Holiday Travel Tips

This holiday travel tips post is sponsored by State Farm®, but all opinions are my own.
Word is this year will be record setting for holiday travel.  Traveling, especially during the holidays, can be stressful, but it’s always worth it in the end.  It may not feel that way while you’re cramped in the car for 10 hours or stuck in a noisy airport with yet another delay, but it is!  After braving another holiday travel season, I’ve put together these holiday travel tips to help relieve some of that stress and make traveling a little easier on you in the future.

HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS:

Travel on off-peak days

If you have the ability to choose, plan your travel arrangements on off-peak days.  Peak times are typically holidays and days closely surrounding holidays.  Traveling on off-peak days has many benefits, from being less expensive to being less crowded.

Travel during early morning or late at night

This is especially helpful if you are traveling by air.  Early morning and late night flights tend to be a lot cheaper, which could save you money on a round trip ticket.  The same goes for traveling on weekdays as opposed to weekends in most cases.
Do a safety check

Before you get in your car to travel, make sure it’s ready! Important things to check are air in your tires, your headlights and taillights, and gas!  Safety is a priority, so make sure everything is checked thoroughly!  If you need additional assistance while on the road, the State Farm Assist Patrol program may be at your service!  State Farm has teamed up with state transportation agencies in 15 states to sponsor motor assist patrols to help keep you safe on the road.  Sponsored patrols look for crashes, dangerous debris, stranded motorists, and provide assistance to help drivers get safely on their way.  Keep this in mind while you travel- you never know when you may need it, and the best thing is that it’s complimentary!

Leave early

Holiday travel means triple, if not more, the people.  Give yourself more time than you think you will need.  In airports, it could easily take twice as long to get through security, and on roads, the traffic may not be a pretty sight. Always plan your trip to avoid rush hour traffic on the road! I like to allow at least 2.5 hours before my flight departs when traveling  by air during the peak of the holiday season.

Keep your phone charger handy

One thing I always keep in my carry on when flying is my phone charger.  I never put it in a checked bag because you never know if your flight will be delayed or if you’ll be in the airport longer than anticipated.  For car travel, having your charger handy for when your phone dies can save you time by not having to pull over and dig through bags!
Wait to wrap gifts 

If you’re traveling with gifts, it’s best to wait and wrap them once you get to your destination since they can easily get smushed or torn while being piled up in a trunk or suitcase.

Plan route and sleeping arrangements before leaving

Planning a long road trip?  Make it easier by mapping out your route ahead of time.  Deciding ahead of time on stopping points to sleep can save you both time and money while you’re on the road.  You’ll also have peace of mind knowing you have a place to stay.

Did you travel this holiday season? Be sure to keep these holiday travel tips in mind for your next trip!

Thank you State Farm for sponsoring this post!