America is getting out, stretching their legs, willingly being cooped up in their car for hours rather than their homes. That’s right, it’s road trip time. Before you head out on the road, there’s a few things you need to consider for traveling during this national health crisis – take it from someone who just got back from a lengthy road trip.
Check local regulations.
Not only do states have different regulations, there are variances between counties and towns as well. Check the regulations the day before you leave – they’re prone to changing quickly. While some regulations effect dining hours and service, some impact things like public restrooms, wearing a face mask, and public gatherings.
Make planned stops.
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Don’t just play it by ear when it comes to bathroom breaks and meals. Planning ahead will help you determine what is open and where, as well as the regulations that come with dine-in service versus take out. Remember, not all service station bathrooms are open and you might not be able to just pop in to a fast food restaurant for a bathroom break. Many rest stops and parks also have closed bathrooms.
Remember to bring cash.
With the coin shortage and the switchover to cashless payment for most businesses, it’s important to remember that tolls booths still run mostly on cash-only service. Bring an assortment of bills (lots of ones, not as may fives and tens) and coins to help you achieve exact change when going through toll booths to ensure that you don’t have to get change and expose yourself (and the tollbooth worker) to additional risk.
Pack personal protective equipment and other supplies.
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If you have a few days before your trip, consider ordering a package of disposable face masks to keep in your glovebox or center console. You’d be surprised how easy it is to spill on your usual mask, drop it in a parking lot, step on it, or get it stuck between the seat and center console. What if it suddenly breaks? It’s good to have a back up. The last thing you want to do is arrive at your destination out of luck.
Check and double check your car’s emergency gear.
Being self-reliant is more important than it has been in recent memory. Before you set off, double-check the situation of your spare tire, making sure that you’ll have the tools on-hand to change out a flat on your own if you need to. Don’t remember how to change one out? Watch some YouTube videos and brush up on your skills.
You may want to consider purchasing a roadside rescue kit as well. These usually contain jumper cables, a shovel, reflective sign, tools, a flashlight, and more to help in the event of an emergency.
Refill fluids that need it. Stock the first aid kit and make sure that you have a few bottles of water and a clean cloth or two in reserve just in case.
