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There’s something a little bit magical about this time of year. The dark veil of winter is finally lifting – we’re all able to crawl out of our caves where we’ve been loafing to get a few more hours back in our day! To be honest, our bodies have been in hibernation mode a little too long and the fact that it’s Girl Scout Cookie season does not help matters. So while we may lose an hour of sleep in the mornings (shhh…), what we gain in Vitamin D is enough to make anyone forget about that little tidbit – after all, we’ve got a lot of life to catch up on and a lot of cookies to burn off!

In preparation for setting our clocks forward, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite ways to make the most of Daylight Saving Time this spring.

Take the long way home.Who wants to be stuck in traffic for an hour when the spring weather is begging to be enjoyed? Ditch the highway for the back roads and catch a scenic drive that would have otherwise been missed in the dark. We’re holding onto the days of cruising with the windows down, the tunes up, and our cell phone relegated to our back pocket. Oh, and Metromile has you covered with their 24/7 roadside assistance, should anything happen while you’re out on the roads!

Go for an extra-long stroll in the park. Going for a long walk in your local park is the perfect way to leave behind all the struggles of your day and see some nature while you’re at it. If you have a pup, be sure to bring her along — your furry companion will most certainly appreciate the extra opportunity to stretch and play outside!

Meet friends for happy hour outside. Now that it’s staying lighter later, it’s the perfect excuse to rally your friends to try that new bar with the outdoor patio. Plan to meet after work for a drink at happy hour and relish the extra time you get to spend with your closest pals enjoying the extra hour of daylight.

Get in an extra workout. If working out in the mornings makes you want to die (same), the lighter days may leave you more energized to exercise after work. Ditch the gym or SoulCycle for an outdoor yoga class, boot camp, or light jog. Since it will be light later into the evening, you can safely incorporate this extra workout without feeling uneasy about nighttime prowlers.

Ride your bike home. Riding your bike when it’s dark outside is a risky game of will-they-or-won’t-they see me and should probably be avoided, if possible. However, once Daylight Saving Time goes into effect, it opens up all kinds of new possibilities. Try riding your bike home from work a few days a week and see just how refreshing it is to be outside in the fresh air again! (Oh yeah, and you can save on car insurance when you do!)

Clean up outside. If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor area and it’s looking a little worse for the wear after winter, it’s time to get out there and get sprucing! Use the extra hour after work to clean up outside and get your outdoor area ready for enjoying and entertaining. Then once it’s tidy, you can host happy hour at your place after work!

There are so many things to do with the extra hour of daylight — from scenic drives to meeting friends for happy hour al fresco, we’ll be using that extra daylight to the fullest here at Metromile. See you outside!

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Julianne Cronin is a Bay Area freelance writer, content creator, and founder/editor of the women’s lifestyle site, The Wink.

You may not associate shopping for car insurance with a high-stakes game of blackjack, but the truth is, both are a gamble. Picking the right policy is a game of risk: insurance carriers are constantly managing and mitigating unpredictable circumstances while policyholders are the ones actually living through the daily uncertainties of treacherous traffic jams, storms, and other hazardous road conditions.

Life is risky enough; there’s no need to up the ante and play games when it comes to insurance coverage. That’s why we’ve created this guide to walk you through researching and buying the best car insurance policy for you.

Things To Think About Before You Research Plans

Before you even start the research process, taking the time to think through these factors can save you time, money, and headaches down the road:

• Factors that will affect your insurance cost and your overall insurability. How many tickets have you received lately? What’s your credit score? Is your car banged up? Have a teen driver in the family? All of these factors can and do affect your cost and insurability, so take stock of the important stuff and be prepared for it to shape your research.
• What’s your budget? Be realistic about what you can spend per month by creating a spending spreadsheet that clearly indicates where your money’s going, what’s a non-negotiable expense, and what could potentially get cut so you can get the best coverage possible.
• How do you use your car and how often do you use it? Do you commute hundreds of miles each week, or does your car sit parked on the street most days? The amount you’re actually using your vehicle-and what you’re using it for-should factor into your decision around how much to spend.
• What type of coverages are most important to you? There’s no one-size-fits-all plan for every person; depending on where you live, what kinds of other insurance you have, the kind of car you drive, and more, the type of plan you choose will vary.

