#Organization is the name of the game if you want to keep your car #clean during an extended #road trip with family and friends. The glove compartment should be your command center, a story in Rochester Local says, and contain a cord case; a pouch of sanitizing wipes, over-the-counter medications and first aid supplies; a file of insurance documents and important travel confirmation information; and a flashlight. In the main cabin and boot, uses suitcases and bins to sort the #stuff you’re bringing on the trip; remember, you can often find good lightly used luggage, bins, coolers and other containers for cheap at the #thrift stores supplied by generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org. #SummerRoadTrip
Tag: how to get organized for travel
Pack the Essentials for Your Summer Road Trip
Make a checklist of essential items to pack for your #summer #road trip, says Systems by Susie. Besides the obvious — clothing and toiletries — remember to pack important documents such as your license, registration and proof of insurance, a first aid kit, a spare tire, and a roadside emergency kit. You’ll also want to pack any chargers and cables, games and perhaps a neck pillow for the backseat passengers. Make hotel reservations, get your car checked and hit the road! And “don’t forget to leave room for spontaneity and flexibility,” she says. “Road trips are about the freedom to explore, so allow yourself to take detours, discover hidden gems, and adapt your plans as you go.” #SummerRoadTrip
Packing for a Summer Road Trip
It’s always a challenge to pack sensibly for a #summer road trip; you need to prepare for planned stops and unseen eventualities while maximizing space and comfort inside the car. Reset Your Nest suggests having a water bottle for every person in the car, preferably ones that fit in a cupholder and avoid spillage. You will need also need a cooler for canned beverages and any fresh snacks such as cheese and fruit. A roll of paper towels is a good idea, as is a trash bag (or two). You’ll want to bring or subscribe to a selection of your preferred music/podcasts, since rural areas tend to have few radio stations. And finally, pack some activities for the kids or memorize the rules to a few road trip games. #SummerRoadTrip
Start Planning Your Summer Road Trip
Is there anything more all-American than a #summer #road trip? If you haven’t started planning one, start now. First, decide on the time frame: Will it a weekend, a week, two weeks or more? Next, pick your destination(s): Will it be national parks, the beach, city sightseeing, visits to friends and family, or all of the above? Settle on the locations you’ll target, and limit driving to a maximium of six hours per day to allow for unexpected stops, new discoveries and leisurely lunches. Use an app such as Roadtrippers to chart your course, flag must-see attractions and find lodging. And as with any summertime activity, carry plenty of water and snacks! #SummerRoadTrip
Start Planning Your Summer Travel Now
With spring in the air and #COVID at least temporarily on the retreat, many people are looking forward to a #summer vacation. Most haven’t traveled as far as often over the last two years, and the urge to get away is widespread.
In fact, summer 2022 is predicted to be “the busiest summer travel season ever,” Expedia CEO Peter Kern recently told Fortune magazine. And while prices are likely to go up, “I think people are willing to pay whatever the hell it takes to get away,” he says.
But there will still be ways to keep costs down whether you’re jetting off to far-flung, exotic locale or visiting family and friends in familiar location. And with everyone eager for a change of scenery, the first strategy is to start planning now if you haven’t already.
“In terms of summer travel, it’s essential to book now as the demand for travel is high and availability is tightening,” travel consultant Jill Fischbarg told Fodor’s last week.
To economize on airfares, visit sites like Google Flights or Kayak to find out where and when you might be able to go without spending a lot. Or maybe you have a stockpile of frequent-flyer miles that you’ve been hoarding for the last 24 months.
Two years in, rental cars are still scarce, and gasoline prices are going up fast due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. If you want to keep things cheap, pick a destination where walking, biking or public transit will be your main conveyance — a big city, for example, or an all-inclusive resort.
As for lodging, book now to get the best variety of options. Inexpensive hotel rooms and vacation rentals are already getting scarce in many popular locations; target off-peak and midweek nights to save money — or find an excuse to visit those friends with the beach house and boat.
The good news? Most providers relaxed or eliminated their change and cancellation fees during the pandemic, so if you do book now, the odds are excellent that you can get your money back if something disrupts your summer plans.
With a little forethought, the odds are even better that you’ll finally be able to take that trip you’ve been putting off since 2020. Keep your passport and proof of vaccination at the ready, and bon voyage!