By Land and SeaIt goes without saying that this year will be different for travelers. Fortunately, the outlook is much better than it was in 2020. While some uncertainties remain, more people are looking to take that vacation they weren’t able to enjoy last year.
To get the most out of your experience, however, it helps to implement certain strategies. And since flying is still a little unpredictable at the moment, this guest post focuses on the open road. If you’re looking to plan a fantastic road trip this year, Jesse from Soulful Travel has these practical tips for you:
Save Up
If you’re like many other households in the U.S., the pandemic has made a severe impact on your finances. While you may be eager to skip town and de-stress, it’s essential not to do so in a way that leaves you in a worse financial position.
The best way to travel while maintaining a healthy budget is to start saving money for your trip as soon as possible. Begin thinking of ways to set aside cash now, and you’ll be well-prepared by the time your trip comes around. Starting a side hustle, making a savings challenge with your family, and reading personal finance books are a few ways to get going.
Prepare Your Vehicle
You don’t want to be hundreds of miles from home only to break down in the middle of nowhere. Make sure you prepare your vehicle before hitting the road. Take your car to a trusted mechanic to evaluate the brakes, tires, battery, fluids, belts, and hoses. If anything needs to be replaced or repaired, get it done!
There are plenty of online resources to help you with this task. For instance, a site like RideDigest provides tons of articles on car care and maintenance, and it allows you to research some of the best tires, tools, and accessories on the market.
Research Destinations
The charm of a road trip may be the journey itself, but the destination you choose still matters. After all, you’ll likely be spending more time at your destination than you will on the road. First, determine the general type of land you’re wanting. Do you envision relaxing on the beach, cozying up in a mountain cabin, or camping around various lakes on your adventure?
Once you know your primary mission, research the best destinations, starting with those that are closest to home. Look into the availability and costs of accommodations, dining, entertainment, and other attractions. And remember to find out what kind of restrictions are in place. Many areas of the country have few to no restrictions now, but certain cities, communities, or businesses may still require masks. This is constantly changing. Regardless, remember to take any precautions your family deems necessary to stay safe!
Make Reservations Early
Last-minute hotel deals are great. The problem is, it’s difficult to predict whether or not there will be any availability of accommodations in your destination weeks or months from now, much less whether you’ll be able to score a killer discount. The safest bet is to book your lodging as early as possible; this will still prove cost-effective while providing you with peace of mind knowing you have places to stay. While you’re at it, make reservations for restaurants, events, and any other attractions.
As travel is ramping back up, it’s essential to approach your road trip with a strategy. Remember to start saving for your trip now, and make any necessary preparations for your vehicle. Also, take time to research potential destinations, and book accommodations and attractions well in advance. In no time, you’ll be embarking on a thrilling, stress-busting adventure!
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I just got back from a 5 week road trip and I completely agree with making reservations early. Since lots of folks are doing the same things, accommodation is books up quickly! 🙂
I love road trips, so enjoyed reading this 🙂 Well done!
These are some great tips! Preparing your vehicle is so important! I’m not much of a car person (and I’m not a driver) so it never crosses my mind to check the car before we go on a road trip! Luckily my boyfriend has it covered! Thanks for the great guide!
I agree that it’s so important to plan things out in advance to secure affordable prices. These are great tips! Hoping to use them on future road trips!
Great tips! Especially about booking a hotel room early. I’ve been caught out many times when planning a last minute road trip that I thought would be cheap – until I looked at hotels.
We have stayed much closer to home this past year and a half in our travels. The bonus? We have explored more of our state than before and loved the places we were able to visit. The downside? We are so homesick for travel!
Hitting down the road is always a pleasure. It offers total freedom to tweak the journey as we want. And if the vehicle is a tailored camper, then the trip is cost-effective and the fun is two-fold.