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Tips for Planning the Perfect Socially Distant Road Trip in 2022

By
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For most Americans, long-distance and international travel hasn’t been a possibility for more than a year. It’s no surprise that 2020 was the year of the road trip and local staycations. Most experts agree that road trips are the most socially conscious and socially distant form of travel right now. So it makes sense that so many folks chose to shake off the quarantine blues with an open-road adventure. With more places opening up as more and more people are vaccinated, you can now book a lot of fun destinations for your road trip.

While planning a road trip, you should take precautions to make your trip as safe and responsible as possible. So before you pack your road trip essentials and gas up your road trip car, check out this guide — we’ve outlined some things to consider with resources, links, and suggestions for planning the perfect socially distant road trip in 2022.

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Find Out What’s Open

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Before you start mapping out a route, it’s important to figure out where you can actually go right now. States are continually updating their mask mandates, travel policies, and restrictions for out-of-state travelers. This interactive map from United Airlines lists the latest travel policies by state. None are completely closed to leisure travelers, but that could change based on the ebb and flow of COVID-19 cases. Nearly 20 states are open with entry requirements, and it’s important to know what those are if you’re planning on a visit.

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Research Your Destination

isolation road trip
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Spontaneity is part of the enjoyment of road tripping. Amid this pandemic, however, you can’t just wing it. Right now, planning is critical, and it is best to know the best road trip routes in the U.S. for you to maximize your time in the great outdoors. Also, if your mind is made up on visiting a specific destination, call ahead or check that state’s official government website to learn about any local travel restrictions. If you’re passing by a national park, it might not be accessible or open. Some national parks in the U.S. are only open during certain seasons so be sure to check for the latest information before traveling.

Some states require mandatory quarantine periods of up to two weeks, while others have none at all. The CDC links to the health department websites of every U.S. state and territory.

Shop for a Great Deal First

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If affordability is key and where you go isn’t as important, start planning your trip by shopping the best travel deals first. Metasearch engines like Booking.com,

Hotels.com

,

Kayak

, and

Expedia

 are already offering deep discounts of 20% or more on hotel stays this year. Most travel sites and booking engines have relaxed their cancellation policies or even offer “Book Now, Pay Later” options. Be sure to read the fine print and know what your options are if you’re forced to reschedule or cancel your road trip plans. Investing in travel insurance with a generous, coronavirus-friendly cancellation option isn’t a bad idea either.

Consider Skipping the Hotel Stay

isolation road trip
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Most hotels have promised CDC-approved deep-cleaning protocols in their rooms and common areas. But consider skipping the traditional hotel stay entirely. Now is the perfect time to go camping. Official campgrounds are busier now than ever, so if campsites are full at your destination of choice, dispersed camping is a great, free alternative. If you plan it right, you can find plenty of privacy, solitude, and some of the best views in the country. For a convenient, all-in-one alternative that includes both transportation and accommodations, check out peer-to-peer RV rentals through

RVshare

or

Outdoorsy

.

Pack a Pandemic “Survival” Kit

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Even if you’re only leaving the house once a week, you’ve probably already built up something of a coronavirus survival kit over the last year. Basics like hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, neck gaiters, and cloth face masks are no doubt in your arsenal. Plan to stock up on all of it, bringing enough to keep you and your family and friends safe during your socially distant road trip.

To keep your hotel stays extra safe along the way, consider packing additional cleaning products like rubbing alcohol and a bleach mix in a chemical-resistant spray bottle. If there’s room in your car, a portable air purifier and a small, handheld vacuum cleaner wouldn’t hurt. Make sure you’re extra prepared with a proper car emergency kit (one that includes the obvious necessities like a jack, jumper cables, spare tire, etc.) and a compact first aid kit, too.

Stock Up Before You Go

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Limiting the number of shopping trips — and therefore the number of people you interact with — is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself right now. In addition to a survival kit, stock up on other essentials before you go. Make one big trip to gas up and grab road trip snacks, groceries, and booze before heading out. That way, you’re not making unnecessary stops along the way. If you’re planning on making road trips a thing for you and yours, consider investing in a rooftop cargo box. The best roof racks are lockable, versatile, and provide tons of extra storage space.

