It is Memorial Day weekend. Finally! A nice, long weekend to relax and take a break from the daily tires of reality.
I, for one, am hitting the road like many others in our city. Here are some things to consider when traveling to enjoy your trip.
Get your insurances in order. If you are planning a road trip, make sure you have adequate auto insurance that will cover you in any kind of accident, whether it is your fault or not. Carry proof of insurance with you in case of an accident or in case you get pulled over. When you get pulled over without proof of insurance, even if you currently have it, you will get a ticket, or worse, your car will be impounded—instantly ruining your vacation.
Make sure you have your health insurance cards with you. If you are traveling to California, for example, you do not need to get California health insurance. You can, however, get traveling health insurance that will help you in an emergency. If you have regular health insurance, you can still find some coverage, but not much if it is out of your network.
If you are driving, travel on off times. With this long weekend, most people will leave Friday night after work, clogging up the freeways to warmer weather. To avoid long waits on the freeway, plan to travel against the peak times. Take a few hours off earlier from work to beat the traffic, or drive later.
Want to really enjoy your trip? Extend it. Find out if any hotels in your area are offering discounted rates for those who extend their trip. (My area does it- maybe yours does too.) This would cut down on travel traffic AND extend your vacation. Win-win.
Prepare for an emergency. Make sure your AAA card is available in case of a flat, or better yet, prepare for one yourself. Every car should have an emergency care kit complete with jumper cables, duct tape, and basic tools. These can help you in case of a flat or another accident. It is also smart to have bottles of water in case you run out of gas or your car breaks down. This will especially save you in rural areas where the rest stops and gas stations are far and few between.
Focus on the road. Avoid as many distractions as possible. If you are traveling with a buddy, have the non-driver be in charge of changing the radio stations, getting snacks and navigating. Leave the driver to focus solely on driving. Take time to stop and rest your legs, and switch drivers often to avoid fatigue.