From the ...
The Road Trip Checklist
There's no denying the appeal of the great American road trip. Meandering off the interstate, into small towns and big adventures. It's a summertime rite of passage. A pleasurable and personal way to travel without the usual headaches that come with your standard trips to the airport. Prepare accordingly and you won't have any trouble out there.
What to Pack
First Aid Kit
This is good thing to keep in your car year round, but definitely when you're off in the middle of nowhere.
$48, by Best Made Co.
Gadget Charger
Keep your phones and tablets juiced up with this solar-powered pack that can charge three devices at once.
$29.99, by Poweradd
Water &
Non-Perishable Food
Be prepared for moments of sudden peckishness or when an actual emergency leaves you stranded roadside.
$6 for six, by Clif Bar
Face Wipes
Ideal for freshening up after a long day, cleaning up a mess in the car or for when the rest stop is out of toilet paper.
$24, by Ursa Major
Paper Map
You'll likely use your phone, but it's a good idea to have an analog backup. Plus, you can mark your route as you go, making it easy to look back on the path you took.
Flashlight
We know, you've got an app for that. But don't underplay the benefits of a rugged and ultra-bright dedicated flashlight.
$13, by Bright Medic
Beer (in the Trunk)
Be smart, of course, but you should be prepared for an impromptu pit-stop or an especially scenic overlook that will call for a few brews.
Spare Car Key
Sounds like a no-brainer, but many men in the past haven't been so wise.
The
Soundtrack
Download a new album. Run through it every day without skipping tracks. It will play in the background and you won't have to worry about what music to play. Then, months later, when one of those songs comes on, you'll instantly be transported with an audible flashback.
Stay Cool,
Save Gas
A few years back, the advice was the opposite: turn the air off and open the windows to save gas. But because cars are more aerodynamic these days and air conditioners are more efficient, they now cause less drag on the engine than driving with the windows down. The result? More miles to the gallon.
Avoid
Tickets
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than one hundred thousand people in the US receive speeding tickets every day. Of course, in every trip a little speeding must occur, so just be careful out there.
