Driving cross-country has got to be one of the most entertaining and informative ways of traveling. Watching the world around morph into strange new shapes as unguessed vistas open before you... ah, now that's traveling.

Sitting, stranded, in the middle of a desert with your belongings strewn to the seven winds... sucks. We thought we'd help you avoid this second scenerio with a few tips -

Know the essentials you'll need for before, during, and after you trip -

http://www.tripsmarter.com/destin/in...tips_bycar.htm

Take a close look at the car before you go -

http://www.tripsmarter.com/destin/in...p_carcheck.htm

And don't forget, packing is one of the more subtle ways you can improve your trip -

http://www.tripsmarter.com/destin/in...packingcar.htm

Best of all, these all come in handy printer-friendly format too!