Traveling is exciting, but whether you’re heading into the city or taking a road trip to the next state, the journey can seem a lot longer if you don’t prepare for it properly. That’s why before you leave your house it’s a good idea to review these travel tips for the open road, courtesy of Buzzfeed and The Huffington Post, to make sure you really are ready for anything.
Hack #1: Keep Your Car Clean
No matter how careful you try to be while you’re on the road, garbage just accumulates. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep a plastic cereal container, the kind with the wide mouth, in your footwell. You can pop the top with one hand, toss in your trash, then close it again. The design means no smell gets out, which can make your journey that much more pleasant. If you want to be extra smart, use a plastic shopping bag as a can liner.
Hack #2: A Binder Clip For Your Smartphone
More and more people have replaced a stand-alone GPS unit with their smartphones. The problem is that a smartphone stand can cost $15 or more, and the plastic has a tendency to crack after very little use. If you have a binder clip and some rubber bands, though, you can make a simple, strong base that will hold your GPS right on your dashboard so you never have to dig around in order to see where you are on your digital map.
Hack #3: Plan Ahead For Fuel Costs
There’s no reason to pay more for gas than you have to, and if you’re driving into a major city like Chicago or New York then you’re going to face significantly higher prices once you’re over the city limits. Apps like Fuel My Route will check gas prices along the route you’re taking for your trip, ensuring you never overpay for a full tank again.
Hack #4: Pin Your Car on Google
If you’re in a new city, and you want to remember where you parked your car, just go to Google Maps (or whatever other map program you’re using), and drop a pin on the location. That way no matter how turned around you get, you will always be able to retrace your steps to where you left your vehicle.
Hack #5: Keep Copies of Your Directions
Never count on your phone to get reception, especially if you’re going to be driving through open expanse, or the concrete jungle. Always keep an Atlas on hand, take a screen shot of your directions so you have an offline copy, and if you want to really be prepared, make sure you print them out as well. It pays to be a little extra ready when it comes to not getting lost.
Hack #6: Use a Parking App
There are few things more frustrating than driving around endlessly, looking for a parking spot. Except, perhaps, finding that ideal parking spot but not having the small bills on hand to pay for it. That’s why apps like ParqEx are ideal for serious travelers. They let you search an area for the best spots, and you can pay for parking with a tap on your phone. There’s no muss, no fuss, and you’re in and out without a lot of wasted time.
Hack #7: A Dryer Sheet Can Keep Your Whole Car Fresh
If you spend a lot of time in the car then your vehicle will lose its freshness pretty fast. To avoid that road trip smell, all you need to do is put an open box of dryer sheets in the back. After a few days you’ll take several years off the interior atmosphere.
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