For over 40 million Americans, Thanksgiving Day is not spent in the comfort of one’s own home. In order to gobble up Aunt Jane’s turkey or Cousin Carl’s cranberry sauce, a trip across town, to the neighboring county and even over state lines is often par for the course. Since the majority of travelers will take to the roads, we’re offering these tips for getting to your destination safe and sound. Whether your trip is one hour or six, you’ll want to be prepared to handle road conditions so you can arrive on time for your holiday dinner!

1. Prep Your Vehicle: Check and replace non-working lights and worn wiper blades and fill up on windshield wiper fluid to help you avoid surprises while on the road. Also check your gas and oil levels, and don’t forget about your tire pressure. If you’re traveling to a part of the country that may experience some winter weather, throw an ice scraper or two, a snow brush and tire chains, if you have them, into the trunk. In addition to packing a map, snacks and water, make sure your emergency kit is filled with items like a battery powered radio, a reflective vest, flashlight, jumper cables, first aid kit, and road reflectors or flares, and make sure your jack is located where it should be.
2. Bring Your Motor Club Membership Card: It will be your lifeline if you need roadside assistance. Help is just a phone call away if you need assistance fixing a flat, jump-starting your car or getting to the next gas station. Premium memberships may also include towing your car up to 100 miles for free! They’ll even help you retrieve your keys if you lock them in the car at the interstate rest stop.
3. Leave Early and Pack Patience: Running late can have a negative effect on your driving. It’s easy to make errors in judgment when you’re driving fast trying to make up time. Instead of trying to get there faster, leave early and focus on getting there safely. Even if you do leave early, you may run into traffic so be prepared for it. Take a few deep breaths and go with the flow – it will make the trip that much more enjoyable for you and your passengers.
4. Stop at Safe Rest Stops: Rest stops are built for drivers to use, so take advantage of them. Not only can you use the facilities, but get out, stretch your legs and clear your head. You’ll stay more alert on the road and feel more refreshed.
5. Beware the Dangers of Cruise Control. While you may think cruise control will help you feel less tired behind the wheel, be aware that it can cause you to let your guard down on long drives. Your reaction time may be slowed and you may be less able to stop at a moment’s notice. To remain alert, take control of the car instead.
6. Enjoy Your Trip: It’s hard to celebrate Thanksgiving when you’re not in the holiday spirit. Long trips can be an enjoyable part of your holiday routine. Bring some of your favorite music to listen to as you drive. It will help to keep you from being distracted by fiddling with the radio and taking your eyes off the road. Also be sure to pack some activities for any kids that may be in the car – for their enjoyment and your sanity. Finally, while you’re still paying attention to the road, take the time to enjoy the scenery. Even though you may have driven the same route 20 times before, that doesn’t mean the trip won’t be worthwhile.

Congrats! You made it safe and sound and are all ready to dig into the turkey. One more thing – don’t forget to take a few leftovers with you to enjoy after you return!