Thanksgiving Travel Tips

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Thanksgiving is almost here and for most Americans that means getting together with family and friends and sharing some quality time. But unfortunately, this can lead to a lot of time spent driving down highways to get to your destination. Traffic, bad weather, and fussy children can quickly turn your road trip into a nightmare, but fortunately there are steps you can take to make that long car trip go more smoothly.

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Prep the Car for Bad Weather

Much of your travel can be made easier by simply being well prepared. Make sure that your vehicle is in good working order for the trek and make sure to keep your fuel tank full so that your fuel line doesn’t freeze up. Take it from Gator Chrysler Dodge Jeep (Melbourne, FL,) be sure to check the tire and oil pressure. You may also want to think about packing an emergency prepared kit just in case. Pack your kit with things like water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, and batteries. Also, before you head out be sure to check the weather and road conditions along your route and plan you travel accordingly.

Get A Good Rest 

Getting a good night’s sleep before you hit the road is critical for a safe road trip. Sleep deprivation robs your neurons of the ability to function properly which can lead to cognitive lapses. When you drive while your drowsy you could be slow to respond to hit the breaks which could be disastrous. 

Wear Your Seatbelt 

It’s always a good idea to make sure you buckle up and make sure your passengers do as well. When you buckle your children into their car seats, you may want to remove their winter coats before you buckle them in as they can allow the seat to not function properly. 

Avoid Distractions

During this time of year there will be a lot of cars on the road so its important to make sure you remain alert while you’re driving. Avoid distractions like cell phones, high-tech touchscreens, and entertainment systems while driving. If you have an iPhone turn on the Do Not Disturb While Driving feature on your iOS device.

Keep the Kids Happy

Cranky children can be distracting to drivers on top of stressing your entire family, so make sure that you plan to keep them entertained. Be sure to take along some electronic devices and headphones for video viewing and gaming. We suggest maybe playing some old-fashioned car games or bringing along some activity books as well.

Take Pit Stops

Spending too much time cooped up in a car is never a good thing, so be sure to take frequent breaks to keep from going insane. Pull over at a pit stop to get out an stretch your legs and maybe consider getting some snacks if you still have a long way to travel.

Transport Thanksgiving Food Safely

If you’re bringing some cooked for to the Thanksgiving festivities make sure that it is packed properly to prevent spoiling. We suggest cooking the food right before you head out the door and then wrap the food that in a sealed container in a towels, foil, or an insulated container. Once you have arrived, reheat the food as soon as possible. Cooked dishes should be okay at room temperature for about two hours. Another idea would be to cook the food the day before and refrigerate overnight. 

These are just a few tips and you may have some of your own! No matter how far you have to travel this Thanksgiving, be sure to have a safe and fun holiday!