Planning a trip this fall? Make sure to reassess your assumptions before packing your bags.

One of the biggest mistakes travelers can make is having unrealistic expectations. For instance, thinking “the weather will be perfect” (don’t bank on it with the unpredictable conditions we’ve seen this year), or “the destination will be deserted” (that won’t be the case in 2024). And let’s not forget “It will be affordable” (that’s a long shot!).

“Autumn can be an unpredictable time for traveling,” warned Jay Ternavan, the founder of Jayway Travel. “I’ve seen travelers make some of the strangest decisions at this time of year.”

Let me share an example of my own misjudgment.

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I’ll never forget my autumn trip to Scotland when I packed only one long-sleeved shirt and no jacket. What was I thinking? The weather was so frigid it felt like it could snow at any moment. And then there was the drive to Connecticut to view the fall foliage, which took place on a weekend when everyone else had the same plan.

Nowadays, I’m almost always shocked by travel prices.

However, you don’t have to fall into the same traps. Here are the five major travel blunders to steer clear of this fall.

Fall travel mistake #1: Neglecting to brace for crowds

Keep in mind this is set to be the busiest travel year recorded. So if you think there’ll be any “quiet” time, you might want to rethink that. Crowds are likely to be more intense than before.

“The biggest mistake I made on a fall trip was deciding to drive the scenic Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire on a Sunday of the October holiday weekend,” Victoria Yore, a photographer from Tampa, explained. “That day is notoriously busy. I really should have known better.”

Yore recounted it took two hours to go just a few miles that Sunday. While the leaf peeping was stunning, it seemed like everyone was aware of it too. Experts predict that this fall, the chaos may extend beyond weekends, and in some areas, the usual quiet periods may disappear altogether.

To find where the crowds are, consider checking out fall foliage maps, such as the one from Explore Fall. You can use the interactive slider to see when colors will change—and when crowds are likely to form.

Fall travel mistake #2: Ineffective budgeting – or none at all

You may have heard that travel costs have decreased, especially flights. (It’s accurate; ticket prices are at their lowest in years.) However, one of the gravest mistakes you can make this fall is assuming this trend will continue. It likely won’t.

As we approach the busy holiday travel period, airlines, car rental services, and hotels are expected to increase their prices as demand rises. Experts advise that you should either secure your travel arrangements now to benefit from lower rates or set aside a bit more money for your Thanksgiving or Christmas travel plans.

I’ll confess that creating a budget is one of the dullest aspects of traveling. But a budgeting app like Pocketguard or Trabee can make it easier to establish a reasonable budget and perhaps help you avoid overspending.

Fall travel mistake #3: Assuming the weather will cooperate

Kevin Shahnazari, a regular traveler and financial consultant from Vancouver, Canada, mentioned the importance of dressing appropriately for the weather after a humbling trip to Chicago last fall.

“I arrived in the Windy City with only lightweight business suits, suitable for the mild autumn I had just left behind,” he recalled. “As soon as I stepped outside from O’Hare, I was hit with a piercing wind and near-freezing temperatures. My light suit offered no protection against Chicago’s notoriously unpredictable fall weather.”

Shahnazari believes that the situation could worsen with climate change leading to even more erratic weather patterns. (Indeed, we are nearing the end of what is expected to be one of the most intense hurricane seasons in years.)

“Thus, having flexibility in your clothing choices—and your mindset—is more critical than ever,” he advised.

If you’re looking to mitigate the impact of bad weather, companies like WeatherPromise and Sensible Weather can offer protection.

Fall travel mistake #4: Absolutely terrible planning!

For some reason, fall trips seem to bring out the foolishness in us, and I’ll admit I’m one of them. For whatever reason,
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I often find myself forgetting all the smart tips I once relied on to plan my summer vacations, which inevitably lands me in trouble.

I’m not alone in this; Kevin Mercier experienced a similar mishap. Last autumn, he opted to explore the charming villages of the French countryside, intending to take photographs for his travel website.

“I had a grand plan to visit several quaint villages in one day, but I overlooked the extensive driving that would entail,” he recalls. “I became so engrossed in snapping photos and soaking in the beautiful views that I completely lost track of time.”

You can probably guess what happened next. His rental car was on the verge of running out of gas, and on top of that, he lost his phone signal, leaving Mercier stranded in the dark.

“Fortunately, a kind local farmer came to my aid,” he said. “He towed my car to the closest village where I could find help.”

Consulting a skilled travel advisor can make a significant difference in planning a trip effectively. You can locate a professional through the American Society of Travel Advisors website or utilize Google Maps to ensure you allocate sufficient time between your destinations. (This advice is applicable year-round, of course.)

Mistake #5 for Fall Travel: Not Being Cautious

I probably don’t need to remind you that we are approaching a heated presidential election. The outcome remains uncertain, but some locations may become unstable. I’m not just referring to potential unrest on November 6 in the U.S., but also the possibility of anti-American sentiment directed at U.S. citizens traveling abroad during that period. And we cannot forget Inauguration Day, although that’s another topic entirely. (Let’s not delve into politics here; this is a travel column!)

Experts in security emphasize that reviewing government travel advisories during this period is crucial. The State Department provides travel alerts for abroad. I also like to check advisories issued by the governments of Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom for U.S. citizens. If there’s trouble impending here, it’s likely noted in those advisories as well.

Disregarding these warnings would be unwise, especially right now. Personally, I have plans to visit the Middle East this fall, so I’m determined not to overlook this advice. Otherwise, you might lose the opportunity to read a travel columnist’s humorous insights, and that would be a shame!

Before you start packing for your autumn adventures, keep in mind that a bit of preparation goes a long way. Avoid the crowds, budget carefully, pack a warm jacket, and remember to schedule your fuel stops. If not, you might end up cold in Scotland or lost in the French countryside, pondering where it all went wrong.