With the weather warming up and swimming pool sales on the rise, people are ready for a change of scenery. COVID-19 has brought on a lot of changes for our normal ways of life to include shopping, exercising, birthdays, graduations, and even vacations.

Days of packed resorts and amusement parks might be a thing of the past until we see a more consistent decrease in COVID-19 cases. Instead of packing out theme parks and resorts, Americans are gearing up and hitting the road.

According to Business Insider, “the summer of 2020. . .[is expected to be] the summer of the road trip.” Car And Driver reports that “more people in the Chicago area are anticipating taking road trips post-COVID-19 pandemic.”

RV sales are already on the rise as “dealers are seeing an influx of new customers who want to buy or rent” (Business Insider). It makes sense as travelers will have more control over their living and sanitation standards while on vacation. Motels are also making a comeback as guests can more easily avoid elevators and lobbies where people filter in and out (Business Insider).

With Americans making these shifts in order to enjoy some down-time during the warmer weather, we’ve put together some road trip safety tips and things you can expect while traveling during COVID-19.

Once you have your destination in mind (if you’re still looking, AAA has some ideas), go ahead and determine the routes and rest stops you’ll plan to take. This will help you avoid any surprises (such as cashless tolls) and also find places with open restrooms.

We’d also recommend packing your very own safety kit that includes hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, additional face masks, gloves, paper towels, and small storage bags. While stopping for gas, you can easily slip on a pair of disposable gloves at the pump to avoid high-touch surfaces.

If you plan to stay at a hotel or motel, be sure to disinfect hard surfaces like door knobs and handles, dressers, countertops, night stands, toilets, and bathtubs. You can easily wipe or spray these areas down.

While it may be tempting to visit a popular beach, it would be better to choose uncrowded places during your road trip. Consider parks, bike trails, baseball batting ranges, and other areas where there’s less likely to be a crowd. You can also bring your own fun with indoor and outdoor games.

As always, it’s best to be prepared for the unexpected, like car trouble or illness. Be sure to change your oil, check your tires, coolant, and other vitals before leaving home. It’s also a good idea to stock up on food, first aid supplies, and medication before leaving as well.

 

There are alternative ways you can get out and enjoy yourself during COVID-19. As always, remember to practice precaution and use your best judgement to protect yourself and others.