Traveling for the holidays? Whether you’re having a Friendsgiving with pals or going to grandma’s house for Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Hanukkah, you’ll find the roads jam-packed.
According to a survey by GasBuddy, 72% of Americans plan to drive to their holiday destination, up from 41% in 2023. Stormy and snowy weather conditions won’t help matters.
Here are some tips to help you arrive at your holiday destination safely:
Be prepared: Transform your trunk for holiday travel. Is your trunk filled with your kids’ sports equipment, your gym bag and miscellaneous items you found at a garage sale? Experts recommend clearing all of that out and packing items you’ll need if you get stranded, like hats, gloves, warm socks and blankets for everyone in the car. Also include water, flashlights and high-calorie snacks like trail mix. Don’t forget phone chargers, jumper cables, a shovel and ice scraper, a tarp, snow brushes and a bag of sand or cat litter to give your tires some traction if you need to get out of an icy mess.
Be mindful of distractions: Texting while driving is the top culprit in distracted driving, according to a survey from State Farm. But that’s not the only one. Grooming, checking maps, interacting with kids in the back seat, eating, or even rubbernecking at an accident can cause an accident of your own. Also, be alert for wildlife and pedestrians.
Car maintenance is key: Oil changed and tires winter ready? Check! Lights all functioning and fluids topped off? Check! How about the wipers? What about your battery life? Before you go, make sure your car is in tip-top shape so you get to your destination and home again safely. Even pop an extra jug of windshield washing fluid into your trunk, just in case.
Check the weather ahead: Monitor the weather along your route to know what you’re driving into. You can arrange to stop in a hotel, if necessary, or delay your trip. The last thing you want is to be on the road in dangerous driving conditions.
Plan your route: Hop on your favorite mapping app and plan the best route for your trip, including stops for meals or overnights in a hotel. Many apps revise your route based on traffic patterns and accidents on the road ahead, so keep it on for any changes.
Fight fatigue: If you’re driving a long distance, plan to take breaks every few hours or 100 miles to refuel, get out of the car, stretch and walk around for a bit. You don’t want to nod off while driving.
Following these tips can help you feel confident setting out on your holiday journeys. Arriving safely to spend time with family and friends is what it’s all about!
