Road trip season is upon us. Whether you’re looking to tackle the entirety of Route 66, or simply setting off through the Arizona desert to solve the great mystery of The Thing , taking a road trip is an essential part of every driver’s resumé. And while mishaps and discomfort often make for an entertaining post-road trip tale, you’ll want things to go as smoothly as possible – after all, you don’t want to miss seeing Wisconsin’s Largest Ball of Twine because you missed that left turn at Kenosha. Here are 7 hacks that’ll make your road trip an adventure, rather than a slog.
1. Don’t miss that left turn at Kenosha (or anywhere else).
If you’re on an unfamiliar freeway and aren’t sure which side the exit ramp will be on, this picture explains it all.
2. Bring a multi-port car charger.
Now you and your carmates won’t be struggling over who gets to charge their phone. Remember – a harmonious road trip is the best kind of road trip.
3. Bring a map.
Yes, a paper map. At some point, you may be driving through areas that don’t have cellular service. Or your GPS might go on the fritz. The point is, you should be prepared for the unexpected, and having a paper map (or road atlas) is a good backup plan in case your electronic navigation systems aren’t available.
4. Bring this book.
There are many, many road trip books out there, but Jamie Jensen’s Road Trip USA is perhaps the closest thing that this particular subgenre has to a Bible. In its sixth edition, Jensen’s book contains all sorts of great information for the adventurous road tripper, focusing on routes that eschew big interstates for lesser-traveled state highways – where all the cool stuff can be found. To make planning your trip easier, Jensen has included some 140 different route maps, as well as information about local attractions, lodging, and even great places to eat.
5. Leave the suitcases at home.
Instead, bring two bags: a soft duffle bag and a small, day hiking-style backpack. Duffle bags are lighter and compress when you put them in the trunk or cargo space, which can free up room for other stuff. Making hotel stops along the way? Leave the heavy duffle in the car, put your PJs, the clothes you’ll be wearing the next day, and any bathroom items in the small backpack for your hotel room.
6. Bring an emergency kit.
You never know what can happen on the road, so having a roadside emergency kit aboard is vital. Not sure what to include? Here’s our suggestions .
7. Bring a roll of duct tape.
Need an extra cup holder? Voila.
