The spread of coronavirus has changed every aspect of our daily life. From a dynamic daily routine, we have shifted to a social distancing situation, with few or no contact with anyone. Most of our 2020 resolutions have to be postponed as the virus has undoubtedly affected almost all our plans.

However, while the pandemic has peaked in many countries, it is now showing a downward trend, leaving us in hopes of going back to the old reality. As we see the trend dropping, we need to start rethinking our previous plants and revitalizing them.

Well after all this time, aren’t you feeling the urge to get in your car and drive away to wherever the open road takes you, either in your home country or in an overseas terrain? You are in for the most exciting phase in your life.

Road tripping gives you the chance to explore neighborhoods and terrains at your own pace. However, you need to put in a little planning if you are to have the road trip of your time, whether or not you are road tripping around specific sites. Planning saves you time and keeps you safe while traveling, especially post corona traveling.

1. Get a guide book

This is a travel guide that helps you understand the route you will be following through your trip. It gives you an idea of the restaurants to eat at, accommodation options for different locations, and all the historical and cultural information that you will need for a smooth trip. Note that there are many types of guide books, with each type focusing on a unique aspect of travel. You need to find a guide that represents your sexual orientation, income, diet, health, relaxation needs, and adventure preferences.

2. Restaurant reservations

You need to make arrangements for where you will be eating well in advance, for each city or town you will be passing through. It is not ideal to make reservations for a specified time before leaving home, but you can always book one a few hours to the time you will be arriving in the city. Making reservations is easier now than ever before, thanks to the mobile apps and improved websites that almost every restaurant now has.

3. An automatic car

If you will be driving abroad, a car with a manual transmission might not be your ideal car. Driving a stick-shift in a foreign land and under completely strange road infrastructure and safety rules can be very uncomfortable. Book an automatic transmission car in advance.

4. An international driving permit (IDP)

Still, on overseas road trips, you will need the right documentation for you to be eligible to rent a car as well as to drive. An international driving permit (IDP) is one such document.

5. Accommodation

Booking any form of accommodation – will help you get the right luxury, convenience, and appeal for your needs and budget. Note that accommodation rates fluctuate within short time spans, and availability can change considerably in hours. You cannot afford to risk arriving in a town without a clear idea of where you will sleep, or how much it will cost you. Some of the most important things to plan for is accommodation. If you are on a Connecticut to Florida road trip, for example, you will need to take breaks during the trip, so you might need to book family vacation rentals where you can lay your head at night. That allows you to explore all the incredible sights without getting fatigued.

6. Things to do and attractions

Book a few attraction sights beforehand so that you can have it easy when planning your itinerary. A road trip doesn’t mean you will be driving through the day and sleeping all night. You will need to stop once in a while to explore landscapes and try different cuisines. You might not be able to plan your itinerary minute by minute, but it will help you a lot if you can book attractions that are by the roadside and that are close together. That will save you time and fuel costs.

7. Parking garage

Booking parking garages in advance helps you get the cheapest and safest option. You will also find a garage that is within a reasonable distance from your accommodation. Remember that time is of the essence when on a road trip. And because you will be on the road for days or weeks on end, you need to find garages that have the best car inspection and repair services.

Conclusion

We hope you found these tips for post corona traveling helpful. Do you have any tips on post corona traveling you would like to share? Comment them below.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Typically traveled by automobile or a car, there is nothing as appealing as a road trip, what with the sun behind and wild, open spaces before you. You already know it, don’t you? Was your last road trip both fun and safe?

While road trips are certainly liberating and full of cheerful conversations, refreshing music, and thrilling sightseeing halts, they also require careful preparation to make them safe.

So, will not you like to make safety a priority while planning your next road trip?

Here are 5 ways to stay safe on your next road trip:

1) Get Yourself Ready –

Preparing yourself thoroughly for your forthcoming road trip is undoubtedly a must. While doing so, you need to consider several significant factors. These include familiarizing yourself with the route you’d be taking and with the local regulations of that place, checking the weather forecast in advance, and packing roadside necessities.

Make sure to inform your loved ones where you’d be traveling and sleep well, particularly in the nights just before your trip. Test the working range of your cell to verify that emergency operators are reachable from wherever you’re driving. Also, wear appropriate clothing while setting out, for experiencing the utmost comfort on the road trip.

