http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations.aspx 60 en-us http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/how-to-plan-a-successful-family-road-trip-800532503.aspx Gas prices have been dropping over the past few weeks, and taking the family for a summer road trip may be much cheaper than flying. In order to help make the trip a success there are a few key elements families may want to include in the planning process.

History lessons

Using this quality time to enlighten children about their family history can be an informative and enjoyable experience, according to Roadtrip America. Singing songs and playing games such as I-spy or the license plate game, can make fun, life-long memories for children and parents alike.

This can also be a great opportunity to educate children on the history of America. Traveling through South Dakota may prompt a visit to Mount Rushmore and include a brief introduction to some of the country's most influential historical figures.

Passing through the Carolinas may prompt a story about the Civil War and how the country was at one time so divided members of the same family took up arms against one another. Allowing for a stop at the Grand Canyon can show children the wonders of the world do not only exist in foreign countries.

Unplug

The world has become so technologically reliant, a road trip may be a great time to unplug the entire family. Skip the DVD players in the head rests, leave the PSPs at home, and spend time together talking and being a family, it is hard to predict how many of these opportunities may come around.

Once a decision has been made to take such a trip, it is important to involve the whole family in the planning process. Taking out a map of the country and picking spots that may hold a special interest to everyone involved can make the trip even more special.

Once the plans have been made and the destination has been selected, it is imperative the family car is thoroughly inspected. A tune-up can help eliminate problems with oil and low fluids that may normally be overlooked. Ensuring that there is a car emergency kit and a jack can help alleviate major headaches on the road.  http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/how-to-plan-a-successful-family-road-trip-800532503.aspx Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:26:14 http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/miamis-south-beach-offers-options-for-spring-break-visitors-800387463.aspx Beautiful people, upscale dining establishments, and gorgeous scenery are probably more attractive to college students on spring break than the Art Deco architecture on display in South Beach. Both are available, though, according to Austin American-Statesman travel writer Helen Anders.

A restaurant and bar called Meat Market caught Anders' eye when visiting the area recently, she writes, and she and her husband had - of course - fine steaks. She also says the establishment had a very friendly and social vibe about it, as attractive and well-dressed young people arrived to socialize in the evening.

However, the more serious-minded visitor could probably find plenty to do in South Beach as well, according to Anders, who praised the area's new Frank Gehry New World Center for the Performing Arts as "gorgeous."

As seductive as South Beach may seem to many, it's still important to be responsible, experts say. Getting behind the wheel after more than one exotic cocktail by the beach is dangerous, and could affect auto insurance rates. http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/miamis-south-beach-offers-options-for-spring-break-visitors-800387463.aspx Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:39:35 http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/possible-resurgence-of-ultra-rare-plant-could-make-california-trip-worthwhile-800387461.aspx The first new crop of seedlings of the Franciscan Manzanita plant has been planted at the University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) arboretum, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

Twenty seedlings harvested from a single wild example spotted by a botanist in a highway divider in 2009 were planted at UCSC, the newspaper said, and dozens more were planted as insurance in several other locations throughout the state.

The plant is one of numerous types of Manzanita making up a nearly-lost habitat known as maritime chaparral, which used to be common in the San Francisco area, the Mercury News reported.

For biology students with less of an interest in wild partying, checking out the progress of the rare new sprouts could prove to be an interesting spring break side trip. http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/possible-resurgence-of-ultra-rare-plant-could-make-california-trip-worthwhile-800387461.aspx Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:35:47 http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/accidents-reported-at-spring-break-destination-800387449.aspx A dredging vessel ran aground near South Padre Island, a fishing boat ran into trouble on the seas near Corpus Christi, and a vegetable oil pipeline ruptured in the area of Brownsville, completing a series of accidents in the popular vacation areas of South Texas, Gulf Coast Maritime reports.

The fishing vessel Ella Deonna, reported taking on water in the engine room on January 21, the online news source says, but Coast Guard authorities say the crew's quick action prevented the incident from getting any worse.

Separately, Gulf Coast Maritime reports, a dredging vessel working on projects to improve the Brownsville Ship Channel and the beaches at South Padre Island ran aground and had to be towed away for repairs.

Experts say, however, that none of the incidents is likely to pose a threat to spring break, though college students should make sure to be safe and avoid accidents themselves, which could affect auto insurance rates. http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/accidents-reported-at-spring-break-destination-800387449.aspx Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:33:52 http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/pennsylvania-offers-springtime-events-perfect-for-road-trippers-800387357.aspx In the wake of Punxsutawney Phil's forecast for an early spring, the Pennsylvania Tourism Office released a list of special events ideal for anyone planning a spring break road trip through or to the state.

One of the state's more popular events is the Tour De Tanks festival in March. Along the UnCork York Wine Trail, wineries offer visitors barrel and tank tastings. A ticket to the event allows for tastings at all four wineries, as well as discounts on purchases made there.

