If driving across the U.S. is on your bucket list, you certainly aren't alone. Plenty of people aspire to hit the open road with nothing but a full tank of gas and a dream. While technological advances like GPS apps and AUX cords have made road tripping easier than ever, driving across the whole country still comes with plenty of challenges. Eager to fire up your Ford and cruise down Route 66? Use these essential road trip tips for the ultimate experience.

1. Clean your car in advance
Before you take off, it's vital that you carve out some time to clean your vehicle. While fast food wrappers, stray gym clothes and a few spare pairs of shoes might occupy your car most of the time, you won't want that extra clutter taking up valuable space during your road trip. Not only will it get in the way of efficient packing, but let's face it – you're bound to accumulate plenty of junk throughout your travels. You don't need to be lugging along more odds and ends than necessary.

2. Create a flexible plan
One of the best parts of driving across the country is the spontaneity it affords you – after all, you can change course whenever you like and pull over for every roadside attraction that sparks your interest. However, hitting the open road without even a loose plan isn't a smart idea. You should have a general idea of what you want to see, where you want to stop and what route you plan to take. According to the Huffington Post, it's best to at least map out where you'll be spending each night so you can make tentative hotel reservations. Of course, don't let your agenda keep you from exploring opportunities that pop up along the way!

3. Don't take gas stations for granted
If you're from a populated city or suburb, you're likely used to seeing gas stations at every corner. When you're driving across the U.S., however, you'll find yourself in plenty of areas that don't have any gas options for miles…and miles…and miles. Yahoo! Travel explained that, for much of the country, gas stations are few and far between, so it's important to fill up your tank whenever you can. The source noted that Interstate 90 in South Dakota boasts a billboard that reads "Better to fill up the tank and not the can." Keep this adage in mind as you roll toward the open road.

Planning a road trip? Keep these tips in mind.

4. Always stop at attractions that claim to be "World's Largest"
Want to have an authentic American road trip experience? Don't hesitate to pull into any attraction that claims to be the "World's Largest." While these roadside pit-stops might be kitschy, they're what makes the U.S. countryside worth cruising through. According to Thrillist, some must-sees include Alabama's "World's Largest Brick," Indiana's "World's Biggest Ball of Paint" and Nebraska's "World's Largest Ball of Stamps."

5. Take lots of pictures
Driving across the country means that you'll be a tourist no matter where you are, so you might as well own it. Snap photos wherever you can, whether you use your smartphone or a professional camera. A cross-country road trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you'll surely treasure these captured memories for decades to come.

6. Be conscious of the forecast
Driving long distances each day means that you may enter different climates every few hours. Because harsh weather can make roads unsafe, it's crucial that you stay a step ahead of the forecast throughout the duration of your trip. Use weather apps on your smartphone and information from local radio stations to stay aware. If you do find yourself driving in inclement weather, Yahoo! recommended watching what truck drivers do and following their lead. Because they're always on the road, their instincts are worth following. So if you see a group of trucks pulling over as rain starts to fall, take yourself off the road as well.

7. Pick the right vehicle
Driving for 10 hours or more each day can take a toll on your car – there's no doubt about it. Not all vehicles are created equal, and some are more up to the challenge of making the expedition than others. Before you commit to using a certain car, have it professionally inspected. Independent Traveler noted that in addition to checking fluid levels and tire pressure, it's smart to let a mechanic know your plan and have him do a thorough automotive checkup. If you find out your car doesn't make the cut, consider shopping around for another one. Plenty of used cars are both affordable and durable.

8. Make the perfect playlist
Driving across the country is like running a marathon – without the perfect playlist, you're bound to get bored and tired. While you'll pick up some local radio stations along the way, you might not be able to sustain a strong signal in really rural areas. Download your mix to your smartphone, or even burn some CDs as backups. Include a variety of genres and artists to keep things interesting.

9. Befriend the locals
Looking for local cuisine, quirky hotels or attractions that are off the beaten path? Don't expect to find the best of the best in any tour book – turn to locals for the real scoop about what's worth eating and seeing. Strike up conversations with gas station attendants, convenience store clerks and whoever else you meet during your travels. Chances are, you'll have some great experiences that expose you to the local flavors that make America great.

10. Always trust your gut
Setting out on a road trip is a lot different than staying at an all-inclusive resort. It's an adventure, and anything can happen during adventures. Because of this, it's important to trust your instincts. If the local bed and breakfast is giving you the creeps, drive the extra 30 miles to the nearest big-name hotel. If your eyelids are fluttering with exhaustion, pull over and take a quick snooze. Respecting your own limits means you'll have a safe and happy experience.

While teenage drivers are universally eager to hit the highway, their parents are often pretty hesitant to hand over the keys. Allowing your children to get behind the wheel can be a nerve-wracking experience, but sliding into the passenger side doesn't have to be a cause for panic. Here are five useful tips that will help keep your teen drivers – and you – safe and stress-free.

