Many travelers are opting for road trips instead of international, plane travel. Road trips offer less crowds, less risk, and more flexibility. But how do you go about planning? Follow these tips to get started.
1. Get inspired and choose a destination
The first step to any major road trip is to create a plan. Start by figuring out your ultimate destination. Look into potential attractions you’ll encounter on your way.
Find it on the map and pour over inspiring photos on social media.
Start by identifying how long you can spend on your road trip. Then decide how long it would take you to get to your goal destination. Once you have that mapped out, you’ll know how long you can spend stopping and visiting other attractions.
For example: Figure out how long it will take you to drive to Vegas subtract that from the time you have to spend on your road trip. The time leftover can be spent on other attractions such as the Grand Canyon or The Lincoln Park Zoo.
2. Bring Sanitizer and extra masks
Bring disinfecting wipes, Lysol spray, gloves, extra masks, and plenty of hand sanitizer. Prep a “bathroom bag” containing toilet paper, gloves, wipes, toilet seat covers, and hand sanitizer in case you need to run into a public restroom. Take this bag with you into your hotel rooms and create your very own sanitized bubble.
3. Consider renting a vehicle
Some vehicles simply are not made for long trips. Cars that are especially suited for road trips are convertibles, sports cars, small crossover SUVs, and other cars that get excellent gas mileage. Try to get a roomy vehicle if you’re traveling with a lot of people. You can even consider traveling in a campervan to cut down on the cost of booking a hotel.
4. Check Your Vehicle
If you’ve decided that taking your own vehicle is the best option, consider having your mechanic check your car’s fluid levels, brakes, tires, and anything else that could cause issues on the road. Be sure your spare tire is fully inflated and that you have jumper cables and extra wiper fluid.
5. Join a roadside rescue service
If heaven forbid you end up stranded on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, having roadside assistance programmed in your phone along with the app of a company such as AAA will go a long way.
6. Bring Entertainment and Snacks
Download a movie or tv show, pack an e-reader, and bring an external battery. Find an activity that you enjoy passing the time with, like embroidery, coloring, or even a card game. Consider packing a cooler to cut down on the cost of buying snacks.
While you may not be ready for international travel, there are still some options to get away.
You may encounter some unique state to state circumstances such as vaccination rules, masking requirements, or entertainment options. Still, you can have an unbelievable road trip this year with the right amount of planning and research. And hopefully soon, you’ll be ready for international travel.