Art lovers driving through Pennsylvania will appreciate the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts during April. The festival includes performances and demonstrations from many disciplines, including dance, painting and cooking.

Spring break road trippers who enjoy the outdoors will likely overlap with the salmon and trout fishing season, which falls April 2-16, and can be enjoyed along Pennsylvania's 83,000 miles of streams and rivers.

Those driving through Pennsylvania on spring break should be careful, however. The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety gave Pennsylvania the lowest possible rating during their annual review of auto safety legislation. http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/pennsylvania-offers-springtime-events-perfect-for-road-trippers-800387357.aspx Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:00:03 http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/spring-break-vacationers-driving-to-texas-can-choose-from-3-great-beaches-800386194.aspx Drivers planning a road trip to Texas this year will find the beaches filled with students and families soaking up sun and sand, according to the Dallas Morning News, which named the top three beaches in Texas to visit this spring break.

If vacationers take their cars to Galveston, they'll find a downtown recovering from Hurricane Ike, the paper says. The Black Pearl Oyster Bar is one of the most popular spots in town.

The website also suggests visiting South Padre Island, a vacation destination 30 miles north of the Mexican border, where a huge beach and eclectic dining scene offer vacationers their choice of cuisine. The site also adds that the beach is open for horseback riding, wind surfing and even dolphin watch cruises.

Corpus Christi is also a favorite Texan beach, the source says, and visitors to the area will find plenty of luxury hotels from which to choose.

However, any young vacationer planning a road trip to Texas this spring break should take extra precaution to not become overtired on the road. A study from researchers at the University of Bologna found that 56 percent of teen drivers who have had an accident have crashed because of sleepiness. http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/spring-break-vacationers-driving-to-texas-can-choose-from-3-great-beaches-800386194.aspx Fri, 04 Feb 2011 08:51:23 http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/families-can-save-on-spring-break-costs-by-sticking-to-roads-800386147.aspx Money Magazine is giving readers advice on how to bring the whole family along for spring break while not overspending, focusing on the benefits of driving versus flying.

Quality family time and free child care are among the reasons why many people now take grandparents on their family vacations, the source says.

Taking into account lodging and airfare, however, Money Magazines estimates a four-day trip with six people would cost at least $3,000, especially during spring break, when many people travel, meaning driving is often more economical.

Ed Perkins, with Smartertravel.com, told the site that when driving with two or more people in the "radius of efficiency," meaning when traveling to a place within 400 miles of your starting point, travelers will "almost always" save money by taking a car.

Those planning vacations can compare airfare and gas expenditures by using online gas usage calculators, which take average regional gas prices, mileage, and car type to find the total cost of gas on a long road trip. http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/families-can-save-on-spring-break-costs-by-sticking-to-roads-800386147.aspx Fri, 04 Feb 2011 08:36:07 http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/spring-break-travelers-across-us-can-drive-to-the-best-vacation-spots-800386130.aspx WalletPop has come up with the top 10 vacation spots for spring break 2011, six of which were in the U.S. and easily accessible by car.

The personal finance site says to save money, travelers should keep their destination in the continental U.S. because the cost of gas is high and international plane tickets will likely be expensive.

According to the site, vacationers looking for fun and relaxation will find them in Port Arkansas, Texas; Disney World in Orlando; Port City, Utah; Lake Tahoe, Nevada; Ocean Beach, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Each city offers either warm weather or lots of options for skiing.

To find out how much money travelers can spend on fuel while taking a road trip to one of these destinations over spring break, the site suggests using an online fuel cost calculator to find the most economical route.

Recently, the site also published a list of ways for vacationers to save money on spring break vacations, which, in addition to driving instead of flying, included suggestions like packing a cooler of food and drinks, or camping.
  http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/spring-break-travelers-across-us-can-drive-to-the-best-vacation-spots-800386130.aspx Fri, 04 Feb 2011 08:28:19 http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/road-tripping-this-year-can-cut-spring-break-costs-800386112.aspx According to the personal finance website WalletPop, rising gas prices are affecting airfares, meaning taking a road trip with a few people who can split the cost of gas can be a more budget-friendly way of traveling.

Road trips also allow travelers to enjoy landmarks and scenery along the way, and enjoy music and conversation together, the site says.

Throwing a tent in the car's backseat for a camping trip is another cost-effective way to vacation, Wallet Pop says, because travelers can save the cost of hotels. They also recommended packing a cooler with drinks and food, since restaurant bills add up quickly.

