Thanksgiving Travel Tips

If it weren’t for travel — and maybe the occasional cooking disaster — holidays would be a breeze. Instead of worrying about baking times, bumper-to-bumper traffic and occasional off-color remarks from relatives, holidays would only consist of leisure and precious moments with loved ones. While you can’t control your uncle’s politics, you can at least avoid many a disaster on the open road. Follow these tips for smooth car rides with the family.

Before your trip

• Plan when you would like to drive. Stay off the road as much as possible on Thanksgiving Day itself. Holidays are notoriously bad when it comes to drunk drivers. While you may practice safe driving habits, you can’t count on other motorists to abstain from alcohol before hitting the road. Drive when there’s a smaller amount of traffic, too. If you expect large amounts of traffic, leave early in the morning so you arrive at your destination on time. If possible, leave Monday or Tuesday and return on Friday. Avoid highways the day before Thanksgiving and the following Sunday.

• Plan your route ahead of time. Use a GPS, smartphone or maps just in case you find yourself in need of an alternative route.

• People frequently waste time at tolls. To cut down on waiting times, buy an electronic pass or stockpile plenty of change so you can get through lines quickly.

• Bring music, snacks, water, games, a first-aid kit and pillows to encourage children to take a nap. Sleeping kids make for happier parents on long car rides.

• Fill the car up with gas the night before you leave. If you get a late start the next morning, a trip to a gas station won’t slow you down.

• Schedule trips around kids’ naptimes to avoid conflict and ensure a quieter ride.

• Factor in unplanned stops while calculating estimated driving time. Give your relatives a generous ETA that will allow for bathroom breaks and stops for refilling on gasoline and just for stretching. Also factor in any stops for meals.

• Pack a night in advance. Lay out clothing for the required number of days. Remember to pack necessities such as toiletries, medications, MP3 players and cellphone chargers.

• If your car is on the older side, have a mechanic perform an inspection. Before embarking on a long trip, you want to make sure that you’re traveling in a safe and reliable vehicle.

During your trip

• Monitor traffic patterns on the radio to find the best route to your destination.

• If you are approaching a long leg of your trip that won’t feature any gas stations, fill up the tank one more time.

• Take proper precautions if you or any family members are prone to motion sickness. Take over-the-counter medication, crack a window and remind children to look straight ahead at the horizon while the car is in motion.

• Sing songs and play games to keep the kids entertained. If people get grumpy, take a quick break at a rest stop to stretch.

Most importantly: Remember to enjoy yourself. Enjoy the time off from work and try not to sweat the small stuff. Happy Thanksgiving!

Source: AutoInsurance