{"id":22594,"date":"2018-03-07T09:00:26","date_gmt":"2018-03-07T17:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=22594"},"modified":"2025-08-24T06:16:23","modified_gmt":"2025-08-24T13:16:23","slug":"road-trip-hacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/road-trip-hacks\/","title":{"rendered":"6 ROAD TRIP HACKS FROM THE PROS"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to planning a road trip, finding the balance between making an agenda and being spontaneous is hard. You want to live in the moment, but also still have a plan to fall back on. Master these tricks and you\u2019ll find yourself walking out the door without much effort put into planning your road trip at all.<\/p>\n

\"Road<\/p>\n

1) FILL UP AT THE CHEAPEST STATIONS<\/h3>\n

Use Google Maps or Gas Buddy to find the cheapest gas along your route. If bathroom cleanliness is a big concern, check out SitOrSquat to find well-kept restrooms. Try stopping at truck stations too. They tend to have clean bathrooms, offer more services and are open later than average gas stations. If you\u2019re a frequent road tripper, look into a gas card. Do research first to determine which company will give you the greatest return.<\/p>\n

2) RESERVE DATA USAGE AND BATTERY POWER<\/h3>\n

Being away from home doesn\u2019t mean you have to use a ton of data. Learn to utilize the offline tool in Google Maps. You can also find free wifi in many public places. Download music, for free, before you go. With ListenToYouTube you can legally drop in a YouTube URL, it will convert the file to an audio-only format and copy directly into your iTunes library. Pandora, Spotify and Apple Music are all alternatives. Or, better yet, try shifting away from electronics altogether.<\/p>\n

\"Road<\/p>\n

3) BRING CAMPING GEAR<\/h3>\n

The easiest way to leave room for spontaneous decision-making is to prepare for camping along the way. If you don\u2019t have a tent, sleeping bag or ground pad just sleep in the car. Make an idea and modify it with a pool float to save 40 bucks. You can camp for free all over the place. Although it\u2019s legal to set up anywhere in a National Forest. Hunt for a sweet spot, or pull over and set up on the side of the road. Either way, nobody will bother you.<\/p>\n

If you decide to stay in a hotel, remember to check the room for damage or missing items after checking in. Locate the dryer, iron, ironing board, towels, bathrobe, and check that the fridge is fully stocked (if applicable). Report damage to the front office and then the fun can begin!<\/p>\n

4) DROP A PIN<\/h3>\n

Finding your way back to the car in an unfamiliar place can be a nightmare. Whether it\u2019s a parking spot, hotel or a friend\u2019s house…drop a pin and wander around carelessly without worrying if you\u2019ll be able to find your way back.<\/p>\n

\"Road<\/p>\n

5) KEEP THINGS SMELLING FRESH<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s almost impossible to stay organized when living out of your suitcase or car. The least you can do is keep things smelling fresh. Stash a few dryer sheets in your suitcase to preserve the clean laundry smell as dirty clothes start piling in. Then keep the clothes in your hotel room dry cleaner bag or a bag brought from home. This will keep your other clothes from smelling dirty and can help differentiate between what has already been worn and what is still clean.<\/p>\n

Try to keep the car somewhat clean for as long as possible. Usually on the way home this concept goes out the window, figuratively speaking of course. There are several steps you can take that help maintain the cleanliness of your vehicle during a long road trip. Line a plastic cereal container with a trash bag and use it as a smell-proof, spill-proof waste bin. This hack has become an everyday extension for my car, but it\u2019s extra necessary on road trips. These two DIY ideas help contain the mess too.<\/p>\n

Use a tackle box as a lunchbox to reduce trash and increase variety of stacks. Plus opening and closing the little containers can help keep the younger ones entertained.
\nA seatbelt pillow: Most of us are familiar with bunching and re-bunching a pillow to find that sweet spot against the car window. As much fun as that is, maybe a seatbelt pillow would work better. You\u2019ll need some fleece material, a few Velcro strips, stuffing, and a needle\/thread to sew it all up.<\/p>\n

\"Road<\/p>\n

6) ALWAYS MAKE A LIST AND CHECK IT TWICE<\/h3>\n

Before planning too many details, write a couple lists. First, a packing list with all the items you will need. Then, a things to do before leaving list. This will prevent you from forgetting anything important and is a great way to keep account of everything that has already been done. Sometimes when organizing the car it\u2019s easy to forget if something has already been packed or not.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019re on the way, pull out a notebook and jot down another list. This one should be called the check-out list<\/a>. Include a small list of your most important items<\/a> (phone, keys, wallet, chargers, etc.) so you can run through the checklist as you pack up to leave. You should also include check-out procedure steps. Here are few items on my check-out list:<\/p>\n