Staying fit can often be a challenge when you’re on vacation. Traveling can bring about a variety of things that sway your loyalty to your diet and your workout routine, including the appetite for new and enticing foods, the thirst for locally made alcoholic beverages, the desire to relax and avoid exercise at all costs, and so on.
According to AAA Travel, an estimated 46.6 million Americans will be traveling at least 50 miles from their homes this Thanksgiving, and more than double that amount are anticipated for the holiday season. Many of these travelers and their families will venture out on their journeys by car, which means that the open road will have a lot of precious cargo to watch over and entertain while driving long distances.
So whether you’re planning a trip from Seattle to San Diego, Boston to Orlando or somewhere in between, be sure to keep your loved ones safe and happy during your trip with these great driving tips:
For Safety:
- Bring a winter safety kit. When you’re traveling during the winter, it’s important to tow along a few essentials in case you get in a pinch. These can include an ice scraper, a bag of sand or cat litter (to help with traction on icy roads), flashlights, matches or a lighter, a first-aid kit, roadside flares, a tow rope, jumper cables and any other similar emergency tools or materials deemed necessary.
- Try to leave even more space than usual between cars. Most people enjoy the experience of a road trip, but toward the end, it can sometimes make drivers (and passengers) extra anxious to get there. But drivers should never compromise safety for record travel time. Drivers should remember to leave a little extra space between cars than normal, as there are significantly more cars on the road during the holidays than any other time of the year.
- Prepare for unfamiliar weather conditions and altitudes. For those who are traveling to new areas with weather conditions and altitudes you’re not used to driving in, be sure to use extra caution and have someone in the front seat to help you stay alert. Roads can be slippery, icy or steeper than what you might be used to back home, so it’s important to keep that in mind before heading out on the road.
- Pack a car charger or extended-life battery for your devices. Many travelers use GPS devices when driving to new destinations, so remembering to pack their chargers (and extra ones) is essential. Even if you’ve become pretty familiar with your planned route, it’s likely that somewhere along the way you’ll have to take a detour due to construction, a road closing or an accident. This is why having a charged device to help keep you on track is a must for every road trip.
- Use the cruise control button sparingly. Driving during the winter months—especially in particularly cold areas—can require a lot more caution and alertness from drivers. Between icy roads, windy snow storms and everything in between, there’s a lot of extra things to pay attention to while operating a motor vehicle. One way to decrease the chances of an accident is to use the cruise control button sparingly. Although it is tempting to want to use it on a long road trip, it’s better to avoid using it altogether (unless you’re driving in warmer climates that rarely ever see snow during winter, such as Florida).
For Comfortability:
- Pack lightly, if possible. Road trips or long-distance drives can be challenging if you pack too much and don’t have enough room for actual bodies to fit in the seats because of all the luggage you’ve brought with. If you can, pack as lightly as possible so you’re able to stretch out a little and keep your sanity during your trip. And don’t forget—if your family likes to exchange gifts during the holidays, you’ve got to have room for those, too!
- Bring plenty of snacks, drinks and games for the family. This one can also apply to safety. It’s easy for a backseat full of antsy children to divert a driver’s attention from the road and cause any number of safety issues. Having enough food, water and entertainment for every passenger can help reduce the amount of distractions the driver experiences, keeping the whole bunch safe and happy.
- Don’t be afraid to make frequent stops. Because driving during the winter can require more energy from the driver, it’s OK to make more stops if you’re feeling especially fatigued. Plus, taking a few extra stops can change up the scenery if it’s a particularly grey and snowy car ride, giving everyone a chance to stretch their legs and regain alertness.
- Consider an E-Z Rent-A-Car specialty vehicle for your trip. Whether it’s just you and your significant other driving through the mountains, or a road trip down south with lots of friends and family, E-Z Rent-A-Car has a variety of vehicle types to suit your individual needs. From full-size SUVs and 12-passenger vans, to economy sedans and convertible sports cars (and nearly everything in between), there’s a perfect fit for every traveler type and group size.
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