1. Consider safe driving courses
Sure, a typical driver's education course can prepare teens for the basics of the road. They learn fundamental techniques like using turn signals, parallel parking, backing up and making three-point turns. What they don't really gain from one of these standard classes, however, are the skills and knowledge required to act safely in case of emergencies.

Safe driving courses, which are offered outside of the required guidelines for earning licenses, can be great supplements to basic classes. Not only do these focused courses teach young drivers how to deal with all the obstacles of the road, but they also give them extra supervised experience behind the wheel. Esurance reported that inexperience is a leading cause behind car accidents, so providing teens with supplemental training can go a long way toward making them safe and effective drivers.

2. Put down the phone
It's no secret that teenagers love to be on their smartphones – even when they should be focusing on something else. But while sneaking a peek at their screens during class might only result in detention, glancing at their phones while they're behind the wheel could have far more serious consequences. Not only is using cell phones while driving illegal in many states, but checking a device while operating a vehicle can result in a fatal crash.

You should not only enforce a strict "no looking at your device while driving" rule with your teenagers, but you should prohibit hands-free phone usage as well. While having a conversation on speakerphone might keep teens' eyes and hands free, their brains are still being distracted from the road. Because new drivers need to be focused and on high alert while learning the rules of the road, it's best that parents set rigorous guidelines about avoiding potentially dangerous diversions.

3. Pick the safest vehicle
Of course, teen drivers should only be taking to the streets in safe and efficient vehicles. Most parents, however, are extremely hesitant to drop big bucks on brand new models for their novice drivers. After all, any driver's first set of wheels is bound to endure some bumps and bruises. The good news is that there are many used cars with great safety ratings – and even better prices. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, these are the some of the safest used car models for teenage drivers:

• Honda Accord
• Volvo S80
• Subaru Forester
• Kia Sorento
• Chevrolet Traverse
• Toyota Tundra Double Cab.

While your first car may have been one fender-bender away from the junkyard, you shouldn't allow your teens to operate any vehicles that aren't in good shape. Esurance advised that you purchase the safest vehicle you can afford to reduce your teens' chances of being harmed in an accident.

Set ground rules with your teens before they hit the road.

4. Divide the costs
If teens don't have any incentive to take care of their vehicles, they might be more willing to make risky choices when it comes to driving and parking. After all, trying to squeeze into that questionably tiny spot sounds a lot more appealing when you aren't going to be paying for the broken mirror. Because of this, parents should consider splitting some car-related costs with their teenagers.

Sit down together and map out your teens' driving budgets, including everything from car payments to gas refills. Decide which costs can be covered by the kids, and which payments you'll make. You should also discuss who will pay for repairs or new parts in the event of an accident.

5. Restrict night driving
New drivers face enough obstacles in broad daylight, and their challenges only increase when the sun goes down. According to Consumer Reports, 17 percent of teenage driving fatalities took place between 9 p.m. and midnight, while 24 percent happened between midnight and 6 a.m. Novice drivers aren't as familiar with being on the road, so they may become confused and distracted when they can't clearly see their surroundings. Driving late at night can also increase the risk of falling asleep at the wheel, which can result in serious accidents.

Allow your young drivers to gain experience during the day and early evening. When they've had their licenses for a decent amount of time, let them practice night driving with an experienced adult in the car. Easing them into operating a vehicle after hours will make them safer and more aware.

Winter driving can be hazardous enough without having to worry about not being able to see. You can't control ice, snow and other winter precipitation, but you can at least ensure that if you do encounter adverse weather conditions, you're prepared to deal with them safely.

Your windshield performs an essential function during periods of winter driving. It keeps you warm and dry, but it's also a key part of road safety. Without clear visibility, driving in snow, sleet or ice becomes much more dangerous. But if you haven't given much thought to maintaining your windshield, you're not alone. It's a part of car ownership that many don't think about until a problem arises. This winter, head off potential problems by keeping your windshield clean and well maintained. 

Make sure your wiper blades are changed regularly and the arms are kept clear of debris.

The wipers
Windshield wipers are of arguable utility when ice and heavy snow are common, but they're still an important safety feature and you should keep them running as smoothly as possible. Winter can be a particularly challenging time for windshield wipers. Not only does ice that builds up on your windshield strain the capabilities of your wipers, but snow and other winter precipitation can pile on top of the wipers themselves, creating maintenance issues if you don't pay attention.

Keep the wipers operating for as long as possible by cleaning any snow or ice off of your windshield. It's not enough to clear the windshield enough for basic visibility – you want to make sure the wiper arms themselves can move freely without being obstructed or weighed down by precipitation. In terms of the blades, you'll want to change them every year or couple thousand miles, and there are some telltale signs that your blades need changing. If your wipers streak, squeak or skip, these are all signs that the blades have worn down too much to be useful and you need new ones.

