“I need an adventure, but flying is out of the question. Is it possible to go on a road trip safely right now?”
I think we’ve all read enough articles complaining about how 2020 is not what anyone wanted. Things have changed for everyone and we’re all trying to figure out how to deal/cope/thrive through these times.
While choosing to adventure is a personal choice that everyone is entitled to make for themselves, I’ve been trying to think of a way to discuss some safe adventuring options.
As someone who has promoted seeking adventure wherever you are and exploring your hometown since day 1, it’s so satisfying to see more and more people taking advantage of their individual locations and local attractions.
Even though the circumstances are less-than-desirable.
I love road trips.
Did you know that?
Have you checked out THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIPS GUIDE yet?
I’m so excited that 2020 has become the YEAR OF THE ROAD TRIP!
So many travel bloggers and vloggers have taken to the road to showcase their home states, countries, and provinces.
(My favorite are Kara and Nate, currently road-tripping through the US in their newly-purchased Sprinter van. Check out their YouTube channel HERE!)
But even if you consider yourself a seasoned road tripper, it’s hard to know if it’s possible to go on a road trip safely during the current situation.
It’s up to every person to make their own decision if they’re ready to travel and go on adventures right now.
If you find yourself ready to head out on the open road to start your own adventure, I’ve outlined a few basic tips to follow.
**I should also point out right now that you should ALWAYS check the local laws and regulations before planning a road trip. I am not a qualified virologist, economist, health care provider, or your mother (or whoever else you take your advice from). I am simply an adventurer that has done her own research and am sharing what I’ve found.**
And while we’re talking about road trip safety during the current situation, it’s important to remember your usual road trip precautions. Make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape, drivers license, vehicle plates, and insurance are up-to-date, and you have all essential supplies.
For more general information about road trips, check out this awesome post HERE!
Here are my tips to going on a road trip safely during this crazy and unpredictable time!
#1: Road Trip Safely by Doing Your Research
News flash – winging it just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Just because someone you know went on a road trip to a certain location a few weeks ago, doesn’t mean that you’ve got the green light to go next week.
State, country, and province restrictions are changing rapidly, so you will need to do a bit of research on the destination before you can road trip safely there.
So-called “hot spots” are popping up all of the time and face covering restrictions are evolving. Some places, like where I currently live, require a face covering at all times while in public.
And some places require a 14-day quarantine upon entering. If this is a requirement on where you’d like to go, you will need to do some serious thinking about your trip. Do you have 14 days to quarantine? Or do you need to change your plans?
To avoid a hefty fine and evil glares from everyone around you, make sure you research what will be required of you upon your arrival.
#2: Reach Out to Your Accommodation
When booking your accommodations (if you’re not going to be camping/glamping/RVing), you might want to give the hotel a call prior to clicking that ever-enticing “BOOK” button.
Just because the website lists pools, continental breakfasts, gyms, etc. as amenities, doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to be open by the time you arrive. Pools have been drained, gyms closed, and grab-n-go options have been adopted as safety precautions.
Don’t be afraid to ask the hotel what their cleaning and safety procedures are currently. It’s a lot more convenient to ask ahead of time, rather than show up and be unpleasantly surprised.
#3: Pack Your Own Supplies to Road Trip Safely
This might be old news for some of my more seasoned road trippers, but it is so important now more than ever. Stores are operating on a more restricted schedule to allow thorough cleanings, shelves might not be fully stocked due to panic-buying morons, and some might not even be open any more.
To avoid running out of supplies, remaining socially distant, and keeping costs lower, consider bringing your own supplies.
Food
Just because you’re going on an adventure, doesn’t mean you have to eat out for every meal. You can save a lot of money, time, and stress from packing your own food. Bring a cooler full of snacks and meals that you can prepare in a hotel kitchen.
But make sure you pack food appropriately. Trust me, there’s nothing fun about eating granola bars for 3 days straight. Provide a variety of fresh and dried foods for yourself. Invest in a small cooler or one of those insulated freezer bags that you get from Trader Joe’s that can help keep some produce fresh and cold!
Cleaning Supplies
Are you a little nervous about the cleanliness of stops along the way? Or the places you’ll be staying? While places like hotels, campsites, and stores are going above and beyond to make visitors feel more safe, there’s nothing wrong with bringing your own cleaning supplies for that extra peace of mind.
Have your own personal stock of hand sanitizer, wipes, gloves, masks, and whatever else you feel the need to bring. And hey, even if you’re not going on a road trip, it might be a good idea to build up a little kit to keep in your car for those times you need that extra reassurance!
#4: Take the Back Roads
I’m a city girl that went to school in rural Idaho. I’ve developed a love for taking the back roads while on a road trip. The scenery you’ll pass will give way to less traffic, more spots to safely stop and explore, and add a little bit of flavor into your road trip.
#5: Road Trip Safely by Avoiding Crowds
One of the best ways to road trip safely is to actively avoid crowds. Summertime is typically the biggest travel season, especially now that everyone is staying close to home. But even during the busy travel season, there are ways you can road trip safely and have a great time!
Attractions
Chances are you know where everyone in your community goes for the weekend. Mine go to Moab and a few other places in Southern Utah. They’re predictable and habitual. Which plays to my advantage.
How?
I simply head the opposite direction.
Choose which attractions you want to visit (and call ahead to make sure they’re open) and plan your adventure so you arrive either right when they open or towards the end of the day.
Attractions, such as National Parks, can only do so much to encourage social distancing and safe practices. The rest is up to each one of us. By visiting first thing in the morning to such places, you can bet there will be fewer people and the location freshly cleaned.
We’ve all got that weird list of places we’d like to visit around our hometown/state that we always put off exploring. The ones that we always say someday. Well, maybe today is that someday.
Strategically Plan Your Stops
Think about the stops you make when you traveled pre-2020. Did you stop for gas, food, and restrooms at different places? Do you run through a few different drive thru spots for the kids? If you plan out your stops, you can minimize the amount of germs that you get exposed to.
Many of the larger truck stops along the highways are a one-stop shop: food, fuel, and restrooms.
Another thing to consider is how you pump your gas during the stops. Are you the kind of person to start the pump, run in to grab some snacks, and then head back out to top off the tank? Maybe consider filling up the tank and then immediately washing your hands before you do anything else. Or, if you’re like me, keep a set of gloves with you specifically for pumping gas.
Traveling with kids that can’t always know ahead of time when they’ll need to relieve themselves? Consider investing in (or DIY-ing) a portable toilet for those emergencies.
#6: Have Fun!
Sometimes it’s easy to get wrapped up in the current situation and spiral. And all of these precautions and recommendations, along with everything else we’re bombarded with, can get pretty overwhelming.
Don’t forget that there’s a reason you’ve prepared to go on a road trip. Maybe you need to get some fresh air. Or possibly you need to reset your internal batteries. Whatever your reason for planning to road trip safely right now, you’ll be glad you spent the time planning. Preparing. Charting out your route. Enjoy your road trip safely!
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