Southern Living

From packing hacks to tech tricks, seasoned travelers share the smart little habits that keep stress low and trips running smoothly. Kevin Jackson, co-founder of EXP Journeys, relies on his guiding background to keep trips smooth. He and his team always check the weather forecast two days in advance to prepare for potential storms or rain. “If so, I try to adjust what makes sense to avoid cancellations,” he explains. They also look for closures that might derail an itinerary, whether it’s a road washed out or a national park temporarily off-limits. “For example, if you were headed to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon this summer, you needed to reroute due to the fires in the area,” Jackson says.

September 17, 2025