Independence Day is almost here and many travelers whose plans have been altered due to the impact of COVID-19 may be looking for local destinations to quench their pent-up desire to travel.

AAA wants to ensure that travelers are aware of the extra planning and precautions they must take before and during their trip. AAA offers these tips for safe summer travel.

Planning your trip:

• Planning is more important than ever. When looking for places to stay, search for hotels with free or flexible cancellation policies.

• Check the CDC’s COVID-19 data tracker, municipal and state health departments and local news for updates on coronavirus cases and continue to do so while on the road.

• AAA’s COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Map at TripTik.AAA.com also has the latest state and local travel restrictions.

• Consider taking your car into a repair shop and ask them to do a trip check.

• Make sure your AAA membership is up to date so you have the peace of mind if you have car troubles while you are on your trip.

• Call ahead to understand capacity limits and where possible make reservations in advance. This is highly recommended for any local or theme park attractions you plan to visit.

Packing:

• Be sure to pack face coverings, gloves, cleaning supplies, like disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer, and thermometer.

• If you can’t find gloves, bring some plastic sandwich bags. They can serve as an effective barrier between your hand and a fuel pump handle, doorknob, hotel remote control, etc.

• Also, consider packing extra snacks to reduce the need to stop at restaurants – which may not be open or might be operating at reduced capacity.

Restrooms and rest stops:

• TripTik.AAA.com can help you determine which reststops, gas stations and hotels are open along your route.

• If you need to use a restroom, try not to touch anything. Use gloves or a plastic sandwich bag as barriers between your skin and surfaces. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer when you leave.

Restaurants on the road:

• If you choose to eat-in, consider wiping down your table with a disinfectant wipe. Use hand sanitizer after interacting with servers or cashiers.

• Drive-thru or curbside pick-up might be quicker and will reduce contact with other people.

Hotels:

• Always call ahead to ensure your hotel is open and to ask about any restrictions or changes to the check-in process. It’s likely that the hotel has reduced the face-to-face interactions with guests.

• When you check into your room, remember to wipe down surfaces with disinfecting wipes. Some surfaces to pay special attention to: light switches, doorknobs, remote controls, room phones.

On the road:

• Travel with all necessary travel documentation, including health insurance cards.

• Pack snacks, water, disinfectant spray or wipes and thermometer.

• Get rest before you hit the road. Drivers should not rely on their bodies to provide warning signs of fatigue and should instead prioritize getting plenty of sleep (at least seven hours) in their daily schedules.

For road trips, drivers should also: Travel at times when normally awake, schedule a break every two hours or every 100 miles, avoid heavy foods, travel with an alert passenger and take turns driving, avoid medications that cause drowsiness or other impairment, have an emergency kit in your vehicle, consider this list of things to include and tips on where to stow them.

Be sure to replenish any depleted items as needed. Items of need include a cell phone and car charger, first-aid kit, blanket, drinking water/snacks for everyone in the car including pets, flashlight with extra fresh batteries, rags, paper towels or pre-moistened wipes, basic set of tools along with duct tape and car emergency warning devices such as road flares or reflectors, jumper cables/jump pack, traction aid such as sand, salt or non-clumping cat litter, tarp, raincoat and gloves, face masks, disposable gloves and hand sanitizer.

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