Three creative road trips and the tires needed to get you there
(BPT) - Are you ready to hit the road?
Sooner or later, it'll be time to load up the car and launch a new journey.
Many Americans have been thinking about where that next journey is going to be, and for many, the destination will be closer to home this year. But deciding where to go is only the start; it’s also important to know how to get there safely.
Here are some ideas for great American road trips and some tips for safely enjoying each adventure. To access great road trips for every U.S. state and many Canadian provinces, visit NokianTires.com/Journey. You can add your own favorites, too, and U.S. residents could potentially win a set of tires.
Climb the Rockies in Colorado
The scenic vistas of the Rocky Mountains humble and empower at the same time. From Boulder to Breckenridge and Grand Junction to Greeley, there's much to experience — grueling hikes, adrenaline-fueling mountain biking, quaint shopping in the rustic villages nestled in shaded valleys, and more.
Start in Denver. The Mile High City is a mecca for Western culinary specialties, live entertainment and urban exploration. When you've had your fill, escape to the Rocky Mountain wilderness. The Front Range is about an hour from downtown and unlocks unlimited outdoor opportunity.
As you're cruising down I-70, you never know what the next hairpin curve will reveal — a dramatic peak, a lush valley, or maybe even a sudden rain or snowstorm. If you plan to tame the Rockies, make sure your tires are as prepped as your backpack is.
For every 1,000-foot increase in altitude, tire pressure decreases by as much 0.5 psi — enough to create safety hazards if tires aren’t properly inflated beforehand. Underinflated tires increase the risk of blowouts and have decreased handling properties. Before heading for the hills, make sure your tires are inflated to your car’s recommended tire pressure. And consider installing a set of all-weather tires on your vehicle. Unlike all-season tires, they're crafted to drive in the sudden snow that can fall any time of year at high elevation.
Cling to the Coast
Are you California dreamin'? The Pacific Coast Highway meanders along the cliffs on America's western fringe, stopping for leisure breaks in iconic cities between the miles of craggy coastline.
Capture the sunset as it paints the Pacific horizon. Dig your toes into ocean-splashed sand. And be sure to bark back at the seals when they greet you.
The best way to explore the PCH is in a vehicle that can smoothly hug the narrow curves — and with a set of high-performance tires that were born to zig-zag. You might want to consider the Nokian zLine A/S, a high-performance all-season tire whose tread pattern provides precise handling and controlled comfort.
Unlock the Keys
Do you live closer to the East Coast? Perhaps the beaches of Florida are beckoning. Cruise down historic I-95, and once you cross the Florida state line, turn left anytime to access miles of shoreline. If you want to beeline to the southernmost point in the continental United States, put Miami in the rearview mirror and hit Highway 1.
The Overseas Highway snakes for 113 miles until it dead-ends at Key West. Along the way, you'll leapfrog from key to key over more than three dozen bridges. At the end of the road, you'll be closer to Havana than Miami.
But there's one drawback to Florida adventure: rainstorms. If you aren't used to the state's tropical deluges, they can dampen your vacation plans. That means hydroplaning is an ever-present risk, so you'll need tires that can carve their way through saturated highways. The first step: making sure your tires have adequate tread depth. The deeper a tire's tread, the more easily it will grip the road and provide predictable performance. Once tires are down to 4/32 of an inch, they're prone to hydroplane at lower speeds.
Just like our tires, we're all eager to get rolling. Soon, it will be time for adventure — and time to make sure you’ve got healthy tires at the foundation of your new journey. To explore others’ road trip ideas and add your own top choices, visit NokianTires.com/Journey.