And, as the school half term and Easter approach, many drivers will be fitting bike racks and roofboxes to carry holiday luggage.
But summer driving also brings with it a raft of new risks - here we take a look at the insurance implications.
Luggage and possessions
If you are taking stuff away on holiday, bear in mind that the typical limit for personal possessions on a car insurance policy is usually between £250 and £500.
Ian Crowder at AA Insurance suggests an alternative tactic: "As a general rule, you would be better off having an extension to your home insurance policy for your 'personal possessions outside the home'.
This would provide you with a typical unspecified limit of up to say, £1,500 per item, and up to the limit insured for specified items."
An unspecified limit is the amount the insurer will pay for any item that is stolen that is worth up to the stated amount.
The specified limit applies to items of a particular high value - say, £1,500 or more - that you are required to list by your contents insurer.
Examples might include a top-of-the-range bicycle or camera that you take on your hols.
Convertibles
When you buy insurance you have to specify the make and model of your car, so your insurer will already know if you have a convertible.
But it's worth remembering that, once the roof is off, you need to take extra care of your possessions.
A spokesperson for insurer More Than said: "If you are driving a convertible then you should take the necessary steps to protect your valuables when in or out of the car.
"You should always lock valuable items in the boot or glove compartment as by not doing so you are giving the green light to an opportunist thief and may not be covered."
This is a good rule of thumb for all drivers, regardless of the car.
Another point to remember if you have a convertible - although it's not really something you can do much about - is that your policy won't offer the same level of personal accident insurance as a policy for a standard car.
This is because, if the car rolls over or something is dropped onto it from a bridge, the occupants have no physical protection.
Caravans and campervans
If you are going to tow a caravan, check your car insurance to make sure you won't invalidate your cover by doing so.
You should take out a separate policy for the risk of damage to the caravan itself, along with its contents.
A specialist policy will provide the extra cover you require, such as for gas fuel bottles and awnings used when you stop for the night.
Bike racks
The golden rule here, to avoid any potential strife with your insurer, is to use a proper bike rack and to affix it to your car in line with the manufacturer's specifications.
You should also lock your bikes to the rack to deter an opportunist thief at a motorway service station or seaside car park.
Roofboxes
Many families put a roofbox on top of the car to carry some of their luggage. You'll be covered provided it is properly fitted, so have it done at the store or make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter.
Also make sure it is locked - this will keep thieves at bay, as well as eliminating the embarrassing possibility of the box popping open while you are driving, spilling your clothes behind you along the road.
Mileage
Your car insurance policy will have required you to state your annual mileage. This is because insurers work on the basis that, the more miles you drive, the more likely it is that you will be involved in a crash.
If you are close to the annual limit but are planning a lengthy drive to and from your holiday destination, you could find yourself breaching the limit, which could invalidate your cover.
Many people choose an annual limit of 12,000 miles - that's 1,000 miles a month. It's easy to see how a holiday trip in the UK could easily rack up 1,000 miles in a week once trips out from your destination are taken into account.
If you think you might bust your mileage count, give your insurer a ring and tell them. They might ask for a small additional premium to provide you with an increased limit.
Do's and don'ts of summer driving
DO look after your car keys if you go to the beach - sand or seawater could well cause you to be locked out when you get back to the car park.
DON'T throw cigarette butts out of the window - not a good move at any time, but potentially disastrous when vegetation is tinder-dry.
DO check your tyre pressures before going on a long trip. Under-inflated tyres are at more risk of puncture and blow-out. You may need to over-inflate if you are carrying additional passengers along with their luggage. Consult your car's handbook.
DON'T run the air-conditioning if you have the windows open - it simply wastes fuel.
DO top up your washer fluids to cope with dust and grime.
DON'T take the demands of a long drive for granted. If you only drive short distances during the course of the year, a 300-mile marathon to the other end of the country will really take it out of you.
Motoring organisations recommend a 20-minute rest every couple of hours. If you have two drivers in the family, share the time behind the wheel.
Please note: Any rates or deals mentioned in this article were available at the time of writing.
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