Driving home for Christmas: packing and driving tips
Whatever your Christmas prep and plans are – from giving someone the perfect gift, spending some quality time with your nearest and dearest or craving delicious turkey from your Grandma's oven - Zipcar is here to make it easy, and fun too! To help you plan your Christmas travel, out check our latest guide on what to think about when you plan and pack for Christmas.
1. Plan your route in advance
Christmas is always a busier time than usual to be driving, plus there’s often the risk of wet, windy or snowy weather. So be prepared with the right gear and a well-stocked emergency kit in your vehicle.
Plan your route ahead, we suggest you drive during the midweek before Christmas when the road will be way quieter than the following days, especially if you avoid morning and rush hours. Use traffic apps for real-time updates and don’t get in any road rage just be nice and patient, travel times will be surely longer… it’s Christmas time!
2. Leave yourself extra time
Leave early! Millions of people will hit the road on that day, and all those extra vehicles on the road mean one thing: traffic congestion and potential delays. To avoid getting caught in the holiday traffic take a Zipcar!
By hiring a car on Christmas with Zipcar you will:
• Save on Cost: Every Zipcar trip includes fuel, insurance and 24/7 breakdown cover. Our rate is super convenient with the first 60 miles included in the price.
• Generate less traffic: renting a car with Zipcar means that there are fewer cars on the road, leading to there’s less traffic and fewer emissions. You will cut your carbon footprint, generating more street space in our cities for people and not cars!
• Conscious and sustainable choice: Fewer cars on the road means cleaner air. On top of that, since we don’t need as much parking, there will be more room for nature.
3. Make an epic Christmas Playlist
With many hours of driving ahead, why don’t create your own personalised Christmas playlist to get in the festive spirit? To kick things off, here are a few favourites from our team:
Wham! - Last Christmas
Mariah Carey - All I want for Christmas is you
Elton John - Step Into Christmas
The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping
Micheal Bubble - Santa Claus is coming to town…
…Find your tune and we are sure you will have everyone singing along in no time!
4. Remember all the gifts!
Be the real Santa of the day, make a list and check it twice before you begin your journey. Got a big family? At Zipcar, we have a vehicle just around the corner from you, in various makes and models. Choose the one that best suits your needs, you don’t want to forget anyone on Christmas! For something a little roomier check our MG ZS and Nissan Juke.
5. Pack strategically
Never underestimate how much stuff you’ll need to pack into the car! To get it all in you’ll need to be quite clever with your packing. It’s always a good idea to start with heavy things at the bottom of your boot. Fill any gaps with smaller, less fragile items before finally topping off the pile with lighter belongings and gifts you don’t want to be crushed also hiring a roof box is a great solution. Got a puppy? Make sure you reserve enough space for them and plan some stops along the way to make also for them an enjoyable journey.
Now that you are all set on driving home for Christmas, hit the road and enjoy the journey! Remember, the holiday season is a time for family, friends, and good cheer. So relax and make the most of your time on the road.
Safe travels and happy holidays!
