Guest blogger Meredith Kimelblatt writes on behalf of Allstate Motor Club. Allstate offers an auto club with 24/7 roadside assistance plans and membership discounts.

When you think about travel, you probably conjure up dazzling images of airplanes jetting off to exotic locales or cruise ships coasting across the Atlantic. And while, yes, jets and cruises are certainly forms of travel, there are much less glamorous ways to get from point A to point B, the most popular of which is driving.

Driving comes with the exciting potential for road-tripping and the exposure to new places, people, and restaurants, making the idea of driving cross-country appealing for many thrill seekers and adventurers.

Since road-tripping puts you in control—as opposed to being taken somewhere in a train, plane, or ship—it's necessary to be prepared for a variety of situations and emergencies before you hop in the car. If you're planning on taking a drive, check out the following tips so you can be prepared to handle whatever the road throws at you.