Who doesn’t wish to pack and leave on an adventurous trip as and when they please? Sadly, this may not always be possible when the journey is to be planned via flights. This is perhaps why more and more Americans are giving cross-country road trips a welcome shot.
Fox Weather reported at the start of this summer that a whopping 212 million people were planning on traveling. What was interesting is the fact that this number indicates those who will drive to their destination.
Besides flexibility, you can relish your destinations a lot more, immerse yourself in new experiences, and witness landscape or
weather changes firsthand. Excited already? However, certain failures may spoil your trip. In this article, we will discuss those so you can be mindful of them for a safe and enjoyable cross-border road trip.
A Scenic Route in the Wrong Direction
Spontaneous travel has its perks but may also lead to one of the biggest cross-country road trip mistakes. Many a traveler has taken the scenic route farther than they intended to. After all, who can resist the tantalizing opportunity to see where the road ahead leads, right?
Sometimes, a freewheeling approach may lead to rough terrain. Other times, you may just find yourself to be lost in the middle of nowhere. Let’s take an example that illustrates this point. Suppose you plan a family road trip from Northern California to Idaho.
Your collective decision is to let the road ahead be your guide along with local recommendations. This take can be amazing for the most part, except when it is not. Perhaps someone along the way recommended you explore Jarbridge in Northern Nevada. That would be a welcome change of glorious mountainous region when compared to the rest of the desert landscapes.
Initially, you’d be driving through some of the most beautiful parts of the country. Then, the road will unfold large ditches, rigorous streams, and steep washed-out grounds. Your car may get stuck in an embankment that could be difficult to get out of despite hours of slipping and sliding. Even if you do get the car out, be assured that its tires may completely be soaked in mud.
Amid all this chaos, you’d have to take a three-hour or more drive back to the original route. Does that sound like a fun or reasonable drive? The same is possible if you take no local recommendations at all and let the scenic route beguile and misguide you. Maintain some level of spontaneity but do your research in advance to avoid such ‘surprises.’
An Incompetent Vehicle
Shocking as it is, there are numerous cross-country enthusiasts, even seasoned ones, who forget that not every vehicle is cut out for such a long-haul trip. Some travelers only consider comfort and cargo space.
Weightier matters like fuel efficiency, mileage, and current vehicle condition are placed on the back burner. Do not make this mistake or you may end up in problems larger than you’ve ever imagined. For instance - let’s talk about one of the most scenic, exciting, yet dubious road trip routes that move through the Western state of Colorado.
Though most of its roads are pretty flat, especially the highways, the I-70 section that runs through the Rocky Mountains starting from Denver is treacherous. The terrain is pretty rough and can take a toll on the best of the vehicle’s tires and other parts. Let’s not forget that Denver is only the beginning of the trip.
As you move your way through Estes Park, Glenwood Springs, and Canon City to reach the final stop, Colorado Springs, your spirits will be high. However, your old and unchecked vehicle’s condition may be failing by this point. In case of any major defects, you may even end up in a road accident.
Can you imagine this happening in an unfamiliar place altogether? Besides the foreign surroundings, you’d have to call your insurance company, deal with a towed car, and hire an
auto accident attorney in Colorado Springs. In case you plan on moving further, this may be the end of your joyous vacation.
What’s more is that Colorado is a fault state, which means you will be held liable for any damages you’re responsible for. Furthermore, Springs Law Group shares that accidents across Colorado Springs may result in injuries to the spinal cord, bones, or the brain. Does all of this sound worth it?
Even if something so extreme never happens, you may get stuck in a strange route because your car won’t start. In short, driving an ill-equipped vehicle is a big red flag. It is better to fully understand the state of your vehicle before embarking on a road trip. Have it checked and repaired if needed. You can even ditch it altogether in place of a rental car.
Penny-pinching Predicaments Like Gas
Gas prices across America vary, but in places like California, they are exorbitant. In 2024, you may have to pay as high as $5.15 per gallon. That is $1.5 above the national average. Some road trip enthusiasts, especially those who have rented their vehicle on a pay-as-you-go gas basis, make a major blunder.
In a bid to save fuel costs, they may decide to explore the last stoppage well enough until the needle is close to indicating an empty tank. While this sounds like a good strategy on the surface, it fails to accommodate certain exceptions. The way back from such a detour may involve heavy traffic jams that you previously underestimated.
What if the engine shuts down an agonizing centimeter from the rental car parking lot? It is always worth letting go of that extra $10 or $20 on gas just to avoid the stress associated with the car breaking down on the way back.
The ‘Toll’ of Public Holidays
Cross-country road trip travelers must consider public holidays across borders. Federal
holidays like the 4th of July remain common across states. However, state-specific holidays like Memorial Day and Emancipation Day are decided by the local governments and may differ.
If any upcoming holidays are not accounted for, you may find yourself in trouble. For instance - if you set out on US Highway 50, your cross-country road trip will include cities like Washington DC, Cincinnati, and Sacramento. Now, say you entered Cincinnati on June 19th to enjoy its museums, riverfront parks, and more.
June 19th was the Emancipation Day holiday across the city. The same was declared on April 16th for Washington DC. Being a public holiday, it is highly likely that the roads will be incredibly busy. You may even have to spend three hours just in a queue at the toll booth.
With such disappointment, imagine one of the kids is in desperate need of a restroom stop or they start crying inconsolably. Such problems are more commonplace than you may believe. This is why you must plan trips accordingly and allow yourself extra time during public holidays.
So, are you planning a cross-border road trip this year? Fortunately, you’re not alone! Studies have found that Americans plan to travel more this year, especially via road trips. This means it is time to implement the pro tips mentioned in this article to avoid serious blunders along the way. Plan your itinerary well and there’s little to worry.
