A simple guide to planning the ultimate winter road trip

Are you planning an epic road trip this winter? Want to make it memorable for all the right reasons? If so, read on, because regardless of whether you are heading across the province or right across the country, the following simple tips are guaranteed to help.

Plan together

The best trips are those that have something for everyone and the easiest way to ensure that your road trip does just that is by getting your entire group involved in the planning process. Meeting together to hash out the details of the trip provides a fantastic opportunity to share ideas, air opinions, and plan something truly special, not to mention spot any potential issues early enough to do something about them.

Book ahead

If any part of your trip will require some form of booking, such as hotels, car rentals, or tours, it is wise to book these crucial elements as far ahead of time as possible; after all, there are sure to be thousands of other Canadians with some of the same ideas as you. However, before making your bookings, be sure to inquire about the cancellation policies as well, just in case you need to change your plans at the last minute.

BYO snacks

Being hungry or thirsty will seriously undermine the mood of your road trip, not to mention make it harder for the driver to stay focused and keep everyone safe; therefore, make sure that you have plenty of water and snacking options on board with you. While healthy options are always best, anything is better than nothing, especially if you find yourself stuck on the road due to an unexpected delay.

Prepare for emergencies

It can take a whole lot longer for help to arrive during harsh winter conditions, making it vital that you are prepared for anything. For starters, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive, this way at least it’ll be noticed if you fail to turn up on time, and be sure that your ride’s first aid kit is always fully stocked. Furthermore, your emergency road kit needs to include at least the following important items;

• Jumper cables

• Extra gloves, socks, toques, jackets, and blankets

• Flashlight or headlamp

• Waterproof matches

• Fully-charged mobile phone

• Hand warmers

• A foldable shovel

Watch the weather

Nothing will have a bigger impact on your road trip than the weather, so get into the habit of monitoring the conditions regularly both before and during your trip. Apart from making it easier to avoid slow and/or closed routes, this will increase your chance of avoiding the most challenging winter conditions, such as black ice and blizzards. For best results, avoid heading out into dangerous weather unless you absolutely have to.

Whether you need help planning your winter road trip or are in the market for a quality used vehicle, we’ve got you covered here at Bargain Auto Centre. Just give us a call, get in touch online, or stop by and check out our wide range of options here at 11141 156 Street NW Edmonton.