7 Things You Need in Your Car For a Road Trip
Summer is almost here and with that comes more time off from work, trips to fun locations, and for some people, long road trips. Whether you’re headed to the beach for some fun in the sun, or you’re off to the wilderness for hikes and beautiful waterfalls, or you’re heading to family to celebrate together, it’s important to prepare your car for the trip. Outside of making sure you have had a recent oil change, that the tires are filled up, and that you have all your personal items packed, here’s what you need inside your car for your trip.
Car Battery Charger
Things happen. Kids leave interior lights on, you forget to unplug your adaptor, or the battery just needs a little jump. That’s why it’s important to keep an auto battery charger in your car. It can save you from needing to wait for your emergency roadside service technician and get you back on the road more quickly.
Safety Cones
If you need to pull off on the side of the road in an emergency, setting up cones can help alert other drivers and keep you safe. These cones can be used if you need to change a tire, if your car is overheating, or if someone needs an emergency potty break in between services. No matter your circumstances, cones keep you and other drivers safer on the road.
Extra Water
You never know where you’ll get stuck. Traveling in summer usually means hot temperatures. This means that you’ll need extra water on hand to help you cool off if your AC busts, if you need to wait for roadside assistance on the side of the road, or if you simply need to hydrate. Staying hydrated is important on long road trips because it keeps you more awake and alert. Although you’ll need more bathroom breaks, it’s totally worth it for the extra energy you’ll have.
Snacks
On that note, having snacks on hand can break up those long hours on the road. People who have any special dietary needs should be extra prepared because they may not be able to find what they need at gas stations and in between large cities. Having snacks can also give you an excuse to stop and take a quick break so that you don’t get overtired from driving.
Car Fluids
The best practice is to have a jug of oil, wiper fluids, and coolant in your car. Some people prefer to get coolant that’s already pre-mixed and ready to put in the radiator. Others will dilute it with water themselves. No matter which one you decide on, make sure you know what to do if you need it. Additionally, having quality oil, a funnel and some paper towels can help you avoid any messy spills should you need to top anything off. If you check these before you go, you may not need them, but better safe than sorry.
Phone Charger
Are you the kind of person who needs a GPS to find anything? Taking a cross-country road trip will require some directions as your drive through cities and towns you may not be familiar with. And running your GPS all the time will run your battery down in your phone much more quickly. This is why it’s important to bring a charger with you. You may even want an extra cord or two in case something happens to the first one. Don’t forget the adaptor for the car either. You don’t want to run out of battery life at an inconvenient time especially when you’re heading somewhere new.
Emergency Blankets
Those thin mylar blankets have some interesting uses. They are known for helping people stay warm in snow emergencies, but they are equally good at reflecting the sun and keeping you cool when you need it. Getting stuck in the middle of the desert or somewhere hot and toasty when your car won’t run means that you’re going to get warm, very warm. Using the emergency blankets in these situations either on your car windows or wrapped around your body can keep you from overheating in the blazing sun. This is why you should always keep enough emergency blankets in your car for all the people who come with you on your road trips.