5 Tips for a Successful Road Trip

With the lowest summer gas prices in 12 years, many American families are planning to hit the road this summer. Fifty-five percent of Americans are planning to take a road trip this year due to cheaper gas prices, according to a AAA study. At 69 percent, the road trip is the most popular vacation for families planning to travel in the next year, followed by national parks (49 percent) and theme parks (42 percent).

Road trips are popular because they promote family bonding and allow travelers to see sites they probably would not have otherwise seen.  If you're planning a road trip this year, follow these tips from Autoland in Springfield, NJ. 

Have a Plan

When it comes to road trips, you can't just get in the car and head towards your destination. Road trips require careful planning and preparation to ensure you don't miss out on must-see sites or exceed your budget. For a successful trip, you should plan your route ahead of time. Your plan should include when and where you'll stop for food, gas, attractions, and lodging. Also be aware that your trip may not go as planned. Unexpected delays, like road work or bad weather, might set you off schedule and require you to adjust your route. Expect a few minor bumps in the road when budgeting and timing your trip. 

Make Frequent Stops 

Driving for several hours on end can make you feel groggy and less alert. Even if you don’t feel tired, pull over and take a break every few hours. Stretch your legs, get some fresh air, and grab a bite to eat. If you need to, switch drivers or take a nap before hitting the road again. Also, while it may be tempting to drive through the night, it's best to get a good night's sleep to ensure you are awake and alert for the long drive ahead.

Keep Your Gas Tank Half Full 

Don't wait until your gas gauge is on empty before you refuel. Letting your gas tank sit on empty is never good for your car, but it's an especially bad choice for long-distance travel. When you're on the open road, the next gas station may not be for another 100 miles, so you should fill up when you can. Always keep your gas tank at least half full to be safe. 

Avoid Breakdowns 

Before you hit the road, ensure your car is in the best possible condition. Make sure the tires are properly inflated, all fluids, including power-steering, windshield wiper, and engine oil, are at the right levels, and the headlights, taillights and signals are working properly. Also have your vehicle professionally inspected to be sure everything is in tip-top shape. Let your mechanic know you are going on a road trip, so he/she can do a thorough inspection of your tires, brakes, battery, and so on. Many New Jersey new and used car dealers offer vehicle service and repairs. At Autoland Springfield, we have highly-trained service staff and technicians, so stop by our dealership on Route 22 to have your vehicle inspected.  

Consider Entertainment 

After spending several hours in the car around the same scenery, your family could start to get bored. Especially if you have children, come prepared with entertainment. Think of fun road trip games, such as road trip bingo and the license plate game, to keep everyone excited and entertained. Also download games, music, and movies on your smartphone or tablet ahead of time, and bring your children's favorite handheld games and toys.  

With these tips, you and your family can have a successful road trip that will be remembered and cherished forever. Happy travels!

5 Reasons the Toyota Corolla is a Top Choice for College Grads on a Budget

Ask any of the Toyota dealerships in New Jersey, and they’ll tell you, if you’re in college, or a fresh college grad just starting out -it’s hard to beat the value provided by the Toyota Corolla. 

But that’s not some secret that NJ car dealers know, the fact is that the Toyota Corolla is the #1 selling car in the history of the world, selling 1.3 million units in 2015 alone. So what is it that makes Corolla so preferred among those who are just starting out?

Price:

Starting at $17,300 for a new off the lot model, the price is right, especially for drivers who are fresh out of college, in an entry level position and working to pay down student loans. When factoring in just a few years on a low mileage used model, that price can jump down quite dramatically making a monthly car payment easier to bear.

Reliability:

When one of your car buying goals is to have a low monthly payment, you can’t afford costly repairs either. For those looking for reliability, look no further. Toyotas are known for their reliability, but the Corolla holds a solid reputation even among other Toyotas.  It’s common to find Corolla owner’s both past and present touting that they’ve driven their Corolla’s 300,000 miles and beyond before selling them to another lucky but budget conscious owner. It’s hard to name another car with that kind of a reputation for reliability and the reason is that they don’t make many. 90% of all Toyota Corollas sold in the last ten years are still on the road.

Fuel Efficiency:

Corolla’s current fuel efficiency is worth noting at 30 miles per gallon in the city and 42 miles per gallon on the highway. According to the mileage tracking site Fuelly.com, Corolla’s have been averaging over 30 miles to the gallon dating back to the year 2000.

Resale ability:

Because of their high reliability factor, people are willing to buy Corolla’s well beyond the mileage limits they may have set in their minds for other makes and models. It surely is an added bonus to know that you will be able to get something for your Corolla when you’re ready to sell or trade it in.

Safety Rating:

The current Toyota Corolla model has the highest 5 star safety rating - with 5 out of 5 stars in 11 out of 12 different safety tests. It packs a lot of key features such as vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, and brake assist to name a few.

Kelley Blue Book often considered the standard in car value says that the Corolla “has provided the template for affordable personal transportation: affordable, durable and efficient,” and if you ask us, when it comes to sheer value, it’s about as close to a sure thing as it gets.