Snow, ice, sleet, slush — if you’re going on a winter road trip, you need to know how to deal with the season’s inclement weather, preferably before you turn the key in the ignition. Even if you’re planning a winter road trip specifically to avoid snow, it’s still good to study up.
Not all winter road trips will involve extreme weather conditions, but you don’t need to be driving in Alaska to run into winter driving conditions. Remember that it’s not just snow but ice and below-freezing temperatures that can affect a winter road trip.
“Many drivers don’t know what to do when the weather gets cold,” Benjamin Leuchter, a test and development driver for Volkswagen, said. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan winter driving adventures — in fact, we’re big fans of ski trips. It just means you’ll want to prepare to drive in snowy conditions to avoid getting stuck, according to Leuchter.
Before hitting the road this winter, follow these tips from Leuchter and other car safety experts to stay safe during a cold-weather road trip.
Bring winter safety essentials
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“Having some essential items in your vehicle before hitting the road is key to not only give you peace of mind but to ensure you’re prepared in case of bad weather,” Suzanne Johansson, a safety engineer at Chevrolet, said.
In addition to a snow brush and an ice scraper, Johansson recommends keeping a snow shovel and abrasive material, such as sand or cat litter, in your car. You’ll also want to have jumper cables, a flashlight and emergency flares in case you encounter unexpected problems.
While you may not want to wear your heaviest coat, boots and gloves when you get behind the wheel (it can be hard to drive when you’re overly bundled), Johansson recommends stowing cold-weather clothing in your car. She also suggests keeping a blanket or sleeping bag in your emergency winter car kit should you need extra layers to stay warm if you get stuck or stranded.
Pack a DIY car emergency kit
In addition to the previously mentioned winter-specific car items, experts at AAA strongly recommend packing a well-stocked emergency kit before venturing out in your vehicle. Create a bag that includes a cellphone charger, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, drinking water, and extra snacks and food for travelers and pets to keep in your car.
Prepare your car for winter
In the days leading up to a long trip, set aside time to get your car checked by an expert. “Have your dealer or a trusted mechanic do any scheduled service on your vehicle [before you embark on a trip in wintry conditions],” Johansson said. During this service visit, make sure your battery, tires, headlights, brake lights, wiper blades and other critical parts are tested and ready for winter, she added.
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Check your tires
Since your tires are the only parts of your car that actually touch the road, it’s especially important to make sure they’re ready to roll before your winter road trip begins. Start by checking the tread depth, which you can do by inserting a quarter (head first) into the tread, AAA advises. If you can see the top of George Washington’s head, it’s time for new tires.
Leuchter also advises checking the pressure on all four tires, especially in winter when it tends to drop with the temperature. Routinely check and adjust your tires’ pressure to the recommended levels for your vehicle, which are listed inside the driver’s side door jamb.
Hit the car wash
Having a clean car may not be top of mind when you’re preparing for a winter road trip, but it’s a commonly missed tip that our experts say you should prioritize. This is especially true for cars with advanced safety features that rely on sensors and cameras. In the front, keep the windshield, front grill, front bumper area and headlamps clean. In the rear, make sure the rear camera lens and rear bumper are clean.
Download the right apps
Another way to prepare for a winter road trip is to load your phone with helpful apps. Here are a few options:
Weather Underground, Weather, Weather Bug: Any weather app that provides both long-range forecasts and emergency weather alerts based on your current GPS (like these) will ensure you receive up-to-date information about driving conditions throughout your journey.
GasBuddy: This app is designed to help you find the cheapest gas as you drive to your destination, but it also doubles as a way to locate the closest service station in an emergency.
ChargePoint, ChargeHub, Electrify America: Travelers with electric vehicles should use one of these apps to find nearby charging locations.
Waze: Use this directions app to get real-time, crowd-sourced road conditions and hazards.
Google Maps: This app allows you to download directions for offline use so you can always know how to get to your destination, even if you lose your phone signal.
TripWhistle: One of our favorite travel apps, TripWhistle maps your location and allows you to easily text or send your GPS coordinates.
