Let’s talk about the one thing everyone has on their mind: the quarantine. It feels as though it will never end, doesn’t it? Even though Chicago (and nearly all of Illinois) should be open by July, many people are choosing to stay home or avoid large crowds all summer.
If you are doing the same, but you can’t bear the thought of a “staycation” in your house, you have probably thought of taking a nice road trip with your family.
It sounds great, doesn’t it? No crowded airports, planes, or tourist spots. Just the open road, a map, and few sweet outdoor destinations. You might even plan on camping to avoid germy hotels.
What If It All Goes Wrong?
We understand that feeling! No one wants to think about all the possible things that could go wrong on a road trip. However, you can save yourself from one disaster and end up with the road trip dreams are made of by doing one simple thing:
Have the air conditioning inspected and maintenance performed before you leave.
One of the Best Tips for Overcoming Road Trip Anxiety
Assuming you have already had your vehicle inspected or the maintenance performed, there is just one more thing to consider – the air conditioning.
No one, and we mean no one, wants to spend even half an hour, let alone a day’s drive in a car with lukewarm air conditioning. Or even worse, zero cold air coming through the vents!
We may not be able to help you pick the perfect camping spot, but we can assure you that if you get lost and your 4-hour trip turns into an 8-hour trip, you won’t need to spend it in a hot car.
More Than Cold Air
One thing most people don’t realize is that the air conditioning in your car is like adding a weighted backpack to a marathon runner. If the cooling system and air conditioning system aren’t working properly, you are asking for your car to overheat.
Wouldn’t that be fun? Sitting by the side of the road in an overheated car in 100 plus degree temperatures? Ugh.
Having the air conditioning system in your vehicle inspected will also keep you and your family healthy. Even if your ride is an older model, chances are that it has one or more cabin air filters. These filters trap and remove the dirty outside air, preventing dust, pollen, and bacteria from polluting the air inside your car.
These are routinely changed during an air conditioning maintenance inspection. Changing the cabin air filter regularly will help to prevent allergic reactions. It will also keep the inside of your car cleaner.
You can make your road trip almost headache-free by performing a vehicle inspection, as well as servicing the air conditioning before you hit the open road.
Notice we said “almost” because of course even we can’t guarantee that you will love the places you have chosen.
Best Road Trip Ideas Within a Day’s Drive of Chicago
Unless you are seriously pressed for time, you most likely want to avoid the awfully close and usually crowded parks such as Maggie Daley, Lincoln Park, and Starved Rock.
**It’s best to call ahead to see who is open and any special requirements for entry, such as a face mask. A few places that you might enjoy visiting that are within a 6-hour drive from Chicago include:
1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
This is one of America’s newer parks. It was given national park status back in 2000. Cuyahoga Valley sits right in between Akron and Cleveland Ohio. There is so much to do and see here. Best of all, it is often uncrowded. You can reach this park in about 5 hours from Chicago.
Check out Tinker’s Creek Gorge, then walk over to Bridal Veil Falls. The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail run alongside the canal that was once used to transport goods until the railroads took over. Brandywine Falls is another great water feature. If you aren’t all that keen on camping, there is a fantastic bed and breakfast nearby.
2. Saugatuck, Michigan
A short two-and-a-half-hour drive will get you to this small town that boasts a sweet state park (Saugatuck Dunes State Park). It has about 14 miles worth of hiking and walking trails. There is also a secluded beach along Lake Michigan that you will want to check out.
Again, if camping isn’t your forte, there are plenty of hotels nearby.
3. South Haven, Michigan
This is one tow that is aptly named! Before your kids can finish a movie, you can drive to South Haven and enjoy small-town life that includes a Maritime Museum, a century-old lighthouse, and fantastic Lake Michigan. It’s perfect to soak up some sun or enjoy the multitude of water sports.
4. Door County, Wisconsin
In between Lake Michigan and Green Bay, Wisconsin lies Door County, Wisconsin. If you are looking for some R&R, fishing, and a bit of camping, you can’t beat Door County. The area encompasses 3 state parks, including Newport, Peninsula, and Potawatomi. All these parks have expansive beaches and water sports, as well as camping opportunities and hiking. All of this within a reasonable 5-hour drive.
Stop at one of the many lighthouses in this area and you won’t want to pass up the roadside stands that sell freshly picked cherries. Bailey’s Harbor is something wine lovers won’t want to miss. Also, Stone’s Throw Winery has wine tasting and live entertainment most weekends.
5. Carbondale, Illinois
We don’t want to leave our own terrific state out of the loop, do we? Carbondale is about a 5.5-hour drive. You can get the best of both worlds with camping at Giant City State Park or you can head over to Shawnee National Forest, where there is a wide variety of wineries to choose from. With more than a dozen parks in this area, you are sure to find something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
Regardless of which direction you plan on going, you will have some real peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is in tip-top condition.
Plan on having your car, truck, or SUV inspected and the AC serviced about 2 weeks before your vacation. This way, if parts need to be ordered, you should have plenty of time to have your vehicle repaired so you can hit the highway on your set vacation date.
Contact My Mechanic today for an appointment! We are open and ready to prepare your ride for the road trip of a lifetime.