Even if the blades are in good condition, inspect the wiper arms regularly for signs of damage. Corrosion of the plastic or broken joints are both reasons to have your wiper arms replaced as soon as you can. Also worth noting: The rubber on your wiper blades can freeze in extreme temperatures, hardening it and making it less effective. Check your wipers on cold days to ensure the rubber is still soft and pliable.

The fluid
You probably don't spend too much time thinking about your windshield wiper fluid, but it's important to pay particular attention to this component in the winter. Snow, ice and salt can all wreak havoc on your visibility, especially if allowed to freeze overnight or sit on your windshield for days on end.

One important thing to note is that depending on which part of the country you live in, you may actually need to change your washer fluid when winter hits. According to Autybytel, summertime washer fluid tends to contain a much lower alcohol concentration than those fluids that are designed for winter use. As a result, if you don't swap out your fluid for a winter-approved variety, there's a much higher chance that it can actually freeze in your tank, at best rendering it useless and at worst creating additional maintenance problems.

The glass
It goes without saying that you shouldn't have any cracks, dings, divots or other nuisance damage spots in your windshield. Not only can these small imperfections compromise the integrity of the windshield itself, but cracks can cause their own visibility problems. The beginning of winter is a good time for an overall maintenance overhaul to your car, and you should include the windshield in this endeavor.

Once you've repaired any cracks or dings, focus your attention on ensuring the windshield stays clean. Water and salt can lead to a buildup of residue that can make it hard to see through the glass. If your washer fluid is designed for winter use, you can count on your wipers to keep the outside of your windshield clean, but don't forget about the inside. Regularly wipe down the interior or your windshield with streak-free glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth.

Your wipers can keep the glass clean, but they won't remove any physical obstructions. Leaves, twigs and other seasonal detritus can accumulate at the base of your windshield. If left unchecked, they can obstruct the path of your wipers, causing them to break down. Leaves and twigs can also block the airflow into your engine, creating larger maintenance problems down the road as well.

If you're in the market for a quality pre-owned vehicle, head to NJ State Auto Auction. With hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot and a qualified and helpful in-house finance department, you can be confident you'll drive away in the right car for you.

Before you can treat yourself to a brand new ride or make good on your intention to buy a sensible, reliable vehicle that fits you needs, you first have to sell the car you currently have. Even if it seems like a triviality, you shouldn't approach this step lightly. After all, failing to sell your existing car in a reasonable amount of time – or for the price you were hoping for or expecting – can seriously hamper your plans to buy a new vehicle.

Keep in mind that you'll need to put as much work into selling your car as you will shopping for and buying the next one. Regardless of whether you choose to sell it independently or attempt to trade it in through a dealer, you'll need to consider many factors – financial, automotive and otherwise – if you want the best result.

Don't expect to sell a convertible quickly if it looks like this outside.

Timing is everything
You may not think of cars as a seasonal item, but the reality is that they are. At the very least, the time of year you choose to sell your car may impact the response that you get. For example, according to Edmunds, convertibles and sports cars are purchased almost exclusively during the spring and summer – you can imagine how hard it would be to sell an open-topped car when the temperature outside is below freezing.

Keep it local
While it's true that listing your car online can potentially attract a much larger number of prospective buyers, the risk may not be worth the potential benefit. Kelley Blue Book noted that sellers who deal with out-of-state buyers run the risk of fraudulent activities, such as bad checks. In an ideal scenario, you should accompany your buyer to his or her bank and receive the cashier's check along with them. That way you can be completely assured that you'll receive the payment on time. This may be necessary in some cases, as some banks will want to visually appraise the car before authorizing the withdrawal.

Have the paperwork ready to go
It's likely that your own upcoming car purchase hinges on the sale of your current car. That said, you'll want to reduce the amount of time the transaction takes to complete as much as possible. When you list your car, take the opportunity to get the paperwork together. Keep it in a folder so you can keep track of it. That way, you'll be able to sell the car on the spot if the right situation arises. The Department of Motor Vehicles suggested a list of documents to assemble when selling your car, which includes:

• Vehicle title
• Maintenance records
• Bill of sale
• Release of liability
• Warranty documents
• As-is documentation.

Advertise
It stands to reason that if you want to sell your car, you need to make sure people know it's available to buy. Advertising your car can be tricky, especially if you aren't used to selling things independently. Fortunately, there are a number of websites and classifieds specifically geared toward people trying to sell things – and some that are just for those selling automobiles. Sites like Autotrader and Cars.com are popular boards that let you post your car for a small fee. Don't overlook more general avenues though, such as Craigslist and even eBay. If your car has been on the market for some time and you find you aren't getting the response you had hoped for, the problem may be that you aren't advertising aggressively enough. This is where selling through a dealer can be helpful, as they will take care of the whole process for you up front.

If you have a used car you'd like to sell, or are shopping for a pre-owned vehicle of your own, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a helpful in-house finance department to help you get approved for a loan.