Few memories are as vivid for me as the road trips my family took each summer when I was a kid. My brothers and I would pile into our old blue station wagon, roll down the windows, and clown around as we made our way down the Garden State Parkway to the Jersey Shore.
Of course, the road-trip experience was a lot different in those days; we still have my dad's old 8 mm home movies to prove it! There was no air conditioning to keep us cool and no sunroof to let in a view of the sky, and many of the car safety features that protect our families today were nowhere to be found back then.
Anyone who has been on a road trip knows that a few small decisions—from choosing a high-quality sunscreen to getting directions you can trust—can make all the difference between an adventure to remember and a long haul that's best forgotten. This month, we're helping you get both the big and small things right, from packing the healthiest snacks and best first-aid kits to getting the most out of your gas tank, your smartphone, and your credit cards while you're on the road. Our packing tips and pretrip car checkup will steer you clear of bumps along the way, and our latest expert recommendations on gear for poolside, trailside, and everywhere in between will help ensure that your next voyage is memorable—for all the right reasons.
Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the July 2018 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
