{"id":2286,"date":"2017-07-27T09:00:36","date_gmt":"2017-07-27T13:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/?p=2286"},"modified":"2026-01-08T16:49:31","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T16:49:31","slug":"the-perfect-road-trip-essentials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/the-perfect-road-trip-essentials\/","title":{"rendered":"Road Trip Essentials: Hacks for Planning the Perfect Road Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

So you\u2019re setting out to embark on the perfect road trip<\/strong>. Among your road trip essentials, a few tips and tricks can help. We believe in the effectiveness of a few road trip hacks, and we\u2019re ready to dish them out. Even if you\u2019re going to the next state over, you should be prepped with plenty of snacks, entertainment options and\u2014of course\u2014travel tricks.<\/p>\n

Grab your companions, pack up the car and head out.<\/p>\n

The following read trip hacks will make your journey a memorable one.<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Search for \u201cWorld\u2019s Largest\u201d Attractions<\/h3>\n

We get it: The history comes first. If you can, however, give yourself some time to see \u201cworld\u2019s largest\u201d attractions. They\u2019re hilarious, and they\u2019re also off-beat. A lot of these attractions can be accessed from highways, making them instant-access wonders to behold. The World\u2019s Largest Artichoke, for example, is over in California.<\/p>\n

Get a Gas Card<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll be buying a lot of fuel. Don\u2019t rely on your wallet for multiple purchases. Instead, get a gas card. You\u2019ll rack up a lot of fuel points, saving you money in the long term. Plus, you\u2019ll get cash back bonuses on hotels. You can even get grocery discounts.<\/p>\n

Make Spotify Playlists<\/h3>\n

Spotify is awesome for road trips. Plus, its playlist-making capabilities are nearly endless. Make playlists for different states, and use Spotify\u2019s search function to pick up new mood music. A Spotify subscription is cheap, and its free version is pretty accessible, too.<\/p>\n

Keep the Loved Ones Informed<\/h3>\n

Announce your whereabouts. Contact your friends and family regularly, and let them know where you\u2019re staying. For good measure, let them know where you\u2019re headed to next. Give them times, and give them a text if you\u2019re about to travel anywhere sketchy. By keeping records of your whereabouts, you\u2019ll increase your overall safety.<\/p>\n

Ask About Local Food Spots<\/h3>\n

While fast food and chain restaurants are good, local eateries capture an area\u2019s culture. Nine times out of ten, local food joints result in tastier and cheaper meals. Plus, local restaurants capture an area\u2019s ambiance. Follow the guidebook, sure, but don\u2019t be afraid to research local hotspots. Or, ask the locals. More often than not, locals have the best food advice.<\/p>\n

Bring Spare Keys<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s surprisingly easy to lose your car keys. Pack an extra one, and keep a spare in your pocket at all times. If you\u2019re checking into a hotel, keep a spare one in your luggage. You might not be prone to losing your keys, but the one time you do can be devastating.<\/p>\n

Get a Personal Fridge<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll want cold food and drinks on your journey. Invest in a personal fridge, and keep your snacks safe on the road. As a bonus hack: Pack some beer. No, we don\u2019t condone drinking and driving at all. If you\u2019re sitting down for a trip picnic, however, a beer is incredibly refreshing. Make sure you\u2019re drinking safely, and make sure you\u2019re staying sober.<\/p>\n

Use a Cereal Container as a Trash Can<\/h3>\n

Purchase a cereal container, and put in a trash can liner. There you go! Now you have a car-sized DIY trash can. Having a small waste basket can make all the difference. Who wants loose bags floating around the car?<\/p>\n

Download GasBuddy<\/h3>\n

This is one of our favorite road trip hacks. On your road trip, use GasBuddy to locate the cheapest gas stations around. GasBuddy navigates the local area, comparing all gas prices while giving location distances. The perfect road trip is economical. It\u2019s also fluid. Don\u2019t spend time driving around aimlessly for gas. Instead, rely on an app to map out awesome, fuel-efficient routes.<\/p>\n

Pack Light<\/h3>\n

Even if you\u2019re expecting a long-haul journey, packing light can pay off. You\u2019ll want extra room to collect cool trinkets. You\u2019ll also want a lot of movement room in the car. We\u2019re not saying you\u2019ll want to buy a mounted deer head, but it\u2019s possible you\u2019ll want to pick up a few mementos.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget about safety, either. If you\u2019re using mobile driving apps<\/a>, pass the phone to a passenger. Also, make sure you\u2019re keeping the essentials within an arm\u2019s reach. Like we said earlier, you should keep your loved ones informed.<\/p>\n

These hacks can make a trip better, but they can\u2019t substitute basic road trip guidelines. Check local traffic updates, and stay safe. Above all, have fun<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Have you ever been on a road trip?<\/h4>\n

What road trip hacks have helped you along the way? Leave us a comment and let us know!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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