Going home for the holidays or traveling to see loved ones is common – and this often means driving to get there.

According to AAA, an estimated 115 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles during the holidays. 2023 will likely be the busiest holiday travel year since 2000, so you can expect some busy roads!

Whether you’re driving one town over or across the country, you want to consider safety. In this guide, you’ll get some essential safety tips for holiday travel, including winter driving tips and advice for longer road trips. 

Tip 1: Be Aware Of Large Trucks

When driving during the holidays, you want to be extra careful. Large trucks have larger blind spots and can’t stop as quickly as a regular passenger vehicle. Not to mention that bigger vehicles need extra space to turn.

When the roads are wet or icy, or if visibility is poor, semi-trucks and other large vehicles will need extra time to react and slow down. So, be sure not to get too close, as accidents involving semi-trucks can be deadly. 

Tip 2: Perform Car Maintenance Before You Go

Before heading out on your trip, particularly if you’re going longer distances, you’ll want to perform routine car maintenance to help deter breakdowns.

Here are some critical components of your vehicle to check out before you leave:

• Check the tire pressure: Colder weather can impact the tire pressure, so be sure each tire is at the right levels to prevent a damaged tire. 
• Fill wiper fluid: Rain, snow, and slush can build up on your windshield and cause a visibility hazard. So, top off your wiper fluids before your trip. 
• Test the battery:  A dead battery can quickly become an emergency. Consider asking a mechanic to test the battery before any long road trip. 
• Check your lights: To keep yourself and everyone on the road safer, make sure your blinkers, headlights, and brake lights are all working properly. 

Tip 3: Stock Up On Supplies

You want to keep yourself safe from potential breakdowns and emergency situations, especially since the weather outside is likely to be frightful. 

You’ll want to stock up on general safety supplies and winter clothing. Some things you should consider packing include:

Extra warm clothes or blankets

• Water
• Snacks
• Flashlight
• Basic tools
• Windshield scraper

Tip 4: Make Backup Plans

If you're going somewhere more than an hour or two away, it’s wise to make backup plans. If you’re driving many hours, especially in colder areas of the country, a snowstorm could arise and mess up your plans.

You’ll want to be aware of cities along the way where you can stop and wait out a storm. You may even need to get a hotel or spend the night somewhere if the weather is extremely bad, so budget these possibilities for your trip.

Tip 5: Drive Extra Slowly And Carefully In Bad Weather

Driving in the snow can be dangerous. So, you want to drive much more slowly and carefully in bad weather conditions. Make sure to leave at least five seconds between you and the car in front of you when there’s bad weather.

You should also give yourself extra time to accelerate and brake.

With these five tips, you’ll be more prepared for holiday travel and ready to drive safely in colder temperatures.