4 Tips for a Safe Fall Road Trip

After months spent indoors at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s clear that many people would like to take a vacation. As families continue to track developments of the pandemic, many are opting for regional travel experiences this fall.

If you feel uncomfortable with going far from your home, traveling domestically in North Carolina or to a nearby state can be a step in the right direction. Here are a few tips to help ensure you have a safe experience.

1 DIY cleaning
Major hotel chains have special cleaning protocols in light of the coronavirus. You can also seek out accommodations where you don’t have to worry about someone else coming into your space during your stay. For example, rent a vacation cabin, condo or house. Bring your own wipes and anti-bacterial soap and wipe down surfaces when you arrive, and as often as needed. Some folks prefer to bring their own bedding, including pillows, as well. At any rate, always check with your accommodation provider about their hygiene standards to make sure they meet your expectations.

2 Beating the crowds
From beach houses to Piedmont destinations to mountain cabins, look for a location away from densely populated cities. For some, a road trip to a state park or quaint, small town might provide just the right combination of taking in the fall scenery while limiting contact with others. You can also stay at one of North Carolina’s more remote beach towns or plan for a hike or two in the piedmont or off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Chamber's Mountain

3 Handling meals
You may feel safest cooking your own food. If so, buy a few special treats in keeping with your “on vacation” spirit. Don’t want to cook? Order takeout and sanitize your hands, face and the credit or debit card you used after picking up your food. Also, you can order food delivery through websites such as Grubhub, ChowNow and DoorDash. If you want to dine out, check the current policies of restaurants you are considering regarding spacing and sanitation measures.

4 Ensure flexibility
The world moves quickly, so ensure that your travel plans can move or change with it. When you are booking your accommodations, it’s important to compare deals with free cancellations. Websites such as trivago.com provide full visibility into flexible choices, indicating whether each deal in the search findings allows for free cancellation.

As you make your plans, remember that states and jurisdictions are following different health guidelines and may be at different stages of reopening so do your research. Then, most importantly, have fun!