Traveling With Your Doggo

November is only days away and that means winter is right around the corner! I know, I know, many of us don’t want to face the fact that winter is almost here, but the next two months are jam-packed with holiday fun so there is a lot to look forward to! With that being said, November and December are going to fly by with how busy your schedule will be, so it is better to get a jump on your holiday preparations now! If you’ll be hitting the road for the holidays, you might want to start with preparations for your road trip sooner than later, especially if you’ll be traveling with kids. Below you will find 5 tricks to help you get prepared for your holiday travel! Don’t be afraid to start your preparations now before you get too busy to do them! Trust us, you’ll thank yourself later! Loughead Nissan’s Holiday Travel Tips: Get The Right Tunes Road trip rule #1, don’t rely on the radio. The radio goes in and out in different spots and the same songs will get old quick. Prepare ahead of time and make a playlist that has a little of everyone’s favorites to keep the ride entertaining. Go ahead, feel free to throw in some holiday tunes to get everyone in the holiday spirits Keep The Kids Entertained Few things are better than surprises when you’re a kid. So stash some road trip kits to break out when they’re getting restless. Include little goodie bags filled with stickers, coloring books, crayons, or anything you think could keep your little one entertained Stock Up On The Essentials Depending on how long your ride is, be sure to pack snacks, water, medicine, and plastic bags for trash. Other crucial items? A full tank of gas, a phone charger, a first aid kit, and a few blankets. Make Sure Your Ride Is Travel Ready It’s important that you service your vehicle if it has not yet been. Driving in the winter months means you could find yourself running into a mix of weather conditions. Making sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape is crucial to your vehicle’s performance and your safety It’s All About The Journey The holidays are a time to spend with the family but with November and December being so busy you might find that you’re spending less time with them. Instead of bee-lining to your destination, enjoy the journey and maybe stop at some attractions along the way. Create those memories!

Spring is in full bloom and pretty soon summer will be here and you know what that means - ROAD TRIPS! And whether your travels are taking you far from home or you’re traveling close to home, every road trip needs a list of games to keep everyone entertained and of course, their mind sharp as a tack! This week we are bringing you a list of our favorite road trip games that will help pass the time while keeping everyone from asking, “are we there, yet?” So, take a look at our guide below, and be sure to pack up all the essentials that you’ll need along the way! And if a new Nissan is something you’re ready to upgrade to, stop in to see our team! We are dedicated to finding you and your family the perfect sedan or SUV that fits your needs! We hope to see you soon! Combat boredom by making your own “travel binder.” Fill it with coloring pages, word searches, bingo games, etc, that way the kids will be entertained with a handful of different activities. Another way to fight boredom is technology, whether it be a learning toy, an iPad to watch movies or play games, an iPod to listen to music, or even an audible book! Bring lots of snacks! Kids get hungry when they get bored which can easily turn into them becoming hangry/cranky. That’s the last thing you want to deal with on a long trip, so pack a good mix of healthy snacks and a couple of their favorite treats for when they get really antsy! Another fun activity is having a countdown. Kids love countdowns of any kind, so turn it into a game! Give them a time limit and an activity, remind them of how much time they have left, and watched them focus on finishing in time! This is perfect because it keeps them entertained, it lets them know how much longer till we are there, and it keeps your drive easy! For when all else fails to prepare a “Are we there yet bag? When you’re coming up on a near breakdown pull out the bag and tell them if they behave they get to pick a prize out of it! This will easily buy you another half hour and keep your children excited and entertained with what they might get next Service Your Nissan For Your Summer Plans!

April has bloomed and so has your adventurous side. It’s time to hit the road to your next getaway, but before you pack everyone in and hit the road it might be beneficial to plan out your next trip. This week we are giving you a 101 lesson for planning your next getaway to make sure it is one you’ll never forget. So take a few minutes to check out our top tips for planning your next getaway. If your vehicle needs some TLC before hitting the road, be sure to schedule a service appointment or stop in today and our certified service team will get your vehicle road trip ready in no time! Plus, we have impressive service specials that can help you save big on your spring service needs! So head over to our website now and claim your offers and schedule a service appointment today! We hope to see you soon here at Loughead Nissan! Take some time to decide on a destination. Decide if you want to go far or stay closer to home, do you want to get the mountain tops or city streets? Once you’ve decided on where to go, decide if you’ll be able to make it back in one day and if so what time should you go, arrive, and head back home. If you have to stay the night be sure to start looking for a hotel or place to stay sooner rather than later (prices go up). Choose a route. Many people who take road trips like to take the scenic route to their destination. If this is you, check out your GPS and see the different ways you can go to get to your destination. However, if you’re only planning a day trip, it might be better to find the quickest way to get there because of the time restriction. Consider the right vehicle. Some vehicles are simply not made for long drives. Depending on the number of people taking the trip with you, the right car might be different. If you’re packing in the whole family it is no surprise that an SUV or crossover is the best way for you to go. You’ll need space to get everyone in and be comfortable. If you’re looking to save a buck on gas opt for a sedan that has great fuel economy! If you’re looking for a new ride before hitting the road, we have a wide variety of vehicles for you to choose from, whether it be an SUV, sedan, or even truck, we can match you with the best option for your needs! Get a tune-up. The best thing you can do before hitting the road, regardless of how far you’re traveling, is to get a tune-up. You want to make sure there is no chance of breaking down or mechanical issues. Make sure to get your fluid levels topped off, check for engine problems, and make sure all of your lights are working. Bring entertainment. Of course, the driver has to be focused on the road. However, passengers might want some entertainment to make the trip more bearable, especially if you’re taking a big trip. We suggest planning some car games for younger passengers and bring electric entertainment like phones, tablets, headphones, and even magazines, books, journals, etc. Find A New Nissan For Your Next Road Trip!