How to Choose the Best Carrier for You

Now that you’ve got your personal factors sorted out, it’s time to start comparing carriers. Here’s how to find the right one for you:

• Look for a reliable insurer. It’s important to go with a company that’s credible. Check your state’s insurance department website and read consumer reviews to get a sense of who’s legit. Friends and family are also great sources of information and experience.
• Offers the coverages you need. Not every insurer offers every type of plan. That’s why getting clear on your non-negotiables upfront is a critical time-saving step; if a company doesn’t offer the plan you need, move on.
• Compare policies and insurers. Take the time to visit different insurers’ websites and call for more information. Take solid notes and consider creating a spreadsheet that lists each insurer’s quotes. Comparing will help you find the best deal, so be sure to run the numbers on at least four or five different carriers and policies to have a bigger pool of contenders.

Buying Your Car Insurance Policy: Things to Look Out For

One more major step in the buying process: be sure you’re covering all the legal bases and best practices.

• State Minimums. Each state has its own list of minimum insurance requirements, so be sure to check yours before signing up for a plan.
• Coverage recommendations. There are some general rules of thumb to follow when it comes to purchasing a policy, according to insurance experts. Do a bit of digging and talk to the pros at each company you’re considering signing up with.

Remember: do your research, check your current coverages, and compare all your options before making a decision on a new car insurance policy. If you have any questions we are always happy to help at Metromile. Feel free to give us a call or get a quick quote now.

Michelle Konstantinovsky is a San Francisco-based journalist/writer/editor and UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism alumna. She’s written extensively on health, body image, entertainment, lifestyle, design, and tech for outlets like Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, O: The Oprah Magazine, Seventeen, and a whole lot more. She’s also a contributing editor at Fitbit and the social media director at California Home + Design Magazine. She is an avid admirer of shiny objects, manatees, and preteen entertainment.

It’s an inevitable risk of driving that no one likes to think about but many have to face: a car accident. Whether you’re behind the wheel or riding as a passenger, accidents can stressful, scary, and confusing. No matter who’s at fault, collisions can bring up a lot of questions, and it can be baffling to figure out if, when, and how to involve your insurance carrier. Luckily, there are simple guidelines that can help guide you through the decision-making process.

When You Should File a Claim

Trying to handle an accident on your own can be risky. Even if the other party involved seems nice enough and offers to pay for damages out of pocket, there’s no way to verify their personal information or accountability without the intervention of an insurance carrier.

In many scenarios, filing a claim will go a long way in protecting you and your wallet. Before you make any decisions, be sure to read and have a solid understanding of your policy-many policies state that you must notify the insurance company of any issues that may lead to a potential claim.

That said, you should always file a claim in these situations:

• You injure someone. Even if the person says they feel fine or that they’ll settle the situation privately, it’s important to notify your insurance carrier. The injuries may be far more serious than you realize, and can result in big medical bills down the road.
• You damage someone else’s car. Damage can sometimes be much more extensive than it seems at first glance-without involving your insurer, you could be on the hook for sky-high costs.
• It’s not immediately clear who’s at fault. If there’s any question at all about who’s to blame for the accident, then a claim is necessary. That way your insurance company can deal with the other party’s insurance company and save you the headache of divvying up costs.
• You accidentally do major damage to your own car.Any kind of accident, vandalization, or weather-related damage that results in hefty repair or medical bills requires a claim – even if no one else was involved (or you don’t know who the culprit was).
• You’ve been hit and run. Even if you don’t know the driver responsible, you can still file a claim with your own insurance company in the event of a hit and run. Depending on the type of coverage you have, you may qualify for some help with repair and medical costs, even if the other driver isn’t found.

When You Shouldn’t File a Claim

• When there’s little to no damage to the other person’s car. If you just barely tap another car while attempting to parallel park, it’s probably not necessary to file a claim, but if you leave any mark whatsoever, you’ll likely need to trade personal information with the other party.
• When you can afford to fix it yourself. If you back into a pole or hit your own garage door, it’s unfortunate, but not necessarily claim-worthy. If you’re totally sure the minor ding won’t result in any lasting issues, you’re probably better off paying the money out of pocket to avoid an increase in your coverage rate.

The bottom line is that It’s risky to handle an accident on your own. Your insurance company is there to have your back in situations just like these. Ready to switch to a more affordable carrier? Metromile may be the perfect fit- get a free quote today and see how much you could be saving.

