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A road trip can make for a great family vacation this summer, as an alternative to the usual theme park or resort holidays. But what if your current vehicle isn't exactly up to the demands that serious mileage will put on it?
If it's time for you to buy a new car, this is the perfect opportunity because you can factor these concerns into your purchase. If it's not time, it may be best for you to rent an automobile that’s suited to your trip. U.S. News and World Report, a national news source, noted that ample space, features, drivability and comfort are all major factors behind the road-trip readiness of a particular auto. Let's take some time to review these as well as other essential qualifications of a road-trip vehicle.
Mileage, mileage & furthermore ─ mileage
Many motorists make fuel efficiency a priority at all times. But when you're on vacation, getting the most bang for your buck in terms of gas mileage is even more pivotal. Whether or not you're "on a budget," saving money is always a plus! And you will end up spending less time stopping to fill up your tank and more time enjoying your vacation.
SUVs typically carry gas tanks with 22- to 33-gallon capacities, according to auto information resource Cars.com, and thus should be able to travel 500 to 700 highway miles without stopping for gas. Compact cars and sedans typically hold between 12 and 18 gallons, so 275 to 400 highway miles is what you can expect to travel before making your next pit stop.
Storage space & towing
"Traveling light" can be difficult, especially when bringing the whole family. This can lead to an overstuffed trunk and items wedged into footwells and mid-seat nooks, limiting legroom and comfort. Additionally, it’s important to consider that an overpacked car could reduce the driver’s lines of sight using the rear-view mirror.
In its list of the most cargo-spacious SUVs, another U.S. News and World Report article cited vehicles that averaged between 70 and 75 cubic feet with seats folded down and about 30 to 40 cubic feet behind the seats. Sedans, meanwhile, will more likely have only 16 to 18 cubic feet of trunk space. Finally, if you need to tow jet skis, motorbikes or other heavy items, it’s best to have a vehicle with at least 5,000 pounds of towing capacity.
Boredom-preventing features
The great menace of long drives is boredom. It's frustrating for kids (and what they do in response to boredom can be aggravating to parents). According to U.S. News and World Report, road-tripping families should consider vehicles with entertainment systems to keep kids occupied.
If it's time for you to buy a new car, this is the perfect opportunity because you can factor these concerns into your purchase. If it's not time, it may be best for you to rent an automobile that’s suited to your trip. U.S. News and World Report, a national news source, noted that ample space, features, drivability and comfort are all major factors behind the road-trip readiness of a particular auto. Let's take some time to review these as well as other essential qualifications of a road-trip vehicle.
Mileage, mileage & furthermore ─ mileage
Many motorists make fuel efficiency a priority at all times. But when you're on vacation, getting the most bang for your buck in terms of gas mileage is even more pivotal. Whether or not you're "on a budget," saving money is always a plus! And you will end up spending less time stopping to fill up your tank and more time enjoying your vacation.
SUVs typically carry gas tanks with 22- to 33-gallon capacities, according to auto information resource Cars.com, and thus should be able to travel 500 to 700 highway miles without stopping for gas. Compact cars and sedans typically hold between 12 and 18 gallons, so 275 to 400 highway miles is what you can expect to travel before making your next pit stop.
Storage space & towing
"Traveling light" can be difficult, especially when bringing the whole family. This can lead to an overstuffed trunk and items wedged into footwells and mid-seat nooks, limiting legroom and comfort. Additionally, it’s important to consider that an overpacked car could reduce the driver’s lines of sight using the rear-view mirror.
In its list of the most cargo-spacious SUVs, another U.S. News and World Report article cited vehicles that averaged between 70 and 75 cubic feet with seats folded down and about 30 to 40 cubic feet behind the seats. Sedans, meanwhile, will more likely have only 16 to 18 cubic feet of trunk space. Finally, if you need to tow jet skis, motorbikes or other heavy items, it’s best to have a vehicle with at least 5,000 pounds of towing capacity.
Boredom-preventing features
The great menace of long drives is boredom. It's frustrating for kids (and what they do in response to boredom can be aggravating to parents). According to U.S. News and World Report, road-tripping families should consider vehicles with entertainment systems to keep kids occupied.
