Summer is synonymous with vacations. Whether you prefer all-out island trips or you’re more like me and take weekend trips away at a friend’s house, quarantine has probably (at best) interrupted your plans. Some states have started opening up in phases, but it’s still not a good idea to get on a plane or head to a busy tourist destination anytime soon. Most other countries have travel restrictions anyway.
But that doesn’t mean cabin fever hasn’t been creeping in. Thankfully, there are things you can do to get out of the space you’ve been occupying nearly 24/7 for the past five months. This is not the time to take a cross-country road trip in search of yourself like Britney Spears in Crossroads, but you can still drive to unique places nearby. Here’s how to safely take a road trip and some suggestions on what to bring.
If you can’t get away, we have recommendations on ways to stay entertained at home. Check out our guides to phone games to survive social distancing, gear for making beer, wine, cider, and mead, how to stay sane in quarantine, and how to stay productive through it all.
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Photograph: Charles Gullung/Getty Images
Find a Spot in Your State (and Be Smart About It)
The Destination
Right now, we need to be more mindful of where we’re going and who we’re seeing. You probably shouldn’t be traveling out of state, but if you do, many states now require visitors to quarantine for 14 days. (You need to do the same when you return to your home state.) Skip public pools and tourist attractions. And if there’s any chance you could be infected with Covid-19, or you’re just not feeling well, call your doctor and do not leave your house.
If you’ve been quarantining and need to get out, think about the places close by that you have overlooked. Do you live near a weird roadside attraction that probably won’t be overrun with people? A historic landmark? Or maybe you’re near a lake or a national park that’s reopened? You’ll need to do some Googling to find results in your home state (this seems like a handy website to check). Find somewhere nearby, pack a lunch, and make a day trip out of it, or find a socially distanced campground and stay the night (or three).
If you’re near one of the 12 cabin sites offered by Getaway House, they’re open at limited capacity to maintain distance. Check-in and check-out are contact-free, the cabins are between 50 and 150 feet apart (depending on the outpost), and there are no communal spaces for strangers to interact.
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Photograph: Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Take Extra Precautions
How to Stay Safe
If you find yourself around others at any point on your trip, make sure you wear a face mask. You can buy nice masks or make your own. You’ll need to wash them relatively frequently, so bring a few extras. Washing your hands is just as important if not more. It won’t be easy on a road trip, so you can either bring a lot of water in reusable bottles or pack enough hand sanitizer for everyone. (We have a guide on how to make some yourself.)
A gas can will minimize social interactions on your trip too. But if you don’t want to do that, put on disposable gloves before you touch a gas pump; take the gloves off immediately after—don’t touch your door, your phone, and your face—and sanitize your hands. And please, do not throw dirty gloves on the ground.
Not every public bathroom is closed, but many are. If you’re going to a campground, ask beforehand whether the public bathrooms are open, and check the status of any rest stops along the way. You may need to prepare for going in the woods.
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Photograph: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg/Getty Images
If You Need to Rent a Car
Enterprise
If you don’t own a car, you can still get away by renting one. Prices will vary depending on the type of car you need, the length of your trip, and how far you’re taking it. WIRED writer Matt Jancer recommends Enterprise, but he says Hertz and Avis are solid alternatives if the price is right. Discount rental car services, like Thrifty and Dollar, can be hit or miss. All the top services are thoroughly cleaning cars between customers. (You can find statements on their websites for Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis), but we recommend going through the car with disinfectant wipes just to be safe.
If you don’t want to rent a car (or don’t have a driver’s license), we suggest waiting this one out. Public transportation might be running, but there are a lot of unknowns when you’re getting on a bus or train.
