Road Trip Anyone?

Road Trip Anyone? Many people are choosing to take a staycation or road trip this summer since most countries have closed their borders to American tourists due to the increased spread of COVID. If you are one of those people who decided to road trip it this year, here are a few tips.

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 scenic 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” that contains toilet paper, gloves, wipes, toilet seat covers, and hand sanitizer in case you need to run into a public restroom.

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 vehicles that get great gas mileage. Try to get a roomy vehicle if you’re traveling with a lot of people and again, choose a vehicle that gets great gas mileage to reduce the cost of your trip. Even consider traveling in a campervan to cut down on the cost of booking a hotel. 4. Check Your Vehicle ​ If you’re planning to travel over a long distance for several days, 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 international travel may be a bit iffy, the summer travel season is not lost completely. We have some unique state to state circumstances to navigate such as quarantine rules, masking requirements, and dining options, but with the right amount of planning and research, you can have an unbelievable road trip this year. And hopefully next summer, we'll be back to international travel.