By Blair Qualey

As we enter the final weeks of summer, there乌鸦传媒檚 nothing quite like the feeling of a road trip 乌鸦传媒� and whether it乌鸦传媒檚 for a 乌鸦传媒榮taycation乌鸦传媒� or a weekend getaway, it can be difficult to choose the best spot here in B.C. The picturesque Sea-to-Sky Highway offers a scenic drive to Whistler, which is always beautiful, even without the snow. For people who don乌鸦传媒檛 mind a ferry crossing (unless already on the Island), Tofino offers surfing, hiking, whale watching and spectacular sunsets. A visit to one of the province乌鸦传媒檚 many vineyards is also a real treat.

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 not the destination, it乌鸦传媒檚 the journey.乌鸦传媒� 乌鸦传媒� Ralph Waldo Emerson

When it comes to a vacation, some people might disagree with Emerson, but a little planning is needed for a smooth journey.

It乌鸦传媒檚 best to expect that there will be frustrating, annoying, and stressful moments. Why? Because thousands of other people are probably also headed to 乌鸦传媒榶our乌鸦传媒� vacation spot. There will likely be heavy traffic along popular routes and at various times during the day. Where there乌鸦传媒檚 bumper to bumper traffic, there are usually impatient drivers who do something unsafe like trying to get ahead by zipping through the road shoulder.

has plenty of useful, essential and emergency information. The website has road conditions, construction activity, highway webcams, info on the Lions Gate Bridge, ferry delays and links to Environment Canada forecasts for specific highways.

Review your route the night before and in the morning, to check for possible issues, closures or construction slowdowns that could, for example, result in a missed ferry crossing.

Another important thing to watch for: forest fires. Firefighters are battling numerous blazes in B.C. and driving through one can be dangerous. Smoke reduces visibility, clogs up air filters, and ash clings to car windows. Keeping up to date on the latest news will ensure you don乌鸦传媒檛 end up in a fire zone and have time to plan an alternate route.

Be kind

According to medical experts, showing kindness can reduce the ultimate stress hormone 乌鸦传媒攃ortisol. So, let another vehicle pass in front of you. Wave to the driver who let you in their lane to say thanks. Don乌鸦传媒檛 blare the horn at other drivers who aren乌鸦传媒檛 following the rules of the road.

Remember back when you could find a hotel or B&B when you arrived and possibly negotiate a good price because it乌鸦传媒檚 late in the evening? Well, that乌鸦传媒檚 not a good idea these days. Reservations for ferries and accommodations are generally made online and if it says 乌鸦传媒榝ully booked乌鸦传媒� or 乌鸦传媒榥o vacancy,乌鸦传媒� believe it.

After all, as much as the family loves their new car or truck, they probably don乌鸦传媒檛 want to sleep in it all night.

Happy vacationing!

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at bqualey@newcardealers.ca.