Michelle Konstantinovsky is a San Francisco-based journalist/writer/editor and UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism alumna. She’s written extensively on health, body image, entertainment, lifestyle, design, and tech for outlets like Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, O: The Oprah Magazine, Seventeen, and a whole lot more. She’s also a contributing editor at Fitbit and the social media director at California Home + Design Magazine. She is an avid admirer of shiny objects, manatees, and preteen entertainment.

It’s a situation no one wants to deal with: a car breakdown. It can be inconvenient at best, scary at worst, and no matter what kind of malfunction you experience, you can bet the necessary fix will likely be pricey.

No matter where you are when your car breaks down, here are 5 steps to follow to stay safe and get yourself back on the road safely.

5 Steps to Take When your Car Breaks Down:

1.Be prepared before a breakdown. The best way to keep a bad situation from becoming worse is to be prepared. Always keep these essentials in your car in case of emergencies:
• A cell phone charger
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Jumper cables
• Flares or reflectors
• An ice scraper, snow shovel, and sand if you live in snowy conditions
• An umbrella
• A toolkit
• A first aid kit
• Coolant

2.Know how to get off the road safely. Cars typically don’t just stop entirely when there’s a breakdown, so you’ll likely have some time as your car slows down to get over to the side of the road. Avoid braking suddenly and take your foot off the gas smoothly and gently as you steer your vehicle over to the side of the road.

3.Call for help. This is when roadside assistance is your best friend. If you’re a Metromile customer, you have the option to add on this feature to your policy so you can get a jump, tow, or locksmith 24/7. If you’re in serious trouble, call 9-1-1.

4.Signal to other drivers. Here’s where the flares in your trunk come in handy. As long as it’s safe to get out of your car and walk to the back, place both flares behind your vehicle about 50 feet away or more if possible. Turn on your hazard lights and pop your hood so motorists know to steer clear.

5.Use your best judgment. Strangers may stop to offer help while you wait for roadside assistance. It’s best to follow your gut; if something doesn’t feel right, stay in your car (as long as it’s safe), and only roll down the windows enough to talk and let them know help is on the way.

Breakdowns are never fun but if you follow these steps it will be just a car breakdown rather than a total mental breakdown. Interested in Metromile pay-per-mile insurance and Roadside assistance? Get a free quote now.

Michelle Konstantinovsky is a San Francisco-based journalist/writer/editor and UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism alumna. She’s written extensively on health, body image, entertainment, lifestyle, design, and tech for outlets like Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, O: The Oprah Magazine, Seventeen, and a whole lot more. She’s also a contributing editor at Fitbit and the social media director at California Home + Design Magazine. She is an avid admirer of shiny objects, manatees, and preteen entertainment.

The debate has been going for years, with both having their benefits and disadvantages. Let’s weigh in on the pros and cons of both to help you make an informed decision this winter!

Winter driving can be dangerous, so it’s time to get serious about your tire choices and how they will affect your ability to travel. 

Four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive: it doesn’t matter how powerful your car is – if the tires have zero traction, then you’ll be on the road to going nowhere fast. If you live somewhere that gets dangerously slick during the winter, having reliable traction is a must. 

The real question then becomes: snow tires or chains – which form of traction is better?

Should you get non-studded snow tires for your car?

There’s no doubt about it – snow tires provide excellent traction on snowy and icy road conditions. Non-studded snow tires perform exceptionally well on ice and packed snow. 

In particular, non-studded snow tires also perform well on dry roads, making them a great multi-purpose option. Additionally, they won’t cause any damage to dry roadways, which is a feature unique to non-studded snow tires.

But understand that non-studded snow tires can be pricey. 

Not only will you have to fork out cash for the tires themselves (and they’re not cheap), but you will also need to front the cost of having them professionally installed and removed at the start and end of the season. 

Non-studded snow tires do not provide great traction in deep snow and may wear out faster when driven on dry pavement.

Should you get studded snow tires for your car?

Studded snow tires are also an excellent form of traction in the wintertime. The metal studs on the tire grip the snow and ice even better than non-studded snow tires. 

Just like non-studded snow tires, they are a very reliable option for navigating treacherous roadways; in addition to providing better traction and handling, the studs offer an additional point of contact on slick surfaces like ice and compacted snow.

Keep in mind that studded snow tires have proven to be quite damaging to dry pavement and should only be used when driving in slippery conditions. These tires may even be illegal in some states, or they might only be permissible during certain months of the year, depending on your region. 

Studded snow tires can also be expensive, and like non-studded snow tires, you will need to pay to have them professionally installed and removed.

Should you get snow chains for your car?

First, snow chains are substantially less expensive than snow tires – to some folks, that fact alone may tip the scales in favor of chains.

Snow chains also provide the greatest amount of traction on ice, packed snow, and deep snow. Snow tires don’t do as well as snow chains in deep snow.

Another great feature of chains: you can easily install and remove them yourself! This makes them a fantastic option if you don’t typically need winter weather traction and are only traveling through inclement conditions temporarily.

Don’t forget: If you have chains on your tires, you should not (and in some places, cannot) drive on dry pavement. Driving on dry pavement with chains will not only damage the roadway but will be a bone-rattling experience for all inside the vehicle. Some people equate driving with chains on dry pavement to the feeling of driving with square-shaped tires – yikes! 

While in use, you should plan to drive at a very low speed and should only use them when necessary to avoid potential damage to your vehicle.

What happens if you don’t have snow tires or chains during the winter? Can it damage your car?

You might have heard that chains can snap off and damage your car. While that can happen on rare occasions, it shouldn’t be your only concern. 

The fact is that snow tires and chains are intended to give you more traction on slippery roads. So without them, if the road conditions are bad enough, you might be more likely to get into an accident, which could do even more damage to your car.

How can auto insurance help during the winter?

If you have comprehensive coverage, damage to your car that’s caused by winter driving might be covered by your insurance policy — even if you aren’t involved in a collision.

Of course, that’s not the only reason to get car insurance. 

It’s essential to have auto insurance just in case you get into an accident. This is especially true in the winter when bad road conditions caused by snow and ice can increase your risk of crashing.

We certainly hope you stay safe out there. If something goes wrong, having car insurance can cover you for damages to your car, the other driver’s car, and any injuries.

The bottom line

If you don’t drive as much in the winter because of bad road conditions, or you don’t like waiting 15 minutes for your car to heat up and the frost to clear off your windshield, you might be able to save money with a pay-per-mile insurance policy.

Get a free quote from Metromile today to see how much you could save with pay-as-you-go auto insurance. 

You can try Ride Along™, a free app feature that helps you get a more accurate rate before buying auto insurance. 

First, download the Metromile app, and Metromile will consider how you drive to show you an accurate rate. You’ll keep your current coverage and drive as you typically would for about two weeks. We want you to have confidence you’ll save money before you switch to Metromile.

Last week INRIX, Inc., the world leader in transportation analytics and connected car services, published its annual Global Traffic Scorecard that details their research into traffic and congestion and its associated cost for drivers in developed countries. Unsurprisingly, the United States topped the list with ten major cities making the list; Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami, Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, Seattle, and Dallas. INRIX contends that this congestion cost U.S. drivers $305 Billion last year, which equates to about $1,400 per driver.

Being the data nerds that we are, who LOVE to save money for low-mileage drivers, we found this study to be tremendously fascinating. INRIX analyzed 1,360 cities across 38 countries and found Los Angeles to be the most congested city in the world for the sixth year in a row. No surprise there — traffic congestion got to be so bad in L.A. in the 90s that the State of California began requiring all vehicles be equipped with an Onboard Diagnostic Port to detect emission failures. The OBD port is actually what makes pay-per-mile insurance possible, and since the introduction of the Clean Air Act and the OBD requirement, toxic emissions have steadily decreased across the country and in Los Angeles especially. We’ve also found that people who switch to Metromile tend to drive less than they did with traditional insurance, which got us thinking: Are Metromile customers spending less time in traffic on average than other drivers?

Here’s what we found:
According to INRIX, Los Angeles drivers spent an average of 102 peak hours in traffic between the hours of 6am-9am and 3pm-6pm last year alone – more than in any other city in the world. On average Metromilers in Los Angeles are spending 2 less minutes per day navigating gridlock, that’s a total of 6.5 hours a year. You could drive to a lot of places from L.A. in 6.5 hours – Vegas anyone?

The study also claims that San Francisco motorists fared slightly better than their neighbors to the south during peak traffic hours, wasting an average of 79 hours in traffic in 2017. But according to Metromile data, Bay Area drivers spend an average of 4 and a quarter days (or 102.16 hours) a year getting to and from the places they needed to be during high traffic times.

Two other Metromile covered cities ranked on the INRIX list of Most Congested Urban Areas in the U.S.; Chicago and Seattle. INRIX ranked Chicago as the 8th most congested city in America and Seattle the 9th, with drivers in each city spending 57 and 55 hours, respectively, in traffic last year. Though Metromilers may be driving less miles in these cities on average, they are definitely spending more time stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. So far this year Chicagoans are spending 21 minutes a day, which will equate to 84 hours this year, commuting (or stuck!) during peak traffic hours. Seattle customers are spending just over 3 days per year in traffic on average (76 hours).

Conclusion:
Though we have seen improvements in the past twenty years in infrastructure and public transportation, traffic and congestion are costing consumers billions of dollars each year. Direct costs to consumers include fuel, car maintenance and most importantly, wasted time. Unless we look to innovative solutions to our transportation problems drivers will face bigger traffic jams year after year and gradually lose more time and more money.

Although not all Metromilers are spending less time in traffic than the average American driver, they do have the tools to help them reduce their overall mileage and hopefully avoid those jams altogether. Metromile customers all gain free access to our smart driving app that makes owning a car as seamless, affordable and simple as possible. The app tracks your trips so you can better understand how little changes in your commute can have a big impact on the amount of time or gas it takes to get where you are going. You can even look at details like speed, how long your trip takes and how much gas that trip cost you. If you are ready to take control of your driving (and your insurance bill) get a free quote now.

Winter is coming? No, my friends (and Game of Thrones fans) – winter is here. From your car door freezing shut to navigating ice-covered roads, there’s no doubt that winter weather can seriously take a toll on the health of your car. If you didn’t get a chance to winterize your vehicle this fall (#nojudgement), there’s no time like the present to remedy that. Before going into hibernation this season with Netflix at Club Couch, make sure your car is in tip-top shape to handle anything the winter weather blasts your way — If for no other reason than you know, to ensure you’ll be able to replenish your Netflix snacks.

Step One: The Annual Physical

While you were out having fun in the sun and sand this past summer, your car was still working hard for you. Since you make it a priority to get yourself an annual physical, you should absolutely make it a priority that your vehicle gets a checkup as well. Bringing your car in for a tune-up will ensure that all fluid levels are correct and your vehicle’s battery has enough juice – two things that are super important, especially in the wintertime. Without proper fluid levels (antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and coolant), your vehicle may be in serious trouble; having enough charge in the battery will ensure you’re not stranded with a car that won’t start. Windshield wipers and headlights/taillights should also be checked to ensure the highest quality visibility in winter conditions.

Also, be sure to have the pads on your brakes checked, particularly if you have an older car with a lot of mileage. Two of my previous cars had brake failure, so it’s of the utmost importance to get this checked – especially in older cars and especially during winter when road conditions are poor.

Step Two: The Lincoln Test

Just when you thought pennies were the most useless of all American currency, they come through in the clutch! If you’re opting to keep your current tires on your car throughout the winter season, do the ‘Lincoln Test’ to ensure your treads are up to snuff. Simply place the edge of a penny into the tread of your tire with the top of Lincoln’s head facing toward the car. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head with the penny fully inserted into the tread, then your tires won’t last you through the season. Consider swapping them out for snow tires or all-season tires, which will be much more reliable in winter weather than standard tires.

Step Three: Oil Switch

Depending on where you live, this step may be optional. The general rule of thumb is this: the colder the weather, the thinner your oil should be. The viscosity level of engine oil is noted by the first number in the name – for example, a 5W-30 oil is less viscous than a 10W-30 oil and therefore performs better in the winter months. Switching out your oil for a less-viscous option may be a prudent move if you live somewhere that gets wicked cold (can you tell that I’m a New Englander?). This tip also applies to transmission fluid, so be sure to get both checked out!

Step Four: Wax On, Wax Off

You know the stuff that your city sprinkles on the roads before a snowstorm? That stuff is a magical combination of sand and salt – both of which can desiccate and decimate your vehicle over time! Salt is extremely corrosive, and sand can ruin a paint job, so we recommend getting a fresh coat of wax on your car before the snow flies. Most of the damage can happen on the undercarriage of the car as well, so be sure to look for a wax product that will protect behind the wheels, the quarter panels, and front grille in addition to the body of the car.

