After a year and a half of COVID-19 lockdowns, we were thrilled when the U.S.—and most of the world—reopened. But, with recent news of the Delta variant and breakthrough cases, we aren’t completely out of the woods yet. You can still enjoy a road trip, however, with some advanced planning and precautions. Here are six tips to help keep your COVID-19 road trips safe and fun.
Memorial Day is coming up, marking the beginning of the summer driving season. That means heavier traffic on the roads and greater potential for driving mishaps—or even tragedies. To help ensure you arrive at your destinations safely, follow these 7 tips for driving safely this summer from the Indiana State Police.
Where’s your safe place? No matter what the hazard is, the #1 preparedness action everyone should take is to know where your safe location is. April 3 is #SafePlaceSelfie Day. At 11:11 a.m. in whatever time zone you’re in, take a selfie of your safe place and post it on social media with the hashtag #SafePlaceSelfie. Encourage others to participate, too, by asking them over social media, “Where is your safe place when extreme weather threatens?”
Two years ago we were on a road trip headed home to the Midwest from Arizona. As we drove through Texas at dusk, ominous clouds darkened the sky, threatening severe weather. We got off the interstate and drove Route 66 instead to avoid heavy traffic. It wasn’t long before large rain drops pelted the windshield, followed by a downpour. At times we could barely see in front of us. Fortunately, there was no hail. We slowly made our way Elk City, Oklahoma, where we had reservations that night. We did have a NOAA weather radio with us, something we always road trip with, so we knew there were no tornadoes spotted. But it wasn’t a fun drive, having to take care that we didn’t drive into floods on unfamiliar dark roads.
At least 23 reported tornadoes ripped through the Midwest on the last day in February this year, killing four people. Homes were destroyed, massive trees uprooted, and cars tossed around like toys. Tornadoes are rare in the Midwest in February, but they do happen. In fact, although tornadoes are most common from early spring through summer, they can occur any time of year. Before you head out on your next road trip, prepare for tornado safety.
When we travel we almost always drive. If our destination is more than a couple of hours from home we rent a car from Hertz Local Edition rather than drive our own. Here’s why:
