Do's and Don’ts When Driving in the Mountains

Driving in the mountains can definitely be an experience. The roads may be small, windy, steep, and treacherous, the weather almost unpredictable, especially as you venture towards the higher elevations. But when you gaze out over a breathtaking overlook, or stop to wade in a bubbling stream, the results can be more than worth the trouble. To help you out, here are a few do's and don't for traveling in the mountains.

DO'S:

* DO make sure you have plenty of gas. I don't recall seeing many service stations driving the Cumberland Gap.

* DO check your tire pressure before leaving. Nothing is worse than blowing one out and backing up a line of motorists a mile long.

* DO travel with extra winter clothes. Yeah, your neighbors may questions why you are packing a jacket, boots, and gloves in the middle of May, but you'll thank me later when you find out just how much colder it can get in the highest elevations.

* DO allot for extra time. Mountain roads aren't like freeways, with many of them barely wide enough to allow for two cars going opposite directions.

* DO look out for wild animals in the road. If you travel to National Parks, rangers do try to keep them away from the most-traveled roadways, but a stray deer can always leap onto the pavement.

DON'TS:

* DON'T expect your cell phone coverage to get you out of a jam. I suggest bringing your phone just in case, but realize it's hard to call AAA when there are no cell phone towers for miles to relay your signal.

* DON'T drive without a map. If you don't know how to get where you're going, chances are you won't make it there (almost sounding Zen-like).

* DON'T think that you can zip along all of the roads at 55+ mph. Even if you are travelling on weekdays where the visitor count is lighter, it's a bummer careening off a mountainside after missing a blind upward curve.

* DON'T forget to take breaks if you are out for a long time. Due to the rough terrain, mountain driving can be exhausting.

* Most of all, DON'T forget a camera. Even if you are not a shutterbug, you will regret leaving the picture-snapper at home.

Enjoy your trip!

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Andrew Malek is the developer of TravelScreensavers.com, offering virtual multimedia travelogues of many areas across the United States, including the Great Smoky Mountains.