One day, assuming we retire before we become decrepit, hubby and I are planning a bunch of long road trips across the U.S. We’re looking forward to experiencing all the usual things: national and state parks, historical sites, cultural sites, ballparks, roadside attractions.
I’m guessing our mode of travel is probably fairly ordinary: we’ll be staying at hotels vs. going in on an RV or roughing it at campgrounds or hostels.
And I’m guessing our priorities are similar to the priorities of most road trippers: convenience, safety, saving money, sustainability (reducing waste).
When I started researching road trip hack websites, however, I kept stumbling upon the same 40-50 tips, some of them useful, some of them silly (cupcake papers to line your car cupholders? seriously?), some of the little more than product endorsements. Frustrating! So I decided to start aggregating my own list, keeping track of the tips that seem genuinely useful and adding additional ideas culled from related websites.
Am sharing that list here, in hopes that my research proves useful for others. Not every tip will be applicable to every journey, but there ought to be something relevant here for most long-haul car travelers – and if you have tips I haven’t thought of, please feel free to share them below!
Convenience & sustainability
- Pack at least one mildew-resistant towel to use in the car for cleanups, drying things off after rainstorms, swimming/wading, etc.
- While you’re at it, pack a larger multipurpose blanket as well. Useful for extra warmth in your car or hotel, and it can double as a picnic blanket for concerts or events.
- Bring reusable, collapsible bags of various sizes, to use for on-the-fly storage and shopping.
- Change your phone’s lock screen to display your emergency contact info, so folks can contact you if you lose your phone
- Bring change for random “off-grid” tollbooths and those old-school parking meters you’ll still find in older towns
- Between GPS, internet searches, and photos, cellphones get heavier than usual usage on road trips. Pack multiple battery packs (+charging cables) for recharging your phone on the fly.
- For longer trips that will require doing laundry, it will be more convenient – and less expensive – to bring your own supplies: pods, dryer sheets, quarters, hangers (for drying), stain pens. Save room by bringing only the quantity you’ll need.
- To avoid schlepping dirty laundry in and out of hotel rooms, bring a large collapsible laundry bag to store dirty clothes in the car until laundry day
- Skip hotel booking sites and make your reservations directly. Hotels would rather not pay travel site commissions if they can help it, so they will usually match or beat travel site prices if you ask – and they may even throw in free upgrade like a nicer room or complimentary breakfast.
- Take advantage of discounts offered to veterans, AAA members, seniors (often through AARP), government employees, and/or students, which are often applied on top of other discounts.
- Take advantage of hotel and travel website
“frequent guest” programs to earn free nights. Better yet, use both in tandem.
FYI, the points aren’t just good for free nights; often, they can be used to
score steep discounts on rooms in expensive destinations, which may end up
being even more useful. If you’re loyal to a particular chain, you might check
to see if they offer discounted gift cards.
- Use those hotel coupons books
found at state-run interstate rest stops to locate good hotel room deals. Often these coupon books will list motels that don't show up on online booking sites, an extra bonus. (Give me a great mom-and-pop motel over a chain hotel any day!)
- Don't be taken by surprise by hotel
add-ons like parking fees,wifi fees, or resort fees. Ironically, the more
expensive the hotel, the more likely they are to charge for extras. If in doubt, call the hotel and ask them to disclose any add-ons.
- If you can live with a little
risk, wait to book your room until the day you need it – preferably after 4pm –
to take advantage of the desperation of hotels to fill any remaining empty
rooms. You can do this yourself or through the website HotelTonight. Just one
caveat: in high-demand destinations, where there’s more demand than supply,
hotels may raise same-day prices to exploit the anxiety of last-minute
guests.
- Be mindful that hotel pricing is event-driven. If local hotel prices are likely to be inflated, it may be more cost-effective to stay further away than you’d usually consider and drive in.
- If you’re okay with trading no-frills for price, consider booking a hostel instead of a hotel. The Hostelworld website can help you find a place. Another option: Cabins in state and national parks can be an affordable alternative to hotels, though they may lack certain amenities
- Don’t be afraid to constantly reassess your
priorities. Location, free breakfast, laundry room, swimming pool – sometimes
these will be worth paying for; other times, it may make more financial sense
to temporarily compromise on one or more of your “inflexibles”
- Tips for saving money on destination restaurants
- Lunch menus are usually cheaper than dinner menus
- Some restaurants offer discounts on food at happy hour
- Search Groupon for discounts
- Check to see if the restaurant offers discounts for military, seniors, first responders, or other special groups
- Unless beverages are part of the experience (iconic cocktails at a historic bar, for instance), stick to water and save your money for the food you’re there to enjoy
- If you’re just there for the ambiance, consider limiting yourself to an appetizer or dessert
- Avoid the constant expense of fast food by taking advantage of free hotel breakfasts. (Also, if appropriate, snag a yogurt, oatmeal packages, or fruit for the road; it’s included in your hotel room costs)
- Consider preparing some of your meals in your hotel room. Almost all hotel rooms these days feature fridges and microwaves, suitable for preparing simple meals. (If there’s no microwave in your room, there’s often a communal microwave available in the lobby.) If you’re feeling especially ambitious, you can even pack a George Foreman grill or mini-crockpot for expanding your hotel meal options. If you're going to eat in the room, here are some things you may want to pack:
- A set of basic dinnerware for each person: plate, knife, fork, spoon.
