As the holiday season fast approaches, the excitement of being reunited with our friends and family is more apparent than ever before. And let’s face it, who wants to be cooped up at home any more than they already have this year? With that being said, whether your holiday destinations are 100 or 2000 miles away, a winter road trip may be on the menu for you in the coming weeks.
To help guarantee you are adequately prepared to endure the varying wintry conditions on the road, we’ve put together 10 tips for you to review before you start your journey to the promise land of endless turkey, candy canes, and latkes.
Our Top 10 Ten Winter Road Trip Tips:
- Be informed about road/weather conditions: Whether you’re facing snow, rain, ice or wind, it is important to be aware of what you’ll be driving through on the road. With a better knowledge of the conditions ahead of you, you can better tailor your road trip to include places to stop along the way, just in case! Sites like Safe Travel USA offer minute-by-minute updates on road conditions.
- Pack appropriate clothing: There is no such thing as packing light during the wintertime. If you’re headed towards snow, make sure to pack a winter coat, gloves, boots, a hat, a scarf, and earmuffs. Make sure to also pack extra shirts, pants, socks, and undergarments in case your trip takes longer than expected. As a rule of thumb, pack enough clothes to get you through the length of your trip plus an additional two days - just in case.
- Pack extra food and water: Road trip snacks are a staple of cross-country travel, but can also save your life if you get stranded in the middle of nowhere. Make sure to pack extra food and water before you hit the road. You never know when you might need it.
- Put together an emergency kit: It is very important to have an emergency kit in your car should you need it. Consider including blankets, jumper cables, roadside flares, a flashlight, extra batteries, a spare tire and jack kit, energy-related food, etc. in your kit. This kit should be equipped to help you in any type of situation.
- Pack a small shovel and windshield scraper: While snow in excess is hardly ever fun, having a shovel and windshield scraper will make your life a whole lot easier if you get stuck along the way.
- Get your tires and brakes checked: Perhaps the biggest fear of driving in the winter is the worry of encountering icy roads. Ensure you vehicle is prepared to get you from ‘point a’ to ‘point b’ in one piece by having your breaks and tires inspected. Let’s face it, we’re all overdue for a tire rotation and brake inspection anyways!
- Get an oil change: The unfortunate reality of cold weather is that it can and will take a toll on your car and its gas mileage. Taking your car to get an oil change and routine inspection can help you better prepare your car for the road ahead. While getting your oil changed, also make sure to check your wiper fluid levels and the health of your car battery!
- Let your friends and family know your travel itinerary: Should something unexpected happen on the road, ensuring someone else knows where you’re at or where you’re supposed to be could save your life. As a good rule of thumb, consider sharing travel updates with trusted individuals each time you fill up on gas.
- Charge your phone before you go: While most people have the ability to charge their phone on the road, having a charged phone can better guarantee your safety in sticky (or slippery) situations. If you have an external on-the-go power supply, charge it up and bring it along too!
- Bring cash along with you: Whether you have to spend an unexpected night at hotel/motel on the road or encounter problems with your credit card somewhere like a gas station, cash can save the day and ensure you have immediate access to funds. Additionally, cash is a great way to make sure you stay on budget should you be traveling on one!
We hope you all stay safe and have a lovely holiday season. If you’re in our neck of the woods, make sure to stop by and say hello!