Some of us spend our entire work year longing for the summer and the vacation time that often accompanies it. A summer road trip is a great way to escape the confines of home. Spending time with friends and family is high on summer priority lists. But before you head off on that road trip there are some things you need to ensure are done accordingly in order to maintain safety. Staying safe should always be your main focus no matter where you are headed. You never know when something is going to happen, so stay on top of the things that are within your control.

It's a good idea to start with the maintenance of your car. A road trip is all about your car so make sure it's in the right shape for that kind of a long haul. Many people learn the hard way about how necessary it is to maintain your car. Being stranded on the side of the road far from home is not many people's idea of a good time. Prevent this from happening with your family in the car by getting all oil changes, tune ups and whatever else is needed to make your car the reliable accessory it needs to be.

Make a list a few days or weeks before you go indicating all of the things that you need to make your trip a success. Then go through it like a checklist as you load everything into the car. If you don't stay organized, you run a good chance of forgetting something important. When you are already hundreds of miles from home that's going to be an extreme inconvenience.

Bring things to do in the car during the long drive. Passengers will likely get restless and bored. Items like DVD players and portable game systems are favorites among most people. Bringing along some movies and music can make even the most boring trip go a little faster. Of course, a road trip should be an adventure so make sure to stop off in towns or cities that are new to you as you pass through them.

It's a good idea to keep a small cooler in the car filled with ice, drinks and snacks. Spending several hours in the hot car during the summer can become too much for anybody. Snacks are inevitable since everyone will become hungry. Stopping off for lunch and supper is necessary if you plan to be traveling for a very long time. Keeping up your energy is essential.

Take turns driving with another person that has a valid driver's license. Several hours or days on end are just too much for one person. The brain can grow tired and less alert which is not at all safe. Drivers should switch off every few hours or so to be safe and allow each driver some time to rest. Bring along an emergency kit and cell phones for additional safety. You want your summer road trip to be the best it possibly can.