Since the first case of Covid-19 in the United States early this year, it has impacted all aspects of life. Many activities once considered harmless now have to be approached with caution. A simple gathering of people with casual interaction can be a breeding ground for the virus. It has greatly impacted traveling, especially traveling by plane. This led to more people taking road trips to minimize their exposure to Covid-19. Human beings are social creatures, and the inability to gather and be social is taking a toll. With that said, we must do our best to minimize our exposure to Covid-19 in our pursuit of a new norm. The tips provided here are not only relevant during a pandemic but also for any time someone will take a road trip.

Road trips can be exciting and adventurous. You get an opportunity to see up close the place you’re visiting and everything in between. If you’re not pressed for time, you can plan detours for sightseeing and exploring. This is one major advantage driving has over flying. Road trips provide a great opportunity to have a rich experience. These tips will help you have a safe road trip and help you get the most out of the experience.

1. PLAN YOUR TRIP IN ADVANCE

 I can’t emphasize how important it is to make a plan for your road trip. This is especially important if you’re taking a long trip that spans over several days. As exciting as it is to be spontaneous, it can lead to unexpected and avoidable problems. Spontaneous road trips have their place and can be as exciting and fun as a planned trip, but I suggest embarking on a spontaneous road trip when you have accumulated a lot of experience on the road.

2. DECIDE WHERE & WHEN

Deciding where and when to go is pretty simple, but it all depends on your situation. If you have a full-time job or a family, then it will greatly depend on them. Where you decide to go will be based on your resources. Due to Covid-19, many parks or historical sites may be closed temporarily. Make sure you take some time to research the locations you want to visit. Make sure they are open and not temporarily closed because of Covid. Also, many places may be open but have guidelines you must follow.

A factor to consider when choosing when to take your road trip is the time of year and season. Some locations are seasonal and not open during certain seasons. Find this out before you decide to hit the road. Another thing to consider is the climate. You may not want to drive in certain climates for whatever reasons. Necessary adjustments will need to be taken depending on the climate you are driving in or to. Starting a road trip from Chicago to Florida in January, you must be prepared to deal with the change in weather. Also, keep in mind the time you choose to drive. It may be more expensive due to more people being on the road, such as in summertime. So choose a time that is most convenient to you, and be aware of any preparation you must take due to the time of year you choose to take your trip.

3. CALCULATE COST

Driving can sometimes be more cost-effective depending on several factors. One factor is the cost of gas. Determine the cost of your trip and make your best effort to keep track of it. Doing so can help you stay within budget. You will face different costs while taking a road trip. Here are some examples of costs and how to determine them.

Car Maintenance Cost

It’s a good idea to get your car checked out by a mechanic if you’re planning to do any driving outside of your regular routine. You don’t want to be halfway through your journey and have your car break down. Have a mechanic look over your car to make sure you’re fine. Make sure you go to a mechanic you trust and have a history with. Sometimes mechanics will try to upsell you on services you don’t need. It’s understandable; they are running a business, but you are trying to save on cost. Also be aware of when your normal maintenance routines, such as oil changes and tune-ups, are due. You may not need an oil change before your trip but will need one after.

Car Rental Cost

If you’re in the position that you do not have a car or do not want to drive your car for various reasons, you may want to rent a car instead. Depending on the company you are renting from, go to their website to determine how much it will be to rent a car for the time period you need it. Also, if it is your first time renting, make sure to find out what necessary documents you need. You don’t want to find out the day of picking up your car that the company’s policy is to only rent to customers who have a credit card.

Gas Cost

To calculate the cost of gas, you must know the total miles of the trip, the miles per gallon of the vehicle you are driving, and the average cost of gas. Divide the total miles of the trip by the miles per gallon of the vehicle, then multiply by the average cost of gas.

Total Trip Gas Cost Formula 

Trip miles/vehicle miles per gallon X average gas cost = Total trip gas cost

The easy way to do this is to find a website that will do all the calculation for you. A website will ask you what the make and model of the vehicle you are driving are, so you need to know this. It will also ask you to input the total miles of the trip. You can type in your address and your destination with detours included into Google, and it will tell you the total miles. You may also be able to adjust the cost of gas on the website. The website will then calculate the total cost of your trip.

Overnight Stay Cost

If your road trip spans over several days and you’re not in any rush, you may want to consider the cost of overnight stays. Many of us who are experienced in taking road trips at one time or another skip getting a room for the night and choose to drive through the night. They may only pull over at a stop and sleep for an hour or two and then proceed with driving. If you’re driving with a group of people, you may decide to forgo getting a room for the night and choose to drive through the night. If you’re not in any rush and you want to take advantage of the daylight to sightsee, I suggest getting a room. You can plan where you want to stop and get a room. Call ahead and find out about vacancy and bookings. You can also find out about cost from their website or customer service.

