State Farm® sponsored this post about safe driving and gave me a roadside safety kit so I can share my experiences using it with you. All thoughts are my own.
With the holiday season arriving, many of us are planning road trips to see family and friends – or maybe even just a little cozy holiday get-away to de-stress. Road tripping for Thanksgiving or during the winter months can be a fun adventure in and of itself, if planned out. It’s easy to focus on the destination and not the journey, so I’ve put together a few road trip tips to help you make the most out of your trip.
1. If at all possible, pick the people riding in the car with you. It’s not always possible, but if you can pick with whom you’ll be spending hours upon hours in the car, whether it’s driving or in the backseat, it will be way more enjoyable.
2. See a scenic drive or pull-off? Find a designated area to pull over and snap a few pictures to remember the trip by!
3. See a few weird tourist destinations on the way? Biggest ball of yarn? Weird museums of seemingly impossible things? Take a detour with these as well; they’ll make for great memories and turn your journey into an adventure!
4. Holiday budget tight because of all the traveling and gift giving? Get creative with your gifts and see what you can make or put together yourself at no cost. My friends and I love collecting interesting rocks on our road trips to add to our collection of “Rocks from Around the World.”
5. Ignore the chains and eat local. It makes your trip not only more memorable, but also considerably more tasty!
6. Lastly, and most importantly, be prepared for the unexpected. Safety is always a concern for me personally. The last road trip I took was actually in a foreign country, and our tire blew about 45 minutes from the nearest town.
As we waited for the tow truck, I realized how lucky I’ve been up until that point to be able to just call for roadside assistance back in the States. State Farm has an amazing fleet of Assist Patrol vehicles that patrol the highways looking for crashes, potentially dangerous debris, and stranded motorists who they can help get safely back on the road. Unexpected things happen when you travel! Whether it’s minor mechanical problems or a flat tire, State Farm-sponsored patrols are here to help all drivers on sponsored public highways.
This program runs in 15 states, with 20 sponsored patrols. If you want to learn more about the program, which in Georgia is called Georgia DOT HERO Sponsored by State Farm, click here. If you are insured by State Farm, talk to your agent about the option of Emergency Road Service coverage for towing and labor services when your car becomes disabled. It’s optional coverage that can help keep drivers everywhere safe!
A few additional safety tips for winter road trips:
- Double check your vehicle before heading out on the road:
- Check air pressure in all tires – including your spare
- Check your battery
- Change oil and filter according to your car’s manufacturer’s service – interval specifications
- Check fluid levels for your brakes, automatic transmission, power steering, windshield washer, and coolant
- Inspect brake pads and linings for wear
- Make sure that your wiper blades are operating properly
- Check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers and interior lights
- Pack an emergency roadside kit. Consider including:
- Jumper cables
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Emergency flat-tire repair
- Road flares
- Tool kit
- Car cell phone charger
- First aid kit
- Duct tape
- Water
- Non-perishable snacks
- A blanket or two
- A pack of playing cards
The holiday season is a wonderful time of year to reflect on all that we’re thankful for, so even if the unexpected does happen and you find yourself in need of roadside assistance, don’t panic or be discouraged. Keep your spirits bright, and know that assistance is close by.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
State Farm sponsored this post about safe driving and gave me a roadside safety kit so I can share my experiences using it with you. All thoughts are my own.
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