The holidays are a time of celebration, and are to be spent and enjoyed with family and friends. If you’re planning on driving to get together with relatives this holiday, there are a few tips that you should keep in mind. Whether you’re traveling to grandma’s house or your favorite vacation destination, the winter weather can make driving a bit of a challenge. That’s why together with Allstate I want to share my top 5 holiday road trip tips.
This post is written in collaboration with Allstate as an Allstate Ambassador, however all opinions are mine alone.
1. Make sure your car is road trip ready.
Visit a trusted mechanic and have your car inspected. Check your fluid levels: oil, transmission, power steering, brake, coolant/antifreeze, wiper fluids, and fill and/or change if necessary. Inspect and change your windshield wipers if worn, and be sure to have your tires inspected and rotated, or buy a new set if needed. Make sure that your heater and defroster are in good working condition and be sure to have your battery tested as well.
2. Have an emergency kit on hand
Have a first aid kit, jumper cables and a flashlight on hand. It’s also a good idea to have a blanket, and emergency food items including water available. I also recommend maintaining at least a ½ tank of gas in your car whenever you’re going on a road trip before needing to fill up. Having gas in your car in the winter months will ensure that you’re able to keep warm if you’re ever stranded.
3. Have a roadside assistance program
Speaking of being stranded, having the availability of roadside assistance can be a lifesaver, especially when traveling at night. The Allstate Good Hands Rescue® service available in both the App store and Google Play store is just as important as your emergency kit. Allstate has also partnered with Waze to provide roadside assistance to Waze users via Allstate’s Good Hands Rescue® service. You can request to be towed, have fuel delivered if you’ve ran out of gas, have your tire changed or even get a jump start. The great news is that you don’t need to be an Allstate customer to take advantage of the service; the ARS’ professional roadside assistance is available 24/7 to you on a pay-as-you-go basis.
4. Map your route and check the weather
Before you leave home, be sure to check the weather. You can do a few days forecast so that you can see what the weather will be like on your way to your final destination. Pack accordingly or plan a different route if you’re not comfortable with the road conditions. You can use apps such as Waze, which can help you map out the fastest route but be sure to keep an old fashioned map in your glove box in the event that you no longer have cellular reception.
5. Drive smartly
While you may be excited to begin your trip, be sure that you’ve gotten enough sleep before starting on your journey. Take breaks and stop when tired. Drive a safe distance behind the car in front of you in the event of sudden braking, especially if the weather is bad. Ignore your cell phone and limit distractions, such as changing the radio stations etc. If you’re traveling with kids, keep them occupied with entertainment such as games, coloring books, and tablets. It’s also a good idea to take along extra chargers, including portable battery packs so that they don’t run out of juice.
Hopefully these tips will keep you safe on the road, and ensure that you arrive safely for your visit this holidays with family and friends.
This post was written as part of the Allstate Influencer Program and sponsored by Allstate. All opinions are mine. As the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, Allstate is dedicated not only to protecting what matters most–but to guiding people to live the Good Life, every day.
