How To Prepare For A Road Trip This Summer
Happy Friday ladies. With things starting to open up, more and more of us are looking forward to traveling. You may not feel like hopping on a plane or boarding a cruise ship, but many feel comfortable with a road trip. We hopped in the car earlier this week for a 3-day road trip to Canada to visit our daughter, Vanessa. Road trips aren’t as easy as they used to be so today I’m sharing a few tips to help when you prepare for a road trip this summer.
I am fortunate to be a dual citizen. Iām a returning Canadian citizen traveling with my Canadian passport to visit our daughter who lives in Canada. Weāre both double vaccinated. We had one negative COVID test before the drive. One 48 hours before crossing the border and one at the border. Everyone is being very cautious which Iām happy to see
Many restaurants and fast-food restaurants no longer let non-customers use the restrooms. If you drive long hours, be aware that many rest areas are also closed. The upshot is if you’re trying to keep your water consumption up, (like me), you need to plan to stop early and find a restroom.
Carry lots of hand sanitizer ( my favorite ) and keep some hand sanitizing wipes ( my favorites) in the car so you can wipe things down at your stops.
Our first night was at a bed and breakfast in Roseburg, Oregan called Hokanson’s Guest House. The owner is charming and the town adorable. I bring a lot of scarves when I travel so I can cover my neck and chest in the car if the sun gets low plus they’re an easy way to change up an outfit.
Jeans aren’t comfy to sit in for long hours in the car so I opt to travel wearing a skirt or pants with slim legs that won’t land on the restroom floor. This may seem like too much information, but wide-leg or even straight pants hit the floor when you sit. Knit skirts are most comfortable for long hours sitting in the car and easily kept off the floor.
Driving outfit on the left and a quick clean-up for dinner at the hotel on the right. I’m looking a little worse for wear here because we drove longer than expected to arrive at the hotel I was anxious to stay at. Another day, another scarf:)
Pack some healthy snacks because:
- fast food is gross and bad for you
- many restaurants have limited hours and seating
- bring gallon water bottles to refill your personal one
Have sunscreen within easy reach so you can reapply as the day wears on.
Have a change of shoes to switch into if your feet swell…mine always do.
This was a non-travel day so I did break out the jeans because it was breezy along the water.
There are fewer people on the road these days, and fewer facilities so road trips have pluses and minuses. On the plus side, you can go at your own pace and pack as much as you want. On the downside, it’s a hassle to wipe everything down everywhere you go but well worth it.
The Over 50 Style Team is back tomorrow and we’re chatting about travel wardrobes and sharing our tips. Please join us here on Instagram at 11 am PT/2 pm ET.
Do you have any road trips planned?
Do you have travel tips to add?
Welcome back to Canada Jennifer! These are great travelling tips especially the long pants at rest stops which I found out the hard way. Yuk!
I now travel with a (pink) Sunany I ordered on Amazon. I haven’t used it yet but I’m sure there will come a day!
Enjoy your time with your daughter!
Youāll have to let us know how that works. Thanks
Enjoy your trip and visit with your daughter. We have our annual beach week with the kids and grandkids coming up soon, so a timely post. Travel here is NC is booming! Our highways are packed, our beaches are filled to capacity, no vacancies everywhere you look! The service industry is still suffering with little to no help – we heard of restaurants on the outer banks rotating help in order to stay open.
Wow, thatās busy
today Itās about perfect at the coast in southern BC. No smoke, lovely temperatures, nice breeze. Of course it can change with a shift in the wind. Enjoy it while we can.
I live in Michigan and the Detroit/Windsor bridge and tunnel are opening for non-essential travel in early August. They will not require a quarantine but a negative covid test within 72 (or was it 74) hours of travel.
Your travels are so interesting and your clothes fit to occasion. The use of public restrooms is something I prepare for and a skirt (not long) works well. I use a shoulder bag and keep sanitizer and wipes at the ready.
Also a pack of tissues to prevent touching the dispensers for tp. I keep my bag on my shoulder the whole time and just reach in as needed. Always wear a mask and keep an extra in your purse too.
Have great time with your daughter. Thank you for all the tips and examples.
Very wise, Cathy! I think the same way.
