Blog posts of '2025' 'May'

Making the Most of Your Road Trip on the I-95 Corridor

Your next adventure is driving the I-95, from northern Maine to the tip of Florida. What attractions merit a visit? Which restaurants are highly rated? Which hotels are pet friendly or have stations to charge your electric vehicle (EV)? Come take the journey with us!

Maine

Maine is best known for Arcadia National Park and its rugged coastal line. A highlight is Old Orchard Beach. Enjoy Maine's buzzing food scene at Twin Swirls in Portland, Village Tavern in Kennebuck or Min Suchi and Ramen Bowl in York.  To charge your (EV), stay at the Comfort Inn in Augusta.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire means the White Mountains. Other popular excursions include Albacore Museum and Water Country Water Park. For good food, try the Green Elephant with its full vegetarian menu, Bob's Broiled Chicken Restaurant, or Nikki's Banh Mi.  Charge your EV at the Port Inn in Portsmouth.

Massachusetts

Boston is the heart of MA, and with a quick jump to I-93, you'll find yourself right at its pulse. Visit the New England Aquarium, Fenway Park, Faneuil Hall Marketplace on the Freedom trail, and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Foodies recommend Cal's Brick Oven Pizza and Cal's Creamery in Reading, Dunn-Gaherins Food and Spirits in Newton, and Wicked Tea and More in Walpole.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island's beautiful coastal towns include the Cliff Walks in Newport. Also visit the RISD Musem and Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence. Local hotspots are the Souvlaki Zone in Providence and Vanda Cucina in Warwick. Get off at Exit 1 for Hopkington P+R or Exit 10 at Warwick P+R to charge your EV for free.  

Connecticut

Connecticut tourists often visit the Yale Visitor Center, Gillette Castle State Park for boating or hiking, Mystic Seaport Museum, and Mystic Aquarium. Local eateries include Two Roads Brewing in Stratford, Shayna B's by the Sea in Westbrook for GF and Vegan options, and Frank Pepe Pizzeria in New Haven. 

New York 

The Big Apple! The outskirts of NYC offers nature-lovers the NYC Cloisters Museum and Gardens. To visit Manhattan but avoid city traffic, purchase a Groupon ahead of time for parking. Use OMNY on your smartphone to tap-to-pay your fares on MTA buses and subways. Once in NYC, catch a game at Yankee Stadium, walk through Central Park, or watch a Broadway show. New York is famous for its sandwich and pizza joints, including Katz Deli.

New Jersey

Many visit the Jersey Shore. Excursions also include New Jersey's Bamboo Forest in New Brunswick and Mitsuwa Marketplace in Edgewater. Local eateries include the HMart Eatery Food Hall in East Rutherford and 504 Grill and Gyro in Perth Amboy. Charge your EV in Trenton, Cranbury, and East Brunswick.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania, "the Keystone state". Check out Richmond Longwood Gardens in Kennett Sq., Independence Hall, or the Automotive Museum in Philadelphia. Take a trip to Shay's Steaks, Lucy's Smokehouse, or Queen and Rook Game Cafe for vegan and GF food. Stay at the Sheraton in Philadelphia to charge your EV. 

Washington, D.C.

If you visit the Capitol, popular attractions include the White House, National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, Library of Commerce, Smithsonian Museums, and the Capitol One Arena to catch an event. To eat at a historical landmark, try Old Ebbit Grill. Otherwise, use I-495 to avoid D.C. and its traffic completely. 

Maryland

Maryland is famous for blue crab and the National Aquarium.  You can also visit the Edgar Allen Poe House in Baltimore. Famous eateries include 2Fifty Texas BBQ in Riverdale, Chaps Pit Beef in Baltimore, and Crab Trailer in North East. Charge your EV at the Holiday Inn in Jessup or SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Columbia.

Virginia

Enjoy Virginia's beauty at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Lakeside or Belle Isle in Richmond.  Experience its history at the Fredericksburg National Military Park. Foodie locations are ZZQ Texas Craft BBQ in Richmond, Huarique Peruvian Cuisine in Woodbridge, and Cuppa Cheer Tea Room in Ruther Glen. 

North Carolina

North Carolina is famous for the Blue Ridge Mountains and college basketball. Visit Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Wilson. Local recommendations include Coffee on Raiford, Tortilleria y Taqueria Ramos in Smithfield, and Napkins in Hope Mills. To charge your EV, try the local Hilton hotels. 

South Carolina

South Carolina's famous beaches include Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand. Also visit Santee State Park, Bee City and Honey Bee Farm in Cottageville, and South Carolina State Museum in Columbia. Don't miss Buc'cees in Florence, Shuler's BBQ in Sellers (cash only), and Al Chile Mexican Grille in Ridgeland. 

Georgia

Visit Forsyth Park in Savannah, Cumberland Island National Seashore in St. Mary's, or Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum.  For southern cooking, try Gary Lee's Market or Buc'cees in Brunswick and Narobia's Grits and Gravy in Savannah. To charge your EV, stay at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Savannah.

Florida

Disney! Other fun places include the Kennedy Space Center, Monkey Jungle or Coral Castle in Miami, Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter, and Shantytown Shopping Village in St. Johns. Try Starvin like Marvin in Jacksonville or Bella Amici Pizzeri in Boca Raton for vegan options.

Pet-Friendly Hotels with breakfast (under $150)

For pet-friendly hotels under $150, look out for these hotels: Best Western Plus, La Quinta Inn, Rodeway Inn & Suites, Motel 6, Extended Stay America, "by Marriott" hotels, Quality Inn, Super 8, America’s Best Value Inn, Comfort Suites, Ramada, Country Inns & Suites, Days Inn, Red Roof Inn, Econo Lodge, Spark by Hilton, Baymont by Wyndham, Knights Inn, and Red Carpet Inn.

Safe travels!! 

At NHSA, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state! 

The Pros and Cons of Washing Your Own Vehicle

It may be faster to just pay some money and let the machines do their job. But is that really the best approach? Should you just wash your own vehicle? The following lists of pros and cons may help you to make a decision.

Pros 

• Washing your own vehicle will save you money. Depending on where you live, you could pay from $20 to $40 or more per month at the car wash. 
• No one is going to want to take care of your car more than you.  You will be able to clean it and detail it the way you want to. 
• You will have a sense of accomplishment and pride that you can keep your vehicle looking nice. 
• If this is your first vehicle, it will show your parents that you are responsible.

Cons

• Depending on where you live, certain times of the year might be too cold outside to wash your vehicle by hand.  So you might only be able to wash your vehicle by hand during the warmer months. 
• How much does water cost in your area? You could use 10-20 gallons (or more) of water every time you wash your vehicle at home. 
• It takes time and planning to wash your vehicle properly. 
• It could get muddy around your vehicle if you wash it in your driveway or yard.  

Bonus tips, if you decide to clean your own vehicle:

• Use the 2-bucket method to conserve water (one 5-gallon bucket for soapy water and another 5-gallong bucket for cleanse rinse water). Before you start, get that water hose out of the garage and hook it up to the outside faucet for the final rinse. 
• Clean the windows and the body of the car using a clean, soft cloth and warm soapy water.
• Use a long-handled brush to scrub the undercarriage and a smaller hand held brush to scrub the fenders. (This will help to prevent rust.)
• If you decide to clean under the hood of your vehicle, lightly clean the top of the engine; do not soak the engine with water. 
• You will need at least two large towels to dry your vehicle properly. Make sure you dry your side mirrors and windows first, before they get water spots on them.
• Detail your tires. Once you are finished detailing your tires, don't forget the Armor All to shine up your clean tires. 
• Depending on where you live, waxing your vehicle about every three months or so will help protect the paint. This will keep your vehicle looking good for a longer period of time. 

Last but not least...have fun washing your vehicle. Enjoy being outside, make some memories, and get into a friendly water fight with those who decide to help you.  Your dog will be happy to be outside with you, too. Let them drink from the water hose. Most dogs will love it. 

At NHSA, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!