Fall is finally just around the corner, and the window for summer vacations is beginning to close. However, the end of long summer days and the cooling weather bring the perfect opportunity for a road trip!
Whether you’re planning a full road trip adventure or just a long drive to your final destination, I’ve compiled a list of eleven hacks and accessories that will make your trip more enjoyable!
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Road Trip Hack #1: Spill-proof your liquids
I always double-bag my liquid items to protect my clothes, but that doesn’t stop the liquids from spilling on each other. After I lost half my shampoo in the bag during our road trip to Florida in July, my mother-in-law presented us with a brilliant spill-proofing technique.
Unscrew the cap from the bottle of liquid and set it aside. Cut a large circle out of a zip-lock bag or plastic wrap. Place the circle over the mouth of the bottle and hold it in place, making sure the plastic completely covers the opening and lays over the sides. Screw the cap back on, and you’ve created your own “factory seal” for the road!
Road Trip Hack #2: Prepare an overnight bag
Save yourself from dragging every suitcase and bag out of the car for a single night or two by packing an overnight bag ahead of time. Have an outfit for the next day, pajamas, underclothes, and all necessary hygienic supplies in one bag that you can easily access and return to the trunk.
Accessory #1: Any duffel bag or large tote can do, but if you want something with organization, consider an option like this Foldable Weekender Duffel from Amazon. It has a large main compartment and six smaller ones, including a shoe pocket, to separate your items. Plus, it comes in thirteen great colors and five sizes.
Mini Hack: Separate your outfits into storage bags for smoother bag transitions and choices. This is especially nice if you plan to have an overnight bag for more than one night because you can pull out a full outfit in one go. You can use compression bags, storage cubes, or even large zip-lock bags for this.
Road Trip Hack #3: Bring your own food
Eating on the road can add up very quickly, even if you’re keeping to a diet of Burger King and McDonald’s. Save your budget and your health by packing a cooler of food from home to bring with you. Fill it with pre-made sandwiches, fruit, veggies, drinks, and anything else you like to eat cold. If you have space, pack a tote with fruit snacks, chips, cereal, and paper and plastic plate ware and utensils. If you are stopping at a hotel overnight, you can also throw in a few microwave dinners or leftovers from your fridge for variety.
Accessory #2: If you want to get really fancy with it, you can try a Thermoelectric car cooler that connects to your car’s cigarette lighter and keeps your food consistently cold or warm, depending on your preference. This one is soft-sided so it packs down smaller once you’ve eaten all your snacks.
For a less expensive option, a leak-proof cooler like this collapsible one from Outrav is an excellent choice. You won’t have to worry about your ice leaking all over the car, and it even has extra pockets for napkins, utensils, and room-temperature snacks. It’ll fit nicely behind your front seat and folds up for storage when you’re done.
Road Trip Hack #4: Skip the hotel
If you want to maximize your road trip adventure, consider sleeping outdoors. I’m sure you’ve seen those gorgeous photos of people waking up to a mountain view out the back of their car or tent. Well, it’s an option for you, too!
Do your research to find a good public campground or other public area along your route where you can park for the night. If you’re able to “rough it” for a night or two, you can really add some extra adventure to your trip. You may be planning your entire trip around these camping sites, and you certainly won’t regret it. Find places known for their scenery, and you can wake up and fall asleep every night to a fantastic view.
Accessory #3: If you want some extra space for the night, bring along a small tent that goes up and down quickly and doesn’t take up your needed storage space. An option like this SUV tent is excellent if you have an SUV, jeep, minivan, etc because it gives you a “room” to move around in and has space to sleep. It connects directly to the back of your vehicle so you can easily access it and turn the car’s floor into your sleeping area.
Accessory #4: For those who prefer to skip the full camping experience, you can also get a back-seat air mattress. These mattresses are specifically designed to fit in your back seat and fill the gap between the seat and the floor. They’re relatively inexpensive, and they’re a great option whether you want to sleep overnight or grab a quick nap at a rest stop. I’d highly recommend this if you’re hoping to complete your road trip without a full overnight stop and just get catnaps as needed. You’ll be better rested and wake up without kinks in your neck from sleeping awkwardly in the front seat.
It can provide a comfortable environment during car travelling and sleeping, fits most car models. (Saloon car、SUV、MVP).
Road Trip Hack #5: Maximize your car’s outlets
It’s pretty common to use your car for charging your phone, GPS, and even tablets. But don’t stop there! You can do a lot with your car’s cigarette port and charging outlets. A few simple accessories can make your car ride a lot easier and homier, so make sure you have a way to enjoy and charge all your electronics for the trip.
Accessory #5: A car power converter makes it possible for you to charge items beyond small electronics. Keep your computer, camera, tablets, and phones charged with a multi-outlet converter. An option like this BESTEK Car Adapter has two AC outlets and 2 USB ports, so you can charge a variety of items. Plus, it plugs into your car’s cigarette port, leaving any other charging ports free for an extra device. It has built-in safeties against overheating and overloading, so your vehicle and accessories will be safe. And it’s small enough to fit directly into your cup holder.
Closing Thoughts on Road Trip Hacks!
There you have it! 11 ways to make your next road trip more convenient! I hope you enjoyed this article and that you have some extra inspiration for your next adventure! If so, please drop a comment below and share it on your Facebook or Pinterest!
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Thanks for stopping by and I wish you many happy travels!
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