.

Meals are another very important factor. Most people tend to eat out when they are on vacation, but if you can bring your own food for at least the trip out, you can save a substantial amount of money. Include the price of gifts or souvenirs, and any trips to museums, events, or other activities. Often, the total cost of a trip is underestimated because the price of everything is not included in the original estimate. By looking at the big picture, you can budget your next vacation more accurately, and be prepared for the expenses that come with going on an out of town or out of the country trip.

Millions of people travel each year by air, but the preferred method of travel is still by car. Although flying can get people to their destinations much more quickly, traveling via automobile gives people a lot more freedom to experience things on their trip. When you travel by car, you have much more liberty to come and go as you please, and there is no certain time you have to be somewhere. This frees up time to do fun things while you’re on the way to the final destination.

First and most importantly, be sure the car’s documents are there, including the registration and your driver’s license. Be sure to purchase some travel insurance if you’re going a long distance so that you and your passengers are covered in the event of an accident or loss. Before the trip, make sure you plan out some stops to make along the way. Many people overlook the wondrous landmarks, museums, and fun pieces of culture along the way when they travel in the United States by car. Stop at a few of these places and bring home some souvenirs and pictures to remember the amazing things you will see.

Traveling by car can be an excellent time to bond with the family. If kids are coming along for the ride, be sure to bring some things to keep them entertained. A few word puzzles and games are a must have. Books and movies are fun as well, particularly if you have a built-in DVD player for the car. Do not forget to bring blankets and pillows so your passengers can take a nap if they need to. Digital cameras and video recorders are great to bring along and serve as a fun way to document your trip. The kids will have a blast taking pictures of roadside landmarks and other things they see as you travel along.

Prepare some games to play such as I spy and other car games so everyone stays entertained. Music everyone can sing along to is also a good idea. Snacks, water, and sandwiches are a must and will help keep everyone happy and re-fueled as you drive along, not to mention saving you both time and money.

Aside from the travel insurance policy, registration, and license are very important. Do not forget to bring everyone’s individual paperwork such as medical insurance and identification cards. Be sure to remember any prescription medications, and pack a small first aid kit as well. If you are prepared, your car trip should be a safe and enjoyable one that will bring many memories for years to come.

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most popular attractions in the country. Thousands of people flock to see the historic park located in Wyoming because the area is one of the last few truly untouched places in the world. Thousands of species of animals live in their natural habitats, many of whom are now endangered. Yellowstone is actually a volcanic hot spot similar to Hawaii.

A vacation to Yellowstone is often seen as the perfect way to spend a family vacation, but it involves a lot of planning. Many visitors to Yellowstone go on RV trips where they either own or rent an RV, carefully planning on how to get to the park, how long they want to stay for, and where they want to stay. You also have to plan for what you need to take in the RV as well even though you can just stop and go into a store if you ever needed something.

To begin, there’s the renting of the RV, which doesn’t come cheap. People who own their own RVs don’t need to do this, but for the majority of people, one must be rented. Prices depend on many factors. Firstly, it depends on where you are picking the RV up and where you will be dropping or returning it. The pick-up and drop-off dates are also important. Also, you have to consider the duration of the actual trip so you will know how many days you will be renting the RV.

After you secure an RV, be sure to get some good travel insurance as well. If you’re driving a long way, you want to at least have some protection should an accident occur. In this case, a single trip travel insurance policy will be more than adequate.

Then, you have to plan what you’ll need for the actual trip. RVs come with fridges and stoves that are perfectly capable of supplying you with everything you need for your meals. Just plan out your meals, buy the ingredients and you’re set. You also have to bring the usual things like clothes and bedding including cookware, however, some rental companies offer bedding and cookware at an additional cost. Buy a map as well just to be safe and bring along entertainment items for the whole family.

Yellowstone also offers a variety of campgrounds – 383 in total – and other places to park the RV for a night or three. Most of these campsites are set up with spectacular views and they are safe for leaving an RV if you plan to go hiking or sightseeing while in the park. Planning an RV trip is not that difficult, but the time spent will be worth it in the end.

