by Nick Burton, Guest Author (www.ourbestdoggo.com)
With the new year upon us, we’re all hoping for better things on the horizon. But COVID-19 isn’t going away anytime soon. Experts predict that travel-related challenges will continue to persist well into 2021. So, this could be the perfect year to hit the open road and explore your own country. Keep reading to learn how you can make your road trip safe, fun, and memorable for the whole family.
Create Your Ideal Itinerary
Picking a route is the hardest part of planning a road trip. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with all of your options, consider working with Trey Tracy for help discovering domestic destinations that are safe to explore during the pandemic. If you’re planning a summer road trip, consider popular summer road trip routes like the Pacific Coast Highway, Phoenix to Page Arizona, Joshua Tree National Park, or San Antonio to Austin, Texas. If you’re toting kids along on your road trip, it could be fun to make a stop at a theme park. For example, Universal Orlando has reopened after implementing special safety guidelines like temperature screening, face masks, social distancing, limited parking, and additional sanitization practices.
Prepare Your Car
Before embarking on your road trip, make sure your car is ready for the long ride. Forbes recommends taking your car to a mechanic for routine maintenance and a general inspection. Check your tire pressure, fluids, belts, hoses, and lighting. Make sure everything is topped up and running smoothly. The last thing you want is to experience a break down on your big trip!
Cleaning your car will also make for a more pleasant road trip experience, so give it a good vacuuming and wash the exterior. Get new floor mats to protect your carpets from dirt, mud, and grime on your road trip. To find floor mats that will stand the test of time, turn to websites like Motor Day to read reviews about popular options on the market today.
Stay Informed
The pandemic has taught us that nothing is set in stone. Things can change quickly, so make sure you stay up to date regarding the latest coronavirus restrictions at your planned destinations. Some states may require visitors to quarantine or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test. It’s best to know these things before you leave home.
Pack for Good Hygiene
When packing for your road trip, keep hygiene at the forefront of your mind. You’ll want to bring hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, face masks, and disposable gloves along so you can avoid catching COVID-19 in rest stops or publish washrooms. When you do use a washroom at a roadside stop, be careful not to touch anything after washing your hands. You can use a piece of paper towel to shield your hand when turning off the faucet or opening doors.
Consider Hotel Alternatives
Major hotel chains have implemented additional cleaning policies to keep guests safe. Still, you may feel more comfortable with an accommodation arrangement that better limits your contact with others. For example, camping is a very safe form of accommodation during the pandemic, as long as you practice good hygiene habits in shared washroom facilities. If you’re looking for something a little more comfortable, consider a vacation rental. Vacation rentals require no contact with anyone and include kitchens so you can prepare your own meals and steer clear of restaurants.
Taking a road trip is a great way to get out of the house and enjoy a taste of normalcy as the pandemic continues. There are so many places you could go. Start planning your 2021 road trip today so you can finally get excited about the new year!
Of course, planning out an entire road trip can feel a little overwhelming. Give yourself a break and let Trey Tracy do all the leg work! Reach out to request a quote for your next vacation.
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