We are not germaphobes at all, but as a matter of routine, I was taughtāand I taught my childrenāwho taught their childrenāto avoid opening public doors with bare hands, wipe down cart handles, not walk barefoot on hotel floors, wash hands frequently, cover mouths and noses when coughing and sneezing, use hand sanitizer before eating, etc. When all these precautions were being explained last year, my husband and I looked at each other and said, āSo, life as normal.ā We are not overly afraid of getting sick, as illness has always been part of the human condition. We just didnāt like tempting fate and we really donāt like yucky stuff. Enjoy your visit. We hope to take a trip this fall or next spring.
My late daughter-in-law and I would take my grandchildren to Disney World every few years. She would follow many of your precautions and would always bring wipes for doorknobs, light switches, remotes etc. besides everyday use in parks. It seemed extreme but we usually went the beginning of November for cooler weather and never got sick with anything while there or traveling.
Itās funny you say that, Nancy, because I taught my children the very same thing.
I enjoyed your tips. As a single woman traveling alone, I always wear pants to maintain my personal safety. My last trip to Dallas I wore cotton/linen pants and those amazing stripe pants you featured on your blog from Nordstrom. When you travel in the heat of summer, donāt wear black pants. I learned the hard way with that one.
Everything has been open in the center of the U. S. With bathrooms and places to eat since December. Iāve made two trips to Dallas and back. Iām quick to use restrooms. I have a midday coffee stop that Iāve been able to enter as well. I do travel with my own snacks/food for the road and water. There are two reasons. I usually have my dog along so I worry about car temperatures. Sheās also an anxious traveler. I do intermittent fasting so itās just easier to grab a good choice from my cooler. I travel with cheese/crackers, fruit/veggies, and nuts. There are also some good, healthy adult ālunchablesā I buy. I also buy some good bagged popcorn. As I get weary from hours of travel, a little munching keeps me alert. I avoid eating much because it also makes me tired.
I try to mix and match as much as possible with clothing. Sometimes I try to see how little I can pack!
Glad youāre able to make it to Canada. I love British Columbia and hope to see the eastern part of Canada some time.
You sound perfectly organized Tina. I love how youāve got everything planned. I mix and match a lot when I travel too.
Thanks for the travel clothes tips. I hadn’t considered pant legs on bathroom floors… yuck. My husband and I are planning a road trip to Canada (Vancouver Island, so we will be taking the ferry either from Post Angeles or Vancouver) with the hope to cross the border on August 9th or 10th). Our plan was to get tested in Bellingham, WA, so we’d have our results 48 – 72 prior. I’m curious about the test you had at the border. Does that suffice, or do you also have to show the results of a prior test?
We did the test in Bellingham and then got tested at the border. The one in Bellingham is mandatory, I think. Weāve taken that Port Angeles ferry many times.
Enjoy your visit with your daughter and wonderful tips for those who are planning motoring trips. Myself; haven’t done a long one in years namely due to age but always enjoyed the scenery when we did and meeting people along the way. Cannot wait though until Christmas as have booked the entire family at Disney Orlando (on site/as their gift) where we will also celebrate it. (Thought best to do it now as youngest grandchild is now a preteen so may be the last hurrah visiting The Magic Kingdom with all of us together plus should be a nice change from our Canadian winter. ) Wishing you a safe trip! Do take care -Brenda-
That will be so fun Brenda!!
Glad you got to see Vanessa! We took a road trip last monthā¦TX to SC to see our youngest daughter. No McDonaldās were open for restrooming. Drive-thru only. When we left TX, CFA was open for inside dining but not in GA or SC. Very few wearing masksā¦we did not. As for attire, I wear old shoes for restroom stops and then leave them in the car. I roll up my pants legs so they donāt touch the floor. I know how you got into Canadaā¦I read the entire post!!! š¤£
Youāre my kind of gal. I roll my pants up too:) xx
Very timely post for me! We are heading to Minnesota from New Orleans to visit for few weeks then from there we travel down to Puerto Penasco Mexico to stay for 6 mos. I’m struggling with what to being to MX as it is a long stay. Good info for road tripping here. We’ve done long distance road trips this past year and still picked up couple new thoughts from you. Looking forward to the packing post! Thanks!
Have a great trip
Enjoyed your travel advice, Jennifer, with some excellent tips.
Like you, I choose to be prepared.
My husband said ānoā to a recent motorcycle trip š through BC with a couple of friends from the island (Vancouver Island) due to smoke and lack of available rooms. Heās been missing these rides.
