You have a bug-out-bag ready to go for every member of the family, you have even practiced drills and you have cached supplies in various locations. You have a safe haven picked out and you may have even completed some work on it. You are ready to go then, or are you, what about your bug out vehicle?
The ideal option is to always shelter in place. Your home is your fortress and it is very difficult to give ground during any crisis. There may even be some people who simply go through the motions of preparing an evacuation plan because they believe without admitting it that they will never leave. This means they have not put the proper emphasis on leaving and thus may not be as prepared as they think.
There is a lot of information on bugging out by foot especially from an urban area. People living in large cities may not even have a vehicle to leave in, which immediately puts them at a disadvantage. Once you have decided to leave, your vehicle is your shelter; it is your fortress until you arrive at your safe haven. It is recommended whether you live in an urban area or not that you have a vehicle suitable for the terrain you will be traveling in.
The human body is always an alternative to vehicles; your body can climb hills, cross-rivers, and wade through deep snow. Motor vehicles for the most part cannot. You can carry supplies that can sustain you for days. However, you have to be physically fit and have the mental fortitude to hike for hours on end to get to your destination. This method is fine for one or maybe two adults in the group, but what about children, injured people and seniors.
It would be extremely difficult for the typical family to evacuate a large metropolitan area that has become hostile, on foot. A vehicle provides protection from the elements, human and four legged predators and allows you to carry additional supplies. One twisted ankle while evacuating on foot puts the entire group in jeopardy. The average adult can walk three miles an hour so once you add a heavy pack and uneven or unfamiliar terrain you have reduced the miles per hour you can walk.
The Vehicle
Ideally, the vehicle you choose or already have would be four-wheel or all wheel drive. A small trailer that you can haul behind it would be an asset. A four foot wide by six foot wide trailer would allow you to carry additional supplies and ones with sides can be used as a shelter by securing some tarps over the top and sides. You are off the ground and protected. If you live in the city, you can rent a storage area to keep the vehicle/trailer secure. Storage areas can be problematic however during a crisis so it is important you stay informed and get ahead of everyone else. You do have the problem of getting to your storage area so you have to plan carefully.
It is important that you have enough room for everyone keeping in mind you may be sleeping in the vehicle several nights. You can spend a lot of money outfitting your vehicle, by getting a lift kit and heavy suspension for rugged terrain, water crossings, cutting through heavy snow and so forth. Your objective is to get from point “A” to point “B”. If you are forced to mountain climb to reach a safe haven you may want to re-think your route. Knowing where to go and knowing how to get there is important. Even if you do not have a destination in mind, getting out of the urban sprawl is your first objective.
Use the trailer space for extra fuel and water and make sure the fuel containers are designed for fuel. You cannot fill up milk jugs or water containers with gasoline or diesel. Stay informed so you can leave before the highways and roads become a disaster area in and of themselves.