Road Trip Travel Tips

Oh, the weather outside is frightful - and so is the traffic. With the holidays already here, many Americans are embarking on road trips to visit friends and family. To make your trip easier, follow a few of these travel tips:

Expect delays

With more people on the roads, you will inevitably run into more traffic and congestion. This can cause major delays and extend your travel time by hours. Plan ahead for extra travel time so you don't miss any important holiday moments.

Travel on off-days

There are certain days of the year where more people will be traveling to and from their destinations. To avoid getting stuck in traffic for hours, consider departing on off-days, when fewer drivers will be on the road. The days before and after Thanksgiving are considered some of the busiest days, as well as Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Instead of leaving for your destination on these days, start your trip the day before or after.

Be prepared

Whenever you're going a long distance, be sure that you have all of your records with you, including your auto insurance information. If anything were to happen while on the road, it is best to be prepared with your information ready at hand. You don't want to be left stranded on a wintry street. Check with your insurance company to make sure you are adequately covered during a road trip.

Get connected

More people have smartphones and tablets than ever before. As a way to make life more convenient and efficient, use technology to your advantage when it comes to traveling. Download weather and road applications that will allow you to see what is coming ahead during your trip. If the weather is bad, think about getting off the road and waiting until conditions improve. Apps can also alert you to any accidents or traffic that is in front of you.

Pack light

If you're traveling with several people in the car for a long distance, you might want to think about how much you're bringing on your travels. Keeping everyone comfortable on a road trip can be a difficult feat, made even harder if there isn't enough room for everyone. Depending on where you are going and what you plan to do there, keep your luggage relatively light and compact to avoid feeling cramped in the car.