Step Five: In Case of Emergency

Keeping an emergency kit in your car is a good idea all year round. However, you will need to make a few modifications during winter months to make sure you’re covered in case you get into an accident or your car breaks down. Winter-specific items to add to your emergency kit include: a snow brush/ice scraper, flashlight, warm hat and winter gloves, a bag of sand (this can help give traction if you get stuck), small shovel, extra coolant, a blanket, jumper cable, road flares, and waterproof matches or a lighter. Always good to throw in some energy bars and bottled water, too!

TL;DR – your vehicle needs year-round TLC, but it is especially important during the winter months to keep you safe and get you where you need to go. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Metromile and get a free quote. Stay safe out there and we’ll see you on the roads!

Julianne Cronin is a Bay Area freelance writer, content creator, and founder/editor of the women’s lifestyle site, The Wink. 

Winter blues got you down? Once the holidays settle and the world is shrouded in snow, it can be hard to muster up the desire to do anything but snuggle inside with a mug of cocoa and watch reruns of The Office.

But, wait. Have you thought about taking a road trip? Yes, we realize Kevin and his vat of chili can seem more enticing than jumping in the car when it’s freezing outside. However, winter might just be the best time to hit the open road, because 1) less tourists means less traffic, and 2) it just might end up being your most majestic road trip yet! We are lucky to live in a beautiful country with seemingly endless scenic drives – many of which are made all-the-more breathtaking by long winter shadows on thick blankets of snow and ice. Honestly, what more could you ask for?

Now that you’ve gotten your car scraped off, heated seats warmed up, and snow tires at the ready, drive on with confidence into these 6 unique winter wonderlands. We picked our favorite winter road trip destinations so all you have to do is go!

The 6 Best Winter Road Trip Destinations

Lake Tahoe, Nevada: The ultimate winter destination for snow bunnies, the drive around Lake Tahoe during winter is simply a sight to behold. Start your journey at Incline Village and make your way all the way around the lake’s 27 mile circumference. Be sure to stop off at Sand Harbor to dip a toe into the icy waters (fun fact: the lake never gets cold enough to freeze, but that definitely doesn’t mean it’s warm enough for anything except a Polar Bear plunge). Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the snow-dusted Sierra Nevada mountains reflected in the glassy surface of Lake Tahoe’s crystal clear water.

Zion National Park, Utah: Zion was Utah’s first national park, and when you experience its endless beauty, you’ll understand why this place is named “Promised Land.” Shorter days mean longer shadows, so be sure to grab your camera for some epic winter desert photography; the white snow looks particularly striking against Zion’s giant stratified rock sculptures.

White Mountains, New Hampshire: Fancy a twisty-turny scenic mountain drive? Get lost in an idyllic New England winter landscape with a drive in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Make a pit stop in Jackson, NH, where the coffee is hot and the powder plentiful before jumping back on the road and continuing your New England winter journey.

Glacier National Park, Montana: This 50-mile drive drops scenic view after scenic view and doesn’t care who knows it. Going-to-the-Sun road cuts Glacier National Park in half, and snow-covered forests, icy lakes, and frosted mountaintops surround both sides of the road. You may want to go extra slow for this drive so you don’t miss a single thing (including wildlife)!

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: Making the 52-mile drive along Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone during winter may be one of the most awe-inspiring road trips ever. If you look carefully, you may be able to spot packs of wolves roaming the desolate landscape. Be sure to have your brakes at the ready if a bachelor bison (an older male bison that has left the herd) wanders into your path.

Badlands, South Dakota: Though the temperature may hover “below the donut” (aka subzero), it will all be worth it to see a light dusting of snow on the impressive rock formations of the South Dakota Badlands. Begin your journey on South Dakota Highway 240 in Wall, SD and be sure to make frequent stops throughout the day at the many scenic lookouts. During this time of year, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone else poking around except park rangers and some bighorn sheep.

If the winter weather forces you to change direction or turn back, always be sure to have a plan B in place. Who knows, the road trip could end up being even more spectacular! Also, it never hurts to have an emergency kit in the car, including: a flashlight with fresh batteries, a blanket, a lighter, snacks, bottled water, gloves, boots, an ice scraper, jumper cables, and a first aid kit.

Us Metromilers love and encourage road trips, which is why we don’t charge for miles above 250 (or 150 in some states!). So the only question left is: where should we go first?

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Julianne Cronin is a Bay Area freelance writer, content creator, and founder/editor of the women’s lifestyle site, The Wink. You can find her working on her capsule wardrobe, collecting cacti, and trying out the latest beauty products on Instagram.