Hotel Tonight: Another go-to app among TPGers, this last-minute booking app can locate the closest available hotel room and find you the lowest price in case you need to get off the road and take a break.
Read the manual
When was the last time you read your car’s safety manual? It’s another overlooked prep step, Johansson said. Before you set out, take some time to review the sections of your owner’s manual that cover antilock brakes, traction control and four- or all-wheel drive (if equipped). This way, you’ll be aware of your vehicle’s features and how to use them before you need to.
Skip cruise control
While you may be tempted to use car features like speed-maintaining cruise control, Leuchter recommends avoiding cruise control systems since the frequency of stops may increase in wintry conditions. Instead, manually control your car’s position so that there’s more distance — at least three car lengths — between your vehicle and the car in front of you. Also, avoid quick acceleration, aggressive steering and sudden braking, Leuchter said.
Fill up the gas tank and other car essentials
JASMIN MERDAN/GETTY IMAGES
It’s important to stay fueled and charged since bad weather can cause unexpected delays, Johansson said. She recommends keeping your gas tank at least half full and your cellphone charged whenever you head out in your car in winter. Additionally, you’ll want to check that your windshield washer fluid is filled with an antifreeze solution to protect your visibility on the road.
Be prepared for slower EV charge speeds
If you drive an electric vehicle, temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit can dramatically reduce charging power by nearly 36% compared to charging at the optimal 60- to 80-degree range, according to Electrify America. Be sure to plan out your charging stops so you’re not caught without power. Try to park indoors in a garage if possible — the higher indoor temperatures can help your battery hold a charge for longer in addition to charging more quickly.
Know what to do if you start to skid
If you’ve ever driven in icy weather, you’ve probably experienced that stomach-churning feeling when your tires connect with an icy road. While hitting a patch of ice and consequently skidding can cause nerves, it’s important to stay calm and resist the urge to slam on the brakes, according to AAA. Instead, decide where you want the car to go and steer in that direction.
Dig out and stay warm while you wait for help
Should you find yourself stuck in snow or ice and waiting for help, clear the snow from the base of your vehicle, especially around the exhaust pipe, Johansson said. Then, intermittently run the vehicle to keep the interior warm. Don’t forget to open a window about two inches to bring in fresh air.
Citigroup has launched the Strata Elite credit card, positioned as a premium travel rewards card for frequent travelers with a $595 annual fee. It sits strategically between the more expensive American Express Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards, offering high-end perks at a lower cost than its direct competitors.
This card is specifically designed for affluent customers—a group with high spending power and strong credit profiles whom Citi aims to attract with hopes of cross-selling wealth management and other financial services.
Rather than overwhelming users with many niche benefits, Citi advocates for a streamlined rewards package. The offering delivers core high-value perks instead of what executives describe as “a coupon book” of benefits, a shift aligned with growing consumer preference for clarity
When cardholders book through the Citi Travel portal, they earn elevated multipliers—12× ThankYou points on hotels, car rentals and attractions; 6× points on airfare and CitiNights weekend dining; 3× points on other dining; and 1.5× points on all other spend.
If fully utilized, the card can deliver nearly $1,500 in annual value through statement credits and premium benefits. Highlights include a $300 annual hotel credit for qualifying stays, a $200 “splurge” credit redeemable with partners such as American Airlines, Best Buy, or Live Nation, $200 in Blacklane chauffeur credits, and a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every four years.
Additional perks include four Admirals Club lounge passes annually, complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, no foreign transaction fees, and extensive travel insurance coverage—including trip delay, baggage loss and rental car protection.
Citi extends fee relief to Citigold clients: Citigold Private Clients receive a full rebate the first year and pay $145 per year subsequently, while standard Citigold members get a $145 annual credit toward the fee.
Even at $595 per year, analysts consider the Strata Elite competitively priced compared with the Sapphire Reserve’s $795 fee and AmEx Platinum’s $695. MarketWatch reports that as premium card fees climb, Citi’s simpler value proposition aligns with customer bluntness toward overcomplicated perks.
