I'll Be Home For Christmas - A Holiday Travel Guide

If you followed our Thanksgiving travel blogs, you're already ahead on planning your Christmas road trip. But holiday traffic doesn't end with Thanksgiving. Christmas brings the added risk of inclement weather—ice storms, snow, sleet, and black ice can all lead to accidents. Even if you avoid the wrecks, you still need to be prepared for traffic jams. Driving through unfamiliar states can catch you off guard with sudden weather changes, especially if you don't know how to handle them. Don't get stuck on the road without a plan! Here's your Interstate Signways Holiday Travel Guide to planning your road trip, preparing your car for inclement weather, and staying ready for emergencies if you end up stranded.

Proper Holiday Travel Planning

Most accidents and travel delays stem from poor planning. Sure, hopping in the car and "just going" might feel romantic and youthful, but spontaneity won't help when your hip locks up during hour six. For those of us over 25, a little planning goes a long way.

1. Accurately calculate distances between locations, accounting for stops for gas, stretching, and eating. If Google Maps says the drive is 8 hours, add a few hours as a buffer for a realistic travel time. Consider whether a 10-hour drive is truly manageable—just because it's doable doesn't mean it's wise. Breaking the trip into shorter segments can prevent you from pushing your body too hard or driving while fatigued.

   
   

2. Don't limit yourself to major interstates: check out scenic routes and smaller highways! Depending on the weather, it can be the perfect way to check out smaller towns, national parks, historical locations, and avoid traffic.

   
   

3. Utilize technology but also have back-up in case they fail. Google Maps and Waze have realtime traffic reports. GasBuddy will help you find the cheapest gas along your route. AccuWeather and WeatherBug can inform you about upcoming weather changes. Don’t underestimate the usefulness of a good ol’ paper map.

   
   

4. Do your homework. Look up aspects of your trip beforehand and plan smartly.

   1. Check for road closures ahead. This can be because of construction, seasonal closures, or roads in need of maintenance. Knowing closures in advance will make sure you stick to your estimated driving time.

   2. Check the weather in advance, not just for your destination, but along the entire route. The weather can vary drastically whether you’re traveling North and South or East and West. Knowing the weather in advance will help you pack your personal items and know what to prioritize for your vehicle. (Remember that this means being prepared for the drive back home, too!)

   3. Make reservations if needed. Research where you might need to book a tour or entry in advance.

   4. Fill up when you can. Even if GasBuddy says that the cheapest gas is only 20 minutes away, you don’t know if there’ll be an unexpected detour or sudden standstill traffic when you’re nearly there. No one wants to be left stranded on the side of the road due to an empty tank—keep it full as much as you can.

Preparing Your Vehicle

Being aware of upcoming weather conditions and planning for them are not the same thing. Knowing about a winter storm will only help so much if your vehicle isn’t prepared for trip.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 24% of weather-related crashes happen because of snowy or icy conditions.

Prepare your vehicle by making sure of the following:

• batteries are charged

• all headlights, brake lights and turn signals are all functioning

• tires have sufficient tread and your spare tire is inflated

• make sure jumper cables and windshield wipers are in good condition

• keep a winterized car emergency kit in your car at all times.

  Here is a free printable checklist offered by the National Weather Service.

  
  

The car emergency kit benefits the driver more than the vehicle itself. As you prepare your car for the weather, add these emergency supplies to your checklist.

Printable checklist from Weather.Gov - Click image for downloadable PDF from the National Weather Service

Preparing Yourself

No one wants to imagine being stranded in the middle of a highway in the dead of winter. Sometimes the situation isn’t dire, but even if your car dies in the middle of winter traffic, being prepared can make all the difference.

Aside from benefitting your budget, keeping a supply of nonperishable snacks and bottled water in your vehicle is a good practice. Bringing a small cooler to store things like meat or cheese, can be helpful and budget conscious. This will ease concerns about what to do for food if you find yourself stuck due to an accident or just in traffic.

More seriously, storing extra warming items is imperative for those heading into rough weather. Blankets, mylar blankets, warm gloves, socks, and hat can help retain your body heat. Bringing a bag of sand or kitty litter to spread on ice can help you get back on the road, if you drift into an ice patch.

Other good items to have on hand are batteries, a power bank for your cell phone, flashlights, first aid kit, and a portable shovel. Though this website didn’t list it, we suggest adding toilet paper or paper towels to that list as well.

If you’re heading onto some of the more winding highways up a mountain range, a flare gun and/or some small magnesium fire starters might mean the difference between life and death.

Weather Conditions to Consider Before Traveling

Photo: Matt Rourke/AP

During Thanksgiving week, a strong storm blew across the country, spreading rain and snow across 1,000 miles. This storm brought in winter air, causing temperatures to drop dramatically right at the start of December.

With this storm kicking off drastic weather changes, drivers are reminded to prepare for any upcoming seasonal road trips now.

Hopefully, states across the country made sure to weatherize their winter signage and prepped for winter safety, since January and February are projected to be just as bad as last year.

Takeaway

Interstate Signways prioritizes visible, clear, and weather-resistant signage to help you reach your destination safely, no matter the weather. But signage alone isn't enough. You must plan your road trip thoroughly, prepare your vehicle, and pack emergency materials for the safest trip possible. Urge your state to update outdated signs with the newest, most reflective signage designed for inclement weather. Interstate Signways will be here, making the signs that guide the way—even in rain, snow, or sleet.