One to Two Months Before:

• Schedule time off from work
• Research your destination online, sending for brochures and guides -- many have discount tickets and coupons
• Plan a budget for the trip -- including entertainment on the road
• Decide who will go, even pets -- check out pet-friendly places or arrange for care in your absence
• Make lodging reservations -- with hotels, camping spots or RV parks
• Plan how long the trip will be, how many stops each way and how long a stay at the main destination
• Pick which vehicle to take to accommodate the number of people, pets and luggage
• If family car was chosen, schedule a tune-up
• Decide if you need to rent a trailer, SUV or motor home and make reservations to assure availability
• Start saving extra cash for the trip and encourage your children to do likewise

Two weeks before:

• Arrange house sitting and mail pick-up
• Purchase light timers for your house
• Have extra keys made for your home and car to leave with a friend
• Make certain your car insurance and driver's license are current
• Inspect gear -- life vests, fishing and camping, canoe, boots
• Buy cds and dvds about the places you'll be seeing

One week before:

• Confirm reservations
• Double-check your map and your route for the trip
• Leave an itinerary with a friend
• List items to pack
• Get prescription medicines refilled
• Plan road trip games to play

Two days before:

• Start packing (think about which clothing is needed for each day and activity)
• Gather necessities like sunscreen, insect repellant, first aid kit, basic sewing kit
• Create a travel notebook in which to put maps, directions, reservation confirmation numbers, contact names and phone numbers or enter the information into a handheld PDA, or laptop PC
• Buy groceries and snacks for the trip including pet food and bedding if necessary

One day before:

• Put all personal documents like traveler's checks and credit cards into a wallet or purse
• Get extra cash for the trip
• Fill vehicle with fuel
• Finish as much packing as possible the night before
• Pack the vehicle as much as possible if it will be in a secure place overnight
• Get a good night's sleep

First day of trip:

• Make sure everyone has a healthy breakfast
• Pack last minute items

During the trip:

• Encourage each traveler to keep a journal of the trip -- written, photo or video
• Include children in the navigation of the trip
• Relax, be flexible and have fun!