Embarking on a road trip through the Midwest this fall? If so, you’ll have plenty to look forward to when driving around this particular region, with the natural landscapes and bustling urban hubs in states like Nebraska, Illinois, and Ohio drawing in countless visitors this time of year.
Right now is also the best time to get going. Gas prices are trending downward across the country as summer draws to a close, with those in the Midwest currently lower than the national average of $3.70 per gallon. That means your Midwestern road trip is bound to be epic—and, not to mention, affordable!
To truly make the most out of your journey, though, you’ll want to take precautions that’ll maximize your driving safety on the road. That’s especially true since you’ll be driving for longer, increasing your chances of getting into a crash. Fortunately, there are plenty of tips and tricks you can try to stay safe on your adventure of the Midwest.
Research your trip enhances safety on the road
One of the biggest reasons accidents occur is based on our psychology. Many drivers tend to speed when they think it’ll get them to their destination faster. You may end up doing the same if you run into delays, like extra bathroom breaks or emergency stopovers, that put your plans off track. The Midwest is also called “Tornado Alley” for a reason: the region’s unique geography makes tornadoes more likely to form, and climate change is making it even more vulnerable to extreme weather events. That emphasizes just how crucial it is to plan your route.
By researching where you want to drive and when, you can keep up a sustainable pace that doesn’t compel you to speed once you’re behind schedule—and enjoy optimal road conditions in the process. Our guide to planning the ultimate road trip through the Midwest recommends staggering a route spanning Chicago to Mount Rushmore over the course of a week, which will also give you time to explore plenty of attractions along the way. To avoid uniquely Midwestern phenomena like tornadoes as well as strong rainstorms, plan your trip with the help of an informative app or website like AccuWeather.
Protect your eyes for safer driving
Clear eyesight is crucial, whether you’re reading your dashboard to maintain a safe speed, following signs—or staying aware of other road users, which can facilitate the split-second reactions needed to avoid collisions. However, driving in certain conditions can mar your vision. For instance, sunlight bouncing off the waters of the Missouri River can obscure how well you can see the road. That’s why it’s often recommended to wear sunglasses when driving during the day. Sunglasses with polarized filters, like MacV’s Antoni and Magaluf models, are specifically designed to block the sun’s glare, and they come with lightweight frames comfortable enough to wear on long drives.
You’ll also have to be wary about driving at night, which you’re more likely to do often as daylight hours shorten beyond the summer. Outside its cities, the Midwest is mostly agricultural, which means it will be more challenging to see the road after dark. In these cases, you’ll want to get eyeglasses with driving-friendly features. The frames from Ray-Ban’s collection, such as the Erika and Alain Optics, can accommodate your prescriptions and ensure clear vision. The collection includes light-responsive models that can adapt to the conditions you’re driving in. Using additional lens technologies like Chromance, they can enhance color contrast even in low lighting, which can help you see the road in better detail at night for safer drives.
Prepare for car emergencies
For a safe and seamless road trip through the Midwest, your car needs to be in peak condition, which is why you may want to have your local mechanic check it out before you start driving. Even so, you may run into a few problems on the road that call for an emergency stopover. That’s where it can help to bring a toolkit.
To ensure you have everything you need to fix smaller issues and get your car in a good enough condition to make it to the next town, consider packing a few essentials. That can include adjustable wrenches and screwdrivers you can use on a variety of your car’s components, some duct tape, a pair of pliers, jumpstart cables, a spare tire and tire jack, and maybe even a utility knife for working on smaller pieces. You’ll also want to pack visibility equipment, like flares and reflective hazard triangles, in case you’re stuck in a more isolated area of the Midwest and need to call the attention of a passing car. These can all ensure you safely reach the next stop on your itinerary.
Rest often during your road trip
When making your way through the Midwest, you’ll be in for a long ride. Driving from Minneapolis to St. Louis alone will take you around eight hours, and your road trip might last even longer if you plan to pass by all the states in the region and check out the attractions they have to offer. That means the routes you’ll take are likely to drain your energy. Physical and mental alertness are crucial if you want to stay safe on the road, so arguably the most crucial tip to keep in mind is not to push yourself.
The CDC notes that people who are on the road for more than 17 hours drive as if they have a blood alcohol level of up to .10—and the marker for being legally drunk sits at .08. So instead of driving from dusk till dawn, stop for the day once you’ve hit eight and a half hours. It’s a great rule of thumb to follow for multi-day road trips, because you can work in sightseeing adventures, coffee breaks, and hotel stays every so often to recharge and refresh your alertness on the road. Doing so can also help you keep a good pace as you make your way through the Midwest, so factor in your rest breaks when you’re preparing your itinerary. The region will receive less sunlight in the fall, though, so take that into consideration as you plan out how long you spend on the road each day.
Fall road trip essentials
What other essentials should you bring on your drive through the Midwest? Here are some items you’ll want to have on hand, especially if you’re making the trip as temperatures drop in the fall:
- Warm layers, like a jacket
- A hat
- Driving gloves
- A cozy blanket
- An insulated mug or thermos, perfect for your pumpkin spice latte
- Your favorite snacks
- A portable power bank
- Entertainment, such as music, toys, books, and gadgets, for your companions (and especially kids!)
- A physical map of the Midwestern US, for when you can’t access the internet
- A reusable drink carrier for the drive-thru and coffee breaks.
Packing your car properly for a road trip
Worried about how you’re going to fit everything inside your car—especially when going on a grander, more comprehensive tour of the Midwest?
Maximize your roof. Need even more space, or can’t fold your seats? Get a roof rack so you can put even more things on top of your car.
Fold your seats. If you’re not embarking on a road trip at full capacity, fold any unused seats in your car for more trunk space.
Pack your biggest items first. Whether that includes suitcases, tents, or foldable tables, put all your bulky items in place before everything else. You can fit the rest of your belongings in the gaps.
Put your essentials on top. Necessary items, like first aid kits and blankets, will be used more often, so put them on top of the rest of your belongings for easy retrieval. Consider placing all of your essentials in one of our trunk organizers so you can get your hands on everything you need in one go.
Want to get more great ideas on what Road Trips to take and how to best prepare? Read the meori blog, Organize Life, for tips on home storage ideas, decluttering tips, and alternatives to plastic bags and disposables.