Have you been on your first road trip yet? If not, you may want to think about planning one soon. Summer is here, the weather is terrific and your first road trip is like a rite of passage, something you have to do at least once in your lifetime. Why not now?

But before you jump in the car and hit the road with your friends, consider these four things to make sure the trip doesn’t turn into a total nightmare.

1. What is the purpose of the trip?

While some people consider a road trip a means for getting from here to there, others would rather stop at all the tourist traps along the way, and explore new cities. Discuss with your friends what their perception of a road trip is to make sure everyone will be able to enjoy themselves.

2. Lifestyle habits

Are you a late sleeper or early riser? There’s nothing more frustrating than being on a trip with someone who is your polar opposite. Road trips are meant to be fun, so finding the right people to travel with is extremely important.

3. Money and Budgets

Will you be splitting costs or is everyone going to pay their own way? This is something best decided before the trip gets under way. It’s also a good idea to decide whose car is best suited for the trip, and who will be authorized to drive it.

4. Check out your car insurance

Car insurance is designed to follow the car, which means that the coverage you purchased for your vehicle will cover the car regardless of who’s driving it. That said, in order to be fully covered by your policy, all your friends must have permission (verbal or written) to drive your insured vehicle. If the vehicle belongs to your parents, you may want to get this in writing in case someone gets into an accident.

While on the topic of insurance, ask your parents if they have checked out car insurance quotes recently. If not, you could offer to help them in doing a little research, as most insurance companies offer free auto insurance quotes online.