Devise your route and plan to carry a map along. The reason is that though today, a smartphone provides you with maps and step-by-step instructions, you’ll need a physical map to guide you if you end up losing service or your phone altogether. You must understand the local driving laws of your road trip destination. For instance, in France, you can’t smoke with a minor sitting in your car.

Check the weather conditions along your route a few days ahead of your trip and also on the “D-Day”. For example, check for snow before setting out to drive in high mountain passes such as Colorado’s Independent Pass, or gauge the possibility of encountering sandstorms before taking the wheel through the dry, flat Texas desert.

Make certain you fill your backpack with all possible roadside essentials. Water, healthy, travel-friendly snacks, a flashlight, blankets, pillows, and a well-equipped first-aid kit must go in your knapsack. Besides these critical items, also ensure that you have other necessities like jumper cables, tire chains for traction, a screwdriver, a durable, spare tire, and an emergency tool kit handy.

2) Get Your Car Ready –

Equally important for smooth sailing is preparing your car for the road trip. For instance, if you’re planning to drive in hot weather, you might require a very adhesive motor oil. Also, keeping a functional, spare tire helps greatly as driving for long distances with an under-inflated tire is likely to cause a dangerous blow-out.

Hire a skillful mechanic to do basic checks for oil, coolant, filters, lights, signals, wiper blades, batteries, brakes, and tire pressure. Plan a minimum of one month ahead of your road trip for unanticipated repairs. Also, equip your car with a good-quality universal roof rack to carry your camping gear.

If your next road trip involves traveling with children, make sure to enable your car’s child safety locks on every door and window. This way, even if kids push buttons out of curiosity, they won’t endanger themselves. It’s also a good idea to have a child-friendly seat in your car.

Last but not least ensure that your tank is at least one-third full. Knowing the location of the nearest gas station isn’t always easy, so, having an ample quantity of gas amid exit points helps.

3) Avoid Overspeeding At All Costs – Just because you’ve planned for emergencies doesn’t mean that you ought to encounter them. You’ll want to avert them! So, make a point of following the rule that overspeeding is a strict no-no. The more you’ll speed, the less time you’ll get to react, likely proving injurious or even fatal.

On your next road trip, make safe driving a priority. Watch your speedometer and don’t talk on the phone while driving. Distractions can reduce your focus on safe driving and you could, unnoticing, overshoot the highest speeding limit. This way, by being cautious and alert, you can share the road space with others mindfully, making their as well as your journey easy and safe.

If you’re worried that you’ll reach your destination late, instead of speeding up inappropriately, plan to start ahead of time. On a wet road, keep a distance of not less than four seconds from the vehicle directly in front of you.

Look out for road hazards like debris, standing water, and piled-up snow. Pullover, if you find it difficult to drive because of tailgaters or bad weather. Just stay inside, using your hazard flashers for the other vehicles to see you.

4) Use Gas Smartly –

Constantly rising gas prices deprive you of substantial spending money while on your road trip. So, it only makes sense to have an efficient gas mileage. Estimate your fuel expenditure for the trip and fill your car tires with optimum pressure. If possible, purchase gas during the day, when it’s coolest, because, at this time, you’ll get the densest possible gas.

Try to drive at a moderate, steady speed, like 55 mph. This way, you’ll save nearly twenty percent more on gas versus driving at 70 mph. Also, when accelerating from 0 to 60 mph, take about fifteen seconds to accelerate, thus saving thirty percent on gas mileage.

If you’re driving at a high speed, make sure to close the windows, since open windows reduce the gas mileage by approximately ten percent. Also, avoid traveling on uneven or rocky roads, as they drop gas mileage by about thirty percent.

Place the automated gearbox in neutral if you need to wait in traffic standstills. This cools down the gearbox, saving on gas. Also, freeing your car of additional weight prevents the reduction of gas mileage.

5) Take Sufficient Breaks-

On your next road trip, plan to break for fifteen minutes every couple of hours. Although taking such driving breaks will delay reaching your final destination, don’t neglect the fact that your body requires rest periods.

While taking a break, stop at a well-lit rest stop so that you can stretch your legs but without falling asleep. Listen to music, else roll the window down to unwind. Drink water, have a bite nearby and attend nature’s call. If you’re traveling with kids, a driving break also lets them relax.

You can also take driving breaks by sharing the driving with other, licensed, responsible driver/s who’ll accompany you on your next road trip. No point driving when you’re feeling bored or drowsy. It can certainly prove dangerous. So, share driving responsibilities, thus giving each other an occasional rest period and avoiding driver fatigue.

