By admin 
Are you getting ready to explore Quebec, Canada or the United States on the road? In addition to improving your experience, good planning will give you peace of mind. Here is a little reminder of things to see and do before leaving on a road trip , to leave plenty of room for discovery and pleasure.
1- Choose your road trip destination
Destination vacances: roadtripNorth America offers a huge playground for your future road trips. Choose a destination that will meet your interests and needs (rest, change of scenery, etc.), depending on: the number of vacation days you have, the maximum mileage per day you want to cover and the people traveling with you (friends, spouse, family, etc.).
Are you planning a trip to the United States?
An international driver’s license is not required for Canadians traveling to the United States. Find out about the requirements for land entry into road trip the United States , for you and anyone accompanying you (depending on their age). Also take the time to check the total value of what you can bring back to Canada, depending on the length of your stay.
2- Establish your travel budget
Budget for your accommodation, meals, gas, and activities during the trip and at your destination. Tip: keep an extra envelope for little extras: a show you didn’t even know existed, a restaurant that someone recommends or that appeals to you…
Good to know : CAA-Quebec members can benefit from discounts in major hotel chains and during activities or even accumulate CAA Dollars on the purchase of gasoline (in Quebec only).
3- Plan your trip
Planning your itinerary will allow you to optimize your time and avoid unpleasant surprises or, on the contrary, have nice ones! In addition to suggesting a route, the TripTik MD Trip Planner suggests accommodations ( book to avoid availability issues), attractions, gas or charging stations, restaurants, and sometimes even price ranges for these. this. The itinerary can be used online, printed or saved as a PDF version.
This planning will allow you to create a personalized itinerary to explore beautiful scenic drives (backroads in the United States are often free – no toll stations), remote villages or less traveled points of interest. Navigation apps, handheld GPS or built-in systems from car manufacturers usually suggest the shortest route straight away, unless you change the settings.
Are you reserving or buying tickets for en route attractions? Plan to arrive earlier, so you won’t lose your business if traffic (or customs if you’re crossing the border – check wait times ) delays you a little.
Good to know : In addition to obtaining free tourist documentation, CAA-Quebec members can have their personalized TripTiks road trip prepared by a team of specialists.
You can avoid traffic jams by using a navigation application (e.g.: Waze ) or an updated GPS. In preparation for your trip, increase your cellular data plan if necessary to avoid hefty bills when you return, or get a roaming plan so you can use this type of application outside the country.
Good to know : Several applications allow you to download maps that you can use offline. Your smartphone’s native mapping application (Ex.: “Maps” for Apple devices) also offers navigation to a destination, most of the time with turn-by-turn voice instructions.
The Highway Safety Code prohibits the use of any screen, cell phone or on-board computer while driving, for a task that is not related to driving. Before leaving, find out how to use your hands-free device, your Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity system, or your navigation application safely. And of course, obey the rules of the road and be courteous to other drivers.