The US is one of the biggest countries in the world and if you want to see most of it, then traveling by car is the best mode of transport. Going on road trips in the US are some of the best holiday breaks that you can take.
Apart from checking in with the US travel advisory and country information, there are a number of other tips that you can apply before you set out on the long open road. One of the best reasons to take a road trip is for inspiration. Let’s explore the best tips on traveling by car in the USA.
Taking a trip in a clean car is always better. You are going to spend a lot of hours in the car so you don’t want any smelly surprises. You might even find a couple of missing items that you have been looking for a while. A travel car seat is a magnet for gunk that collects. It could attract some unwanted guests as well.
No one wants to break down on the road. Checking your car before your trip is the best way for you to find the things that are wrong with your car. If you are going to travel during the summer months, then you should check you’re A/C and also that all your windows are working. Checking that your windscreen wipers are in good nick is also important for those rainy days on the road.
No one plans for road works or unexpected delays, that is why you should not make your plans set in stone. Have some wriggle room for those unexpected curveballs and add a couple of hours for cushioning.
The only way to see the country is if you get off the highways. Take the roads less traveled to discover the hidden gems. US department travel will be able to tell you where the good roads are. Ask around when you are in a small town and get some wisdom from the locals. They know the area the best and will always be able to give some free advice.
Sometimes emergencies happen and you have to have alternate routes planned ahead. If you travel the country roads, know where your fastest exits onto the highways are. You never know when you need to get off the scenic route and hop onto the highway. Having more than one option is a good idea as you might pass one route and need to exit at the next.
You are not going to be the only one on the roads, so you need to see where you are going to do some ferry crossings like the Hudson or when you need to travel over a long bridge.
Timing is everything and if you plan on traveling during peak times, you might end up spending many hours going nowhere. If it is unavoidable, have some entertainment in your car at the ready. If you are bored, that is OK, but if your passengers are, its often mind-numbing.
When you are traveling with kids, there is only so much that they can do in the car. Many kids become car sick if they read, so you want to have a movie or two pre-loaded on a tablet.
You are going to travel through areas where there is no reception, so streaming will be out of the question. If you don’t want them to watch movies the whole time, download some podcasts or audiobooks.
While on your trip, you could consult a research paper writing service from experienced writers to help you with your research as you take in the sights. EduBirdie has great writers to take care of your writing tasks so you can continue with your trip without any worries.
Not everyone enjoys traveling the same and you might have kids or a spouse who doesn’t like the long hours on the road. Dishing out tasks like navigation, entertainment and refreshments gives everyone something to do. No one will feel left out and for those who find traveling to be boring, they will feel like they also have a purpose on the trip.
Although it is not part of your US travel docs, you should get your insurance kitted out with some roadside assistance. Although no one wants to think it will ever happen to them, a breakdown or a flat tire can happen to anyone at any time. You will have the thanks of everyone in the car for your forward-thinking.
Although you have a three-week trip planned, there is no shame in cutting it short with a couple of days if everyone in the car feels like home. No hotel, motel, b & b feels like home and getting to sleep in your own bed after a long trip is priceless.
You could plan a year-round trip and you would still have only experienced the tip of the iceberg. If you love traveling and driving around. Make a point of going to places you haven’t been before and hit the road. You’ll never look back.
Elizabeth Skinner is an academic writer and editor working with an online writing agency of great repute. She works in close coordination with the students across the globe, produces high-quality work and resolves the problems in quick time, making her a popular writer among the students. In her free time, she writes poems, works on her travel blog and practices yoga.