Is it possible to road trip during COVID-19? A few months ago I made a huge decision to pause Takeout Kit, put all of our belongings in storage, and drive across the country to visit family.
Why? At the time, we were 2 months into California’s shelter-in-place COVID-19 mandate and I was getting a little antsy, to say the least. We had also rented a (read: non-refundable) summer house on the beach which I was a little reluctant to pass up after months of pacing our small Silicon Valley home. So we decided to take the risk and road trip during COVID. And you know what? 3 months later and we are free and clear of COVID-19. So how did we do it?
First, driving seemed like a much better alternative to getting on a plane. It was unknown whether airlines would take precautions with spacing out seats that we felt comfortable with. We also could not get our hands on any N95 masks to fly with peace of mind. So we packed up the Prius and headed on our way.
Plus, I’ve focused so much on traveling internationally and I felt that a good ole fashioned road trip of the U.S. was warranted.
For reference, here is where we’ve traveled so far (with foodie highlights):
- California
- Nevada
- Utah
- Colorado (green chilis in everything, micro brews, farm to table)
- Kansas (mushrooms and honey)
- Oklahoma (BBQ)
- Arkansas (BBQ)
- Memphis and Nashville, TN (smoked baby back ribs, hot chicken, fried green tomatoes)
- Kentucky (bourbon and mint juleps)
- Asheville, NC (beer!)
- Outer Banks, NC (steamed cajun shrimp)
- New York, NY (pizza, bagels)
- Portland and Bar Harbor, ME (seafood of any kind, lobsters, blueberries, oysters)
- Michigan
- Wisconsin (cheese curds, cherries)
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Montana (Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park) (Huckleberry anything, bison meatloaf, elk)
- Next?
Road Trip Rest Stops
Rest stops – are open! For the most part, it seems like management is being extra diligent about keeping rest stops clean. Just to be sure, always wear a mask when entering, wash your hands thoroughly, and lather on some hand sanitizer once you get back in your car. That is one of the keys to safety during COVID road trip.
Restaurants
Restaurants – are open! Eating on the road can be a challenge and even more of a challenge during COVID road trip. We discovered that Yelp is pretty useless since businesses tend not to keep this platform updated with limited hours, modified menus, etc. We’ve had really great luck using Google Maps to find our meals. Tip: filter for outdoor seating for an extra layer of safety.
Also, check the websites listed which will generally tell you if there is take-out only, limited menus, etc. Finally, call the restaurant before going just to make sure they are still open and seating. Sadly, a lot of business are struggling and have had to close during COVID-19. Please support your local restaurants if you can!
Hotels
Hotels – are open! At first, we opted for national chains we felt had protocols in place for extra sanitization during COVID-19. Hotels are generally empty and you can book rooms the same day for a reasonable price to keep your flexibilty.
Word from the wise, 4-5 star hotels do not necessarily mean that the properties are cleaner. We’ve had really great luck staying at 3-star chains like Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Element by Marriott, and Springhill Suites by Marriott. These chains tend to have new or recently renovated rooms that put you at ease during your COVID road trip.
When in doubt, carry a few Lysol wipes and sanitize surfaces before you become too comfortable. Just keep in mind that many hotels are not offering daily cleaning so you need to do your own housekeeping , especially if you’re staying at the same hotel for more than a few days. Also, free breakfast tends to be grab and go only and some are better than others.
Things to Do During Your COVID Road Trip
Things to do – opt outdoors. Naturally, you’re going to want to stay away from crowded activities. Besides having pizza in NYC (it was eerily empty), we have stayed in remote destinations that focus on outdoor recreation. Think beaches (socially distanced), hikes (bring a mask just in case), scenic drives, kayaking rivers, National Parks, etc. Most amusement parks and indoor activities are closed right now. Golf seems to have reopened generally.
So there you have it, a guide to help you with your USA road trip during COVID. If you do choose to venture out, please share your tips for staying safe and enjoying life! Have you rented an RV, gone camping, rented an Airbnb? We’d love to hear your thoughts on what has worked well and what hasn’t!
Are you looking for delicious global recipes? Be sure to check out the complete list.
