Florida is one of the most beautiful states in the country, offering nearly endless sunshine, pristine coastlines, and a wide variety of natural wonders to enjoy. As a result, it’s no wonder that Florida is one of America’s top places to visit. However, while driving conditions tend to remain fairly consistent throughout the country, some quirks and variances exist between regions, states, and even counties.
So, before hitting the road and taking a trip to the Sunshine State, there are some things to keep in mind. This article will go over the top five things to know before driving to Florida, and this article will review the top car auctions and public auto auctions in the USA for you to get the right road trip vehicle from.
The Top Five Things to Know Before Hitting the Sunshine State
Of course, you want your Florida road trip to be memorable. You should ensure that you’re properly prepared before hitting the road, so everything rolls along smoothly.
To prepare for the road ahead, be sure to keep the following in mind:
1. Plan Your Trip Properly
One of the most important aspects of having a memorable road trip is ensuring everything is planned properly before embarking on it. Of course, you want to have a clear destination in mind, and you also want to consider planning your potential stops along the way. Doing so will help you maximize your time and ease any potential stress of figuring out what to do on the fly.
This process can be simply planning out what gas stations to stop at ahead of time, or planning specific scenic byways and roadways. Your time is precious, especially on a trip, so you don’t want to waste it.
2. Keep The Layout of the State in Mind
It’s important to remember that while many of the rules of the road remain the same between driving in Florida and wherever you’re coming from, the layout of said roads can be a bit different.
Many of Florida’s largest cities and landmarks are located near the coasts, including Miami, Tampa, and Daytona Beach, with the key exceptions being Orlando and Gainesville. Most of the southern portion of the state contains the Everglades wetland preserve, which, while a destination in its own right, can be a pain to drive around if you haven’t planned properly. Therefore, plan your route ahead of time to ensure you’re not stuck driving anywhere you don’t want to go.
3. Consider Investing in Sunpass
When visiting the Sunshine State, consider investing in a Sunpass to make navigating the state’s tollbooths a straightforward experience. This electronic toll collection system offers a prepaid Sunpass you can purchase at any of the many Visitor Centers near the state’s borders and other entry points.
There is even a Pro version of Sunpass that is compatible with the interstate E-ZPass system, offering you even greater value if you live in these areas.
4. It’s Called The Sunshine State for a Reason
This one is a little less of a driving-specific tip and more of a general tip for visiting Florida, but it’s important to remember that the state earned its iconic nickname for a reason. Florida is one of the most sunshine-abundant states in America, which is one of its major draws. Unfortunately, this unrivaled gorgeous weather increases the risk of UV exposure, even while inside your car.
Therefore, it’s important to be mindful of the amount of sun exposure you’re getting and prepare accordingly. Generously utilize an SPF-rated sunscreen appropriate for the level you’re going to get. Furthermore, take advantage of SPF-rated clothing for additional layers of protection against the sun’s harmful rays.
5. Ensure You’re Properly Prepared
Aside from making sure that you’ve planned out your trip properly, including your destination and any stops you want to check out along the way, you want to have everything you need to make your trip enjoyable. So, on top of the basics, like having enough clothes and any medication you need with you, there are some extra amenities you should have too.
If you’re going to be on the road for a while, you will want to have some snacks on hand to help power you through. Also, make sure you have some entertainment to help keep you occupied through the monotony of interstate driving, whether you’re loading up your phone with podcasts and audiobooks or bringing that case full of your favorite CDs. Finally, be sure to get an inspection so you know that your car is up for the journey and can get you there and back safely.
The Best Places to Get a Vehicle For Your Road Trip
While you can plan the most elaborate road trip possible, it’s all useless if you don’t have the right wheels to take you there. To simplify your search for the perfect road trip automobile, here’s a brief selection of the top insurance auto auctions in America:
SCA Auto Auctions
SCA Auto Auctions currently leads the North American insurance auto auction industry. They boast an impressive 170 locations nationwide, hosting an inventory of over 300,000 vehicles up for sale at any of their weekly auto auctions, which are all held online.
Carriage Trade Public Auto Auction
Carriage Trade Public Auto Auction has grown from a small used car lot to one of the largest family-owned and operated auto auctions in America. Starting from a small auction of 35 vehicles in 1977, they have grown to offer a rotating inventory of over 500 automobiles available for sale weekly at their famous live and online auto auctions.
Driving In the Sunshine State
While driving across the Sunshine State may be a little different than in your home state, the basic principles and rules of the road largely apply. As long as you know the specific rules of the areas you’re driving through and respect them properly, your trip is sure to go smoothly.
Whether you’re taking a new car or you’ve chosen one of the many auction cars for sale out there, get an inspection to ensure it will safely get you where you’re trying to go.
