Going on a road trip during the cold season can prove to be quite an exciting experience. Snow-covered trees and hills surrounding the road offer photography opportunities and unbeatable views during the drive. That being said, the chill and frost of winter can also create certain challenges that can disrupt the journey and affect the experience. Thankfully, a few simple tips can help one ensure the trip is safe and enjoyable.
Tips for planning a winter road trip
1. Get the car ready for the cold weather
Those who are planning to embark on a road trip with their own car and not a rented vehicle would need to get the car tuned up and prepared for the nippy weather. Firstly, whenever there’s a change in season, the most important thing car owners need to do is check the engine coolant levels. Coolant is the fluid that keeps the engine from freezing or overheating. In cold months, the engine could be at a big risk of freezing without adequate coolant. So, to avoid such issues, ensure there is enough coolant; if not, refill it before going on a winter road trip.
Besides this, it is important to get the car heater, batteries, and brakes checked before leaving for the road trip. These tasks are absolute essentials for a winter road trip. Apart from the mechanical and functional aspects, clean the windshield and ensure that wipers are in good condition to avoid any issues with visibility.
2. Do not forget about winter tires
To prepare for a winter road trip, the car must be fitted with winter tires. These tires are designed to provide better traction and grip in snowy and icy conditions. If the planned routes expect a lot of snow, one may even need to get chains for the tires.
3. Practice mindful driving
While driving safely and mindfully is always necessary, it becomes paramount during the cold season. Due to snowy weather, the roads may not be in the best condition to offer good traction. In such cases, losing control of the car and skidding could be a huge risk if one does not drive carefully. Avoiding sudden acceleration, sudden braking, and aggressive steering are some crucial winter driving tips that drivers must follow for road trips or otherwise.
It is also better to avoid relying on cruise control and handling the driving manually during winter. With complete manual control, one will be able to keep more distance between their car and the vehicle driving ahead for more safety.
4. Check the weather forecast of the destination and the routes
When planning a winter road trip in the US or any part of the world, one must check the weather forecast for the routes and the destination. During winter, weather can get quite unpredictable, with snowstorms, blizzards, and strong winds being a possibility. Checking the weather forecast and looking out for warnings will help one stay safe and adjust their travel plans accordingly. Additionally, listening to the weather forecast will help one determine if there will be snow or sleet and if the road conditions will still be safe to drive.
5. Pack the essentials
Winter calls for packing many warm clothes, which will be essential for both the journey and the destination. But along with the clothes, there are also a few more essentials that one would need to pack or carry. These include an ice scraper (to remove the ice accumulated on the car’s windshield or windows), jumper cables, and an emergency car kit. Apart from these, it is also important to carry a pair of polarized sunglasses for the driver. The reflection of the sun’s rays from the snow can be quite blinding, and polarized sunglasses can help reduce the glare.
6. Watch out for black ice
Black ice is when the road gets covered with a layer of transparent ice, which is quite difficult to spot. As a result, one may not notice the ice and drive over it, causing the car to skid and lose control. One way to watch out for black ice is to keep an eye on the road to check if it gets too shiny. Considering the dangers black ice can pose, this is an important safety tip for winter road trips that drivers must heed. Also, if one accidentally does drive onto the black ice and experiences the car beginning to skid, one must avoid hitting the brakes at all costs. Applying the brakes can cause the car to skid even more. In such conditions, it is better to lift the foot off the accelerator as well and carefully steer the car toward a safer direction.
Top winter road trip destinations and routes
Apart from making a winter road trip checklist for packing essentials and preparations, one can also benefit from getting ideas about the top routes in the country that are ideal for a winter road trip.
1. Boise to Stanley, Idaho
This route in Idaho is laden with hot springs, including the Kirkham Hot Springs, Bonneville Hot Springs, and Elkhorn Hot Springs, making it an ideal choice for winter.
2. Arches National Park Road, Utah
Surrounded by the natural sandstone sculptures of the Arches National Park, this route in Utah offers one of the most scenic drives during winter.
3. Lakes to Locks Passage, New York
With sweeping views of the Hudson River, the Champlain Canal, and frozen lakes, this route in New York also makes for an ideal choice for a winter road trip.