Short, cold days filled with snow and grey skies that make up the winter months can be a real downer. Even if you’re a fan of winter and enjoy skiing or other winter sports, it can wear you down and make you a bit gloomy. While some folks have the luxury of being able to head to warmer climates for the winter months, many people lack that option.

However, just because winter can be a bit dull doesn’t mean that you have to wait until spring and summer to have some fun-filled adventures. While road trips are often associated with sunny summer days, cruising along the highway with the top down, winter can also be a fantastic time to hit the road for an extended road trip. Though you won’t likely be making any stops at the beach during your winter road trip, there are still plenty of fun activities that await you.

Winter road trips can certainly be a fun experience either alone or with friends, but there are some factors you should consider before you take off. If you’re uncomfortable or unfamiliar with driving in inclement weather, you should take extra precautions when considering taking a winter road trip. Poor road conditions, if not properly prepared for, can end your trip before it ever really gets going.
 

When driving in cold weather, it is important for you to check that your tires are properly inflated and that they have an appropriate amount of tread. Avoid using cruise control on icy roads as you have far less control on slippery surfaces with cruise control engaged. Also, though it may seem counterintuitive, avoid trying to power up snowy hills, as your tires might lose traction causing you to slide backwards after you’ve lost all momentum.
 

If you plan on towing along a camper or a trailer with a couple of snowmobiles on it, you should make sure to check your vehicle’s tow rating to ensure that it is capable of hauling your specific load. Additionally, if you are towing anything heavy behind your vehicle, always make sure that you have plenty of extra stopping room as it will take much longer to slow down with the added weight. When braking, apply slow, even pressure to ensure that your tires maintain traction on icy or snowy roads and you’ll be off on your winter road trip accident-free.

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There are plenty of amazing scenic road trips for you to take that are just as breathtaking in the winter as they are in the summer. Traveling up the Pacific Coast Highway in America in the summer means that you’ll be met with endless traffic and tourists, but in the winter things are much less crowded, allowing you to enjoy the sights at your leisure. Arches National Park in Utah offers up an almost alien landscape, with snow covering many of the natural arches formed over millennia to create a one-of-a-kind winter experience.
 

If taking in the views doesn’t quite appeal to you, winter is a fantastic time to go on a historical tour of the Southwestern states. Taking the time to understand who the Manhattan Project scientists were, or the intricacies of the Civil and Revolutionary Wars will give you priceless insight into the history of a young nation. With the proper timing, you can cover several historically rich states in the span of a week or two while staying out of the blistering cold.
 

If you’re looking for some more offbeat winter activities, the Eastern portion of the United States has even more to offer you. Snowkiting is a popular activity in New England, wherein adventure seekers are pulled along the snow at high speeds, achieving massive air while doing so. Dog sledding and snow tubing are also both incredibly popular activities that can be enjoyed either alone or in larger groups, so no matter who is with you, you’ll be able to have a fantastic time.

Image, Ty Curry

Road trips and other long-term travel adventures can offer up a bevy of invaluable life lessons. However, these extended trips, while enlightening, still end up costing a pretty penny even if you plan things out on the cheap. One way to circumvent the costs of long vacations like road trips is to continue working while you travel.
 

Many companies offer remote work, capitalizing on the millennial generation’s penchant for travel. Even if your work doesn’t offer remote options, there are still plenty of ways to make money while traveling on the road. Freelance work is more popular than ever, allowing you to work your own hours while making a decent wage, and with the prevalence of new apps like TaskRabbit and Fiverr, making money doing odd jobs has never been easier.
 

Maybe you’d like to take a risk while you travel and make your dreams of starting up your own small business a reality. Traveling across the country is a fantastic way to get the word out about your business or product. Bringing along samples to give out on your way or custom promotional bags that you can fill with inexpensive goodies are a great way to make sure people remember you and your new business.
 

Whether you decide to take a winter road trip for business or pleasure, winter is an underappreciated time to travel. As long as you practice good safety measures and have a good plan set, a winter road trip can be just the thing you get you out of your funk.

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