It may be a winter wonderland outside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go on a road trip and enjoy the beautiful scenery. With careful preparation and planning, you can safely travel to wherever you’d like to go. Traveling in the winter is a lot different than traveling when the driving conditions are perfect. You have to be prepared for unfortunate events happening because even if you’re the best driver in the world, unforeseen circumstances can still take place and can put your life in danger.
Car Maintenance and Car Insurance
Before you travel, you must make sure your vehicle is in good condition and you can do that by getting a tune-up. Whenever you’re planning to travel on snow covered roads, it’s a good idea to change out your tires for snow because they’ll offer extra traction. Tire chains can also be brought along in case your travels require you to get through the heavy snow. Have your car’s battery load-tested to make sure it’s strong. A weak battery can have trouble holding a charge, which can leave you stranded somewhere. You’re also going to need to make sure you have the proper insurance on your vehicle, such as auto insurance SR22.
Pack a Winter Survival Kit
Having a winter survival kit on hand is always a good idea. The kit should include an ice scraper, sand or kitty litter, shovel, road flares, small tool kit, extra gloves, a fire extinguisher, candles and matches, booster cables, a flashlight with backup batteries, blankets, a jug of water, extra warm clothing, and paper towels. It’s also smart to bring along some extra food such as granola bars and non-perishable food items in case you find yourself stuck somewhere.
Spent Time Determining Route Ahead of Time
Start determining the route you need to take ahead of time, way before your trip. Know different routes in case you end up needing them. It’s a good idea to travel mostly on main roads because there is a better chance main roads will get plowed and sanded before any backroads do. Let a friend or family member know the route you plan on taking and when you expect to arrive at your destination. This can be incredibly life-saving because someone will know where you are and can get you help if you find you need it.
Keep Up-to-Date on Weather Conditions and Plan Accordingly
Pay careful attention to the weather before your trip. It can be helpful to use several different sources to be sure you have a good understanding of how the weather conditions will be when you’re traveling. If the weather will create a treacherous trip, it’ll be smart to wait until the weather clears and the roads are safe to travel on. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination by leaving early.
Prepare for the Worst
No one wants to think about bad things happening to them, but it’s important to be prepared for them. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged before leaving and it can be helpful to have a portable power bank with you to charge your phone on the go.
Winter is a wonderful time to get out of your house and travel. A winter road trip will create everlasting memories and make for stunning photographs of landscapes and mountains blanketed in snow. Spend extra time planning for your trip, especially to make sure your car can handle the trip. Make sure you have necessary items on hand in case you have to pull over to wait for the weather to clear up.