The holiday season is upon us, and for many, that means it’s time to hit the road and travel for Thanksgiving.
In 2016, AAA estimated that more than 48 million Americans were expected to travel for turkey day.
According to the AAA Autumn travel guide, most travelers plan to stay within the United States, with Orlando, Southern California, Hawaii and New York being the most popular domestic travel destinations.
Safety Tips
Below are some tips to make sure you and your family have a fun and safe trip:
Safety first – Get plenty of rest before setting out on a holiday trip. If driving, schedule breaks every two hours or 100 miles to remain alert and avoid driving drowsy.
Stay prepared - Program your cell phone with emergency numbers and keep a cell phone and charger with you at all times.
Be flexible – If your schedule permits, consider traveling on the holiday itself to encounter less congestion and fewer crowds.
Vehicle safety – AAA has a number of tips to ensure your vehicle is ready. They include checking your vehicle’s battery and windshield wipers, inspecting tires and packing a winter emergency kit containing a snow shovel, flashlight, ice scraper, jumper cables, warning devices and extra warm clothes for everyone riding in the vehicle.
Traveling in the cold? – If you’re planning to travel through or into a colder climate make sure your tires are properly inflated for the cold weather.
Tips for Traveling with Kids
If you’re traveling with little ones, here are some tips to keep them busy while on the road:
Get a paper map – This will keep the kids busy and entertained as well as teaching them some navigational skills.
Stopping the boredom – Be sure to pack lots of DVDs or load your kids’ favorite TV shows that will keep the little ones entertained for hours.
Pack toys sparingly – If it makes lots of noise, leave it behind.
Preventing the mess – If you’re bringing snacks like yogurt and applesauce, pack some straws to use instead of spoons.
Keep cleaning supplies handy – Keeping some paper towels and wipes in the front seat, or in a spot easily accessible, will make things easier if someone spills.
Top Travel Destinations
So where are people traveling this holiday season? AAA has released their list of the 10 most popular Autumn travel destinations:
- Orlando, Florida
- Rome, Italy
- Anaheim, California
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- New York City
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- London, England
- Dublin, Ireland
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Cancun, Mexico
Tips on Saving Cash
Heading out for the holiday season can also take a toll on your wallet, but with tools on the internet, you could save you and your family some extra hot chocolate money.
GasBuddy provides a gas heat map, as well as other tools that show the cheapest places to fill up.
Click on the image below to check out the gas heat map.
