Tips on How to Plan A Safe Thanksgiving Trip

Thanksgiving, a time for familial joy, is often accompanied by travel complexities. In 2019, over 50 million Americans hit the road during this festive period, marking it as a peak travel season. Amidst the ongoing pandemic, choosing a road trip over air travel or public transportation may seem a prudent choice.

The question then arises—how does one plan a Thanksgiving road trip that steers clear of traffic snarls, adverse weather conditions, and health concerns? In this piece, we’ll provide guidance on readying your vehicle, plotting your course, selecting destinations, and relishing the journey. Whether it’s a visit to grandma’s abode or an extensive cross-country adventure, these insights are tailored to enhance your Thanksgiving road trip experience.

Vehicle Preparation for the Journey

Before embarking on your road odyssey, it’s imperative to ensure your vehicle is road trip ready. A breakdown or mishap can swiftly dampen the road trip spirit. Here’s a checklist to ensure your vehicle is in optimal condition:

• Tire Check: Verify sufficient tread and air pressure using a penny for tread depth and a tire gauge for pressure. Don’t overlook the spare tire.
• Fluid Inspection: Assess levels of oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and transmission fluid. Top them off as needed or schedule an oil change if due.
• Lights Examination: Confirm proper functionality of all lights—headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and emergency flashers. Replace any burnt-out bulbs or fuses.
• Battery Assessment: Ensure a fully charged battery without corrosion or leaks. Utilize a voltmeter for voltage checks or seek a professional inspection.
• Brake Inspection: Ascertain proper brake functionality without squeaks or vibrations. Monitor brake pads for wear or engage a mechanic for an inspection.
• Belts and Hoses Check: Ensure belts and hoses are free from cracks, fraying, or looseness. Replace any worn-out or damaged components.
• Emergency Kit Review: Guarantee a well-equipped emergency kit in your vehicle, encompassing essentials like jumper cables, flashlight, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, blanket, water, snacks, and tools. Consider adding items like flares, ice scraper, shovel, and sand or kitty litter for winter driving.

Route Planning and Breaks

With a road-ready vehicle, the next step is strategic route planning and scheduled breaks. Pre-planning can help avoid traffic congestion, unfavorable weather, road closures, and other road hazards. Here are key steps to plan your route and breaks:

• Navigation App Utilization: Leverage navigation apps such as Google Maps or Waze to identify the optimal route and real-time insights into traffic conditions, road closures, accidents, gas stations, and more.
• Peak Travel Times Avoidance: According to Google, the least favorable time for Thanksgiving travel is Wednesday afternoon before the holiday. Optimal times include early Thursday morning for departure and avoiding Friday and Sunday afternoon for the return trip.
• Weather Forecast Check: Prior to departure, check the weather forecast for your route and destination. Evade driving in severe weather conditions like snow, ice, rain, fog, or wind. Adjust your plans if adverse weather is encountered on the road.
• Scheduled Rest Stops: Plan breaks every two hours or 100 miles for leg stretches, bathroom breaks, meals, refueling, and vehicle checks. Apps like Roadtrippers or iExit can aid in locating suitable rest stops, and platforms like Yelp or TripAdvisor can assist in finding quality dining or lodging.
• Adherence to COVID-19 Safety Guidelines: Given the ongoing pandemic, adherence to CDC and local authorities’ COVID-19 safety guidelines is crucial. Recommendations include mask-wearing, social distancing, frequent hand hygiene, avoiding contact with eyes, nose, and mouth, and staying home if unwell. Testing before and after the trip is advised, along with staying informed about the COVID-19 situation and restrictions using apps like COVID Exit Strategy or COVID Control.

Destination Selection and Activities

Having prepared your vehicle and charted your route, it’s now time to select destinations and plan activities. Depending on your available time and desired distance, a range of options awaits. Consider these ideas for diverse destinations and activities:

• Nature and Scenery: Explore national parks, state parks, forests, lakes, mountains, or beaches. Engage in activities like hiking, biking, camping, fishing, boating, skiing, or snowshoeing. Notable November destinations include Zion National Park in Utah, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, Lake Tahoe in California/Nevada, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, and Acadia National Park in Maine.
• History and Culture: Immerse yourself in historical sites, museums, monuments, landmarks, or cities. Uncover the history, art, architecture, cuisine, music, or traditions of different locales. Recommended November destinations include Washington D.C., Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, Savannah in Georgia, New Orleans in Louisiana, and San Antonio in Texas.
• Fun and Entertainment: Embrace amusement parks, theme parks, zoos, aquariums, casinos, or shows. Enjoy roller coasters, rides, games, animals, performances, or nightlife. November hotspots include Orlando in Florida, Las Vegas in Nevada, Branson in Missouri, Nashville in Tennessee, and San Diego in California.

Relish the Journey

As the journey unfolds, it’s crucial to savor the experience. A road trip transcends the destination, embodying the joy of the journey itself. Consider these tips for an enjoyable road trip experience:

• Create a Playlist: Compile a playlist featuring your favorite songs or podcasts, enhancing the drive. Tailor playlists for different trip segments, such as road trip classics, holiday tunes, or local music.
• Engage in Games: Pass the time and foster camaraderie with travel companions through games like I Spy, 20 Questions, License Plate Game, or Would You Rather? Explore trivia games like Jeopardy or Family Feud using apps like Trivia Crack or QuizUp.
• Capture Memories: Document the journey through photographs, using apps like Instagram or Snapchat for editing and sharing. Employ platforms like Polarsteps or Roadtrippers to craft a travel journal or map of your trip.
• Embrace Flexibility: Adopt a flexible mindset and be open to detours. Don’t stress about adhering strictly to plans; be prepared to explore new places and experiences. Express gratitude for the journey and the opportunities it presents.

In Conclusion

A Thanksgiving road trip can serve as a secure and enjoyable means to celebrate the holiday with loved ones. By adhering to these guidelines—preparing your vehicle, planning your route and breaks, selecting destinations and activities, and relishing the journey—you can optimize your Thanksgiving road trip experience.

We trust this piece has provided inspiration for planning a secure and delightful Thanksgiving road trip. For any queries or comments, feel free to share them below. We are wishing you a joyous Thanksgiving!

For checking place ratings and reviews you can either Google, Trip Advisor and Yelp etc.