Summer is the season for making road trips and memories, but it’s also one of the busiest times of the year on highways. From family vacations to holiday weekends, from road construction to traffic jams, driving can fast go from fun to frustrating. But all this is no reason to cancel your plans. With a few strategies and some planning, you can avoid much of the delay and have a better journey. In this article, we’ll highlight eTag’s 8 smart tips to beat the season’s worst traffic.
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8 Smart Tips to Avoid Summertime Traffic
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Get an Early Start
One of the easiest ways to avoid throngs of vehicles on the road is to depart before morning rush begins. Leaving early can mean less traffic, cooler temperatures, and a good chance you’ll avoid afternoon congestion.
Traveling can help with:
- Avoiding stop-and-go traffic
- Cooler outside temperatures
- Add flexibility in case of unexpected delays
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Choose Off-Peak Holiday Travel Times
Seasonal holidays like Memorial Day, The 4th of July, and Labor Day are some of the busiest travel times of the year. Transportation experts encourage drivers to avoid more popular departure times – like afternoons – because they tend to present the heaviest congestion.
If you have some flexibility in your schedule, try to:
- Travel on alternative days
- Head out early in the morning
- Make your return before or after the busiest travel windows
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Monitor Traffic
Real-time navigation apps are great for informing you of accidents, road closures, and heavy congestion even before you start your journey.
Keep an eye out for:
- Current traffic conditions
- Construction areas
- Alternative routes
- Estimated arrival projections
Checking conditions before you leave can help optimize your route and travel time.
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Plan Ahead and Keep Options Open
When you can, look for an alternative route as a backup. Having a second option in mind can come in handy if traffic suddenly accumulates because of an accident or construction.
Before you leave:
- Locate any secondary highways
- Download an offline map if you’ll be passing through remote areas
- Check for any possible weather that could impact driving conditions
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Get Your Vehicle Ready
Before heading out on your next summer road trip, inspect your vehicle to be sure it’s in great shape to make the journey.
Check the following:
- Tire pressure
- Battery
- Oil and fluid levels
- Lights
- Brakes
- Windshield wipers
- Air conditioning
For a comprehensive car prep list, check out AAA’s recommendations.
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Roll with It
If traffic gets gnarly, rather than getting frustrated, it could be a good idea to pull over- if possible – a take a short break. It can be a nicer option than sitting in gridlock. Consider grabbing a meal, a cold drinks, or just stretching your legs. A little pit-stop can go a long way in breaking the monotony of bad traffic congestion while making the journey more enjoyable.
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Practice Patience and Safety
Aggressive driving almost never saves time. In fact, it mostly just increases the risk of accidents.
Rules to drive by:
- Keep a safe following distance
- Avoid swerving between lanes
- Maintain focus and avoid distractions
- Obey legal speed limits
Safe driving isn’t just for you and your passengers; it benefits everyone sharing the road.
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Consider Alternative Holidates
If your vacation time is not set to specific dates, think about traveling in middle of the week rather than a Friday afternoon or a Sunday evening. Midweek days are far less likely to be congested than popular weekend travel times.
Conclusion
Traffic is an inevitable part of summer travel, but hours stuck in traffic doesn’t have to be. By getting an early start, checking traffic conditions, planning backup routes, and getting your vehicle ready, you can avoid many delays and experience a faster, safer, more enjoyable trip.
