Cooperative Living November/December 2020 - 24

FieldTrip | Story courtesy of StatePoint Media
Tips for a Safe and Affordable
Fall Road Trip
Even in the pandemic era,
roadside scenery can be a thing
of beauty.
Sensible precautions on the right way
to get out of the house
A
s American families continue to track developments
of the pandemic, many are opting for regional travel
experiences.
For some, a road trip to a national park or quaint town
may provide just the right combination of taking in the
fall scenery while traveling in a way that limits contact
with others.
However, even road trips close to home can incur their
fair share of expenses, which is something many Americans
are looking at more closely these days. To watch your
spending on the road, consider the following trip tips:
PLAN YOUR ROUTE CAREFULLY
Opting for a closer destination can eliminate
hefty gas expenditures and wear and tear on your
vehicle. For example, if you're on the East Coast, consider
the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina for
breathtaking views. In Maryland, the Chesapeake County
Byway takes you from Chesapeake City to Crisfield on
country roads along the bay's edge.
LOOK FOR DEALS ON ACCOMMODATIONS
If you're taking a multi-day driving trip, hotel
stays can begin to add up, especially in larger cities.
Try to find accommodations in less densely populated areas
along your route, which can include motels or even alternative
accommodations such as vacation rentals. Accommodations
metasearch site Trivago is a great option to search for
lodging deals: trivago.com.
ENSURE FLEXIBILITY
During the past few months, flexibility when
booking travel went from being a " nice to have " to
22 | Cooperative Living | November-December 2020
being a must. The world moves quickly, so ensure that your
travel plans are able to move with it. When you are booking
your accommodations, it's important to compare deals with
free cancellations. Knowing you can change your plans will
offer you peace of mind. Sites like Trivago provide full
visibility into flexible choices, indicating whether each deal
in the search findings allows for free cancellation.
SAVE GAS
When it comes to filling up the gas tank, a bit
of comparison shopping can go a long way. Consider
gas stations a bit farther from main highways. Sometimes,
it pays to go off the path a bit or wait for the next rest stop.
Free apps also exist that provide real-time gas comparison
data based on your current GPS. You can also improve your
fuel economy by keeping your car well-maintained and
your tires properly inflated.
BUY A NATIONAL PARK PASS
Chances are that if you're planning to take in
the great outdoors, you'll find yourself in one of
the nation's 2,000 federal lands. If your route passes through
more than one site, consider purchasing a National Park
Pass. For $80, it covers entry and parking fees for one vehicle
of up to four people for an entire year. With many parks
resuming operations and reinstating entrance fees (usually
around $25 per park), the pass is a convenient investment
well worth the cost. Learn more at nps.gov.
As you make your plans, remember that states and
jurisdictions are following different health guidelines and
are at different stages of reopening, so prepare with a little
research. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the gorgeous
scenery along the way. 
co-opliving.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKDAM / ISTOCK VIA GETTY IMAGES PLUS
http://www.nps.gov http://www.trivago.com http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living November/December 2020

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