In this commentary: Should I cancel my summer vacation?
in this commentary
Summer vacation plans are in jeopardy as travelers grapple with sticker shock, overwhelming crowds, and safety worries.
Are your reasons for canceling valid, or just excuses? This commentary separates the legitimate concerns from the lame ones.
Before you pull the plug on your trip, you need to know about the potential fallout—from disappointed family to steep financial penalties.
Is the thought of going on summer vacation too much for you? Too much money, too much hassle, too much everything?
Well, you’ve got company.
Americans are having second thoughts about their summer vacations, according to Stephen Day, director of Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Economic Education.
“People think their vacation dollars won’t take them very far,” he says.
A new survey finds that more than half of Americans are cutting back their summer travel plans, spurred by economic worries and price increases.
Should they? The answer is yes — and no. There’s no requirement to take a summer vacation. But there are also good — and not so good — reasons to cancel this year’s summer vacation.
You don’t have to take a vacation this summer
You may feel some pressure to go somewhere this summer, but experts say that’s nonsense.
“There’s nothing wrong with staying home,” says Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips. “I respect a client who says, ‘We just can’t afford a trip this year.’ I appreciate that kind of honesty. Financial stress can spoil a vacation.”
The best reason to postpone or cancel a summer vacation is your personal circumstances — health issues, job loss, or personal crises. Friends and family can put a lot of pressure on you to go somewhere. Maybe there’s that moment next to the water cooler after Labor Day where you’re comparing your vacation stories with your colleagues, and maybe it fills you with dread.
So I’ll let you off the hook. If someone gives you an eye-roll when you admit you stayed home this summer, show them this column. Read Sherren’s quote. Hold your head high, my friend.
Summer vacation is not mandatory.
Here’s why you should cancel your summer vacation
There are legitimate reasons to call off your summer vacation.
It’s too expensive
Face it, traveling this summer is far from affordable. Airfares and hotel rates are trending higher in many popular places. “It’s massively expensive,” says Sarah Davies, who works for a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. She’s thinking of canceling her summer trip to Italy. “Is it a wise use of our finances?” she wonders. (Typically, if you have to ask that question, you already know the answer, which is to cancel.)
It’s too crowded
Crowds will probably be a serious problem this summer. Maria Szandrach has already canceled her summer vacation in Portugal. “I had everything planned — days wandering through Lisbon’s historic streets, exploring the stunning cliffs in the Algarve, and indulging in way too many pastéis de nata,” says Szandrach, who runs a technology company in San Francisco. “But after reading about how crowded things were going to be, I decided to cancel.” She says she didn’t want to spend her entire vacation “packed like a sardine at every major site.” And that’s a legitimate concern.
It’s too dangerous
Sebastian Garrido, a marketing manager for a tour operator based in Mexico City, says he’s canceled his summer vacation to visit his family in northern Mexico because he’s worried about security. “Northern Mexico is not the safest place,” he says. That may be an understatement. The U.S. State Department has warned of gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault along parts of the border with the U.S.. Better choose a safer summer vacation destination.
Bad reasons to cancel your summer vacation
But there are also reasons people are calling off their summer vacation that don’t really hold up. Those include:
“I can’t leave my pet alone”
Oh, for heaven’s sake! Get a friend to stop by your place to feed or walk your dog, or to house sit while you’re away, and enjoy a little time off. If you can’t bear to part with your furry friend, then find a pet-friendly summer vacation.
“I’m too busy for a vacation”
What nonsense! If you don’t take a little time off, you’re going to burn out. Everyone needs a little downtime away from the phone and laptop and spent with friends or family. You have to make the time.
“I’m not a good traveler”
Guess what? No one is a good traveler. Travel is uncomfortable, expensive and inconvenient — but once you get to your destination, it’s usually worth it. So don’t give me any excuses about being a bad traveler, please.
Your voice matters
🖐️ Your voice matters
Are you having second thoughts about your summer vacation this year? What are your biggest concerns—cost, crowds, or something else?
