Are you ready for vacation? Two words: Road Trip! Traveling by car with your friends and family is not only one of the best ways to bond, but it is also one of the safest ways to get around as the virus continues its rapid spread. If you are looking for tips, tricks, and ideas on how to stay safe and have fun during your fall and winter adventures, keep reading.
Auto Preparation
Before you pack up and get ready to go, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle can get you there safely. Start by dropping it off at your local auto shop for a road trip tune-up. Here, they’ll check the tire pressure, make sure your brakes are in good working order, and test the battery. You will also likely get an oil change and a full tire inspection. Ideally, you have a travel emergency kit packed with essential supplies, such as a flashlight and drinking water. You will also want to map out anywhere that you might need to go during your trip. This should include knowing where the clean public bathrooms are and confirming that interstate rest stops are up and running. You also want to make sure to add Rigg’s Roadside Assistance to your phone’s contact list in case you find yourself roaming on E with no gas station in sight.
Amazing Adventures
So, what types of vacations can you enjoy on a road trip? The answer depends on what you want to do. While you won’t head off to exotic lands, your only limits are how far you’re willing to go for an adventure. A few ideas include:
- Backcountry camping. Camping is considered the penultimate in pandemic-friendly travel. There’s plenty of room for social distancing and viral spread is considered extremely low in the open air. If you’re not sure where to go, what to pack, or the types of supplies you’ll need, can check out outdoor blogs, such as Adventure Daily, for inspiration.
- Roadside oddities. In the US, we have 50 states, all with unique personalities and attractions that you must see. Pack the car plan to check out some of the more unusual sites. In Arkansas, for example, you have the Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo, which features an unusual creature claimed to be a mermaid.
- Interesting towns. More than just quick stops, the US is also full of entire towns that you wouldn’t believe. An example here is Helen, Georgia. The town, which is perched high in the North Georgia mountains, was modeled after a Bavarian village and offers everything from a mountain coaster to a full-fledged German biergarten.
Health Considerations
Even the most low-key, on-the-road trips can get interrupted by health problems. Not only are we going into flu season, but COVID-19 continues to loom. Make sure that you know how to get home if you test positive during your trip. According to CNBC, there are even services now that offer illness extraction. If you plan to drive back with a sick passenger, make sure everyone else in your party wears a mask and that you allow airflow through the vehicle. Upon arrival back home, have everyone tested and, if you’ve been in a crowded location, especially indoors, call the venue and let them know that their staff and other patrons may have been exposed.
Ultimately, getting back to normal means getting back out into the world. For most of us, this means that we will travel, even if those plans look a bit different than before. For now, don’t be afraid to enjoy your world. You never know, taking a road trip may just be the best decision you’ll ever make.
If you need help on the road and you’re traveling through the Clover, Lake Wylie, York County, or Rock Hill, South Carolina area, Riggs Roadside Assistance is your one-stop (come-to-you) shop for jump-starts, lock-outs, and more.