10 things to do before you leave on a trip outside your state

January 24, 2023

caravan sonnet
Happy Tuesday friends! As I have been sharing about our road trip to Pennsylvania in December (you can read all of the posts HERE!) I thought it would be a great time to share about some helpful tips on things to do before you leave on a trip outside your state! In the ten years of blogging and traveling for Caravan Sonnet, I have taken so many road trips outside the state, and I have learned how important these things are to do! I hope y'all will find these tips helpful! 
caravan sonnet1. Make a List, Check it Twice
I know that not everyone is a "list-maker" like I am (color-coded and everything for y'all that know me well! *smiles*) but creating lists when you are leaving to travel to another state are extremely helpful. If you are like me and over-the-moon excited for your trip, it can be easy to forget something important so I definitely recommend making a list and then checking it several times. Also- consider making a second list of items that you can't pack until the morning that you leave. 

One of my favorite places to write my lists is in a pretty notebook *smiles* like THIS one! 

If you are heading out for a long road trip to your destination (or one once you arrive like we did in Alaska) check out my post, 10 Tips & Tricks for Long Road Trips, by clicking HERE. (If you are struggling with a chronic illness and about to embark on a long road trip you may find my post, 10 Tips for Thriving on Long Road Trips with a Chronic Illness helpful! You can find it by clicking HERE!)
caravan sonnet2. Pack Medicines, Over-The-Counter Meds, Vitamins, Supplements, Etc.
I have shared this in the past, but make sure that you pick up any medicines and over-the-counter meds you need a few days before your trip. If you are living with a serious or chronic illness this can take a lot of time to plan and prepare your medications and supplements. Honestly, it can take a bit of maneuvering (and even a lot of patience) to make sure that you have all of our meds before a trip. As much as it is possible try to let your doctors know in advance you will be going on a cruise and that you will need meds (and extra meds depending on your situation) for the duration of your trip. 

While you may only be traveling to a different state and it is not like traveling to another country, certain insurance regulations do not allow prescriptions to transfer from state to state so you will want to make sure you plan this well. 
caravan sonnet3. Purchase Any Specific Items You Need In Advance
Depending on where you are traveling to you may need to purchase some items specifically for the region you are traveling to. In the past I have shared some ideas for 13 Must Pack Items for Your Caribbean Cruise and also 10 Must Pack items for a New England & Canada Cruise! Looking for additional packing tip posts? Check out these below: 

caravan sonnet4. Call Your Bank/Credit Card Companies to let them Know You are Traveling
Make sure to call your bank and credit card companies to let them know that you will be traveling out of state. Some people think that because it is just traveling to a different state that you don't need to do this but it is definitely so much easier to make a phone call from home than to figure out when you are traveling why your card was blocked! 
caravan sonnet5. Print off and Make Copies of All Your Documents and Passports
Even though you may not be bringing your passport with you, make sure to have a copy of all important documents, including your license. 
caravan sonnet6. Give an Emergency Contact All of Your Information
Make sure to let someone know the important information of the dates you are traveling, your flight numbers, hotel names, and contact information. This is important in case anyone needs to get a hold of you while you are traveling or if you have an emergency.
caravan sonnet7. Arrange to Have Your Mail Held or A Neighbor to Pick it Up
Depending on how long your trip will be you will want to make sure that you have your mail held at the post office or that you make arrangements to have your neighbor pick it up. Just a heads up: stopping and holding mail at the post office can take a few days to "kick in" so you will want to give yourself at least 7 days to do this!
caravan sonnet8. Organize Your Purse/Wallet
Take a few minutes to re-organize your purse and wallet for your trip and remove anything that you won't need for your trip. Put all of these together in a container or envelope and keep them in a safe and secure place for you to have once you return from your adventure. 

It has long been established on the blog how much I love THIS purse organizer! If y'all haven't checked it out yet, do so now! It is currently on sale for an additional 15% off!
caravan sonnet9. Take Care of Your Pets
Make sure to leave time to arrange proper care for your pets if they are not traveling with you. Throughout the year there are certain times (summer, school vacations, etc.) where boarding at your vet may fill up so you will want to make arrangements in advance. 
caravan sonnet10. 10 More Things to Do the Day Before You Leave/the Day You Leave
(1) Water house plants
(2) Mail Last-Minute Bills
(3) Clean Out Refrigerator
(4) Set timers for any lights for your Home
(5) Adjust the thermostat in Your Home
(6) Turn off water in your Home if there is a Danger of Frozen Pipes while you are Gone
(7) Double Check the Locks in Your Home
(8) Double Check to Make Sure you Have all Important Documents, Including Passport
(9) Fill out Luggage Tags and attach if you are flying to your destination
(10) Don't forget to pack your chargers for all of your devices
caravan sonnetMost of all- get ready to have a blast!! I love traveling to new places and trips are a blast! They are always extremely relaxing, restful, fun, and rejuvenating. 

If you are looking for more travel tips or recommendations you can find them on my travel page HERE!

Looking for items to bring on your road trip? Check out my Amazon storefront for lots of cozy and practical ideas! Find it HERE!

**All pictures in this post are from sweet and different adventures over the years of many travel road trips. Read the posts below to see more behind the photos**

Lake Placid, New York: // Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort //
Magic Kingdom (Walt Disney World), Florida: // Happily Ever Fireworks Show //
Newcastle, Maine: // A Drive through Newcastle // 
Concord, New Hampshire: // New Hampshire State Library /
Alaska Roadtrips (2018 and 2019): // 5 Reasons You Need to Take an Alaskan Road Trip//

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