Taking a child to Disneyland is often one of the most magical things a parent can do. Children remember these visits forever. For parents, it can be a bit more complicated than that because they have to budget out how much they expect to spend on the trip. Let’s work with a five-person family model of two adults and three children. The vacation will be for three days.

Hotel prices are another thing you have to factor in. A modestly-priced hotel that’s close to Disneyland usually runs around $200 per night for 3 nights if you can manage to get a package deal. Many of the hotels and inns surrounding Disneyland run deals where if you stay a minimum number of nights – usually 3 or more – you get good discounts. Always look to take advantage of these packages.

Then you factor in meals. A typical family can expect to spend anywhere from $150 and up per day on meals. It’s possible to spend less if you end up in a hotel room with a kitchenette but since most families opt for simpler rooms, they will usually spend around that amount per day. On a three-day trip, this adds up to anywhere from $450 and up on food for the duration.

Then, there is the cost of travel, which varies widely depending on where one is flying from, what time of year, how many people they are traveling with and how far in advance the flight is actually booked. Plan to spend at least $300 per ticket on airfare.

After that, consider the cost of the tickets. Disneyland offers special incentives with passes that can be used for every theme park surrounding it. This is great for families with children of a wide age range. For kids who may have outgrown Disneyland, these other parks may offer them a good time. A 3-Day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket offers the holder admission to Disneyland, Disneyland’s California Adventure Park, and one Magic Morning early entry admission pass per ticket. This means that on one day you can enter certain areas of the park 60 to 90 minutes before they officially open. These tickets, which are good for three days of admission, cost $149 a pop.

It’s also wise to purchase some travel insurance for your trip. Cheap travel insurance is often enough to cover anything that may happen on the trip, whether it’s a sudden accident or even a death in the family because the trip will have to be cancelled. Getting good travel insurance is one of the best ways to make sure that you get some compensation even if you don’t you still get to enjoy the trip. When you’re going to be spending at least $3000 on your trip to Disneyland, it makes perfect sense to get travel insurance and keep yourself covered in the event of an accident.

When planning to leave for a trip, packing is an essential duty. Packing the wrong items or stowing them incorrectly can turn a fun vacation into a difficult ordeal, so pack carefully.

A good list of everything you will need for your trip is necessary in planning. When in doubt about what to bring, a general rule is to pack moderately. A suitcase is not meant to replace everything, so if you can do without for the trip, leave items at home and save space. Write down a list of indispensable things and determine what should go on the trip. Plan ahead and practice packing before it is time to leave.

Keep travel documents with you at all times. Important documents, such as cash, credit cards and paperwork such as travel insurance should be in your carry-on when flying. Never pack these documents in checked baggage, as they are too important to lose. Travel documents can only be used if you have them with you, so set them aside for your carry-on bag and guard it carefully.

Important documents to pack:

• Cash, credit cards, ATM card, traveler’s checks.
• Plane tickets, passport, and visa.
• Travel insurance verification documents.

When planning what clothing to bring on a trip, there are several factors to consider. What types of activities will be done on this trip? Business trips obviously require more formal attire than the family vacation. Check the weather of your destination: will you need shorts or a parka? Some situations, such as religious sites that are tourist attractions require visitors to wear pants. Or perhaps a special dinner in an upscale restaurant will require black tie. Plan ahead for both weather and activities. For longer trips, laundry service is usually available, so pack what is needed for only three days at a time. Pack an extra pair of clothes to go in your carry-on in case your checked luggage is lost.

Clothing to pack:

• Several shirts, pairs of pants, skirts
• Underwear and bathing suit
• Socks, shoes, hats
• Pajamas, coat

Toiletries should go in your carry on, unless you feel you can do without them. All medications as well as a copy of your travel medical insurance policy should stay with you. Airports have limits to volumes of what amount of fluid can be carried on, so bring travel size toiletries if possible. Many hotels offer shampoo, soap, and lotion; so consider leaving some of these behind.

Toiletries to pack:

• Shampoo, conditioner, hair products
• Deodorant, razor, shaving cream
• Hairbrush, clips and styling aids, curling iron
• Makeup, lotion
• Medications

Other items, such as batteries and cell phones are necessary during a trip. Depending on how much room is in your suitcase, some electrical items can be left at home. Consider that when traveling to foreign countries, there can be a change in voltage and a converter may be necessary.

