Hurricane Evacuation Routes

When a hurricane threatens, thousands of people may leave at the same time.

That can lead to:

• Heavy traffic
• Fuel shortages
• Long travel times
• Road closures
• Limited lodging
• Unexpected detours

Knowing where you’re going is only part of the plan.

Knowing how you’ll get there if your first route fails is what makes your evacuation strategy resilient.

Don’t rely on GPS to make every decision.

Prepare three options before hurricane season.

Route A – Your Primary Route

Your preferred route under normal conditions.

Should include:

• Major highways
• Planned fuel stops
• Rest areas
• Lodging if needed

Route B – Your Alternate Route

Use if traffic or road closures make your primary route impractical.

Consider:

• Different highways
• Inland roads
• Alternative fuel locations

Route C – Emergency Route

Your last option if major roads become unavailable.

This may involve:

• County roads
• Different destinations
• Emergency shelters
• Friends or family in another direction

A backup route doesn’t have to be perfect.

It simply needs to exist.

One of the biggest advantages you can give yourself is time.

Leaving early often means:

• Less traffic
• Easier access to fuel
• Better hotel availability
• Lower stress
• Safer driving conditions

Waiting until the last minute often removes those advantages.

Navigation apps are excellent tools—but they shouldn’t be your only plan.

Before leaving:

• Download offline maps.
• Print important directions.
• Save addresses for hotels and family.
• Keep a state road map in your vehicle.
• Write down important phone numbers.

If your phone loses power or signal, paper maps still work.

Fuel availability changes quickly before a hurricane.

When planning your routes:

• Identify stations before you leave.
• Don’t wait until your tank is low.
• Consider stopping earlier than planned.
• Expect longer lines near evacuation zones.

Keep your fuel tank as full as practical throughout hurricane season.

Your original route may change.

Be prepared to adjust based on:

• Road closures
• Flooding
• Traffic crashes
• Law enforcement directions
• Changing storm forecasts

Changing routes is not a failure.

It’s part of a good evacuation plan.

During evacuation:

• Increase following distance.
• Avoid aggressive driving.
• Watch for disabled vehicles.
• Obey road closures.
• Never drive through floodwater.
• Take breaks if you become tired.

Arriving safely is more important than arriving quickly.

Many evacuations involve traveling to another county or state.

Before crossing state lines:

• Confirm hotel reservations.
• Review weather forecasts for your destination.
• Check fuel availability along the route.
• Verify pet policies if traveling with animals.
• Know where emergency shelters are located if plans change.

Sometimes the safest destination is only one or two counties away—not several states away.

Depending on One Highway

Always have alternatives.

Waiting for GPS to Decide

Technology is helpful, but preparation is better.

Ignoring Weather Changes

Conditions can change while you’re driving.

Driving Through Floodwater

Turn around. Don’t risk your life or your vehicle.

Running Low on Fuel

Fuel is easier to buy before you need it.

Leaving Without a Destination

Know where you’re going before you begin driving.

Before leaving, ask yourself:

✔ Do I know my destination?

✔ Do I have two backup routes?

✔ Have I downloaded offline maps?

✔ Is my fuel tank full?

✔ Do I know where I’ll stop if needed?

✔ Does someone know where I’m going?

✔ Am I monitoring official weather updates?

If you can answer “yes” to each question, you’re well on your way to a safer evacuation.

Continue building your evacuation plan:

• Evacuation Planning – Decide when and why to leave.
• Vehicle Readiness – Make sure your vehicle is ready to travel.
• Gas, Food & Shelter – Plan for long-distance travel and overnight stays.
• Special Needs & Medical – Prepare for travelers who need additional assistance.
• Real-Time Maps & Alerts – Monitor changing road and weather conditions.

The road you plan today may not be the road you drive tomorrow.

Preparing multiple routes, monitoring changing conditions, and remaining flexible gives you the best chance of reaching safety without unnecessary delays.

Plan your routes now, review them with your family, and update them each hurricane season.