Conclusion

So, now you know how to stay safe on your next road trip. Start preparing right away!

This article provided by Gifted Healthcare

Some consider the road trip to be an American rite of passage. A long drive on our nation’s highways and back roads reveal an amazing variety of beautiful landscapes, charming towns, and iconic roadside attractions.

A road trip could be the perfect beginning to your next travel nursing assignment! Read on for our list of tips for travel nurses looking to take the road trip of their dreams.

Do a Vehicle Checkup

It’d be a shame for your road trip to be interrupted by preventable problems with your vehicle’s basic functionality.

Before you head out onto the open road, bring your vehicle to a mechanic for a basic checkup. Make sure your breaks, tires, windshield wipers, and fluid levels are in good shape. Inflate your spare tire and pack tools and accessories like jumper cables, a tire jack, and lug wrench to make sure you’re prepared.

In the meantime, make a checklist and pack the essentials for your trip.

Create a Budget

There are countless opportunities to spend money on a road trip. Creating a budget for your road trip will help you make decisions and plan your days. Plus, it’ll make the occasional splurge more rewarding.

Decide how much to spend on lodging and food, and do some research on gas prices along the way. Don’t forget to account for unexpected costs, like flat tires or tolls.

Prepare Entertainment Options

Relying solely on the radio for your drive might leave you disappointed, as local radio programming isn’t as vibrant or diverse as it used to be.

Thankfully, there are countless hours of music, podcasts, and audiobooks at your fingertips if you have a smartphone.

Download the soundtrack to your trip from music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal. If you prefer the spoken word, you can learn about every subject under the sun on your favorite podcasts [link to nurse podcasts blog], or experience the novel you never read on audiobook from apps like Audible.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Find an adorable little town worth exploring? Want to take a detour to see a jaw-dropping natural wonder? Feel like an afternoon in the nearest park rather than finishing the day’s drive?

If you keep a loose schedule, you can do all of these things without. Play more and stress less by giving yourself extra time to arrive at your destination.

Plan Your Daily Endpoints

If your road trip will take more than one day, there are two reasons why it’s a good idea to plan where you’ll be ending your drive each day.

First of all, it’s the safe thing to do. If you don’t plan ahead, you’ll risk getting stranded in an uninhabited area in the middle of the night.

Planning your daily endpoints also allows you to pace yourself, providing you with more freedom to explore when inspiration strikes.

Bring a Real Map

Modern technology has simplified navigation and communication, but it’s not perfect. Mobile phone service can be spotty on the open road, restricting your access to phone calls and GPS devices.

Invest in a real map! You may never have to use it, but better safe than sorry.

Pack Plenty of (Healthy) Snacks

The temptations of the drive-thru seem to be around every corner. Unfortunately, the empty calories in fast food won’t provide you with the energy and focus you’ll need for long days of driving.

Pack a cooler full of water and snacks like:

Hard-boiled eggs
Apples, bananas, or grapes
Beef jerky
Almonds or pistachios
Hummus and celery
Dark chocolate
Sliced bell peppers and guacamole
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

Your snacks will pack the punch you need to seize the day, and your body will thank you later.

Consider Camping

There are many state and national parks that offer campgrounds with breathtaking views of nature. Embracing the great outdoors will save you money on motels and make for great memories later on.

Take Photos

Make memories and document your road trip by taking photos along the way. Once you arrive at your destination, you can settle into your new home by putting together an album to share with your friends and family.

Taking photos will help you remember the thrills of the open road forever.

Taking a road trip to a travel assignment can be an incredible way to kick off your nursing adventure. We hope these tips help you turn your next road trip into the excursion of a lifetime!

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

1. Get a guide book

2. Restaurant reservations

3. An automatic car

4. An international driving permit (IDP)

5. Accommodation

6. Things to do and attractions

7. Parking garage

Conclusion

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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Here are 5 ways to stay safe on your next road trip:

1) Get Yourself Ready –

2) Get Your Car Ready –

4) Use Gas Smartly –

5) Take Sufficient Breaks-

Conclusion

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Do a Vehicle Checkup

Create a Budget

Prepare Entertainment Options

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Plan Your Daily Endpoints

Bring a Real Map

Pack Plenty of (Healthy) Snacks

Pack a cooler full of water and snacks like:

Consider Camping

Take Photos

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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