3 Tips to Drive Safely on a Midwest National Park Road Trip
Nature lovers unanimously agree that national parks offer a unique opportunity to explore pristine natural landscapes and observe wildlife in their natural habitat. Though the US is home to 429 national park sites, only 63 privileged ones possess the title of a ‘National Park.’
National parks tend to attract scores of visitors each year. In 2023, all national parks attracted over 325 million visits. The Midwestern region houses eight of these beauties, which means residents have their fair share of natural wonders to explore.
Does a Midwest National Park road trip sound too exciting to resist? If yes, then driving safely should be your priority. After all, national parks are notorious for vehicle accidents due to challenging road layouts, adverse weather conditions, and overspeeding on scenic routes.
In this article, we will tell you how you can be safe. Discover four tips to enjoy a safe national park exploration road trip through the Midwest.
Practice Defensive Driving
How confident are you of your defensive driving skills? It’s time to refine them as they’ll come in handy during this road trip. Defensive driving refers to techniques and maneuvers that help reduce the risk of a collision.
The three basic rules of defensive driving include being aware of one’s surroundings, using turn signals wherever needed, and not relying on other drivers to make safe decisions.
Your Midwest National Park road trip will take you through various places, including Ohio, St. Louis, South Dakota, Porter, and more. Among these, you will have to practice defensive driving the most on the roads of St. Louis.
Suppose you arrive at the Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis. This is a national park where you cannot drive, but it may take 45 minutes to an hour to explore. From there, you decide to visit the natural beauty of Indiana Dunes National Park.
It will roughly be a 4-hour 40-minute drive via I-70 E. St. Louis’ roads are notorious for car accidents. According to TorHoerman Law, impaired and aggressive driving are the major contributors to accidents in this city.
Such accidents can leave behind considerable wreckage, fatalities, and severe injuries like whiplash and broken bones. Victims often have to seek compensation with the help of a car accident lawyer in St. Louis depending on the complexity of their case.
This is the time to use your defensive driving skills in full swing. Of all places, St. Louis is undoubtedly one where you cannot rely on other drivers to make safe decisions. Adhere to speed limits, and mind blind spots, and make effective use of mirrors to stay safe.
Carry Along an Emergency Kit
No road trip can be considered complete without a well-equipped emergency kit. Well, nobody likes to embark on such a journey with gloom and doom in mind.
However, the present world is unpredictable, to say the least. From accidents to climate change-induced flash floods, you never know what situation you may find yourself in.
A Midwest National Park road trip will last you a couple of days to a week depending on how many places you’re able to cover in a day. During such an intense trip, you may have to wait in your car to let the weather pass, anticipate emergency crews, or experience an automobile breakdown at the least.
This means a water-resistant emergency kit is a must-have. Create one and let it stay in your vehicle’s trunk. Before each road trip, you can inspect it to ensure the following are present –
- A whistle along with instructions on how to signal using it
- A sewing kit in case garments or blankets are torn. Even duct tape may help in this case.
- A pen and notepad so you can leave behind a note, informing people where you left and with whom
- A mini first-aid kit for any emergencies
- A pocket knife
- A chargeable solar torch
- Water purification tablets in case you must drink stream water
- A first-aid thermal foil blanket to retain body heat
- A satellite phone in case you get stuck off the grid
- A day’s worth of any essential medication
- Hardy snacks like nuts that give energy and stay fresh for a long time
- A headlamp with extra batteries
- Navigation equipment like altimeter, GPS device, compass, and map. To learn how to use each.
Follow ‘All’ of the National Park Rules
All US national parks come with a list of dos and don’ts for safe driving. You’d be surprised to know that the greatest threat to one’s life in a national park is not a grizzly bear or a rattlesnake. It’s a vehicle accident!
This means you need to be extra careful even while you’re driving in one of the national parks on your list. The Indiana Dunes National Park from our previous example allows its visitors to drive their vehicles.
Follow all the good driving rules to the last letter. In other words, you must uphold your safety by yourself. This would include staying on designated trails, maintaining a safe distance, and avoiding speeding.
Whether the road ahead is crowded or empty, maintain a steady speed to avoid sudden braking or acceleration. In case you notice an animal on the road, use low-beam headlights (especially if it’s dark) so you don’t startle it.
Be mindful of the weather conditions beforehand and do not interact with the wildlife. If we must condense this point, the National Park Service sums it up perfectly – Slow Down, Enjoy the View, and Watch the Road.
A Midwest road trip in itself is exhilarating, offering opportunities to view rolling farmlands, the Great Lakes, and quaint countryside barns. Add a few or all the national parks of the area into the mix and you’ve got yourself an adventure unlike any other.
Just drive by the tips we have discussed in this article. After all, all fun must be experienced within the boundaries of careful planning and safety.
