With many people apprehensive about boarding a plane, health experts believe there will be a rise in the number of road trips this summer. This of course limits Americans to only being able to travel within the country. Traveling internationally is still in question for the rest of the year and there is plenty of fear surrounding it. This is likely to be the case until a vaccine is created and given to the masses. 

After being on lockdown for several months, people are questioning their ability to travel reasonably this summer. Flying is still a risk with the coronavirus known to spread through air droplets that can spread several feet. Many health experts say that if you want to travel this summer, a road trip may be your best bet, especially if one of your family members is at a higher risk of becoming sick with the virus.

Many people are enthused about the idea of traveling by car as it gives them the opportunity to explore each state as they pass through. Planning a road trip this summer is possible and safe, but you will have to put more thought and planning into it than you would have in previous years.  

Rental Cars

Even though rental cars are supposed to be cleaned before switching between customers, there is no guarantee. This is why so many people feel more comfortable traveling in their own vehicles when possible. With your own car, you have control over the cleanliness of it and who will be in the car with you. 

If you need to take a rental car due to the number of people going on the trip or if you don’t want to put that much mileage on your car, it is important to do a background check on the rental company. Make sure they state their cleaning procedures and guarantee the car will be sanitized before you drive it. As of now, there is no evidence of the virus surviving in cars or in the AC vents. So, you’re more likely to catch the virus from the person in the car with you than the car itself. 

Gas Stations 

When stopping for gas, which is a necessity on any road trip, you should follow certain safety measures. The gas pump and credit card touchpad are the places where you could catch the virus. It is recommended to pay with a card as opposed to paying with cash, so you can avoid contact with the gas station attendant. Also, money is known to be especially dirty and is passed around thousands of times per bill. 

Health experts suggest that you should wipe down your card carefully with a sanitizing wipe after using it or handing it to someone else. It is also recommended to wear disposable gloves and then properly dispose of them, and/or immediately sanitize your hands with hand sanitizer. Your road trip hand sanitizer should have at least 60% alcohol to be truly effective. 

Bathroom Breaks

Something you can’t avoid during a road trip is taking bathroom breaks. We have all been to pit-stops during a road trip, which has gas stations and a few food options inside. While the food places are likely to be closed, there will still be public restrooms with people using them. Depending on the location there may be a sign that only one person can go in the restroom at a time to avoid overcrowding.

Taking precautions such as wearing a face mask to use the bathroom will be required in most states. You should wash your hands even if you worry about germs from the sink, as soap and water are the best way to kill germs and bacteria. However, do not use the hand dryer as it blows around air particles, which may have the virus. You should use paper towels instead or bring your own paper towels in the car.

Dining Options

A road trip isn’t a road trip without having snacks along the way. While fast food will be easy to get through a drive-through, finding a sit-down dining option will be difficult. Each state is in different phases of reopening with restaurants being in the later phases. Certain restaurants are not allowing indoor dining but offer outdoor dining with limited capacity. So, reservations are more than likely needed. 

For restaurants that are having indoor dining, the employees will be wearing face masks, and you will be expected to wear one too. Tables will be limited and spaced about six feet apart leaving less room for patrons. If you and your road trip group are expecting to have dinner at a specific restaurant, you should call ahead to make a reservation and to see how they prepare for dinner with the COVID-19 safety measures.

If you or someone in your group feels too nervous to eat inside a restaurant, there are curbside pick up options for many restaurants. You can pick up the food and then eat dinner at a park bench or sitting outside together. Eating in the car is an option but will leave you with a car full of crumbs or spilled foods or drinks. 

Sleeping Arrangements

Staying at a hotel is a calculated risk for travelers this summer. This is why it is important to do your research before booking any hotel room. You should call ahead and ask about the hotel’s cleaning measures in between each guest’s stay. If their measures are not satisfactory then look for another hotel in the area. However, the majority of hotels are complying with the enhanced cleaning measures as they want the business, as in filled rooms. 

If you are hesitant about staying in a hotel, going camping has been mentioned recently as a safe and free way to take a trip. Since you are isolated from others during a camping trip, you don’t have to worry about contracting the virus. Being outdoors also significantly lowers the risk of disease spread in comparison to being indoors. Many campsites now have private restrooms, similar to parks, and also have benches and grills for eating dinner. 

You can have a spectacular summer road trip in a new and exciting way. Instead of feeling sadness over the many changes in this new normal, focus on the possibility of creating new memories in ways you never imagined before.