And what do you think is the best reason to cancel a trip?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Warning: If you cancel your vacation, you will have to deal with this
If you decide to cancel your summer vacation plans, be prepared for a few things. First, there will be fallout from the rest of your family or travel companions, who were really looking forward to seeing Rome or Lisbon this summer. You may have to promise them a do-over during the fall, when travel will be less expensive and crowded, so that’s a real win-win.
But second, and equally important, is that you could face some steep cancellation penalties. If you’ve already prepaid for airfare and hotels, you may lose some money. (That’s one reason I sometimes recommend travel insurance, especially “cancel for any reason” travel insurance. Because stuff happens.)
I’m having second thoughts about my summer travels, too. I’m currently in Germany and headed to Greece next week. I’m trying to avoid the popular places, and I’m staying flexible just in case things take a turn for the worse.
You never know.
The smart traveler’s guide to canceling a vacation
1
Review your policies first
Before you do anything, read the cancellation policies for your flights, hotels, and tours. Pay close attention to deadlines and non-refundable clauses.
2
Contact vendors immediately
The sooner you notify companies of your cancellation, the better your chances of a refund. Use email to create a written record of your request.
3
Understand your refund options
Companies may offer a cash refund, a future travel credit, or a voucher. Know the difference and the expiration dates for any credits offered.
4
File a travel insurance claim
If you have travel insurance and are canceling for a covered reason (like a medical issue), start the claims process right away. Be prepared to provide documentation.
There’s a moment just before every journey begins that feels suspended in time. You close the suitcase. You glance at your boarding pass. The world feels wide open—inviting, electric, full of possibility.
For many travelers, the promise of summer is just that: the sea’s shimmer, the deep blue stretch of sky, stars twinkling above a quiet beach, or the crisp air at the summit of a long-awaited mountain climb. This is the season for new landscapes, new languages, and unforgettable stories.
And yet, seasoned travelers know that while spontaneity adds magic to any adventure, preparation adds freedom. That’s where travel health insurance—and more specifically, Dunav Insurance Company’s policy—comes in.
“Travel health insurance provides protection against unforeseen medical expenses due to injury or health problems that may occur during a trip or stay abroad,” explains Ljubomir Zec, Director of Internal and External Sales at Dunav Insurance Company. “Our travel health insurance policy covers the costs of sudden and urgent medical interventions, outpatient and inpatient treatment, necessary medication, and transportation to the nearest medical facility.”
It’s a practical consideration, certainly. But it’s also a mindset. A traveler who is covered travels differently—more boldly, more fully. There’s a confidence in knowing you’re not navigating the unexpected alone.
Travel insurance. Photo credit: Shutterstock
What sets Dunav’s travel policy apart is its combination of ease, speed, and digital accessibility. In a few taps, on a smartphone or computer, the entire process is complete—no lines, no delays.
“Purchasing a travel health insurance policy online is quick and easy,” says Zec. “No matter where you are—at home on your computer, out on the street, or even in your car—you can complete this important policy in just a few minutes. Simply enter the details from your travel documents, along with your destination and trip duration, and you’ll not only be covered but also enjoy a 10% discount on your premium.”
For those who have experienced a sudden illness or injury while abroad, the importance of 24/7 access to reliable support cannot be overstated. Dunav’s dedicated Contact Center—reachable at +381 11 36 36 940—offers real-time assistance, day or night.
“Our friendly operators will provide all the necessary information and guidance to help ease your situation,” Zec says. He notes that coverage can reach up to €35,000 for a modest premium. “If you’re unable to get in touch with our center at a critical moment, be sure to keep all medical records and receipts. This way, upon your return, you can claim reimbursement for expenses covered under your travel health insurance policy.”
That blend of accessibility, financial protection, and customer care is the reason more and more travelers are making room in their itinerary for one essential extra: a Dunav travel health insurance policy.
Because while it can’t predict the unexpected, it ensures that when it happens—you’re ready.
To learn more or secure your policy before you travel, visit Dunav Insurance online or contact their dedicated team at +381 800 386 286 (toll-free in Serbia).
