Planning a Road Trip During COVID-19

How to Plan a Road Trip During COVID-19

Is it even possible? Yes, it definitely is! And with some help from Enterprise, you can safely plan for a road trip – even during the COVID-19 outbreak. Find important information like how to choose the best mode of transportation, what to pack for your trip and other important things to consider when planning a road trip during Coronavirus. 

COVID-19 Road Trip Planner

There are several types of trips to take, including solo road trips, family road trips, road trips with your significant other and road trips with friends. Once you’ve narrowed down who your best travel buddy is, it’s important to think about time spent on the road. Are you planning on a weekend getaway, or do lingering COVID-19 concerns have you thinking more of a day trip close to home?

Whether it’s a romantic weekend getaway with your significant other, or you’re taking a solo road trip to get out of the house for a day, deciding who to travel with and how long you’ll be gone are the first steps in the road trip planning process.

Where to Travel During COVID-19

Most of the U.S. population was placed under a stay-at-home or shelter-in-place order during the beginning of the ongoing pandemic; however, some states are beginning to reopen as leaders across the country work to continuously evaluate cases. Find out the latest on where states stand in their plans to reopen so you can choose the best fit for your next on-the-road adventure.

Why Rent a Car During COVID-19

There’s no denying that travel has changed as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, but what mode of transportation is best for you or your family? When it comes to air travel and public transportation, you’re faced with more variables and less control over your situation. To maintain social distancing and ensure cleanliness on your trip a rental car may be your best option. And at Enterprise, now more than ever, we’re making it easier for you and your family to rent the perfect vehicle for your trip with confidence.

See an independent, first-hand account of renting a car during COVID-19 on TravelPulse.com.

Taking Precautions to Reduce the Spread of Coronavirus 

Clean vehicles have always been important to us, but at this moment in time, we know vehicle cleanliness is even more critical. That’s why we’ve modified our cleaning procedures using recommendations from leading health authorities. On top of vacuuming and general wipe-down cleaning of each vehicle, we’re sanitizing 20-plus key areas with disinfectant between every rental.

In addition, we’ve implemented vehicle delivery and curbside rental options to help promote social distancing by getting you quickly on your way while avoiding foot traffic in our locations. We also have measures in place to immediately isolate and quarantine any vehicle if needed. We're also urging travelers to please stay home if you are ill, displaying symptoms of COVID-19, been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are currently under quarantine.

We're also proud to announce Advance Check In. At 200+ participating locations in the US – with more coming soon – you can now check in up to 48 hours in advance of your rental to experience a low-contact rental process. It takes only a few minutes and is easy to complete.

Ensuring your safety and the safety of others in your group is our top priority during this difficult time. Learn more about how we’re protecting customers and employees from COVID-19 and how to reserve a rental car for your upcoming road trip.

What to Pack for a Road Trip During COVID-19

Before you hit the road, you'll want to make sure you've packed all the necessary essentials for your upcoming road trip.  

• Hand sanitizer – You might not always have access to clean running water and soap, so always pack some travel-sized hand sanitizer.
• First-aid kit – A small first-aid kit filled with bandages, antibiotic ointment and other medical necessities is always a wise thing to have on hand, particularly if you’ll be spending much of your vacation outdoors or in remote areas.
  
• Cooler (with snacks!) – It can’t hurt to pack snacks and beverages in preparation for a long trip so you can enjoy food and drink while still practicing social distancing.
• Paper towels – If you're bringing snacks, you should probably also bring some paper towels. They’ll help keep the inside of your car crumb and spill-free.
• Smartphone and charger – You can use your phone for turn-by-turn directions, emergency services, entertainment purposes or to look up different places to visit during your trip.
• Trash bags – Make sure you have trash bags to discard used sanitizing wipes, snack wrappers, used paper towels and other oddities.
• Sunscreen – Planning on being outdoors? Sunscreen is a must-have.
• Insect repellent – Banish creepy crawlers from your road trip with bug spray.
• Important documents – Make sure you have your ID, insurance information and wallet with you.
• Roadside assistance phone number – Should you run into issues along the way, our Roadside Assistance team is available to help (optional during rental car booking process, additional charges may apply).

Find other important things to consider when renting a car from Enterprise for your upcoming road trip.

Choose Socially Distanced Attractions 

Choosing attractions to visit is one of the best parts of planning a road trip. Maybe you’ll have a beach day filled with surf and sun. Or maybe you’ll spend your day hiking a scenic trail in one of the country’s most popular national parks (National Park Service COVID-19 update). No matter where you go, it’s important to plan your route so you can maintain the best cleaning and disinfecting practices during your travels.

For example, if you’re going to the beach, there may not be any bathrooms or sanitation stations available, so it’s important to keep standard cleaning supplies available to clean and disinfect your belongings. Or if you’re planning on being outdoors all day, you won’t have access to running water and soap, so planning bathroom breaks at a gas station on the way to your destination (or home) can help you implement best practice measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Not sure where to go? Find inspiration for your next road trip from Enterprise!