To go or not to go

hey CL ...

i would go.

i would make sure everybody had masks and hand sanitizer.

and as long as your car has A/C and a GPS, i see no reason not to go...

Things are more open now, but I would take into consideration the availability of rest rooms, restaurants, and maybe motels - depending on your route.

The problem wouldn't be the journey with family members you already been living with but getting there and being exposed to unknown family members and their possible bad COVID habits. Are there hotels open? Where is the OP's family going to stay? My vote would be heck no. Wait a few more months.

I would go as long as no one has a health issue or is over 65.

Take normal precautions as mentioned by many here. If staying at a hotel - I suggest calling any of the hotels a head of time to make sure there are no restrictions. For example, if you from Mass were to stay in Maine at hotel there are very strict restrictions.

I would map up my travel plans - the route I am taking to see if and where I can make restroom stops. PA is likely to not have any open - not 100% sure, but when this all started, I had to drive to VA from MA to move my daughter out of her house at college. There was no rest areas in PA (I think my daughter was able to use the bathrooms at a gas station off the highway but I think that might have been in Maryland). I did not pee until hitting VA. Coming back - we stopped at a hotel in New Jersey to use the bathroom.

So yeah a bit crazy - but those are things you need to check. I would also check any restrictions in the states you drive through just in case you do need to stop anywhere along the way.

Tennessee is pretty open. My daughter actually went with her cousin to Nashville and things although quiet and with very few people were open. Also if you plan on seeing any sights - check them out a head of time - any that are open likely require you to make a reservation and be there at a specific time.

If you all are healthy and not elderly, and are careful...masks, antibacterial, hand washing - you know the deal. You should be able to go - bonus - things are slower and less crowds.

I'll probably wait for a better time to travel

I just thought of one more thing to consider....

Are you in a position to quarantine for 2 weeks when you get back. MA has a restriction asking all those travel from out of state to self quarantine for 2 weeks when you return. I have also heard that many places of employment are requiring that you not return to work for 2 weeks if you travel on vacation out of state.

I remember when my daughter was going to travel with her cousin (the Nashville reference I made) - I told her she had to return early enough so she could quarantine for 2 weeks prior to her summer camp job.

Now granted they may not know you are traveling out of state - and I won't "out" you on this - ideally to help the situation in MA and keep our numbers down - you all should practice this self-quarantine.

I'll just leave this relevant nugget here.
At Least 18 Members Of One Family Have The Coronavirus After A Surprise Birthday Party

Good point - I did not think of the fact that they could be visiting older relatives so if you have people you are visiting that are older or have an underlying medical issue - do NOT visit them. It is not the risk. We can all look at the stats and numbers to understand that the risk is low to contract this virus, however, it can be serious at best and deadly at worst to those most vulnerable.

Because younger people are significantly less likely to be ill from this is no reason to be irresponsible to those that are vulnerable.

I have given my kids some leeway, but with smart choices. Granted my daughter is 21 so a young adult - she still asked me about traveling to TN. I gave her specific instructions with all the precautions recommended - I did say I do not like it, but she can decide. I did have confidence she would be smart and careful. This includes no contacts with older relatives and to be back so that she could self quarantine for the two weeks prior to working.

My other daughter similar - she is back to practicing with her team - following all guidelines given.

There really should be a balance - which means not to gather in large groups - like this large family gathering and certainly not with elderly parents.