Memorial Day Weekend Travel Tips: Your Guide to Smooth Adventures

Don’t look now, but Memorial Day Weekend is almost here. That’s the traditional start of the summer travel season, and industry experts are predicting it will be the busiest yet. Maybe, says one, the busiest ever.

            Travel writer Christopher Elliott is one of those anticipating heavy travel for the summer of 2025, starting with this weekend: AAA predicts a record 45.1 million Americans will take to the highways, up 3.4% over 2024. The roads, rail terminals and airports will be packed, all the way to autumn. Air travel alone is expected to show a 12.3% increase over the period of 2019-25. How to deal with it? Elliott has some recommendations about taking trips this holiday weekend:

·         Time of day is important. Some will say that you should avoid travel on the day before the holiday and the day after, but Elliott says the time of day you travel is what matters. It’s worth getting up earlier if there’s less traffic in the early morning.

·         Stay within a 50-mile radius. While AAA considers anything longer than 50 miles from home to be a “trip,” you don’t have to drive that far to enjoy the holiday. There are undoubtedly many things to see and do within an hour’s drive of your home.

·         If you do want to go far, go really far. International travel over a U.S. holiday might mean more crowded airports at home, but a better experience abroad. Canada and Mexico get a lot of American visitors over our holidays, but Europe and Asia don’t see much of an increase. There will be deals to be had overseas.

Some of our fondest memories are from the times when Mom and Dad loaded us kids into the family Oldsmobile and headed somewhere for a long weekend or maybe more. The last Olds rolled off the assembly line in 2004, but families now can pack up their SUV with even more stuff and ride in greater safety and comfort. Here are some other tips to have a safe, fun driving vacation:

·         Get your car serviced. You don’t want to be in the middle of Nebraska when that “change oil” light goes on.

·         Stock an emergency kit in the car. Not just medical supplies like bandages and ointment, but things like extra water, blankets, a flashlight, a fully charged cell phone, flares and jumper cables.

·         Maps. We all remember them: the multi-folded state maps Dad always kept in the glove compartment, or even a comprehensive road atlas. Everybody uses GPS today, on their phones or the car’s computer screen, but what if you’re in an area where you can’t get service, and you want to make sure you’re on the right road? At the very least, a paper map or road atlas will provide the kids with some off-the-device entertainment.

·         Emergency phone numbers. Not just for friends and family and your dog’s kennel, but for roadside services like AAA and your insurance carrier.

·         Sunscreen. This is vital for summer travel, but it’s often overlooked, and you wind up searching the shelves at convenience stores. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Also, make sure to wear sunglasses. Proper headgear, especially at the beach, is essential.

·         Medications. It goes without saying that if you or anyone in the family take prescription medications, take along enough to last the trip. Don’t forget the dog’s meds, either! Also, if there are over-the-counter meds that you frequently use, stock up.

·         Watch for ticks and mosquitoes. If you’re visiting a national park, and especially if you’re camping or hiking, bring a good insect repellant. Your medical kit should contain a tweezers; check yourself and the kids for ticks whenever you come in from a wilderness outing.

·         If there’s three, let it be. When hiking in the woods, be on the lookout for poison ivy and poison oak. Avoid leaves that are clustered in sets of three. If you happen to touch them and get their oils on your skin, wash in warm, soapy water as soon as possible. Wash your clothes, too. Rubbing alcohol will also provide relief. If you do get a rash, don’t rub or scratch it; use oral antihistamines and topical ointments to reduce the itch.

·         Beach and pool safety. Kids tend to get a little carried away around the water (and sometimes adults do, too), so be mindful of warning signs, especially at the beach. Even if you’re an Olympic-level swimmer, you don’t want to challenge a riptide.

·         Think ahead. You never know what you’ll encounter on the road. Bad weather could force a detour. An accident could close a road and force you to wait in the car for an hour or more until things get moving again. Be generous with snacks and water, and take more bathroom breaks than you might think necessary. Take advantage of the breaks not only to use the facilities, but to stretch, walk around, and switch drivers.

Ready to get out there? Whether you’re going by car, train, ship, or airplane, or a combination, we can help. Give us a call!

Sue Tindell