Car Travel

Talking on a cell phone while driving is dangerous. But a mid-transit chat pales in comparison to the distraction of driving with one (or two!) children wailing in the backseat. Nothing increases adrenaline and quick recall of four-letter words quite like crying kids.

As parents, we can mentally cope with crying kids to and from the grocery store. But long-distance trips need more finesse. Careful preparation and a few necessities can prevent a few glitches and keep your travel going smoothly. As you prepare for holiday travels, make the most of your trip with these handy gadgets.

1. Snack Container
A signature trademark of a kid-friendly car is a Hansel and Gretel-worthy crumb collection on every surface. If you can overlook this completely annoying parenthood perk, I applaud you; otherwise invest in some creative cups. Munchkin offers an ingenious design with handles and no spill rubber top--two for under $7. Sporting a similar design but with an attachable rope (and additional solid top) is the Spill-Proof Snack Buddy Cup from One Step Ahead. Read more

A quick driveway inspection before hitting the road will help ensure a hassle-free Labor Day weekend, according to the Car Care Council.

"With these four easy steps, motorists can identify how road-ready their vehicle is right in their own driveway and, if repairs or maintenance are needed, they can be performed before leaving home," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

• Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
• Check the hoses and belts that can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.
• Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
• Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and inspect and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

Summer travel season kicks off this Memorial Day weekend and with almost 35 million drivers hitting the road (according to AAA) we all want to be sure that our families and loved ones are safe on the road.

We often look at our car only when we are about to take a road trip, but many people often forget one of the most important components to vehicle safety: our tires. According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 660 highway fatalities are caused by under-inflated tires annually.

Here are some tips from tire expert and Michelin subjective test driver, Sarah K. Robinson, to help you have a smooth ride this holiday weekend:Read more

With gas prices at the highest average ever for this time of year and airlines enacting new booking and travel fees, getting away from home and taking an affordable vacation seems difficult, if not impossible. With some planning and researching you can prepare to save some money while traveling on a budget so that you don't have to forgo your vacation.

Use apps to your advantage: There are many apps that can save you money. Whether it be GasBuddy to help you find the cheapest gas near you or ATM Hunter which allows you to avoid fees when withdrawing money.

Brown bag it: Make an effort to make your own lunches or breakfasts when traveling. It's cheaper to stock up on fruit, snacks and cold cuts than eating every meal at a restaurant. Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it so that you're not constantly spending money on pricey beverages.

Take advantage of deals: If you're a member of organizations that offer discounts, look into where you could be saving money. AAA offers its members a variety of savings which range from discounts to attractions to local restaurants. Read more

Whether you're a "road warrior" whose job involves many hours of driving or a commuter who takes the occasional driving trip for business, it's more important than ever to keep traveling costs down given the state of the economy.

This is an excellent time to cut back on time-wasting costs by planning ahead, searching for deals and maximizing your gas mileage. Here are some suggestions:

Sign up for repeat-usage deals: Many national hotel chains offer frequent-stay programs, which allow a business traveler to build up points that turn into overnight stays for no charge.

Plan pre-route travel: Driving in an unknown city can bring about an unwanted headache without planning ahead. Use a navigation system or the internet-based traffic service Traffic.com to avoid traffic jams, detours, construction delays and time lost to being lost. Traffic.com information can be accessed from your cell phone by calling (866) MY-TRAFC (866-698-7232). Read more

Map reading is an all but obsolete skill -- especially in the younger generation -- due to the wonderful invention of the global positioning system or GPS. The global positioning system has made driving simpler for the most part, but it isn’t flawless. What technology does and what it is supposed to do often varies. Let us examine the success and shortcomings of the GPS system both in car and on phone.

Many simple GPS units dedicated to direction and nothing else can be pretty directionally challenged. The inaptly named Never Lost is well known for disregarding any construction and attempting to lead travelers onto closed highways and streets. Users can get very frustrated, and very lost, indeed.

However, anyone who has ever used two or more brands of GPS can tell you that the same destination does not always mean the same directions. Cloud cover can even cause a loss of any directions at all. The more dependable models (where cloud cover is concerned) tend to be those built into cars or on cell phones. Read more