7 ways a road trip is perfect for the pandemic

We’re still in a pandemic, and we’re still social distancing, so you might think traveling is the last thing you want to do, right?

Not so. I’m convinced that if you do the right kind of traveling, it can be the best thing for you. Take me, for example.

I’m the author of four highway books, and I’m working on the fifth right now, so as you might imagine, I’ve been itching to get out and explore the open road. But I’m also in an at-risk category: I’m getting older, and I’m diabetic, which means I definitely don’t want to expose myself to COVID-19. But it also means that, in order to stay healthy, I need to stay active.

That’s not the conundrum in might seem. In fact, it’s actually as close to a perfect situation as you can find during a pandemic for someone like me. What I’ve realized is that a road trip can be the perfect treatment for someone like me. Just last week, I headed down to South Carolina, a couple of states away, on a road trip to shoot photos for Highways of the South, the third volume in my series, America’s Historic Highways.

I did so with a little more confidence, having received my first of two vaccine shots (the second is in a couple of weeks), having learned that the Moderna vaccine I received is 80 percent effective after just the first dose. But that doesn’t mean I was any less careful. In fact, it was the perfect therapy: I stayed safe, and I had a blast. You can, too. Here’s why, and how.

Your car is a bubble

Going somewhere alone, or with family members who already live with you, is the same as staying home. It’s the safest form of transportation, because the CDC recommends against:

• Taking public transportation like planes, trains, or buses.

• Being in transportation hubs like airports.

• Traveling on a cruise ship or riverboat.

All those things can put you in contact with large groups of people, which is exactly the thing you don’t want to do. You can make your vehicle like a protective shell when you go out into the world, making it a tool you can use against the virus.

Behind the wheel, you’re in control

As the driver, you’re the captain of your own ship, which means you can steer clear of viral hotspots. You don’t have to head for an amusement park or a theater or a busy downtown. In fact, you can head in the opposite direction.

Why go to a populated area at all? There are plenty of natural wonders out there worth visiting beyond the busy tourist spots like the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls.

Everything can be “out in the open”

Viruses spread a lot more easily in confined spaces than in the open air, so if you do get out of the car, you can stay outside.

Why not go camping and sleep under the stars? Whether you’re traveling in an RV or with a tent in your trunk, you can seek out secluded campgrounds where you can stay at a safe distance from other road-trippers — more so than might be possible at a motel.

Day trips limit your exposure

So far, I’ve only taken day trips during the pandemic, because I’ve wanted to limit my exposure as much as possible by avoiding overnight stays in roadside inns.

Day trips are optimal for this reason, and there are steps you can take to minimize your exposure even more. If you play it right, barring an emergency, you’ll only have to leave the car to refill your gas tank or find a restroom. This is why I tend not to drink a lot before I head out or during my trip! (Admittedly, this is easier during the winter, when cooler weather makes dehydration less likely.)

Motels are still safer than...

If you’re like most people, even if you work from home or are retired, you have to go out occasionally to get groceries. Chances are, staying in a hotel/motel room alone or with a companion is safer than that. With keyless check-in and check-out available in some places, you might even be able to avoid the front desk.

If you do wind up staying at a hotel or motel, check ahead to be sure they follow enhanced safety guidelines put in place during the pandemic. Rooms, elevators, stairwells, lobbies, etc. should be kept clean and disinfected. Sheets, towels, and linens should be washed according to CDC guidelines, and social distancing guidelines should be enforced.

Taking precautions is easy

When I get gas, I make sure I can pay at the pump instead of going inside. Then I grab a paper towel on the “island” and put it between my hand and the gas pump.

I do something similar when I use the facilities: After I wash my hands, I take an extra paper towel and use it to open the door as I leave. Then, as soon as I get back in the car — before I remove my mask — I apply a dab of hand sanitizer for good measure.

I also pack up munchies so I don’t have to stop at convenience stores or fast-food joints along the way.

You can see it all (or most of it) from your car

So many sights, whether they’re beautiful vistas or pieces of Americana like roadside signs and stands,  are visible right from the comfort of your car or RV. If you’re on a photo trip, like the one I took recently, you can pull over, roll down the window, and get great shots without even opening your door.

If you do have to get out to walk or hike to a destination, try to choose a spot away from where anyone else is likely to be and stay outdoors. If there’s just one trail and others are using it, keep your mask on, maintain social distancing... or go on to your next destination. You can always visit on your way back, when it’s less crowded — something I did when I wanted to get a picture of the “giant strawberry” fruit stand last week.

If you decide to hit the road, make sure you’re familiar with any virus-related local or state restrictions that are in place where you’re going. Take along hand sanitizer, masks, disinfecting wipes, and gloves. If you’re prepared, there’s no reason you can’t travel during the pandemic. In fact, it might be the best kind of therapy.

Or you can always buy my books and see the sights from the comfort of your living room.

Stephen H. Provost is the author of America’s First Highways, Yesterday’s Highways, Highway 99, and Highway 101. All are available on Amazon.