We used to spend a week in Osoyoos in early September every year, enjoying the warmth of the lake and the local wineries. The fire there is certainly on our minds right now. š„
Happily, we are tying up details on a much anticipated driving holiday through the West Country of England for a month. Booked in 2019 and put on hold last fall, we are on our way in September.š
With an initial stay in London, we will tour Hampshire, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall staying in 5 self- catering luxury cottages. This morning , I booked a B&B in Wiltshire before weāll be returning our car š and flying home . Coastal walks, some picnics, and pub dinners, tours of gardens and historic sitesā¦ so many adventures.
Keeping an eye on all travel restrictions, but in 2 months I have faith that life will be better here and there.
My tips:
We tend to travel āWorld Traveller Plusā with British Airlines out of Vancouver as the smaller cabin is just behind business class, has larger reclining seats, comes with more amenities and fewer passengers. Worth it for long haul overnight flights.
I collect Avios points which brings down the cost.
Check out āUnique Homestays ā of Cornwall for their cottages. Some very large homes have recently been added, but we chose places that catered to just two, and in very diverse locations with lots to see locally.
We have to get these trips in before we āage outā!
Have a wonderful visit with Vanessa. Is it smoky in Vancouver? I know a lot of people are coming to the Island to get away from the smoke on the mainland.
I havenāt noticed smoke yet. Hopefully it wonāt get here.
Thatās good news that the smoke has not reached Vancouver. Iām sure itās a welcome respite from the heat at home.
My son is flying in from Edmonton tomorrow and Iām so looking forward to his visit. Itās been almost 18 months since I last saw him. As moms, nothing beats time with our children.
Iām so happy youāre getting to see him. Those hugs are the best. Enjoy! I know you will.
Provincial roadside rest stops were few and far between in my province. When the pandemic hit, some closed permanently.
Now we have forest fire smoke blowing in from elsewhere. If I were a tourist, I’d skip it. Visibility is so poor, you can’t see the scenery. It’s otherworldly, and dangerous.
Wondering how you managed to get through the border as the latest we hear is that Canada is not opening the border until August 9th and the US August 21st. This situation is crazy and they keep changing their minds. We haven’t seen our family in Canada for two years. Always enjoy your blog. Thank you for keeping us up to date with the world of fashion.
Iām a returning Canadian citizen traveling we a Canadian passport. We are double vaccinated and had 4 negative COVID tests before we could enter. I do hope things open soon.
Ah, yes. I remember a couple of years ago when I thought a culotte skirt would be good on our travel day ( it went with more than one top) until I hit the public restrooms. Nope. Jeggings or shorts for me now, depending on temperature.
Weāre hoping to drive to our daughterās home in a couple of months, really need a grandchild fix, so thanks for the road trip reminders !
I took a mini drive vacation close to the San Francisco area to get out of the heat, it was nice and cool. We walked/ biked outside, and ate outside when possible. It was really nice to get away. We have completely booked a stay in Italy next year, not sure if it will actually happen, but fingers crossed.
I hope by next year things are open. You trip sounds fabulous.
My daughter lives in Canada and last Sunday was able to cross the border to come visit. (She is a US citizen and did not have to do anything to enter the US.) After a week here, she is returning home and had to get a negative COVID test so she would not have to quarantine once in Canada. (Since she is also a Canadian citizen, they will let her enter Canada without the negative test, but then she would need to quarantine. )
I planned on renting a place in Canada for 3 weeks in August , but the rules for US citizens are still burdensome, so I cancelled. At least I got my daughter fix this week! Enjoy your time with your daughter.
Iām so glad you got to see her, Bea
I like the information on travel clothes. It makes me hopeful for Hawaii in November possibly but numbers of covid are rising again so we’ll see how it all goes.
We live in BC and want to go to Vancouver this summer to maybe get out of the Okanagan smoke.
I was wondering how you were able to travel over the border to Canada. Did you have to have a test at all?
Looking forward to you and the other woman talking about travel.
Marlene
Iām a Canadian traveling with my Canadian passport. We are both double vaccinated. We took one test before the drive. One test 2 days before crossing the border then one test at the border. Itās all very organized and cautious.
Those are great tips. Some I haven’t even thought of. We are planning a road trip to Montana in September. We love the golf courses. I like to wear leggings in the car, but I love the look of your scarves.