Other items to pack:

• Cell phone
• Travel alarm clock
• Laptop computer
• Sunglasses
• Batteries

A road trip is a great way to see your state or even the entire country. Traveling by car is still the number one method of transportation in the United States. Each year, millions of people embark on road trips, whether to visit family or to just see new places and try new things.

If you’re planning a road trip, there are several things you can do. First, plan the trip in advance, and map out your route. Then, look for famous landmarks, monuments and museums along the way. You will be surprised at how many amazing places there are out there to see. Make a game out of your road trip and try to see as many different places as possible, documenting them along the way with pictures or video. A scrapbook is another fun way to have lasting memories of the trip. Be sure to purchase a single trip travel insurance policy so you’re covered for any losses or damages while out on the road. Being in the car for long periods of time can be a little bit boring, so plan some fun things to do while driving as well.

If you are bringing the kids along for the ride, you’ll definitely want to make sure they stay entertained. Games such as: I Spy or license plate bingo can keep the whole family involved and interacting with each other. A fun book on tape is another great idea. If you have a DVD player installed in your vehicle, make sure you bring a few movies everyone can watch and enjoy. Music and sing-a-longs are also a lot of fun while traveling. A lap desk and some crossword puzzles or Sudoku are also great choices, as well as a good book. Aside from thinking of things to do, it’s important to remember the essentials to bring along on the road trip. This should include an emergency kit with flares and first aid, a copy of your travel insurance policy, the car’s registration and your driver’s license, a cooler with water and food, and blankets and pillows. Be sure the vehicle you are driving has its current inspection and that all tires are properly inflated.

Check oil and cooling fluid levels, and do a quick inspection of the windshield wipers to make sure they are not worn. Once you’ve gathered all the essentials and made your plans, you’re sure to have a memorable road trip that will provide a lifetime of fun memories for everyone.

Camping is a great way to spend time together as a family or with friends, and to be able to experience the great outdoors and enjoy the beauty of nature. Camping trips are much different than traditional vacations, mostly because of the room and board aspects. Campers typically sleep outdoors, on cots, or in tents and other smaller accommodations like campers or RVs. People who go on camping trips also eat a lot differently than if they were staying in a hotel and eating at restaurants while out of town. If you’re interested in a camping trip, what kinds of foods can be eaten while out in the open wilderness? First, bring along non-perishable food items like granola bars, crackers, peanut butter, and trail mix. You can make your own trail mix by combining peanuts, raisins, chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, and any other goodies you can think of. Meat and other items can be eaten, but they have to be stored properly.

Make sure you bring along a cooler with plenty of ice to keep foods that can spoil fresh. Including travel medical insurance with your trip is a good idea in the event of food-borne illness, insect bite or other possible accident.

When thinking about beverages for your camping trip, try to avoid drinks like milk or other liquids that can spoil. Instead, bring purified water or juices. Water is an excellent choice because it does not go bad and can help to keep everyone hydrated, particularly if you plan on taking hikes or camping during the hotter months. Use a Styrofoam or other insulated cooler to keep drinks cold throughout your trip. Many larger commercial camping grounds also have a store located nearby where you can replenish supplies and get fresh ice. For breakfast, fresh fruit and whole grain toast with peanut butter or muffins make a good choice. Lunch can be the meat you’ve brought cooked on the fire or simple sandwiches and chips. Dinner is up to you, but it’s always fun to cook outside and get creative. There are a lot of excellent recipes available for people who enjoy camping and cooking, so use your imagination. Always follow the campground’s rules when it comes to the disposal of trash and food, and bring along all of the other necessities, including any travel insurance papers. Anytime you are away from home accidents can happen and the worst thing beyond an accident is not having a travel insurance policy to protect you. Be sure to keep all food tightly sealed and stored to avoid curious animals from approaching your camping area. Most importantly, have fun camping and enjoy eating your food and spending time with your family and friends in the beautiful outdoors.