Tips for Planning a Winter Road Trip • The Blonde Abroad

Road trips are a great way to see the country, find hidden gems and have a flexible travel schedule.

There are so many unique locations to see by car in the US, from the Pacific Northwest to the plethora of places in the South.

There are a lot of things to keep in mind when planning a winter road trip. I would highly recommend taking a look at my guide to plan a road trip before diving in.

Here are my tips for planning a winter road trip!

Are you going to own a car or rent one? Four-wheel or all-wheel drive is better for winter road trips.

Having snow tires or chains is advisable to have in the car, as well!

It's a good idea to make an emergency kit for your car. Emergency blankets, first aid kit, flashlight and gloves are included.

In the winter, road conditions can be vastly different than they are in other times of the year.

We didn't think we'd get caught in a snowstorm when we flew into Seattle. It would be good to have pittops in case we needed to sit out the storm.

Remember to pay attention to factors such as road closings and snowy weather. The journey is just as important as the destination when it comes to road trips.

Pay attention to the main roads and back roads when planning out fuel stops. It's best to stick to the main roads and highways when there is snow or ice in the area.

It is possible that back roads are less maintained during the winter.

It may be more difficult to find assistance for roads that are less traveled.

Break up your driving time with stops at Pilot Flying J is a good way to refresh and take a break.

Pilot Flying J has more than 750 travel center locations across the US and Canada.

You can find everything from your go-to snacks, to stuffed animals for the little ones, to checking your e-mail on site.

You can always find a clean bathroom and a family friendly atmosphere.

Load Up on Fresh Food & Snacks

Good food and snacks are required for a road trip. Fresh food, coffee, and snacks are available at Pilot Flying J.

Here are a few of the things they offer.

• Fresh Pizza: Handmade and hand-roped. From classic cheese pizza to those with several toppings, you can score a whole pizza or just an individual slice.
• Fountain Drinks: Whether you love a crisp Diet Coke or want to create your own concoction with cherry or other sweet add-ins, the fountain dispenser is full of favorites.
• Fresh Fruit: Find seasonal fresh fruit, perfect for snacking on the road.
• Chicken Tenders: Hot, classic, and crunchy!

When we were on our way to Leavenworth, we stumbled upon a coffee shop that was so good we had to go back.

If you want to stop and smell the roses, pad your driving time so you aren't in a rush.

If you have to wait out the weather or get snowed in, it is a good idea to have a bit of wiggle room.

Keep in mind that there are fewer hours of sunlight in the winter, and you may want to plan driving stretches during daylight hours.

• Sunglasses: for when the sunshine bounces off the snow
• Cell Phone and Charger for the Car
• Paper Map and GPS: just in case your phone dies or you don’t have service!
• Ice Scraper: again, a just in case, but a credit card can work in a pinch
• Windshield Washer Fluid: it can get used up pretty quickly if you hit a storm or hit sleet, so best to have some on hand.
• Jumper Cables: always good to have in the car in case you accidentally leave an interior light on.
• Kitty Litter or Sand: hear me out on this one, if you’re going somewhere where snow can be really tricky, putting down a bag of something with traction and grip under your wheels (i.e. kitty litter or sand) will help you in a slippery spot.

No matter what happens, Pilot Flying J has you covered. Everything from sunglasses to coats can be found here.

At Pilot Flying J, you can find all your last-minute needs.

You should check the weather forecast to see if there is anything to worry about.

All thoughts and opinions in this post are mine.