The call of the wild and the desire to just get up and go make road trips perfect for the summer, and with your new Buy Here Pay Here car, you’re no doubt raring to go. No matter whether you’re going to the beach or cross-country to your brother’s house, some things will make your trip much more risk-free and fun.
1 – Traditional Maps
While you may not usually carry maps with you when you are driving, maps are a safe and reliable way to make sure you can avoid getting lost. You can use an atlas or print out more personalized maps from websites online. In either case, maps will act as a backup and they may even give you ideas for cool places to visit on your route.
2 – GPS
Make use of the GPS built-in on your smartphone or buy a separate navigation system. GPS makes it much easier to find your way around unfamiliar locations.
3 – Mobile Applications
The Apple App Store and the Android Google Play Store are full of apps that are very handy when on a road trip. Beside GPS apps, there are applications for finding restaurant, hotels, or interesting places to visit. There are also apps with fun games to play in the car, which make longer trips much more bearable for kids.
4 – Music
You are likely to run into issues with radio signals on your trip – or the music they’re playing! So, make sure you bring along another source of music to keep everyone in a good mood. iPods, CDs, and music apps all work great.
5 – Food
Stopping repeatedly for meals and snacks will become annoying and expensive very quickly. Make sure to pack plenty of snacks and drinks to get everyone through. Heartier foods like sandwiches and salads can be packed in a cooler and they are a much healthier and more affordable option than stopping for fast food. If you have some time to spare, turn mealtime into a picnic so that everyone gets the chance to eat, relax, and stretch his or her legs a bit.
6 – Toiletries and Cleaning Supplies
Tissue, wet wipes, and paper towels are all necessary for cleaning up any spills and for cleaning hands and faces. A first aid kit is also a must-have to take care of any unexpected scrapes or cuts. A stock of over-the-counter medicines and sunscreen is also a great idea. Even if you don’t end up using them, it doesn’t hurt to bring them and it’s best to be prepared.
7 – Comfort Items
Wear your most comfortable outfit and your favorite pair of shoes to prevent unnecessary discomfort. Other items like blankets, pillows, and sweaters will keep you warm and cozy overnight or when the air conditioner is running. If you’re travelling with kids make sure not to forget some of their favorite stuffed animals and toys. Sunglasses and caps are also a great idea to help keep you comfortable and protected from the sun.
8 – Camera
One of the main purposes of a road trip is to have a lot of fun and create new memories so bringing a camera along will enable you to capture all of your fun times. Take plenty of pictures of all of the people and places that you see so that you can relive your trip for years to come. Make sure not to forget your charger, backup batteries, and memory cards with a lot of free space. If you don’t have a camera, your smartphone will work. Just make sure to free up enough space before your trip.
9 – Electronics
Feel free to bring along laptops, portable DVD players, tablets, and any other devices you can use in the car. Just make sure you bring a power converter (which plugs into the cigarette lighter in your car) to make sure you can charge these devices with no problems.
10 – Basic Toolkit
Make sure that your car is in the best shape it can be before you hit the road. There is nothing worse than a flat tire or other mechanical issue with the car disrupting your trip, especially if the issue was preventable. Check your tires (including the spare), your oil, wipers, etc. and make sure that they’re good to go. A spare key is also a good idea.
Road trips are easy and affordable ways to have fun during the summer. Making sure to plan ahead and bring along useful items will make your trip even better.
This post was collaborative content. All opinions are my own.
