You NEED to Know These Essential Road Trip Tips for Your End of Summer Adventure!

Get ready for a smooth journey with these handy tips for preparing your vehicle, packing smartly, using helpful apps, and staying comfy. 🌐 #News #Travel #RoadTrip #TravelTips

ST. PAUL, MN – Heading out for one final road trip this summer? We’ve got you covered. Embarking on a road trip can be thrilling, but nothing puts a damper on the fun like forgetting something important at home or dealing with unexpected car troubles. To keep your trip stress-free, consider these road trip tips before you hit the road.

Prep Your Vehicle

One of the best ways to avoid roadside headaches is by ensuring your vehicle is road-ready. It’s recommended to schedule a check-up for your car at least a week before your trip. Have a mechanic look over your oil, tire pressure, battery, brakes, and engine to make sure everything is in top shape.

Although many newer cars come equipped with inflation kits, they often lack spare tires. Even rental cars might not have them. If your vehicle uses a run-flat or temporary tire, remember these are only short-term solutions. You might want to invest in a spare tire kit, which includes a tire, jack, and lug wrench, usually costing between $150 to $300.

It’s also wise to pack an extra battery for your key fob, as dead key fob batteries can leave you locked out of your car.

Don’t forget to pack an emergency kit too. This should include distilled water, a battery charger, a first-aid kit, jumper cables, and flares or reflectors. Make sure you know how to use the jumper cables before you leave—YouTube tutorials can be a helpful guide.

Smart Packing

Packing your car efficiently can save you time and hassle on the road. Start with nonessential items—those you won’t need until you reach your destination. Then load up the items you’ll need during the drive, such as your camera or purse. A trunk organizer can help keep everything in order. If you need extra space, consider using a rooftop storage box.

For road trips with multiple stops, pack a small bag with your daily essentials like pajamas and toiletries. This way, you won’t need to haul your entire luggage in and out of the car at every stop.

Use Apps for Planning

Planning your stops ahead of time can make your trip smoother. If you’re traveling on a major highway, the iExit app can help you find gas stations, grocery stores, hotels, and local attractions at upcoming exits.

When it comes to finding clean restrooms, check out websites like Diaroogle or use the “Where is Public Toilet” app to locate reliable facilities along your route.

Keep Devices Organized

If you don’t have a designated spot for your phone to display your map app, you can create a simple phone holder using a binder clip and a rubber band that attaches to your car’s air vents.

If you’re short on outlets for charging multiple devices, consider getting a multi-outlet adapter.

Carry Some Cash

Tolls can catch you by surprise, so it’s a good idea to carry a stash of $1 and $5 bills, especially for booths that don’t support electronic toll collection.

It’s also useful to fill an old pill bottle with quarters for tolls or parking meters.

The Parkmobile app can help streamline parking fee payments and is available in over 400 U.S. cities.

Keep Essentials Within Reach

Staying hydrated is key to avoiding headaches and irritability on the road. Make sure everyone in the car has a reusable water bottle that can be refilled along the way. It’s also handy to have a bag with wet wipes, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and trash bags for any messes.

Even if you plan to stop for meals, it’s smart to bring a cooler with healthy, non-messy snacks like baby carrots, apples, grapes, boiled eggs, and nuts. Foods high in protein and fiber help maintain stable blood sugar levels and aid digestion, which can be disrupted during travel.

Take Breaks

Taking breaks every two to three hours on long drives is recommended, whether for a meal, checking out an attraction, or just stretching your legs at a rest stop. Regular breaks can make the trip feel like a series of shorter, manageable drives instead of one long, exhausting journey.

And don’t forget to explore local cuisine along the way. Websites like TVFoodMaps.com list thousands of restaurants featured on popular TV shows, while Roadfood.com highlights authentic, locally owned eateries. Farmers’ markets are also excellent for discovering regional specialties.

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