12 Hacks To Get Your Car Ready For A Road Trip

Let’s move to the place wrapped in peace

Where the sun shines, and we’re welcomed by fresh breeze

Away from the chaos of life, in the land full of love

Where we talk about infinity holding turtle doves

Flying is always our go-to when it comes to travel. Nothing compares to a good old road trip, though. There is a certain sense of exhilaration that comes with a road trip.

While road trips excite many, for some, they are a nightmare. Sitting in one seat for long hours on the road sounds exhausting. If you properly plan your trip, however, road trips are everything but a hassle.

We have devised 12 hacks to get your car ready for a road trip so that you have a delightful experience.

• Tune-up your car

A tune-up is absolutely necessary before you hit the road. We tend to overlook regular tune-ups because they can get quite pricey. Do not let the costs hold you back because they are worth the splurge. The last thing you need is a broken-down car in the middle of nowhere.

Get an oil change, get the filter replaced if necessary, and get the batteries and tires checked as well. If you have bought your vehicle from a trusted dealership like redline cars, you don’t have to worry. However If you are using a second-hand car, tuning up is even more necessary as it is the convenient way to assess any damage that may have been done to the vehicle.

Getting your car checked before you embark on a journey is always a good idea.

• Check your tire pressure

Tire pressure is one thing you must be very careful about. This is crucial because adequately inflated tires ensure better gas mileage. Monitor your tire pressure for a few days before you head out for your trip. If you notice any issues, get them fixed.

• Check your backup spare tire

A spare tire is an absolute must-have for road trips. Check your spare tire before you head out to make sure it is not flat or damaged in any way. The last thing you need in your life is to be stranded on the highway with a flat spare tire.

Check the lug nuts on your tires as they are prone to rust. While you are at it, if you are not particularly confident about your tire-changing skills, polish up on those too with some practice.

• Load up on quarters

Quarters come to great use on road trips. Aside from vending machines, most tire and gas station vacuums accept quarters only. Stock up on quarter rolls in your glove compartment for convenience.

• Store everything on your phone

Your phone is the ultimate space saver because it can literally store anything and everything. Smartphones have truly revolutionized the world. Everything is atap away.

You do not need to stock up on CDs. Just download Spotify Premium to download playlists offline. Why carry an actual map when you have Google Maps? Make accommodation reservations using apps like Hotel Tonight. Kill time on the road with the help of apps like Audible, where you can listen to anything from audiobooks to podcasts.

• Get a good water bottle

Invest in a good water bottle to prevent plastic waste and to save cash spent on disposable drinks. Simply fill up your water bottle wherever you stop. If you enjoy sipping on coffee while you are driving, investing in a good travel mug is also a good idea.

• Ditch the laptop, pack your tablet instead

Laptops are the preferred pick for work purposes. However, a more compact option is a tablet with a roll-up keypad. It is much more convenient and much lighter to carry. Laptops are a little bulkier and cannot be charged with a phone charger.

• Get organized

Cars get incredibly messy on road trips. If you are traveling with children, you need to make extra efforts to keep things neat and clean. For this reason, we suggest organizing your car ahead of time.

Get your hands on organizers that will keep things sorted. Set aside one container for small loose things like utensils, coins, etc. Keep a separate container for snacks and other edibles.

Store your chargers, headphones, and other devices in a separate organizer. You have to be a little meticulous in this case to avoid any last-minute panic situations when you cannot find the thing you are looking for.

Remember to keep things in moderation, though, and refrain from overdoing it because it will only create clutter. Remember to keep everything compact.

• Pack a portable cooler

A long road trip can be quite exhausting, and eating only gas station food does not really help the situation. In such cases, it helps to carry a compact portable cooler on the trip, which you can use to store fresh food.

Do not fill the cooler with ice. Instead, grab freezable ice packs because they are reusable, cleaner, and easier to travel with.

• Charge up

Do not go overboard and invest in twenty different adapters. All you will need in your car is your phone charger and something that you can use to connect it to the car’s audio system. Just get one adapter with multiple outlets.

• Pack an emergency aid kit

Emergency kits are an essential item everyone must carry. To save up on space, we recommend creating a pill bottle survival kit instead of a big bulky bag. A prescription pill bottle is big enough to accommodate essentials like Band-Aids, medicines, matches, thread, and needles, etc. Pill bottles are also great for storing small things like jewelry, coins, etc.

• Plan your stops

To avoid last-minute emergencies, it is best to plan your stops before you head out. This is especially helpful because you can find the cheapest gas station nearby with the help of an app called GasBuddy, and save on some extra cash.

Calculate your gas mileage to assess when you might need to stop for a refill, use the restroom to freshen up a bit, or perhaps grab a bite to eat.

• Parting thoughts

Road trips can be quite draining, but they can be super fun if you are prepared. Your car must be in the best shape if you are going to be traveling long hours. To ensure that your trip is a smooth sailing one, you need to be prepared.

“The freedom of the open road is seductive, serendipitous, and absolutely liberating.” – Aaron Lauritsen

Use our hacks to get your car ready for the journey that awaits. We promise you it will be the best one yet.