Orbitz says the third week in March was the fifth-busiest travel week of the year in 2010, and with airfare being in such high demand for that period, road trips are often considered a thrifty way to vacation. http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/road-tripping-this-year-can-cut-spring-break-costs-800386112.aspx Fri, 04 Feb 2011 08:18:08 http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/orbitz-forecasts-las-vegas-as-the-top-us-travel-destination-in-2011-800386088.aspx Orbitz has released the top destinations for 2010 travelers, and predicted which spots would be the most popular in 2011.

The top most-travelled cities in the U.S. for 2010 were Las Vegas, New York City, Chicago, San Francisco and San Diego. While Orbitz says they expect the list to mostly stay the same in 2011, drivers planning a spring break car trip can plan on Las Vegas being the year’s most popular destination.

According to regional director for Orbitz Worldwide Reid Webster, "As Las Vegas winds down its last big wave of hotel construction, consumers can look forward to more luxurious accommodations."

Orbitz also predicted the upcoming year’s travel trends, saying that travelers would be more likely to seek out promotional offers, pools and spas when looking at hotels.

Car owners planning spring vacations, however, should be aware that it will be a busy time of year for travel. Orbitz says that the third week in March was the fifth-busiest travel week of 2010.
  http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/orbitz-forecasts-las-vegas-as-the-top-us-travel-destination-in-2011-800386088.aspx Fri, 04 Feb 2011 08:08:36 http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/tough-to-sell-a-car-in-the-wrong-town-800371712.aspx A necktie featuring the Green Bay Packers logo reportedly got salesman John Stone fired from his job at Webb Chevrolet in the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn.

Stone wore the tie one day after the Packers defeated their rival Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game to secure a place in this year's Super Bowl. According to the Chicago Tribune, he was warned by general manager Jerry Roberts to remove the offending neckwear when he arrived at work. Thinking this was a joke, he returned to the sales floor, only to be fired on the spot roughly an hour later, the paper said.

USA Today says Stone has since refused an offer to return to the Chevrolet dealership, but has also received other employment opportunities from area car retailers.

It may seem like a minor thing, but even for owners looking to sell their cars, displaying a visible preference for a sports team or political party can put off some potential buyers. http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/tough-to-sell-a-car-in-the-wrong-town-800371712.aspx Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:40:17 http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/column-arizona-road-trip-could-be-valentines-magic-just-be-prepared-800335029.aspx For many couples, especially in the Midwest and Northeast, the romantic thrill of Valentine's Day is diluted slightly by the mid-February weather, which ranges from tolerable to terrible. Some, however, might be lucky enough to get away for awhile. One vacation idea is a road trip through the Arizona desert, according to a columnist for the Associated Press (AP).

Giovanna Dell'Orto says the area's famous views are a big draw for potential visitors, and the desert itself is an absorbing vacation destination.

"There is no better place to get lost among the saguaros and their desert buddies - fuzzy cholla and spindly ocotillo plants, fluorescent green palo verde and mesquite trees - than in Saguaro National Park, its two districts a few miles on either side of downtown Tucson. Every single pullout on Gates Pass Road, the best route to the western park, is worth a photo," she writes.

Dell'Orto also says horseback riding - which is widely available in the area - can be another great way for visiting couples to find breathtaking vistas together and experience something new. She goes on to list several other destinations to take in on an Arizona road trip, some of which might not be the most obvious to the casual newcomer.

A stretch of road leading to the remote - and also beautiful - Canyon de Chelly National Park is the place to see a "perfect" sunset, according to Dell'Orto. Along the ancient canyon itself, the 300-foot spindle of Spider Rock and the hike to White House Ruins are among the highlights, she adds.

Experts say, however, vacationers heading into sparsely populated areas of the desert should take a number of precautions to avoid damage to their vehicles - and the attendant rise in car insurance rates. Being caught unprepared in the desert can have even more serious consequences, as well.

Keeping an emergency kit in the car is always a good idea, but some special preparations should be made for driving in desert areas. If one is planning to travel to remote regions, a backup supply of gasoline could help avoid a lengthy and potentially dangerous hike. A car's radiator becomes one of the most important components for desert driving, and it's a good idea to give it a once-over before setting out. Vehicles can overheat quickly in hot, dry areas, potentially causing severe damage to the engine.

Along with preparing one's car for a desert journey, precautions to ensure personal safety must be taken. One of the most critically important supplies to have in the desert is, of course, water. Bringing an extra supply could be a lifesaving decision if one becomes stranded in a desolate place. However, this doesn't mean other supplies like blankets should be discarded. Many travelers do not realize, as hot as it can be during the daytime, the desert gets very cold at night, due to the lack of moisture available to trap and store the sun's heat.

None of this, however, should stop couples from vacationing in the warm desert for Valentine's Day. With a few precautions providing peace of mind, the experience can be truly memorable. http://www.allstate.com/insurance-industry-news/driving-destinations/column-arizona-road-trip-could-be-valentines-magic-just-be-prepared-800335029.aspx Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:25:46