Boise (670 KBOI News) – A record number of Americans, and Idahoans, are expected to do their Christmas traveling by car this year, and AAA says there are steps you can take before rolling out of your driveway to make the trip easier.

Matthew Conde with AAA Idaho says it starts with planning, and letting someone know what your plans and your route are. That means telling someone when you’re supposed to get to where you’re going.

“If you fail to arrive on time, it’s very important to have someone out there who knows your plan, and is able to react if you don’t arrive,” said Conde.  “Certainly, if people are traveling in rural areas, possibly snowy areas, there’s always that potential for a storm to come whipping through.  The last thing you want to do is fail to communicate where you’re going to be.”

Also, do your pre-trip maintenance checks…oil, tire pressure, tire tread, hoses, belts, and by the way…does your spare tire actually have air in it?

For more information, click here to go to AAA’s Winter Prep webpage.