Disinfect Your Car Thoroughly and Often

isolation road trip
Alex Jumper/Unsplash

Before you leave, give your car a thorough wipe-down from top to bottom. Take the opportunity to vacuum it, too. Unless you’re picking up wayward hitchhikers or valeting your car along the way, you and your family will likely be the only ones touching the inside of your vehicle. Still, even on a weekend road trip, every surface will get touched a lot — and every one of those contacts is an opportunity to spread germs. Make good use of that pandemic survival kit by disinfecting your ride thoroughly and often. Pay particular attention to high-touch areas, including door handles (inside and out), seat belts, the steering wheel, cup holders, USB ports, turn signals, and every knob and switch. Sure, it’s tedious, but it’s better to keep your car clean for a more comfortable trip.

Understand Your Health Insurance

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Reading insurance documents is hardly a fun part of travel planning. But it’s crucial to understand your coverage in the event that you or your family gets sick on the road. Walk-in and emergency room visits aren’t always covered — or not always completely covered — if you need out-of-network medical treatment. It’s worth getting on the phone with your insurance provider and talking with a rep to know your options.

Lastly, don’t forget to have fun! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by having to overprepare right now. But once you hammer out your road trip routine, it’ll no doubt become second nature.

If you’re looking for inspiration, stay tuned to The Manual’s Travel column for staycation getaway options close to home.

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Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
11 Sustainable Ways To Road-Trip This 2022

Seeking socially-distant ways to get out of the house after months of quarantine, families, couples, and solo travelers are piling into cars, RVs, and campers to hit the road, regain some semblance of normalcy for a short time, and reconnect with nature. 

Along with the cheap tchotchkes bought at roadside stops; pictures of hiking, fishing, and barbecuing; and happy memories, there is another souvenir we all bring back from a trip: A carbon footprint. No one wants to think about the fact that their much-looked-forward-to annual trip harms the environment and the places they visit, but it does. And although driving a car has less environmental impact than flying, it still leaves a mark. It’s not just the gas emissions -- there’s all the trash that’s produced from weeks on the road, too. But with a little advanced planning, there are numerous ways to make your road trip more sustainable. Here are some of the best ways to have a sustainable, eco-friendly road trip this 2022.
Pack Light and Smart
Weighing down your car with tons of luggage will reduce its efficiency and use up fuel faster, requiring more stops at gas stations. So be smart with your packing, and only pack the essentials while keeping things tight and efficient. 
Brings Reusable Water Bottles
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how often it’s the smallest things that get forgotten at home. Bringing along reusable water bottles eliminates the need to constantly buy single-use water bottles at gas stations and grocery stores along the way. Plus, it’s healthier for you. Plastic water bottles left in warm cars can leach dangerous chemicals into the water. So make sure that reusable bottles are at the top of your do-not-forget list! 
Get Your Car Tuned Up
Another way to keep fuel costs and gas stops to a minimum is by making sure your car is tuned up and in tip-top shape before heading out. That means checking and tuning up the engine, ensuring that your tires are inflated to the correct pressure, and making sure that the gas cap screws on properly (missing or broken gas caps reduce fuel efficiency and release harmful fumes from your tank into the air). So give your vehicle a good checkup before heading out, and it will help both you and the environment.
Use Cruise Control
Make your gas last longer and take you farther by engaging cruise control while out on the highway, maintaining a steady, constant speed that will maximize your fuel consumption. Fewer fuel fill-ups mean fewer harmful emissions being sent out into the air. 
Plan Your Route in Advance
I know it’s not as fun as just hitting the road with a destination in mind and seeing where the highway takes you, but going on long-winded detours or constantly having to backtrack adds up to more fuel and emissions. Mapping and plotting your route in advance will save you gas and limit emissions.
Pack Reusable Bags and Containers
When you’re on a road trip, you’re constantly stopping in stores to pick up supplies, eating at diners and restaurants, and doing some fun souvenir shopping from time to time. All those plastic bags and to-go containers add up, so just make sure to bring your reusable bags to the grocery store. Don’t forget to bring them along on your road trip as well. That goes for food and storage containers, too -- less to-go styrofoam containers in landfills!

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Sierra Designs Borrego Hybrid Jacket

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HearHere App

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HearHere provides historical audio tidbits about thousands of destinations along the Pacific Coast. Subscribers download the app and pick their interests from niche topics like history, local insights, sports, music, and natural wonders. Using GPS, the app can automatically play relevant “stories” about their location. This includes places like Crystal Cave (“Sequoia National Park’s secret underground world”) and the story of Northern California’s Shell Money (“the most precious currency of the Redwood Empire’s first people”). For out-of-the-way destinations, the content can also be downloaded for offline listening anywhere you might not have cell reception. The audio clips are narrated by Kevin Costner, legendary basketball coach Phil Jackson, and more.

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