- Basic condiments: salt, pepper, catsup.
- Tupperware containers to use as microwave containers, bowls for eating, and storage
- A basic food prep kit: paring knife, cutting board, spatula, spoon
- Dishwashing liquid and a sponge
- Keep a cooler and hamper stocked with food for eating in the car. Coolers also come in handy for storing leftovers from restaurants or hotel cooking. (FYI, they now have coolers that plug into your car's electrical system.)
- Buy your road trip food and meals at grocery stores, avoiding inflated convenience store prices
- Bring your own reusable water bottles & coffee containers, to cut down on trash and costs. Handy for taking your hotel coffee on the road, and you can refill your water bottle throughout the day as opportunities arise. (TIP: additives like powdered mixes or Mio are easy to transport and mask odd aftertastes).
- Select “no tolls” on your GPS guidance to avoid toll roads. (Besides, who knows what wonders might you stumble upon once you leave interstates behind?)
- Look for deals on gasoline
- Consider gas station credit cards & programs that offer rewards
- Use apps like gasbuddy.com to find the cheapest gas prices
- If you belong to one of those national warehouse chains (Costco, Sam’s Club), consider buying your gas there
- When visiting cities or major attraction, parking can be inconvenient and expensive. Consider whether it makes sense to leave your car at the hotel and use local public transportation
- Look for Groupons or city passes that may save you money on the attractions you're interested in
- If it makes sense to do so, buy national or state park passes. Often they pay for themselves in just 2-3 admissions. (By the way, you may qualify for free park passes if you are military, a gold star family, or a senior citizen.)
- Find free events & attractions
- Look for free guided tours offered by tourist bureaus or docents
- Google “free things to do in ____________” (or “Cheap things to do in ____”) to find attractions you may not have considered
- Get acquainted with the local subreddits for the cities you'll be passing through. Members can often direct you towards the best cheap eats and “off the beaten track” destinations
- Keep track of all your expenses as you go, to help identify areas where you might be spending more than you think.
- Pack a comfort kit with basic toiletries you might need while in the car: hairbrush, lotion, fingernail clippers, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, tissues, lip balm, toothbrush/paste/wash, wet wipes. Then make sure to locate your pack someplace accessible.
- Pack a pharmacy bag with meds you might need on the road for basic comfort (pain relievers, antacids, etc.). Include basic first aid items, but don’t go overboard, because – realistically - even in the remotest parts of the U.S. you’re probably only a short drive or a phone call away from medical assistance. Focus on treating immediate needs: Bandaids, aspirin (for heart issues), medical tape, tweezers, eyewash, etc.
- Bring workout clothes for hotel gyms
- Consider joining a gym with locations nationwide, so that you can stop in at various cities to avail yourself of the facilities
- If all else fails, bring your own exercise equipment: an aerobics video, resistance cords, a jump rope.
- Bring basic car repair kit – especially if you’ll be travelling through remote areas (tire inflation kit, battery cords/recharger)
- Bring car and travel insurance information (ex: AAA membership; also, some cars come with travel assistance)
- Pack a flashlight or headlamp for after-dark emergencies
- Pack paper maps or a road atlas for navigating in areas that don't have wifi access. (Happens more often than you may think.)
- Always gas up your car when it hits 1/2 empty – especially if you’re in a remote area. Nothing’s worse than worrying you’re going to run out of gas! Also remember to gas up during daylight hours if you are going to have to travel at night.
- Use window screens or shades to conceal what’s in your car from thieves.
- Keep an extra key to your car in your wallet, to prevent being locked out. (If your car has a manual keypad, program it.)
- If you're worried about staying safe in your hotel, consider investing in a door alarm that will sound if someone tries to open your door.
- Consider travelling with a can of pepper spray that you can quickly access if you feel unsafe.
- Use packing cubes to organize and store your clothes, coats, and shoes. Not only do they keep your things sorted, folded, and clean, but packing cubes make packing/repacking a breeze: just throw them into the suitcase, zip, and leave.
- Maintain an “overnight bag” that contains the things you need for the night (ex: PJs, toilettries, meds). Then throw in the clothes you'll need for the morning. So much easier than shlepping your suitcase into/out of hotels every evening & morning!
- “There’s a duffle for that.” Create a separate duffle for each special needs/event/activity (ex: cooking, swimming, hiking, exercising, inclement weather), so you can quickly grab what you need without having to unpack/repack.
