Summer means sweet freedom and, for drivers, hitting the road to somewhere fun. It also means, especially this summer, excessive heat, traffic, construction zones and the occasional flared temper. Here are some handy tips for summer travelers, plus a few recommended accessories.

Plan ahead

If your trip is under 50 miles, you may not even need a map. But for weekend getaways and vacations, you should flesh out a primary route for your destination to avoid road closures, traffic jams and other not-fun developments, and download the maps before you go. Coverage can be iffy in the mountains, for example. Two years ago when I was crossing Arizona in an RV, I had no access at all for two hours. I didn’t have a problem not being able to listen to podcasts, but having no map in the middle of nowhere was unsettling.

Download offline maps and make a note of fuel gaps in the West and charger deserts if you’re electric. Construction season is upon us, too —check state DOT Twitter feeds the morning you leave.

Prep your vehicle

Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or having service done professionally, see to your oil, coolant, belts, hoses, air filter and battery health. Flush old brake fluid if it’s been more than two years – boiling brakes on a downhill pass is bad news.

For trucks towing boats, bikes or otherwise, verify your tow rating, tongue weight (the downward force that a trailer’s coupler exerts on the hitch ball of the tow vehicle) and make sure your trailer lights/brakes work.

Motorcyclists need to check chain tension and lube, brake pads, cables and that your cooling system is in working order.

Tire care

Underinflated tires are the #1 cause of highway blowouts, experts say. Set pressures to the door jam (or owner’s manual) recommendation for your loaded weight. If you’re hauling, move weight forward of the rear axle and strap it down thoroughly. Motorcyclists should know their gross vehicle weight rating and remember, luggage counts as weight.

Inspect tires for age cracks and set pressures while the engine’s cold. Load your vehicle, then recheck tire pressure. Get in the habit of checking your vehicle/two-wheeler the same as you get in the habit of making sure the oven’s off, or the lights.

What excessive heat can do

Engines overheat, people dehydrate and tires blow when asphalt gets hot. Carry more water than you think you need. Park in shade when you can and consider buying a windshield sunshade – they really work. For bikers – wear mesh or ventilated gear. And when the heat is searing, take breaks for water every couple of hours before you get thirsty.

Consider carrying tools, spares, and quick fixes.

A small compact compressor, a plug kit (or tubes + irons if you ride off-road), duct tape, zip ties and spare fuses are good to keep in the trunk. A paper map should live in the glovebox in the event tech fails. Don’t forget a proper first-aid kit.

Manage road fatigue when it’s boiling hot

All of us are slower and sloppier after eight hours in the saddle or seat. Make sure to swap drivers before fatigue sets in. Stretch or walk around a little at fuel stops or do jumping jacks if you’re so inclined, and no one’s videoing. Sometimes a 10 or 20-minute nap does more than a cup of coffee. If you’re nodding, get off the road.

Visibility and etiquette

Make sure your daytime running lights are on. Signal early, naturally, merge cleanly and don’t tailgate, especially in back of someone towing 7,000 pounds up a grade. Truckers and motorcyclists live by hand waves and lane courtesies—join the culture.

Enjoy the journey as well as the destination.

The point isn’t to white‑knuckle it from A to B like you’re on a work deadline. Hit the two‑lane scenic alternate. Eat pie from roadside stands. Buy your Mom a jar of preserves. Write and send a postcard.

Stuff to take with you

The Z5 II kit is incredibly easy to use, loaded with with modern features (fast AF, IBIS, clean 4K, slow‑mo video), and widely respected as a good value by photographers who know their gear—and it’s not a typical “grandpa Nikon.”

Button layouts are intuitive, the grip is solid, controls are customizable, and an articulating touchscreen makes shooting in odd angles ok. It’s also not a huge hunk of camera, but not so small that it feels like a toy.

Made in Los Angeles, the Meridan Landspeeder Modular Backpack was designed as a versatile solution for both daily carry and travel – even long travel. You could throw this thing out a high window or otherwise bang it around and it won’t fall apart. Blending advanced materials with intelligent organization, it includes padded shoulder straps, a breathable back panel and a luggage handle pass-through for streamlined airport navigation. You can also choose the Solo pack and build your own mixing and matching accessories and colors.

Here’s a portable electric grill that’s solid, if pricey. The CROSSRAY eXtreme Electric BBQ uses dual 1100W carbon-fibre infrared elements (2200W total) to deliver over 300°C cooking performance, rivaling or surpassing most gas grills. It includes a digital programmable display, meat probe and a high hood with a warming rack for versatile cooking, from grilling to slow roasting.

Fully portable, though heavy, it can be used on a tabletop or as part of a trolley or outdoor kitchen setup. Optional features like a rotisserie kit expand its functionality while maintaining a sustainable, electric-powered design.