Road & Travel Magazine's Blog

Finding the Best Fall Foliage

When the summer travel season ends and throngs of tourists head back home to work and school, the fall season brings cool, crisp weather, vibrant colors and an easy pace in which to explore the landscape. As autumn leaves change color, hikers, bikers and road trippers come outdoors to welcome the new season. There are many wonderful places across the United States where September and October usher in shades of red, yellow and orange; magically transforming vistas already breathtakingly beautiful. During fall, every twist on a path or road brings a new surprise, as the possibilities in these five states illustrate.

Massachusetts
The best time to experience fall in this East Coast state is from the middle of September to the end of October. State foresters issue fall foliage reports in the morning three times a week so you're sure to have the inside scoop on where to see the best hues. The state tourist office offers tips such as visiting mid week or exploring back roads to enjoy the season leisurely. Locals and visitors alike enjoy hiking, biking, canoeing — even tramping through a pumpkin patch to find the perfect one.

Read more about Where to see the the best fall foliage.

State Farm Woos Women

No matter the time of year or state of the American economy, buying a car requires a certain amount of preparation and dedication. But with the economy down and gas prices up, it’s especially important to go into the process aware of all the considerations associated with buying a car – insurance, maintenance, and financing being the most common.

Time Your Search Strategically
As the old saying goes, timing is everything. The best time of year to shop for a car is late summer or early fall when dealers are discounting last year’s models to make room for the new year models. The end of each month also is a good time to find a deal because salespeople are pushing hard to make monthly sales quotas. Read

Read the full article at RTM: State Farm Woos Women 

On the Go with Fido

Traveling with Fido takes a lot of careful planning to make sure accommodations are dog friendly, there are stopping places along the way and Fido will have as much fun as you do. However, the best laid plans don’t always work out. Traffic jams, flight delays, lost reservations, car trouble and countless other unexpected occurrences can put a damper on any vacation. It can be difficult to rework plans for people, but finding new dog friendly accommodations can seem impossible at the last minute.

To avoid being stranded with Fido, travelers can log onto DogFriendly.com, a leading publisher of dog travel information, to view free, online dog travel guides for the United States and Canada. These online guides are now available on cell phones through the mobile web.

Read more about Traveling with your Pup.

Top 10 Road Trip Vehicles

Even with fuel prices at an all time high, many people are still planning road trip vacations. To help those planning a road trip the editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, a provider of new and used vehicle information, have put together their picks fo r 2008's Top 10 Best New Road Trip Vehicles. From the two-person weekend getaway to the full-family excursion, this year’s best new road trip vehicles list is certain to accommodate any road trip.

2008 Best New Road Trip Vehicles
Audi S5
Bugatti Veyron
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
Dodge Grand Caravan
Ford Flex
Infiniti EX35
MINI Cooper Clubman
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Eos

Read more about these road trip ready vechicles here.

Go Green in British Columbia Canada

Back when the ditty “(It’s Not That Easy) Bein’ Green” debuted on Sesame Street in 1970, a handful of British Columbia outdoor adventure companies began including an ecological ethos in their mission statement. “It’s beautiful!” crooned Kermit the Frog, “And it’s what I want to be.” Gradually, more fledgling wilderness tourism operators appeared with environmental sustainability on offer. For its time, this was as radical a step as restaurants featu ring fresh, locally-sourced menu choices. While many may profess a dedication to green initiatives today, these operators profess their success with a lifelong commitment.

Great Green Getways in British Columbia:
Tofino Sea Kayaking
Purcell Mountain Lodge
Bluewater Adventures
Great Explorations Cycling

Find out these travel companies keep it green in RTM's article on Eco-Friendly British Columbia.

Auto Safety Alert: Protect Your Pets

Since your pet is part of your family too, it only makes sense your car insurance should not only cover people injured in your car, but also your beloved pets. Insurance companies, like Progressive, are now realizing just how important dogs and cats are to their owners, and just how often owners bring these pets on road trips with them. In addition to offering pet coverage, Progressive has teamed up with pet expert Andrea Arden to educate drivers about pet safety on the road.

Follow these tips to keep your furry friend safe:
•Look for pet-friendly travel services and options
•Make your pet comfortable in the car
•Keep proper identification on hand
•Pack a doggie bag
•Restrain your pet while traveling
•Don’t let your pet ride with his or her head out the window
•Never leave your pet unsupervised in the car

Click here to read more about these tips and Progressive Pet Injury Coverage.