by Phil Stott

With summer almost officially upon us, and a recession most definitely here, lots of people-and especially those with families-are looking for low-cost vacation ideas for the summer. While some 52 percent of Americans report operating on a reduced vacation budget this year, almost the same number-51 percent-report no plans to cut the duration of their vacations, according to AOL's study of U.S. vacation trends. Add in that the same survey found some that 67 percent of U.S. vacationers are planning to stay within the country, it seems like we're on the cusp of a resurgence in one of the great American vacations-the road trip. While that's likely to add a little extra strain on the nation's interstates and national parks, it's unlikely to be enough that it should put anyone off. After all, it's a big enough country to accommodate a couple of extra sets of wheels.

Given that likely surge, and the possibility that people will be heading out on their first ever road trip with their kids, I've taken the opportunity to come up with a three-part guide that covers all the basics of the genre.

This is the first part, and, like all good beginnings, deals with preparation for the trip-from things you'll need to pack to stuff you'll need to beforehand, and even a couple of recommendations for realities you'll need to accept when traveling with kids. The other two parts, meanwhile, will concern ways in which to keep your kids entertained while on the road and, of course, a list of likely destinations. Everything you'll need to get on the road this summer, in fact, apart from gas money!

5 things to do to prepare for the trip

1.      Get the car serviced before you go

This should go without saying, right? You're electing to drive your kids around the country on a trip that could easily go over the thousand mile barrier. Making sure your car's up to the task is every bit as important as, say, getting your vaccinations updated before heading off to South East Asia. Checking that the kids' car seats are up to scratch might not be a bad idea either.

2.      Plan for lots of bathroom breaks

This one's just a simple fact that you'll need to accept. Kids need to stop more frequently than adults, so allow for it. Just one thing: to minimize frustration, make sure they go before you leave, and, for multiple kids, make sure that if you're stopping for one to go, they're all going-and that goes for the adults too. Also, pay attention to signs on the roads; often they'll have information on how far you'll have to travel to hit the rest-stop after the one you're thinking about blowing by. If it's likely to take more than forty minutes to get there, it's worth checking to see if your kids need a break first.

3.      Bring your own food

I offer this advice after learning the hard way on a 1,000 mile round trip on I-90. Truck stops and highway rest areas do not a nutritious meal provide-and they can get expensive. As much as possible, stick to bringing your own food. If you're breaking the trip with an overnight somewhere, try and find a local grocery store to reload. Tip: sandwiches are pretty easy to assemble anywhere. Most pre-sliced cheeses and deli meats do pretty well for a few hours (longer in a cooler), while the ingredients for good ol'  PB&J are practically indestructible.

In addition to saving time, this can also be a much-needed budget saver, not to mention a means of ensuring that you and your kids aren't just eating junk while you're in the car. While you'll undoubtedly want some kind of unhealthy treat to help you while away the miles, packing a cooler of fresh fruit and water won't hurt either. Just be sure to keep it within easy reach, so it can be accessed without having to stop.

4.      Have a list of games ready to play in the car

Whiling away the long hours on the road can tedious, and books and DVD players (should you be fortunate enough to have them as an option) will only go so far. For that reason, planning a few in-car activities in advance can make all the difference.

5.      Bring a map (or an iPhone)

I know; this one seems obvious, right? It doesn't matter whether you're going with paper or something much more high-tech, just make sure you've got a way to track where you're going. And, if you are going to rely on an iPhone or similar device, make sure you're likely to get coverage before you wind up lost in the mountains. Even if the worst happens, though, and your map blows away or you get out of range of a 3G signal, remember that Google does a text 411 service that will send you directions. All you have to do is ask (1-800-GOOG-411).