HOW TO PLAN A SAFE ROAD TRIP DURING THE PANDEMIC
This post was created in partnership with Shell. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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After 6 months at home, I recently took my first big road trip since the lockdown to explore Joshua Tree National Park! We can all agree that travel looks a bit different these days than ever before. Most of us have had our fill of “staycations” and have been yearning for a well-deserved escape from the daily grind. After seeing many of my friends & family replace their canceled vacations with road trips this year, I too decided it was time for a little adventure right here in California!
While traveling at this moment may not be the right decision for everyone, if you are in a position to take a road trip for a change of scenery, I’d love to be a source of guidance on how you can plan one safely. With a little help from Shell, my friend Cherrie and I took off on a classic California road trip to show you that, with the right precautions, it is still possible to travel safely and explore someplace new within your very own state!
Here are a few helpful tips to consider before planning your road trip to ensure not only your own safety, but the safety of those around you as well:
Choosing a Destination: Carefully evaluate your level of risk, determine your necessity of travel and most importantly, check for any travel regulations & restrictions at your destination. You’ll find that guidelines and quarantine requirements may vary in each state, so it’s important to respect the safety measures set in place by local authorities.
Booking Accommodations: Select a reputable hotel or vacation rental (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) and do your research to ensure they are prioritizing the safety of their guests amidst the pandemic. Some things to look for: Do they offer contactless check-in? Are they implementing extra cleaning measures?
Pack the Essentials: Bring a face mask, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and disposable gloves — you’ll likely come into contact with many objects while you’re on the road (more on this later), so be prepared and keep these items on you at all times!
Make a Road Trip Playlist: No road trip is complete without a killer road trip soundtrack — download it offline so you’ll never be without all your favorite tunes!
Map Your Route & Limit Stops: Now more than ever, it’s important to plan ahead and make the most of your stops. We were happy to find several Shell stations along the way to Joshua Tree, which allowed us to safely combine our snack, fuel & restroom breaks so we could get back on the road and keep ourselves as safe as possible. Thankfully, there are no shortage of Shell stations around the country — check out their Pitstop Planner to find one near you!
Car Check: Before you hit the road, check the overall condition of your car and ensure that everything is working properly. This includes your engine light, tires, windshield fluid and all lights / beams. Keep your driver’s license and insurance information on-hand. And don’t forget to pack car battery jumper cables, just in case!
Grab Your Favorite Road Trip Snacks: The best part about road trips? Indulging in all your favorite sweet & salty snacks, of course! Shell had all our go-to snacks in one place, so we only had to stop once to stock up for the drive!
Getting Fuel Safely: Bring disinfecting wipes to use on handles and buttons at the gas pumps before you touch them. After fueling, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol or wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Always take advantage of contactless payment methods — I was so glad to see that the Shell app has Touchless Pay, which allows you to use your iPhone or Android to pay for gas without touching anything but your phone!
Opt for Outdoor Activities: When you make it to your destination, I recommend sticking to outdoor activities and experiences, whenever possible. Hikes & trails, scenic drives and epic sunset viewpoints were all great ways to enjoy our destination and limit contact with others.
Wear a Mask & Maintain Social Distancing: Even if you are mostly taking part in outdoor activities, make sure to always keep a mask with you at all times and maintain 6 feet of distance from others outside of your household during any stops & while at your destination.
Save Money On the Road: There’s no travel hack I love more than travel reward points! While you’re on the road, make sure to take advantage of the Fuel Rewards® Program — you can use it to earn points on everyday purchases and redeem them for savings directly at the pump, each time you fuel up!
Lastly, don’t forget that as much as we all need a getaway to unwind these days, those of us choosing to travel during this time can and should do so responsibly. Remember to always prioritize safety and carefully research your destination’s most up to date travel & health guidelines on exploring responsibly during your trip.
