Wendell La Prairie, vice president of corporate affairs at AAA in Springettsbury Township, said despite gas prices hovering near $3 a gallon once again, people are still taking road trips.

“We haven’t seen any decrease in requests for TripTiks and maps,” he said. “A lot of people in this area have gone to the shore for years, and if it’s gonna cost them $25 or $30 more for the trip, that isn’t going to stop them. It’s a vacation, something that people look forward to.”

La Prairie said road-trippers often get tripped up by forgetting to pack healthy snacks to keep up their energy levels during the long drive, which can help them steer clear of vending machines and fast-food pit stops.

Travelers with children in tow might want to invest in window blinds to limit the amount of sun that beats down on the back seats. “I’m a new grandfather, and so I know it can really heat up those metal buckles,” he said. “If a child touches it, it can cause some serious burns.”

Some of his other suggestions for a smooth road trip:

• Bring along spare batteries for the flashlight in your emergency kit. “A lot of times it gets left in there or turned on accidentally and the battery has run dead,” he said. “Then, what good is it?”

• Take your vehicle to a certified mechanic and tell him you’re going on a long road trip. “You might have a hose that looks perfectly fine to you, but there might be a crack you don’t see,” he said. “And if your car is not properly tuned, you can throw away a lot of money on gas.”

• Eat your biggest meal of the day at lunchtime to take advantage of lower prices.

Comfort items

• Travel mugs

• Bottled water, snacks and a cooler

• Pre-moistened towelettes

• Plastic bag for trash

• Motion sickness remedies

• Tissues and paper towels

• Blankets and pillows

• Video/TV/DVD system

• Puzzles, games

• Reading material

• CDs, music, books on tape

Before you go

• Charge your cell phone.

• Collect maps, guidebooks, brochures related to your route and destination.

• Make sure your spare tire is useable.

• Pack an emergency road kit with tools needed for a breakdown or flat tire.

On the road

• Take back roads when you need a break from the monotony of the highway.

• Stop every couple of hours to stretch and walk around.

• Let children switch seats every few hours so everyone gets a turn in a window seat.

Sources: AAA and www.christinecolumbus.com

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