How To Safely Take A Road Trip During A Pandemic

For the past two weeks, I have wanted to take a road trip to the beach. Like I mean, I have REALLY wanted to grab up my little family, pack up the car, and get out of these four walls that we’ve been stuck in for 4 months.

I am still too leary to stay in a hotel room, but we can absolutely get to the closest beach in about 3 hours. Totally doable for a decent day trip!

We love to take road trips, and it’s totally not unusual for us to take off, without warning, for a trip to the beach or mountains.

We usually stop at roadside fruit stands on the way, go in fast food restaurants to use the restroom, eat lunch somewhere fun, and just fly by the seat of our pants as for doing fun things.

I was about to go pack a day bag, but then I got to thinking about it. I realized that a road trip may not be as easy — or fun — as normal.

You still can’t get inside many fast food joints. Where would we pee? We are still avoiding sit-down restaurants. Where would we eat lunch? What would we do for fun? What if we get to the beach, and there are too many people there to be safe?

My anxiety started to get the better of me, and then I thought about it. We could TOTALLY take a road trip, it would just take a little planning.

Here’s How To Take A Road Trip During A Pandemic

1) Let’s get the most important part out of the way. Where the heck do you stop to use the restroom?

Usually we would stop at a McDonald’s along the route, but that’s now out.

But, you know what, Rest Areas are still open. All you have to do is mask up, touch as little as possible, and wash your hands — very well. It would also probably be a wise choice to have hand sanitizer in your purse.

Most gas stations will let you use the restroom. I’m not even kidding — a gas station would be my LAST choice, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Just follow the same sanitation rules as the Rest Stop, and you should be good.

2) Where do we eat? We would typically find a Hard Rock Cafe, or something else different and fun. However, we have decided, as a family, not to eat at restaurants yet.

So — we PACK a lunch. Grab that cooler and fill it with sandwich fixings and drinks. Pack a bag of chips or other snacks, and eat on the move. Take a bunch of fruits and veggies you can munch on in the car.

This may be a normal road trip occurrence for some, but not for us. Don’t judge. Ha!

3) Have a plan. This is so important!! There are so many things that you can have a plan A, B, and C for. Then, you won’t be stuck sitting on the side of the road, 3 hours from home, wondering what to do.

Know what kinds of things there are to do at your destination, and have a plan for about 3 or 4 of them. That way, if something is closed, you aren’t caught off guard. You can just go onto plan B, and nobody will be left feeling too disappointed.

What if you get to your destination, and it’s too crowded to be safe? Have a plan. If you are at a beach or lake, have 2 or 3 different areas you can try. If you are going hiking, have a list of different trails that are close by.

The last thing you want is to get to your destination, and have to turn around and come right back home. A plan will help keep that from happening.

4) Carry masks with you. You might even want 2 per person, because sweat happens.

By having masks available, you might be able to do more things that social distancing all by itself might not be able to afford you. This will especially come in handy if you plan to go somewhere fun that REQUIRES masks.

Better safe than sorry!! Take those masks with you.

Just use your best judgement, have a plan, carry your masks and hand sanitizer, social distance, and you will still be able to have a stellar road trip!