Leggings are perfect
Glad you are getting out. We went to Breckenridge, Co for a month in June for a family meet up with 2 daughters, spouses, and 3year old granddaughter. We had not seen them for over year. The drive was good, everything was open along the way. We stopped at nice big gas stop and shop that have bathrooms. Pick up water, gum, etc. We make it in 2 days, stop over in Amarillo from Dallas, then Denver for 2 nights, then Breckenridge. The elevation gets me , but eventually got used to it. Wore jeans , t shirts, shorts, workout pants, light jacket. Warm some days, cooler on some. High in 70-79, nights 50’s. Very , very casual, kind of nice not to pack jewelry, accessories, or worn about makeup much. Wore lot’s of sunscreen. Everyone was outside most of the time so we really never wore masks. I almost forgot there was covid. Very freeing vacation.
Thanks for your tips and fashion ideas. I love scarves but I wear them in winter. they seem to make me hot. Enjoy your summer.
What a wonderful sounding trip, Donna. Just perfect.
So nice to read about your road trip. We love to travel and have to two trips in August. One to El Paso to the Classic Film Festival. Rita Moreno is the special guest this year. And later in the month, we are driving to Del Mar for the Pacific Classic. Good times ahead.
That sounds so fabulous!! Have a great time Linda
For a road trip purchase a TINKLEBELL at Amazon
Never heard of one, checking it out now. Thanks!
Great to hear you are crossing the boarder! Have a wonderful time with your daughter. I am from Canada and dying for a road trip to the US but we canāt drive through yet. Crazy rules that doesnāt make any sense. We miss our friends terribly even though FaceTime has been great to catch up, it is not the same. We love our roads and had many great drives to many states. Until we can drive the US roads again your recommendations are well noted. We stop any many restrooms and will need to plan more diligently. I am loving my wide leg pants and had my own visual when you noted garments hitting the floor – thanks I never thought of that. It been too many years in skinnies! I agree about your comment regarding food, better to pack some healthy options. Love your travel outfits! Safe travels and enjoy!!!
Itās been a very frustrating time but I know Canada is being very cautious to protect its citizens. Happy Friday
Thanks for great travel tips. We are travelling in New England to Maine. I like to wear tshirt dresses or skirts for car trips. The idea of changing scarfs and shoes is great. I never forget my natural bug spray and sunscreen. I change hats :-). Its fun reading about others’ adventures!
Good Morning~ The B and B sounds perfect! We live in Hillsboro, OR so you were very close to us when you flew up I5north.
We are driving to Milwaukee WI late August for my nieceās wedding. Looking forward to the stops along the way. Thank you for the tips. I love your blog, really my favorite. Safe travels and have a wonderful time. Nothing better than daughter time.
I agree! Nothing is better than Daughter time!
I flew to Nashville for a Romance Writers retreat and must suggest you book early flights and have carryon luggage only as the return flight was long and arduous.
We’re taking a family trip to Arizona in August. Booked very early flights and I’ve heard that only Alamo didn’t get rid of most of their fleet so we’ve booked our rental car with them. It’s going to be hot! But we’ll have fun anyway and I’m seeing a cousin I haven’t seen in more than 40 years.
That will be so fun! Have a great time.
Hmmm. A road trip to Canada from the US? Canada isnāt allowing travelers from the US until August 9. Iām a bit confused.
I am a Canadian citizen traveling with my Canadian passport so of course, they let me into my country.
Gotcha! Thx for the clarification
I really like how you can change a simple outfit by using different shoes and scarf, thatās a great tip. I didnāt realize the border was open yet .
The border is not open. Iām a Canadian citizen.
We drive twice a year Adelaide to Melbourne (8hr trip) I pack plenty of sandwiches and some nibblies, but no fruit as you can’t take fruit across state borders in Australia (due to fruit fly). We stop every couple of hours for coffee and the loo as there are either public loos available or we use the ones where we buy coffee. I never wear trousers when driving, but a loose midi dress which is more comfy and like Jennifer easier to manage. Hope you have a great, but more importantly, a safe summer and visit with your daughter.
Thanks Sue. I agree, skirts are the most comfy:)
Very timely post thanks Jennifer! We have two trips coming up Lake Tahoe with friends and then a trip to Kansas to see family.. We like listening to books on tape and pack a blanket and a pillow for napping. I like packing fruit and nuts and jerky too. Have a wonderful time with your daughter š
Tahoe is stunning this time of year. Have fun!