100 DEADLIEST DAYS

Editorial cartoon showing a stranded family of four standing next to a broken-down silver Honda SUV with steam rising from the hood and two orange suitcases by the open trunk, while traffic blurs past on a yellow-tinted highway under a sweltering yellow sky, illustrating the common summer road trip breakdown scenario between Memorial Day and Labor Day when heat stresses vehicle cooling systems, batteries, and tires

Summer road trip questions you never ask (but should)

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Drivers face their 100 deadliest days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Late August is one of the most common times for vehicle failures because cooling systems, batteries, tires, and belts have been stressed all season. Pavement temperatures can exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to warp metal and disintegrate tires. Travel trailer blowouts are extremely common because many towable RVs use cheap tires with speed ratings of just 65 mph. 85 percent of drivers have roadside assistance, but only 18 percent actually use that coverage during a breakdown. Standard auto insurance does not cover mechanical breakdowns, and common towing mileage limits are as low as 15 miles before passengers pay out of pocket.