Holiday Travel Tips

Monday, 09 November, 2020 

Tips For Traveling During The Holidays

Traveling during the holidays can add a layer of stress beyond the typical family road trip. Whether you’re dreading political debates with Cousin Larry or worrying about making the taco dip just right, your mind is probably going in a hundred different directions. That can make focusing on driving safely more challenging and your road trip less enjoyable. 

Here are some tips to make it easier and safer to travel during this coming holiday season.

Plan Ahead And Start Early 

Write down checklists and add to them as you think of things you need to remember to pack or take care of before you leave. Don’t rely on your memory because you’ll probably have a lot on your mind. Make a list of what you need to pack and bring with you, including outfits for special occasions, any food items you need to bring, and any arrangements you need to make. Examples include a gift list, groceries/food, kids’ items, and any bedding, medication or other supplies you may need. Be sure to remember the chargers for all your digital devices.Plan your route in advance and figure out how much travel time you’ll need. Figure in some alternate routes in case of traffic jams or road closures, and plan some extra time for stops and breaks. Even if you are seasoned road trippers, remember there’s a lot of traffic during the holidays — and everyone is probably as stressed out as you are. Add in bad weather and that’s a super stressful combination.

Plan your departure time and a window for leaving. Nothing seems to go right on the morning you leave, so give yourself plenty of cushion. And it never hurts to plan an extra stop shortly before your arrival, which gives you all a chance to go to the bathroom and freshen up before the craziness begins at your destination.

You may want to consider bringing a special toy, pillow, or blanket for smaller children. For starters, it will help them with a long car ride and will also add comfort to an otherwise stressful weekend at Grandma’s house.

If you are planning for pet care, you may want to start it a day before you leave. That will be one less thing to worry about on the day you need to take off. And with Fido out of the way, packing and organizing everything else will be far less stressful.

Next is Packing 

Again, starting early can take a lot of stress away from trying to pack everything on the day you leave. Have your kids set aside their clothes and toys that they want to bring so it’s all together and ready to put in the suitcase. If gifts are going to be wrapped, get them wrapped and stacked in a “ready-to-go” pile. If you need to shop for the ingredients for the taco salad, keep it all in one grocery sack so it’s all together and ready to go.

When you pack your Subaru, be sure to keep your valuables out of sight or covered by other items. Any unwrapped gifts should be covered with a blanket or other bags to discourage an easy smash and grab. If you stop on your road trip, be sure to stash any valuables, too, including the kids’ Nintendos, phones, and any purses, bags, or other valuables.

And a good tip is to stash some cash and a credit card in an obscure place or in a different pocket. That way, if your wallet, purse or vehicle get stolen, you won’t be completely without financial means to get a cab, hotel, food, or other needs.

Keep an Eye on the Weather  

As winter moves in, the weather can change dramatically in a matter of hours. Check both the short and long-term weather forecasts for your home area as well as your destination. There are a number of great weather apps for your phone that offer alerts and National Weather Service warnings and watches. Also, check for 511- style road condition apps along your route to find out road conditions before you leave and along your trip. Be sure you have an emergency kit in your car that is geared toward the weather you may encounter.

Make Sure Your Car Is Serviced

Get your Subaru serviced and inspected at least a week prior to your planned trip, so there’s time to complete any repairs that may need to be made. Fuel up a day or two before your trip — that’s one less thing you’ll have to do the morning you leave.

Avoid Distracted, Impaired, Pressured or Fatigued Driving 

It may be difficult, but try to get a good night’s sleep before you leave. Once packed and ready to go, take a deep breath and try to relax a little before hitting the road. And if you’re running late, just call ahead and let your hosts know. There’s no need to rush down the highway to try to make up time — you are putting your family and other drivers at risk. And please don’t ever drive while impaired, whether from drinking, prescriptions, or other drugs. Your life, your family, and the others on the road around you, are too precious to take that risk.

Enjoy Yourself!

Lastly, enjoy your trip and enjoy your event! You worked too hard to get to your destination and ruin the event by being in a foul mood all weekend because you may have been stressed from the road trip itself. Planning ahead, driving safely, and using a little extra patience will help make a safe, happy and enjoyable holiday season.At Neil Huffman Subaru, we wish you a happy holiday season! We hope you all have safe travels to wherever you are going.

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