Believe it or not, we’re already one month into 2018 and those resolutions you set last December are now being put to the real test. If you, like many hopeful goal setters, vowed to be happier in the new year, then you’re probably now figuring out how to achieve that feeling of well-being by finding balance in all the busy parts of your life.

Happy people know that it’s important to allow equal time for work and play, but it’s not enough to have a killer job or a packed social calendar; to achieve true happiness, you have to be up for all that life throws at you, and that means being mentally and physically strong. To truly ensure you spend the next 11 months living up to those awesome resolutions, follow these simple tips to be happy, healthy, and motivated all year long:

1. Start every day off right. Let’s be honest: that first less-than-healthy habit is always the start of a slippery slope. It’s so much easier to justify an afternoon candy fix or a nighttime ice cream overdose when you start your day on the wrong foot food-wise. Nip this problem in the bud before it begins by having a healthy, balanced breakfast to quiet hunger pangs and set you up for success. Not a breakfast person? Then be sure to have plenty of nutritious snacks (like fruit and nuts) on hand in case you crave a bit before lunch.

2. Schedule stretch breaks. It sounds simple, but just calendaring time to step away from your computer can make a huge difference in how you feel, both mentally and physically. Get some coffee, shake out your wrists, or sneak in some steps by taking a walk around the block.

3. Rethink your idea of exercise. If toiling away on the treadmill makes your skin crawl, then it’s time to find an activity you actually enjoy (and actually do). Dance, sports, yoga, and even brisk walking all count as exercise, so experiment and find a way to move for at least 30 minutes every day.

4.Take time to unplug. Being constantly connected can be completely exhausting; find a few minutes (at least!) each day to put your phone away, shut the laptop, and enjoy the world around you. Walk to your coworker’s desk rather pushing “send” on yet another email; meet a friend for coffee and leave your phone in your bag; have a group dinner and ask everyone to put their phones out of sight during the meal – you’ll be amazed at how much life you can miss staring at a screen.

5. Say thanks. Just because Thanksgiving is a single-day celebration doesn’t mean we should reserve our gratitude for just one holiday. Studies have found that feeling grateful can boost your mental and physical health – and it provides that nice warm fuzzy feeling we all love so much. Try keeping a gratitude journal, making a point to say a heartfelt thank you to your servers and baristas, or simply thinking about all the things you’re thankful for. Just a few seconds of appreciative energy can totally shift your mood.

If you haven’t exactly been nailing your resolutions, don’t stress – just start following these simple steps and see how much better, more balanced, and prepared you’ll feel. And just one more bonus tip for you: If you haven’t gotten quote with Metromile to see your savings, get one now. Eliminating that one major financial headache known as car insurance from your life will go a long way in improving your mood and putting a bounce in your step. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2018!

Michelle Konstantinovsky is a San Francisco-based journalist/writer/editor and UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism alumna. She’s written extensively on health, body image, entertainment, lifestyle, design, and tech for outlets like Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, O: The Oprah Magazine, Seventeen, and a whole lot more. She’s also a contributing editor at Fitbit and the social media director at California Home + Design Magazine. She is an avid admirer of shiny objects, manatees, and preteen entertainment.

Dear National Media,

We’re Metromile, America’s leading pay-per-mile car insurance company.

We want to talk about something really important to most Americans — Super Bowl commercials.

After 29 years of ranking Super Bowl ads, we believe it’s time for the National media to recognize ALL commercials airing during the big game, no matter if they are national or local.

Since we don’t have $5,000,000,000 to spend on a 30-second national ad spot, we’re running our spot in Portland, OR – the birthplace of pay-per-mile car insurance and home to our first customer. Our pay-per-mile model is revolutionizing the insurance industry by offering affordable car insurance, transparent pricing based on the miles driven, data to optimize car use, and instant access to detailed vehicle diagnostics. We’re making car insurance easier and more accessible than ever before.

Here’s our ask: Create a “Local Ad Ranking” and conduct Super Bowl ranking surveys for all the local-level ads. Leverage social media and local newspapers under each of your networks. Build some buzz with local advertisers across the country. Everybody wins.

To get you started, we wanted to share “Dear Portland,” our 60 second spot that’s scheduled to run in the last spot before halftime.

We’d be happy to answer any questions you have about our ad or Metromile. Just let us know and we’ll set it up.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

– Your Friends at Metromile