If you’re going to be taking a trip across this beautiful country of ours, there are several things you can do to make your travel as green as possible.

The first thing to do is take your car in for a thorough inspection, to make sure it will be able to safely make the trip you want to make. Have the oil changed, all fluids topped off, and so on. Don’t just look at your tires with a critical eye and decide that they’re fine – check them with a tire gauge and be absolutely sure. And if they’re the least bit underinflated, top them off as well.

Quite simply, under inflated tires waste a lot of gasoline and money.

The faster you go in your car, the more gasoline you burn. This can be a trade-off. The faster you go, the sooner you arrive at your destination, and the more time you have to spend on vacation. But really, how much time do you save? A couple of hours?

It’s certainly hard to be the only car on the road going 60 when everyone and their brother is passing you going 70, but in the long run it saves on money and gasoline.

If this is a family trip, you’ll have, on average, your spouse and two kids with you in the car. And since two kids can’t sit still very long, you’ll be stopping at rest stops and perhaps at grocery stores, just to take the monotony out of the trip.

It’s at times like these that a lot of litter builds up in the car, which eventually has to be thrown out. One way to prevent this is to pack snacks and lunches in reusable containers, so there’s no need to stop at fast-food restaurants, and very little trash to throw out.

Make an effort to find eco-friendly lodging. There are several sites on the web where you can search for “best green hotels” or “green hotel bookings.” Typically these lodgings will have restaurants that serve organic food, use environmentally safe cleaners, use recycling bins, practice water conservation (with low flow toilets) and so on.

And as you go on your trip, be careful about acquiring too much “stuff” or souvenirs that you will only throw away once you get home, as opposed to stuff you really want and will proudly display.

Your family vacation should be memorable for you but try and leave as small a footprint behind as possible.

You make an effort to live green at home, but what happens when you go traveling?

Fortunately, more and more motels and hotels are embracing the green movement.

Don’t assume that they all are, however. As you plan your trip – so simple now that practically every motel and hotel, and every tourist spot now has its own website to tell you everything you need to know – simply check to make sure that your lodgings will be as green as you want them to be.

What kinds of things do motels and hotels do to be green?

1. Towel and Sheet Program
It used to be that lodgings would change towels and sheets every day. At green hotels, they do this only if the guest asks. Otherwise, guests reuse towels for a couple of days, and sleep on the same sheets, before replacement. (Obviously, once a guest checks out, new sheets and towels are provided for the next visitor.)

By doing this, hotels save on labor costs, as well as water and detergent costs. Towels and sheets last longer, too, by not having to be washed quite so often.

2. Alternative Energy
Does the hotel use alternative energy sources and practice energy conservation?

3. Newspaper Program
Instead of delivering a newspaper to every single room, typically a few copies are for use in the lobby.

4. Organic Food Served
More and more hotels are adding organic food in their menus.

5. Non-Smoking Rooms
More and more hotels and motels are going totally non-smokeless, which helps out a great deal when it comes to having fresh sheets to sleep on, and no draperies with that tobacco smell absorbed within. Those hotels that aren’t non-smokeless will nevertheless have non-smoking rooms – and charge hefty fines if someone is found to have smoked in there.

6. Environmental Cleaning
Does the hotel or motel use environmentally safe cleaning products?

7. Recycling
Does the hotel practice an extensive recycling campaign? Are there guest room recycling bins?

8. Durable Service Items
Does the hotel provide dishes, cups, glasses, mugs, tableware and serving pieces that are long-lasting, rather than disposable?

9. Pets Welcome?
Many people like to travel with pets. Unfortunately, many other people are allergic to pet dander. So many green hotels won’t allow them – not to be mean to the pet owner, but rather to keep their future guests safe from possible allergic reactions.