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(NAPSI)-"If you hit a fork in the road, take the road less traveled," says Jamie Jensen, author of "Road Trip USA." According to Jensen, "these are the greatest words of road-trip wisdom I can give someone headed out on vacation." Jensen has years of experience on the road with family and friends and he shares his top five road-trip tips to help make the most of your time on the road:
• Spending time planning and thinking about the journey before you set off is the single best investment you can make, and it can also be a lot of fun. Pick up some handy resources, such as a copy of "Road Trip USA" and travel and mapping software such as Microsoft Streets & Trips 2007 with GPS Locator, and let the adventure begin.
These will help you choose from millions of miles of scenic and historic highways, while keeping track of the different places at which you'll want to stop, and will provide you with spoken driving directions along the way, giving you the confidence to escape the dull interstate routine and rediscover the joys of a good road trip.
• Make the car as comfortable as possible with pillows, blankets and healthy snacks and give travelers easy access to their favorite things. For example, allow each traveler to bring a backpack to fill with anything from a snack of choice to a good book. Tuck away items you won't need for a while but make sure you can get to things you'll want along the way, such as Frisbees and binoculars.
• While on the road, make sure you take time to stop and get out when you see something interesting. You don't want to spend the rest of your trip wondering about that giant sombrero standing alongside the highway. Stop at roadside fruit stands and local cafes to sample the local specialties. Jensen says, "Being open to the unexpected, serendipitous encounter is what makes a road trip a memorable experience instead of just another long drive."
• Stay off the beaten path and let the road lead you to a one-of-a-kind driving adventure. Choose a theme before leaving home, such as sampling the best barbecue the South has to offer, and make a point to visit all the local spots along the way.
• Make the journey part of your vacation. Don't be so worried about getting to your destination that you miss out on the fun of being together with family and friends. Go bowling or take batting practice in some middle-of-nowhere town. The whole point of travel is to have new experiences, isn't it? Let your quest for the perfect piece of berry pie turn into a lifetime adventure. Smile for the camera and as often as possible make sure the answer to that eternal on-the-road question, "Are we there yet?" is "Yes!"
More road-trip tips from Jamie Jensen can be found at www.road tripusa.com. Additional information about Microsoft Streets & Trips 2007 with GPS Locator is available at http://www.microsoft.com/streets.