Did you know that there is a resurgence of road trips? Yes, land trip for leisure has surged during the pandemic. Individuals and families who have got stuck at home have considered having outdoor recreation through road trips. They prepare their cars or rent recreational vehicles (RVs) for hitting the road. They even go as far as camping even amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
It does not mean, however, that you must be complacent in your road trip. Know that threat of the novel coronavirus is still there. While having outdoor fun and recreation is the goal, you don’t want to risk your and your family’s health. The last thing you want to happen is to get infected with the SARS-COV-2.
When it comes to safe travel, preparation is the key. Here’s how to prepare for a leisure road trip:
1. Inspect and fix your vehicle
When considering a road trip, you have two options to take. Either use your own vehicle or rent an RV. Regardless of your choice, you must inspect your vehicle. If you decide to rent an RV, be sure to examine its actual condition before taking the plunge. If you use your car or truck, have a vehicle inspection or repair if necessary. Get a windshield replacement, tire change, body repair, or ECU remapping if you must. The ultimate goal is to ensure the vehicle is in top shape and working condition.
2. Clean and disinfect your vehicle
Aside from ensuring that your vehicle has no issues at all, be sure it is clean and disinfected. If you rent an RV, it is most likely sanitized for compliance purposes. But to be on the safe side, see for yourself how the RV rental personnel perform the cleaning and disinfection. You also have to do the same for your vehicle if you choose to drive your own car for a road trip. After all, safety is a top priority.
3. Check your routes and destination
Another vital consideration is your travel destination and the routes you will take. First off, ensure that the places you will visit are safe. Make sure that they have fewer cases of COVID-19. The last thing you want to happen is to travel to a city or state and go home feeling sick. Better yet, choose a location completely free of COVID-19 infection.
4. Check the weather forecast
There is nothing more frustrating and inconvenient than to travel in rainy or stormy weather. It defeats the purpose of having a road trip in the first place. As with regular travel, you must check the weather forecast before the road trip. Keep in mind that this step is crucial, whether or not there is a pandemic. Ultimately, it’s best to travel in favorable weather so you and your family will enjoy and have fun.
5. Stock up food and water supplies
Needless to say, your family must keep food and water supplies for the road trip. You must consider doing so, especially if you’ll pass by secluded areas where there’s no access to food and water. Simple snacks like crackers and protein bars can slake your family’s hunger. Also, be sure to have bottles of water to quench their thirst while hitting the road.
6. Prepare your travel essentials
It’s essential to list all your travel essentials before having a road trip. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a travel health kit such as a first-aid kit, prescription medications, thermometer, and medical supplies (inhalers, insulin, etc.) Also, don’t forget travel essentials such as alcohol, hand sanitizers, sunscreen, insect repellent, and pillows. Lastly, don’t forget your travel permits (if necessary), even if it’s just a road trip.
7. Set health and safety measures in place
The last—and the most important on the list—is setting health and safety measures. Be sure to discuss with your family and all other passengers. Consider wearing masks, avoiding crowded places when stopping over, washing hands when visiting public spaces and commercial establishments. Also, be wary of COVID-19 symptoms such as loss of taste and smell, sore throat, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Lastly, be sure to plan on what to do in case of an emergency.
Planning and preparation are crucial to a safe road trip. Be sure to follow all the practical steps outlined above, from preparing your vehicles to stocking up supplies to setting safety measures in place. With all these in place, you and your family will have safe travel while savoring the fun a road trip brings.
