Tips For Driving During Thanksgiving Week:
Thanksgiving is a time for family gatherings, delicious meals, and for many of us a lot of travelling! Whether you’re heading out of town or welcoming loved ones home, it’s essential to ensure everyone has a safe trip. The roads are often crowded with travelers, and unpredictable weather can add to the stress.
To make sure you and your loved ones stay safe and arrive on time, here are some crucial tips and things to check before hitting the road.
1. Set Out Early to Avoid the Crowds
To reduce the risk of delays and stress, consider setting out early in the morning or traveling the day before Thanksgiving. This can help you avoid traffic jams, long lines at fuel stations, and crowded rest stops.
If you’re picking up a teen returning from college or traveling to visit family, earlier departure times give you a better chance of avoiding peak traffic hours.
2. Prepare Your Vehicle: A Pre-Trip Checklist
Before embarking on your journey, it’s vital to complete a thorough check that your car is in top condition to avoid unexpected breakdowns. Here are a few things to inspect:
-Tires: Ensure they’re properly inflated and have good tread depth. Don’t forget the spare tire!
– Oil & Fluids: Check your oil levels, coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid.
– Brakes: Test your brakes to ensure they are responsive and in good working order.
– Battery: If your battery is old or showing signs of trouble, get it tested to avoid potential issues on the road.
– Lights & Wipers: Check headlights, brake lights, and turn signals. Replace any burnt-out bulbs and make sure your wipers are functioning properly.
– Air Filters: Clean filters can improve engine performance and fuel efficiency.
3. Pack Smart for the Road
Despite the many Rom-Com specials that are popular this time of the year, sometimes it’s not as simple or perfectly timed as those sweet stories depict.
Packing efficiently can help ensure a smoother ride, especially if you’re driving for several hours or through areas with unpredictable weather.
Here’s a suggested list to take along with you, just in case you have to wait for that special person, or persons to find you.
– Snacks and Water: Stock up on non-perishable snacks like granola bars and water to stay hydrated.
– Emergency Kit: Always pack a basic emergency kit, including a flashlight, jumper cables, basic tools, and a first-aid kit.
– Chargers & Electronics: Keep your phone charged with a portable power bank, and don’t forget your car charger.
– Blankets & Extra Clothing: If traveling in cold weather, pack extra blankets, hats, gloves, and warm layers just in case. Even packing a few spare self-heating wraps can help keep those who need that extra warmth!
– Entertainment for Kids and Teens: If you have children or teens traveling with you, be sure they’ve brought along a few things to occupy during long stretches on the road.
4. Special Considerations for Students Traveling Home from College
Are you a parent with a teen or young adult heading home for the holiday from college? It’s crucial to ensure their car is prepared for the drive. College students often have limited time to check their vehicles, and their cars may have been sitting idle for weeks. Which means the tires may not be at the right pressure and fluids may need checking.
Before your child hits the road to spend the holiday, a gentle reminder of things for them to check may ease your mind, and get them home without a lot of stress. Whether you’re calling them, or sending them a text, here are a few things to remind them to check on before they leave their dorm.
– Check-in on their car: Unless your teen is an avid car enthusiast, encourage your them to have their vehicle inspected or to visit a trusted mechanic before hitting the road. Common issues include tire wear, low tire pressure, fluid levels and ensuring the battery is in good condition.
– Discuss road safety: Remind them to drive cautiously, especially during heavy traffic, and to take breaks if they’re feeling fatigued.
-Pack smart as well: Being young adults, they probably remember the food and snacks! However, it’s easy to forget about keeping a car charger, an emergency kit and a first aid kit on hand.
Let Us Help You with Pre-Trip Car Checks & Towing Needs
If taking care of extra car maintenance on top of baking pies, turkeys, hams, and casseroles is a bit much for your plate. Let us help.
We specialize in ensuring your car is ready for the road.
And if you want your child’s vehicle given the pre-trip check, just call us 410-778-6399.
We’ll take care of them like they’re one of our own family.
Contact us today to schedule a pre-trip inspection not just for Thanksgiving but for all those holiday parties and shopping trips that always come this time of year!
