Winter travel isn’t always smooth sailing no matter the mode of transportation you choose. Whether you’re driving or flying, traveling during the winter months takes special planning and considerations. In 2020, over 85 million Americans traveled during the holidays. With crowds like this, it’s important to be ready for more than just inclement weather.
If you’re experiencing wanderlust and are longing for snowy scenery and holiday cheer, follow these winter travel tips to ensure a safe arrival despite the possible ice, sleet, or freezing rain you encounter.
Hit the Road Geared with Winter Travel Tips
Don’t drive off just yet without adequately preparing for every scenario. Driving anywhere during the winter months can be a wonderful adventure but also very dangerous if you’re not equipped.
Head Out Early
Weather conditions can seriously impact your travel so leaving early will save you some stress later and prevent you from driving faster than you should. Load up the car the night before so you can wake up and get going at daybreak.
Pack a Winter Emergency Kit
This may seem like overkill but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Supplies you should have on hand include a flashlight and batteries, jumper cables, first aid kit, blankets, portable cell phone charger, bottled water, food, and anything for traction like rock salt or sand. In addition to blankets, it’s smart to pack an extra pair of warm clothes.
Winterize Your Car
Before taking off, have your car serviced for winter conditions. Top off your washer fluids, install winter wipers, and keep your rear-window defroster in working order. It’s a good idea to keep your gas tank at least half full at all times on the road as well. That way your car can stay running to keep you warm in case you got stuck in snow. Of course make sure you have a handy ice scraper!
Inspect Your Tires
Tires are the single most important part of driving safely through snow and ice. Check that all four tires have the necessary tread for the best traction. Snow tires would be a good investment if you’re heading to an area expecting heavy winter snow.
As the temperature drops, so does your tire pressure. Make sure the air pressure is at the appropriate level so your brakes aren’t affected.
Drive Slow and Stay Alert
Getting stuck in the snow or slipping on ice can be scary but it’s important not to panic. Always pay attention to those around you and leave sufficient space between the car in front of you.
Research your route before leaving or download a navigation app to stay informed on road closures so you don’t find yourself on neglected back roads.
Winter Travel Tips for Flights
The worst winter travel problems often occur at airports. Your ultimate goal is to safely get to and from your destination with minimal trouble and a smile on your face. These tips will save you a future headache.
Avoid Connecting Flights Through Bad Weather Destinations
When the weather is unpredictable, it can really stress us out when planning flights. However, you can almost guarantee snowstorms in certain cities like Chicago, New York, or Denver. Get familiar with the most weather delayed airports before booking your flight and search for non-stop flights in order to avoid making connections into the heart of a storm. You’ll stand a better chance of steering clear of delays and cancellations.
Stay Updated
One of the winter travel tips that many fail to take advantage of is to periodically check the status of your flight by downloading the airline’s app. Many airports even post delays and cancellations to their social media. If you weren’t lucky enough to find a non-stop flight, knowing ahead of time that a flight is delayed can prepare you to make new arrangements.
Dress in Layers
Whether you’re leaving a mild weathered destination for a colder one or vice versa, packing can be a big hurdle. The best thing you can do is dress in layers to save valuable space in your luggage. Pair your comfy T-shirt with a hoodie along with your jacket or any other outerwear. If you’re headed somewhere warm, you can simply shed some layers before stepping out of the airport.
Dodge Peak Winter Air Travel Days
Traveling around the holidays can be a nightmare financially and mentally. Not only are flights super expensive near Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, airports are all hustle and bustle as well. Save yourself long security lines, inevitable delays, and your own sanity by choosing different dates.
Prepare a Realistic Plan B
Despite your best efforts to make all your flights on time, weather is completely out of our control. There’s always a chance to run into a few hiccups as you travel in the winter. Before you jet off to your destination, hope for the best but expect the worst.
One of our best winter travel tips is to look into trip protection to offer you some peace of mind, especially if you can’t avoid passing through notoriously bad weather destinations. If you miss a flight or have a flight cancelled due to bad weather, trip insurance could save you additional expenses or help you regain some of your costs.
