Summer is only half over, so there's still plenty of time to hit the road.

According to a recent report from Liberty Mutual Insurance, 56 percent of Americans are planning a road trip before Labor Day.Many will also travel after the end-of-season holiday when the vacation rush dies down and the crowds start to thin.If you're planning a road trip, there's more to do than just pack your favorite bikini and sunscreen.Chip Wade, HGTV star and handyman, and New Beginnings Expert for Liberty Mutual Insurance, has some sound advice to consider before you climb in the car and buckle up."Before you embark on your trip this summer, it's important to always be prepared for the unexpected," says Wade. "According to the Liberty Mutual Insurance New Beginnings Report, nearly half of Americans don't check that proper emergency items are in the car prior to hitting the road."This an easy fix, says Wade, and could save you a major headache in the event of a car emergency."Programs such as Liberty Mutual's 24-hour Roadside Assistance can help jump-start your travels if delayed by misfortunes. It's also important not only to have this number saved in your cellphone but to also have it handy in the glove compartment in case your cell phone dies and you need to borrow a phone."Although you may be ready for a vacation, what about your vehicle?Wade says that checking if your car is in the proper condition before embarking on a road trip may seem obvious, but there are certain precautions that are more important than others before heading out."If your road trip is planned far in advance, make an auto body shop appointment for a full inspection and fluid top off," says Wade. "You'd want to take care of this a couple weeks beforehand, leaving ample time in case a part needs to be ordered or a repair needs to be made."No time for a full car inspection? Wade says do-it-yourself maintenance is still OK."A tire check is a must. If you need air, most local gas stations have an air pressure gauge. You might also be surprised to find out most auto body shops will check your brakes and oil level for no cost," says Wade.Wade says you should also check the air pressure in your spare tire. According to the Liberty Mutual Insurance report, less than a third of respondents check the pressure in their spare tire."Imagine getting a flat only to find out your spare tire is also flat!"Once your tires are ready to roll, you should fill your windshield wiper fluid reservoir. Bring the fluid along for the trip. You should also make sure those wiper blades are in good condition, too, says Wade.When doing DIY on your vehicle, refer to your owners manual for the basic guidelines.Like a good Boy Scout, travelers should be prepared before hitting the highway. Wade suggests putting together an emergency kit. You probably already own everything you'll need."What most people don't realize is many of the necessary items are already in their house. For example, I like to grab a small flashlight, water bottles for the family, alcohol swabs, band aids, duct tape, a cellphone charger, (which he says you could probably pick up at a service station if you forget yours) and other common household items we need and just make a pile for the car," says Wade."Jumper cables and a multipurpose tool are also a must. I also recommend keeping a towel that you don't care about in your trunk, this way if you ever have to look under the car you'll have something to lay on."So you know where you're going, right?"Everyone has a GPS nowadays, whether it be on their phone or a separate device for the car," says Wade. "However, like any electronic, sometimes they can turn problematic without warning. It's important to bring a map and map out your road trip on a piece of paper in case your car ends up in a bad service area or your GPS device stops working."Even if you don't map out step-by-step directions, it's still important to have a good sense of where you are at all times."Wade says that before a road trip, he likes to go over the route and write down any mental notes on his map. If something goes wrong, he can look at his notes to make sure he's heading in the right direction.D-DayThe day of your trip dawns. The sun is shining and you're ready to go. The car is in tiptop shape. Your emergency kit is tucked in the trunk and your GPS is navigating nicely. In a few short hours you'll be dipping your toes in the sand.Unless, of course, you come to a screeching halt.Vacation season is also synonymous with construction season.If you think ahead, you might be able to pass the time waiting in traffic without having to gnaw on your steering wheel in frustration.Wade says the best advice he can give is to just relax and not rush."Before you hit the road prepare yourself for the fact that you may hit traffic (especially during the summer months when everyone is headed in the same direction.) Plan out ahead of time where you can take breaks so that you can stretch your legs and take a breather if you're feeling overwhelmed by the traffic."If you're traveling with the family, you'll want to keep them in mind and occupied."Keeping the children entertained during a road trip is always at the top of my mind as well. I like to play my children's favorite music or let them use a tablet to play games on," he says.Wade also gives himself time while traveling to not only stop and take a breather, but have a little fun."We like to keep a bag with an extra set of clothes for all the kids so we don't have to worry about them getting dirty or wet if we see a fun opportunity."