FYI Huntington

The holidays are a festive time of year, but they can also prove stressful for the millions of people who travel to visit friends and family or use time off during the holidays to go on vacation. Because so many people travel during the holidays, airports are more crowded than usual and the nation's roadways often experience heavy traffic, especially on the days immediately before and after a holiday.

Traveling during the holiday season is a mixed blessing. School vacations and time off from work provide great opportunities to spend a “White Christmas” with faraway family and friends or sneak in an end-of-year getaway via “The Polar Express.”

Driving vacations are typically a more affordable option than flying for families looking to get away. Families often must decide between the convenience of flying versus the cost-effectiveness of self-driving vacations. Parents who hope to have a fun and affordable trip may find that driving saves them a substantial amount of money over traveling by air.

Road trips hold a special place in many people's hearts. The open road and the freedoms it represents have been romanticized by writers and travelers since automobiles became accessible to the masses.

 

While many drivers still take to the road looking for adventure, road trips have changed considerably since Jack Kerouac penned his seminal novel "On the Road" in the 1950s. The spirit of the open road is still there, but the way travelers approach road trips has changed considerably, most notably with regard to the technology that motorists now take along for the ride. Drivers about to embark on a road trip, whether it's their first such venture or their fiftieth, can make trips even more enjoyable by taking along the right tech.