- Consider jettisoning suitcases entirely and storing your stuff (sorted into duffles or packing cubes) in open laundry baskets in the back of your car. Place the stuff you won't need every day in the more remote baskets.
- Bring an accordion file for organizing and storing brochures, maps and other paperwork you may collect on the way
- Remember that temps can be 20-30 degrees colder at elevation or underground - so pack some layers if you are going to be driving through mountains or taking cave tours
- Clean out your glove box before you leave so that you can use the space to store important papers & receipts
- Use padding to make your seat belt more comfortable
- Consider purchasing a lumbar support device to keep your back from aching
- Your car seats are going to get a lot of wear! Consider whether you want to cover them in some sort of protective padding.
- Pack clothing layers for temperature changes (& a headscarf for blowing hair)
- Pack a travel pillow for napping
- Make a plan for how passengers will store and recharge their phones while in the car. (Tip: There are some simple elastic-based systems for turning sun visors into accessible and convenient storage. Another option may be suction cup organizers that can be affixed to windows)
- Prepare audiobooks, podcasts, and playlists to keep you entertained on the road, and be sure to download content for portions of the trip without wireless service
- Create road trip mental games & challenges (Ex: pick a category & ID examples starting with A-Z)
- Bring a basic car cleaning kit for maintenance & spills
- Optimize your back-of-seat storage space with hanging shoe holders or carbiners (for hanging things, like purses or bags full of supplies)
- Keep a trash can (lined to store fluids) for storing trash between stops
- Small, simple hard-plastic caddies are actually pretty great for staging meals in the car. The ones with three compartments accommodate the traditional sandwich/side/drink combo.
- Grocery store & hotel bathrooms are cleaner/safer than gas stations (and less awkward than restaurants)
- If you have to sleep in your car, pick the parking lot of a 24hr restaurant so you have access to a toilet
- Lock your seat belt through the handle of the door for extra security
Hotel comfort
- Pack a duffle of things that may come in handy: disposable kitchen trash bags, Ziploc bags (for storing wet/messy things), carbiners (for hanging things), extension cord/power strip, multi-recharger, portable fan (for hotel rooms with inadequate A/C), noise machine, febreeze (for stinky rooms), nightlight, curtain clips (to prevent curtain gap)
- A bit of a germophobe? Hotel room linens aren't necessarily changed every day. If this bothers you, you might consider bringing a lightweight sleeping bag insert and your own pillowcase to layer over whatever the hotel provides
- Options for optimizing hotel entertainment:
- Bring cables to hook your streaming device up to the TV
- Bring wireless speakers to stream entertainment or amp your streaming volume
- Bring a selection of games, card games & puzzles. (FYI, if you just love jigsaw puzzles but can't count on hotel tables that are large enough, one of those 3-panel "science fair" cardboard displays can be laid over 2 yardsticks to enlarge your surface area without taking up much car space.)
- Bring a variety of light, collapsible storage options - backpack, crossbody water bottle carrier, fanny pack, passport wallet - to accommodate a variety of day trips.
- Consider bringing collapsible chairs for attending spontaneous concerts or theater-in-the-park
- Hit bigger cities on weekends, when there are more likely to be special events and tourist venues will have extended hours
- For each attraction you are visiting, research not just Groupons and free days, but also hours and whether reservations are required. Nothing's more frustrating than arriving at an attraction, only to find out that you've arrived on the one day of the week that they're closed or that you need a timed ticket for admission
- Bring a memory card (or two) to offload photos from your phone so you don’t run out of memory
- Roadtrippers – A popular app for planning your route and destinations in advance
- Google Maps – Can be used to plan your route and destinations in advance; can also be used to ID local restaurants/gas/attractions
- iExit – Tells you what amenities are located at each interstate exit
- Gasbuddy – Helps locate gas stations & compare prices
- Flush – Locates the nearest bathroom
- Hotel Tonight- Specializes in last-minute (same day) hotel deals
- Hostelworld – App for locating hostels
- Momandpopmotels.com - Specializes in identifying hotels/motels that aren't listed by the usual hotel booking websites
- Rentalcars.com – App for finding rental car deals at the last minute
- Plugshare – App for locating EV charging stations
- Spothero – Allows you to reserve parking spaces in advance (useful for locations/events with constrained parking)
- PowWow – Drops a pin on a Google Map to help you remember where you parked your car
- Libby – App that allows you to download audiobooks
- Spotify – App that allows you to download podcasts and/or playlists
- Groupon – App that offers coupons and discounts for restaurants, attractions, and experiences
- NARMAssociation - An association of museums that that offers discounted admissions
- Roadside America/Roadside
Attractions – Helps locate quirky roadside attractions
- BringFido – Helps locate dog-friendly places to stay/eat/visit
- Alltrails – App for locating hiking trails
- iNaturalist – App for identifying plants
- Merlin Bird ID – App for identifying birds
- Sky guide – App for identifying stars
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