Gas Prices Are Down -- Let's Hit the Road This Holiday Season!

Rand McNally Provides Helpful Holiday Hints for the Road

SKOKIE, IL -- Dec. 22, 2014: With average U.S. gas prices at $2.55 per gallon, road tripping to the relative's house or just to get out of town is more affordable this season than years past.

Expecting that there will be more cars on the road during a season fraught with weather complexities, Rand McNally has compiled a top ten tips list to ensure that you and your passengers arrive safe and in good spirits!

Create an emergency kit including water, blankets, snacks, and any critical items such as medications. A sudden traffic jam or snowstorm may mean you will need to hunker down in the car for an extended period of time.

Ensure that you have a tire and the ability to change one. Flares are another good item to have – especially if you need to pull off the road during the evening hours.

If driving in areas where a sudden weather event may occur (upstate New York, or the Colorado Rockies for instance), have sturdy shoes and warm coat at the ready – along with a small snow shovel. Digging out of a snowbank in your new holiday heels and a pashmina wrap isn't pretty.

Communicate arrival expectations and a route. Make sure a neighbor and the family member or friend expecting you are clued in on the plan – when cell phones are out of range, and the unforeseen happens, people will know where to find you.

Have jumper cables available, and know how to use them! Even if you do not find the need for them on your trip, family or friends with cars sitting out in cold climates may.

When packing your car, ensure that the beautifully wrapped gifts and the shopping bags with store brands on them are in the trunk, or otherwise hidden from view. Don't let your car be a target for a thief when you are parked at a rest stop or restaurant enroute.

Don't forget the Rand McNally Road Atlas! Nothing beats the atlas for giving you the "big picture" of your trip and working as a handy backup – without the need for recharging, internet, satellite, or cell coverage!

If you do experience an accident, and your car is still drivable, pull off in a safe place and call the police. Use a Rand McNally Road Atlas to find emergency numbers by state, and the closest mile markers so that tow trucks and law enforcement can easily locate you.

When traveling with children, pack a few inexpensive surprises – a special snack, a card game, or use the Road Atlas to find funny names or interesting places along your route.

And finally –

Pack the right attitude! Getting there is half the fun. Relax and enjoy the journey.