As we welcome in the warmer months and a little spring fever sets in, many of us will be scrambling to make last minute travel plans. With more vaccine distribution opportunities rolling out and people feeling it is safer to travel, hitting the open road looks like a great opportunity to de-stress and welcome some vacation time.
Where are you going - or dreaming of going - this year? Tell us for the chance to win a CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag, plus a $25 gift card to fill it with goodies!
Where will we go and how will we get there?
According to a new survey from RVshare, the road trip will reign supreme throughout the next couple of seasons as many are still not comfortable with air travel.
National Parks and other outdoor adventures will be top on the list for most traveling via road trip this spring and summer. Getting away with space to roam and some fresh air is on top of many travel wish-lists. Close to half of those surveyed said they would want to have a nature-themed vacation while only 20% will travel to beaches and just 2% to major cities.
Many of us also want a re-do on plans that may have been canceled last spring. The survey reveals that 45% of those making travel plans are making up for a trip they would have made in 2020.
Don’t Forget Before You Go…
A report from Travel and Leisure shares a few things to add to your must-list before you pile into the car.
Image Credit: instagram.com/Clever_Made/
Snacks & Drinks
No matter if you are spending an afternoon in the park or you are taking a road trip accross the country, snacks and drinks are essential. Of course, you want to take your favorite fun goodies, but make sure to also take healthy snacks like nuts, fruit and pre-cut veggies. It will keep you full longer and keep your energy up. And don't forget to bring full water bottles and coffee mugs - they will save you money and time along the way. SheSpeaks member SusanHN recommends the Contigo Stainless Steel bottle. "It really keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for a long time."
Pack all of your food supplies in a cooler so they don't spoil and are easy to reach. Enter below to win the CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag, which received a 5-star rating from travelmom123! The bag is also great for bringing to the beach, taking on a picnic or just filling with drinks for when your friends are hanging in your backyard.
Tune-Ups and Spare Tires
If you aren’t taking a rental, getting a tune-up before you go is key for a safe journey and a little piece of mind while you put all of those extra miles on your vehicle. Also, including a spare tire and tire-changing kit in the trunk is a must for those hard-to-predict occasions.
Taking Care of Business
Taking care of the necessities at home will also help to keep your trip stress-free. Cleaning, paying bills and making arrangements for pets and house plants before you go are just a few things to add to the to-do list. Editor-in-chief at Roadtrippers, Sanna Boman, advises travelers to “make a list of the things that need taking care of when you’re gone, including your mail, lawn and garden, and house plants.”
In Case of Emergency...
Do you have a “road trip emergency kit” handy? Well, you probably should. Travel and Leisure advises you take along a kit that includes things like a flashlight, scissors, bandages, jumper cables, car battery charger, tire pressure gage, water, energy bars, and pain relievers.
And then there's the items that may not classify as an emergency, but you can't be without, like sunglasses, sunscreen, extra charger and extra cash. Before you go, download audio books, podcasts (don't miss a single episode of SheSpeaks:How She Does It), movies and games for the kids. And since it's 2021 - don't forget the hand sanitizer and face masks!
*One winner will be chosen at random to receive a CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag, plus a $25 gift card to the business of their choice, provided that the gift card can easily be bought online. Giveaway is open through April 11, 2021 to U.S. residents at least 18 years of age. Entrants must be a member of SheSpeaks. If you are not a member, click here to join. Winner will be notified by email.
Update: Thanks to all who entered! Congrats to SheSpeaks member MBattles!
I would love to travel to Spain this year but I would be happy just being near the ocean again.
We just took a road trip to Charleston, SC for a quick getaway -- our first time traveling since the pandemic. We had a great time.
No point in dreaming. I'm going nowhere.
Planning on the Jersey shore. Looking forward to it.
We're hoping to purchase an RV and just travel anywhere in the US and Canada (when we can again). Would love to see every state especially New England and the West.
I would love to go to Hawaii with my husband. We have been married 47 years and that has been a dream trip for us both. He has had some health issues and to be able to get away for a much needed break from reality would be a dream come true!!
Anywhere sounds good!
I wish I could go to Yellowstone!
We are really hoping to continue our MLB stadium budket list. Last year we were supposed to go to Boston, so hopefully we can go there.
Anywhere but my condo would be great
Hopefully will be taking a fall trip out west to celebrate our 40th anniversary
We want to go close to home and go explore caves near us as well as make a few stops along the way to the famous haunted hotel here in our state.
Our first road trip will be up the East coast to visit family in NC and then a friend in VA.
I have sisters on the East coast and the West coast. I would love to see them. Deciding which way to drive will be difficult. As I live in the middle, in Texas, both directions are equally far away.
Dreaming of our 20 year anniversary trip to Hawaii we were supposed to go on in April 2020 that was cancelled. Not sure when we will reschedule, but I will dream about it until then.