6 Things To Do Before Your Holiday Road Trip

Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays….

There’s no place quite like home for the holidays. But, if you find yourself traveling, you might want to make preparations before you hit the road. To ensure your travels go smoothly, here are 6 things you can do well in advance to ensure a happy holiday road trip – wherever your travels take you. We all know that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year. Did you know according to a survey by PwC for their annual holiday outlook, more than 47% of survey respondents said they would travel for the holidays – and over 65% of those people would be traveling by car! So before you start the engine, read about these 6 tips to help you out this season:

1. Fill up the gas tank
2. Make sure all of your lights and blinkers work
3. Check your wipers – make sure they’re not smearing or stuttering
4. Make sure you have windshield washer fluid
5. Check your tires for correct tire inflation, unwanted bubbles in the side walls, foreign objects in your tire, and tire tread depth
6. Check if an oil change is needed before the trip

Have you been seeing the holiday ads showing people buying cars for their loved ones as surprises? Happens all of the time, right? Cars with big red bows in everyone’s driveway! Well, turns out they’re actually on to something. The most popular month of the year for car sales? December! If you’re thinking of picking out a little something with four wheels to fit under your tree, have it checked out before you purchase. BBack Car Care will perform a pre-purchase car inspection for free!

Additional Tips

• You’re about to get on the road with millions of people, concern number one? How to avoid an accident. Some ideas to go by are keep your cool, settle in for the trip and watch out for the other guy.

• Keeping your cool will help you in more ways than one. Practice deep breathing when feeling anxious, listen to relaxing music or an audiobook and leave in plenty of time. Just by doing these few, easy things can set you up for a relaxing, safe ride.

• Know the rules of the road! Figure out what the passing lane and cruising lanes are in your state and settle in for the cruise. You’ll be happier (and hopefully safer) when you do.

• If you’re feeling sleepy, take a break. Find a safe rest stop or area, lock the car and rest your eyes. Set an alarm – sometimes just 15 minutes of rest can make all of the difference.

• If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed or like Mr. Hyde is about to start driving the car, pull over. Take a minute and gather your thoughts. don’t underestimate the impact of just taking a few minutes to have a snack, a drink and a breath to help you calm down.

Driving Safely When Roads Are Slick

Are you traveling to a state that gets snowy weather? I’m sure you’ve seen videos of frightening multi car accidents. Sometimes, accidents are hard to avoid. Sometimes, getting stuck in the traffic behind the accident is also unavoidable. Make sure you have an emergency kit no matter what type of weather you’ll be traveling through. Blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight, etc. are great items to keep in the car for road trips.

Designated Driving

And lastly, if you’re heading out for drinks, a party or dinner, have a designated driver. Whether it’s an Uber, a Lyft or a local cab: don’t be the person that causes the accident, the road rage or the need for the new vehicle in the driveway. It’s easier to make a call for a cab than to make a call from jail.

The holiday season is a busy time for everyone, and the best way to avoid stress and ensure a great holiday road trip is to travel smart. Taking some time to prepare for your travels will help make the whole experience a lot more enjoyable. And of course, if you follow these tips, you’ll be able to get where you need to go on time and take the stress out of the crazy travel days. Happy holidays from us at BBack Car Care!