Summer is here and with it, vacation time is imminent. If you find yourself dreaming of that perfect road trip, keep in mind that it is very possible to travel sustainably and it can even make your vacation more enjoyable. Here are some tips:

1. Bring food from home and shop at grocery stores or farmer’s markets to restock.
   • Buying fresh food along the way has many benefits.
     • Eating healthier
     • Saving money
     • Reducing waste from fast food single-use packaging and food accessories
     • Supporting local economies of the places you travel through

2. Bring reusable bags for those grocery trips.
   • Some communities, and even entire states, have banned disposable plastic grocery bags and others charge for them. Being prepared with your own reusable bags not only helps you to eliminate complications that can arise from this, but also reduces waste and can help you stay organized during your trip.

3. Bring reusable dishes and a bit of dish soap.
   • To make this even more sustainable, choose reusable dishes that are made from recycled content and use dish soap that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals. Dry dishes with reusable towels instead of paper towels.

4. Refill your cup at gas stations when possible.
   • Refilling your cup instead of buying a whole new drink can save you money as well as cut down on single use plastics. Just make sure the places you stop allow you to do this.

5. Research lodging and choose more sustainable locations.
   • Choose places that:
     • Have implemented reduced plastic use policies
     • Have a publicly available commitment to sustainability
     • Give back to their communities
   • Place preference on locally owned businesses.
   • If staying at a short-term rental (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) check to see if the community the rental is in has ordinances that help control the impact of short-term rentals on long-term housing.

6. Choose destinations that are not already overburdened with tourists.
   • The issue of overcrowding and the impacts this has on the economy, social structure, and environment of a place can be summed up in one word: overtourism. Overtourism leads to many undesirable consequences such as environmental degradation, economic instability, breakdown of critical infrastructure, and social discord among residents. You will likely be surprised by the unique places you will find when you focus on the roads less traveled (literally!).

7. Clean up.
   • Pick up litter (cautiously)
     • If you spot trash where it doesn’t belong, pick it up and dispose of it properly. Handle items with care, however, and use your best judgment before touching litter. If you find trash that may be dangerous to handle, report it to the proper authorities of the locale you are in.
   • Don’t contribute to the litter.
     • Pick up after yourself, pack it in and pack it out.
   • Be prepared to pick up your pet’s poo.
     • Pet waste contributes to pollution. Individually, it may not seem like much to leave your pet’s waste on the ground. When multiple people do this, however, it leads to a buildup of harmful nutrients that contaminate the ground and get into water sources, either via groundwater contamination or stormwater runoff that flows into streams and rivers.
   • Recycle when possible.
     • Sort your waste and compact plastic, cardboard, paperboard, and aluminum containers when possible so they take up less space until you find a place to recycle. If you’re not having any luck finding recycling locations, try looking them up in communities you pass through.

8. Make sure your vehicle is in condition to travel.
   • Make sure your tires have plenty of tread, are balanced, and are properly inflated to help avoid a possible flat tire, increase fuel efficiency, and decrease the impact that traveling long distances can have on your vehicle.
   • Pay attention to when an oil change is needed and check your fluids regularly while traveling long distances by car. This will help to increase the lifespan of your engine (among other major parts) and will help ensure that your car is not leaking toxic fluids into the environment or causing more emissions than necessary.