Planning now for a summer vacation on the road? It's never too early to start - or too late to modify your plans. Here are some ideas that should help you along:
Map it out. Use one of the many free mapping resources available online. DeLorme has excellent online maps, while Mapquest and Rand McNally have mapping plus advanced road-trip planning tools that feature accommodations and attractions along the way. Also, AAA offers its members a TripTik customized routing service and complimentary tour books.
Reserve accommodations. Make your reservations well ahead…like now! It's never too early to make summer vacation plans, especially if they're in the peak season portion of the summer or on a holiday weekend. The most popular accommodations are often reserved months in advance for those times.
Plan ahead for tourist hot spots. If you're planning a visit to one of our national parks, plan ahead. Once you've chosen tentative dates, reserve your lodging immediately. Lodging in or near many popular national parks in peak season (June through August, for most parks) requires reservations well in advance. Also, several national parks, including Grand Canyon and Yosemite are going to a shuttle bus system to reduce the affects of heavy traffic. Check with the National Park Service for more info.
Tired of the Interstate? Spice up your road trip by taking the smaller roads and old highways. Old "blue highways," as they've come to be known, are often trips back in time to places that frenetic life has forgotten, places that aren't smothered by fast-food restaurants, strip malls, and truck stops. And hey, isn't that what vacation is about? For off-the-beaten track ideas, check with innovative sites www.roadtripamerica.com and www.roadsideamerica.com, and for fun and unusual events to attend on the way, see www.whatsgoingon.com.
Be realistic. Racing across the country and back in a week doesn't make much sense, and you won't remember much along the way. If you don't have enough time to relax, don't go as far.
Have an emergency kit ready. If you don't already have an emergency kit, now is the time to put one together. Don't forget basics like first-aid supplies, extra water, blankets, flares, and a basic set of tools. Click here for more recommendations.
Planning now for a summer vacation on the road? It's never too early to start - or too late to modify your plans. Here are some ideas that should help you along: 
