The seasons are changing, and travel is beckoning. It’s road trip time!

Whether you choose to travel with a group of friends or with your family, going on a road trip can be fun, rewarding, exciting, and yes — even a bit adventurous.

But to really get the most out of the open road, safety is just as important, too. Many professional travelers recommend traveling in groups of two or more, especially since driving for long periods of time can be tiresome. (And if you’re a group of women traveling alone, there’s no shortage of possible predators — both natural and man-made — at the ready for you.)

Traveling with a family can be fun, too — but it pays to be prepared, especially if you’re traveling with young children. The last thing you, or they, need is to arrive to your final destination all stressed out — or to be on the road with them bored out of their minds. (Any parent who has ever had to deal with a cranky, bored, tired, and hungry child can attest to the need for being prepared for a road trip.)

No matter how you choose to hit the open road, it’s absolutely imperative to do these seven things first.

susannah