Snack Cost

Many people ignore this cost because it is not high priority or it seems insignificant. Depending on the duration of your drive, having snacks can be crucial to the quality of your driving experience. Having snacks can reduce the number of stops you make. Snacks can help you not get fatigued from sitting for a long time.

Calculate snack cost by determining what snacks you want to take on your trip. I suggest that you include some healthy snacks. Then determine how much you need for the duration of the drive. Consider buying snacks before the time of the trip from a grocery store. Places like gas stations and convenience stores can be more expensive than a grocery store. Ensure that you take plenty of water. It is not snacks, but staying hydrated is important. You also may need water for other reasons other than drinking, such as cleaning up a mess.

4. CAR RENTAL OR PERSONAL VEHICLE

When traveling by other means of transportation, such as trains or planes, our main concern is purchasing our ticket and arriving at a station on time. When we are traveling by our own vehicle, we must know what our personal vehicle is capable of. A twenty-five-year-old Toyota Corolla with over 300,000 miles may not be able to make a cross-country journey. You need to know what your car is capable of. Also, if you have a two-door coupe, it might not be large enough for a road trip with six friends.

In the case that your vehicle is not sufficient for your journey, you can instead rent a car. Renting a car gives you the option to go as small or large as you want. You may have a pickup truck you use for work but instead decide to rent a smaller car for a road trip. Also, if you’re taking a road trip with a group of friends, find out if any one of them has access to a vehicle that is capable of carrying everyone on the trip.

5. PRECAUTIONS DUE TO COVID-19

If your journey exceeds the number of miles you can drive on a full tank of gas, you will have to pull over and get gas. When you pull over, you will encounter door handles, gas pump handles, and keypads. If you can manage it, use disposable gloves during each encounter and dispose of them before entering your car. You can also wash your hands after each encounter if you have access to a restroom. Be mindful not to touch any surface after you’re done. Keep hand sanitizers and wipes in the car if you are unable to make it back to the car without touching a handle or a surface. Wear a mask when entering a public area.

In the case that you need to stay overnight in a motel or hotel, be prepared to clean surfaces. Also, it’s fine to bring your own sheets and towels if you’re not comfortable using those of the facility.

6. SHARE COST & DUTIES

A road trip is no easy task, even if you are an experienced driver. It can take a toll on a person that is doing it by themselves. Fatigue can take away all the joy from a fun road trip. Taking a road trip with friends or family can make the experience more enjoyable. You get to share valuable moments with people you care about. You also get to share the cost and duties of driving. A $400 gas cost for a road trip split between four friends is $100 each. You can share duties, such as putting one person in charge of music. You can also share driving responsibilities. This can greatly make a road trip more enjoyable.

While there are many benefits to driving with a group of people, we need to be more cautious because of Covid-19. You need to know who you are traveling with and if they have been exposed to Covid-19. If you’re not sure, I suggest you don’t go on a road trip with that person until you know they are not at risk. This also goes for yourself. If you find yourself traveling with someone that may be exposed to Covid-19, wear a mask and make your best effort to distance yourself.

7. CATCH UP ON LEISURE ACTIVITIES

A road trip, especially a long one, is a great opportunity to catch up on leisure activities. There is a vast variety of leisure activities you can partake in on a road trip, especially long ones. Just to name a few, you can try new music, podcasts, and audiobooks.

8. SOME CAUTION

In case of an emergency, let friends and family know you’re taking a road trip. You don’t want to take a road trip without telling anyone, and you go missing and no one knows where to look for you. Have multiple ways to pay for items. You don’t want to get to a store and find out they only take cash, but you only have a credit card. Ensure IDs, driver’s licenses, insurance cards, and registrations are up to date. Be aware of the rules and regulations of the location that you are going to and driving through. A simple thing such as a change in speed limit because you are in a new location can get you a ticket.

Also be aware of current information on Covid cases in the location that you are driving to and through. Some locations have different guidelines for Covid-19; I suggest you respect them. Try to find out this information before you get to the area. It can save you a lot of time and headaches.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Road trips can be fun and exciting, but because of Covid-19, we must take added precautions. You can try your best to limit your risk of contracting the virus, but keep in mind there is still a chance the moment we come in contact with others. All we can do is try our best to limit the risk. These are trying times, and all we can do is try our best.