by JQ Adams

Created on: April 11, 2009

First aid kit? Check. GPS system or map and directions? Check. Full tank of gas? Check. Recent oil change or tune up? Check. These are just a few steps travelers do in advance of a road trip. With the recent drop in gas prices, people are taking to the road to still have a vacation or long weekend this fall. From traveling to vineyards to taking in fall foliage, Americans are taking to the roads.

According to TripAdvisor's annual fall survey, of the 82 percent of U.S. respondents who plan to travel for leisure purposes this fall, 48 percent of this group of travelers said they plan to drive this autumn for their leisure travel.

Even with the roller coaster of fuel prices this summer, car travel is reportedly on the rise. "Twenty-nine percent of U.S. respondents, and 25 percent of respondents worldwide, plan to take more car trips this fall than they would have if gas was still at its summer high prices," the TripAdvisor survey reveals. "The top reason for Americans to travel this autumn is that the timing is most convenient, according to 22 percent, while 17 percent pointed to fewer tourists and crowds."

Travel Advocate is providing its expertise on road trip preparation ideas, along with some other experts who have submitted some innovative and not-to-forget ideas! There are more tips than one can even imagine, so this is not intended to be a check list, rather these are some ideas to help travelers prepare and enjoy their road trips.

Check Up: The Drive Smarter Challenge
recommends several pre-road trip tips, including inflate your tires because keeping tires properly inflated can improve gas mileage by around three percent. Another pre-trip recommendation is to select the right oil. "Using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil, including re-refined motor oil, improves gas mileage by one to two percent, resulting in annual savings of up to $45," according to the Drive Smarter Challenge Web site.

BYOB: Bring your own cooler complete with beverages. "One or two high-quality ice chests can save $20 a day or more even if you use them for nothing but cold drinks," according to travel expert Janet Groene. "I start out with a horde of frozen sandwiches, well sealed in leak-proof bags, for lunches the first couple of days. We also like to carry juice, milk, and cereal for breakfasts. With fruit, cheese, peanut butter, jelly and crackers you can feed the crew anywhere, any time."

Information: During a road trip, the need for a pharmacy, hotel, auto repair shop,

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