Need to check weather for a road trip? Here’s how to find information on road conditions along your route.
Weather events cause more than one million crashes every year on average in the United States and result in approximately 6,000 deaths and a whopping half a million injuries, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Storms, snow, ice, heavy rain, hail, dense fog, and severe crosswinds can make for extremely hazardous road conditions.
How to Check Road Conditions in Real Time
Road condition reports can help make the trip safer, especially during changing weather conditions. The Safe Travel USA website links to current road conditions reported by all states. Some state sites offer live webcam images to capture view first-hand what’s out there.
You can also get up-to-the-minute road condition information by dialing 511 on any phone. This number links travelers to a national database established and operated by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. The 511 system connects drivers in 30 participating states to receive real-time information pertaining to road conditions, route detours and construction, and more.
Apps That Let You Check the Weather En Route
Put these apps in your toolkit to check weather for a road trip.
WeatherBug
While the popular and powerful WeatherBug app (also available for Android) is packed with a lot of information you may not need, it also does lets you quickly access exactly what you’re looking for, like weather conditions with hourly and extended forecasts. You can track multiple locations at once, which is handy if you need to know what’s happening back at home, or in the next on your road trip.
Weathermob
Like Waze for weather, the crowdsourced Weathermob app (available for iPhone only) relies on a combination of real-time weather reports from users on the ground plus meteorological data.
Hurricane from the American Red Cross
Traveling between June and November to Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean or another hurricane-prone destination? Before you go, download the Hurricane app by the American Red Cross to track and keep tabs on conditions for your destination.
Overall, the app is simple and intuitive. You can pre-select locations and the app will send you to warnings about storms.
Cool features include:
- one-touch “I’m safe” messaging via social media outlets
Location-based weather alerts for the United States and its territories
- locations of Red Cross shelters
- simple steps and checklists to create a family emergency plan
Tornado App from American Red Cross
If you’re heading into tornado country, stay tuned to weather reports on the radio or use the Tornado Warning App from the American Red Cross.
One of the most dangerous weather events in the Midwestern and Southern United States, a tornado can form quickly and leave a deadly path of destruction. Tornadoes injure 1,500 more every year in the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
In the United States, tornadoes occur mainly east of the Rockies. The majority of tornadoes happen in a large swath of the country called Tornado Alley, which stretches from northwest Texas across the Midwest states of Oklahoma, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and into Tennessee. Other states known for considerable tornado activity are Minnesota, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida.
In southern states, peak tornado occurrence is March through May, while peak months in northern states are during the summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents are required to drive in Europe with a license?
All necessary documentation, such as passports, visa requirements or tax information, must be carried.
You also need copies of your passport, driving license, and insurance policy. It will be necessary to have your insurance policy cover you when driving in Europe.
In certain countries, proof of ownership may be required. This includes registration papers or a bill of sale.
Some countries require drivers to carry a valid driver’s license from their home country.
Can I rent a vehicle in Italy and have it returned to France?
It might not be possible for you to rent a car in Italy and drive it around Europe. You could try Europcar which provides rentals across Europe. You would need to contact them directly for information on renting cars in Italy and dropping them off at another location.
Do rental cars in Europe have automatic transmissions?
Yes. Rental agencies do not rent vehicles without an automatic transmission because they are very expensive to repair if you damage them while driving them around. It would cost far too much money to replace all those parts each time you drive off with dents on the bodywork.
Renting a car abroad requires that you have an automatic transmission.
Do you have a need for a car throughout Europe?
The best solution to your problem depends on where you live, what you do and how you think. One European city may have different priorities than one in rural areas.
Also, consider how long your plans to stay in each country. If you’re planning to move around frequently, then an economical car may not suit you as well as if you are going to settle in one place for a while.
In most cases, buying a second-hand car is better than renting one. Renting a car in Europe can be more expensive than buying a second-hand vehicle. There are many reasons for this. For instance, you save money on fuel, parking fees, maintenance costs, insurance, taxes, etc.
Another advantage is that your car allows you to drive safely.
You can find excellent information on car rental in Europe on a variety of websites. Our recommendations are below.
Which is the best place to rent a vehicle?
These are the best places to rent cars: airports and rental agencies.
It is easy to find airports close to you using online travel websites like Priceline or Expedia.
If local rental companies have locations near where you live, they might be worth your consideration. These can be cheaper and more convenient than booking directly through an airline website.
Public transportation is an option if your rental car is for less than 2 weeks. There are city-wide bus passes that allow unlimited riding within a given area.
If you are traveling with children, you may be able to rent a convertible. People prefer convertibles because they offer more protection for their children.
Which countries accept US driver’s licenses
The United States does not recognize any other country’s driver’s licenses as valid on its roads. However, Canada, Mexico and District of Columbia recognize them.
Canada recognizes American drivers licenses issued from all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia.
Mexico also recognizes American driver’s licences. However, they are currently only recognized in Chihuahua.
The District of Columbia will accept driver’s licenses of all 50 US states, except Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, and Texas.
Statistics
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
- In 2019, the most crucial factor is the cost and fees of the rental (accounting for 28% of overall satisfaction with the rental experience), followed by the rental car itself at 25% and the pick-up process at 23%. (cnet.com)
- American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
- If you’re a member of AAA, you might also be able to snag discounts of 10 percent at Thrifty, and 8 percent at Dollar. (afar.com)
- For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day’s trip cost. (insider.com)
External Links
enterprise.com
sixt.com
autoslash.com
alamo.com
How To
How can I make sure that I don’t get charged for damage done to my car before it is rented?
How does the vehicle get returned if it is rented for less than 24 hours? Do you get charged for any damage that is caused by a scratch to the rental car? This is a common problem, especially for people who rent vehicles from different companies. Some agencies charge customers even if they did not cause any damage while driving their rented cars. Avoid these charges by asking whether you will be charged for scratches or dents on the vehicle. Here are some ways you can make sure you don’t get charged for any pre-existing damage to a car rental.
- Ask for a copy of the agreement;
- Please read the entire description.
- Read the fine print carefully;
- Ask for a complimentary cleaning;
- Be careful with the condition of the car;
- Keep everything in the car.
- You should always bring cash when renting a vehicle.
- Keep all payments in receipt.
- Don’t allow anyone to touch your car without you allowing it.
- Never accept a gift from the business
- Reputable rental agencies are recommended.
- Always bring your contract.
- The car must be returned in good condition.
- Give your contact info to the agent;
- Try to avoid using the same company more than once.
- Note important information about your car such as its mileage, model, engine size and color. ;
- Take photos to show the extent of the damage.
- You can clean the car yourself
- Ask a third party to inspect the vehicle.
- Never agree not to pay any additional fees
