Remaining close to home, reducing overall vacation plan costs and staying healthy are top of mind for many this summer. Whether you’re planning a family road trip, road trip for two or you’ll be driving solo, we’ve pulled together a few tips to help you prepare. (And we can help you with your road trip budget, too.)
Take a day trip first.
Get your feet wet for an extended road trip with a day trip not far from your own home. This will give you a taste of what you’ll need to do to prepare for a weeklong road trip. From the number of snacks needed to how much hand sanitizer you’ll go through in one day, venturing out for a day will give you an idea of what to expect for your longer trip.
Plan your route and keep it simple.
Preparation for any family road trip is key but especially important during the coronavirus pandemic. Limit the number of places you visit and take note of rest areas that may be closed so you can plan your stops appropriately. On the same note, while it may be tempting to fit in as many landmarks and quick stops along the way, keep your list of must-sees short to avoid additional exposure to large groups of people or high-traffic areas. Check out the Roadtrippers website for help planning your route.
Make a supplies list and check it twice.
While it can be tough to think of everything you might need on your summer road trip, knowing your destinations and what you’ll be doing there is a great first step. Use your list of destinations to outline the supplies you’ll need to get there (cue the endless supplies of road trip snacks) and the things you’ll need while at your destination (such as sunscreen and swimsuits). Use this handy road trip packing checklist to make sure you have everything you need.
Follow CDC recommendations.
Keep yourself and others healthy during your summer road trip by following CDC guidelines, such as avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth; washing your hands frequently; keeping six feet of physical distance; wearing a face covering and covering coughs and sneezes. Car or RV travel are considered lower-risk options as you are traveling with fewer people than bus, train or airplane. Stopping for fuel, food and bathroom breaks can put you in close contact with others, so be sure to wash or sanitize your hands often.
Keep an eye on the coronavirus spread.
As the summer progresses and your road trip date gets closer, be sure to watch for coronavirus updates from the communities you plan to visit as well as the CDC. Some of your destinations may have adjusted hours or close on certain days for increased cleaning measures.
While taking a summer road trip can help reduce your overall expenses, they aren’t cheap. Verve can help you save for next year. Whether you want to set up a separate savings account with automatic transfers and call it, “Epic Road Trip of 2021,” or you want to build your savings other ways, like by automatically rounding up your purchases to the nearest dollar and adding the difference to savings, we can help!
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