Hitting the Roads Heavy for the Holidays: What Are the Most Common Stressors?

Drivers with with the very precious cargo of their families are coming and going from the Memphis metro area to many far corners this weekend, as the holidays hit. Millions of Americans are planning to hit the road, and return later in the weekend from holiday travel. Useful new elements of in-car technology are what can offer the truest peace of mind during travel, and parents typically bring an average of 6.6 mobile devices with them in the vehicle during long family road trips. A recent Harris Poll surveyed 1,063 U.S. Parents of children under 18, to explore the current state of the American family road trip.

Packing, traffic levels, and cost were the main concerns on consumers' minds when it came to traveling for the holidays, but another very important element followed closely behind: keeping passengers entertained while in gridlock. Right here in Memphis, we have seen just how crowded the interstates can become, and when you add the holiday element, there are many more cars on the road. In-vehicle technologies can allow the streaming of movies and playing of games when the reality of becoming stuck sets in. As far as other important results from the survey, more than half of American parents said that Wi-Fi/ internet connectivity would greatly make family road trips more enjoyable, and so it is the top in-vehicle tech feature on their long-term wish list.

We have noticed right here on the lot at Chuck Hutton how the vehicle really has become the new family dinner table, where memories are created and bonds can grow stronger. Director of marketing Steve Majoros stated last week that “As families prepare to hit the road this holiday to spend time with friends and family, they can depend on crossovers like the 2018 Chevy Traverse and Equinox to meet their needs”. Extra storage space, more USB outlets, and available 4G LTE Wi-Fi are items that are high on wish lists, as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Nearly 3 in 10 parents who take family road trips but do not have Wi-Fi capability in their car say they would be more likely to take longer or more frequent trips if their vehicle was so equipped.

Chevy was the first automaker to offer 4G LTE Wi-Fi on its cars, trucks, and SUVS, and since 2015, has also offered Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility for the majority of its lineup. A visit to us on the lot here at Chuck Hutton can also leave you with knowledge about all of the great safety features available within 2018 vehicles: lane change alert, side blind zone alert, surround vision, and lane keep assist are some of the most practical and accident-preventing developments in existence. As you begin to crave turkey and pie, can't wait to hear about your nephew's latest achievements, and have the opportunity to catch up on football, features such as rear seat reminder will also give you peace of mind. Come check out the awesome vehicles that 2018 has to offer, and see to it that you have the means to keep the passengers updated on “Stranger Things” episodes while gearing up on the interstate for your yearly gathering.