Headed off on a Christmas vacation? Plan ahead to ensure a stress-free trip!

Planning a Christmas vacation with the whole family? Even with the anticipation of an exciting vacation ahead of you, long car rides can make ANYONE feel like Scrooge. Fortunately, you are in luck! We’ve put together a few handy tips to make sure your holiday road trip goes as smoothly as possible:

Give your car a little TLC before you hit the road. Get an oil change, and make sure your tire pressure is A-OK. You might even ask your service technician to give your car a “once over” to make sure everything is in good working order.

Plan ahead. Look up your route ahead of time, and plug important addresses into your GPS. It’s not a bad idea to have an “old-fashioned” road map with you too – just in case! (For some reason, everyone seems to loose cell phone service whenever they inadvertently venture off course.)

Be flexible. Snowstorms, road construction and traffic accidents can interfere with your ability to stay on your pre-planned route. Take it easy, and be willing to adjust your course if needed.

Pack drinks and snacks. If you’re going to be in the car for several hours, pack a few easy-to-grab snacks. Bottled water, granola bars and fruit are good choices.

Be prepared. Unfortunately, roadside emergencies do happen. It’s always a good idea to have essential safety gear — jumper cables, extra blankets and a flashlight — on hand.

As you head off on your holiday adventure, we wish you the very best. Safe travels to one and all!