According to the AAA report, more than 45 million people will travel this Memorial Day. Even though I am a full-time digital nomad who usually lives on planes, I logged in a lot of miles in the U.S. when visiting family and friends.
Last year, I drove from Sarasota, Florida to Waukesha, Wisconsin and drove to Washington, D.C., New York City, and finally back to Florida. I drove over 3,000 miles to Wisconsin to visit my kids, attend business meetings, and catch up with friends and colleagues in the process.
I find that what you pack in the car can help make road trips smooth, efficient and enjoyable. Here are nine gadgets I take that can help me prepare for each situation and enjoy the journey.
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Equipment for the next road trip
Everyone knows that spending a long time in the car can get messy, especially when you are traveling with your kids. This makes cordless vacuum absolutely necessary for road trips. I bought a Drecell handheld vacuum cleaner cordless and it changed my life, especially since I shipped my grandchildren and raised my dog.
This $50 mobile vacuum cleaner features a brushless motor and LED lights, is lightweight and cordless wires, and has a USB-C port for power supply and HEPA filters. It’s small enough to fit in a glove box, but powerful enough to turn the wheels on the vehicle into a garbage bin.
The United States is a huge country, and roads change greatly in their state and maintenance. You will also experience very different weather, including some types of (e.g. cold weather) that are rough on the tires. You will need to be prepared and the mobile tire inflator is a gadget you will use repeatedly. You can also use this device to inflatrate pool tools, sports balls, and more.
I bought the Rocgorld R8 portable air compressor. This mobile tire inflator, which is under $20, is small and small. It will fit in the middle car room or tree trunk. 150PSI Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor offers fast inflation and digital meter to fill your tires to the right level. You can power the inflator by plugging it into the 9V car jack.
Just like tires, your battery may need to start for a number of reasons. Modern vehicles offer curbside services that you can purchase separately, but mobile battery jumpers are still a useful gadget for road trips.
this HPB 2000A jump starter battery pack is a $60 mobile dual-use battery pack that you can use to restart the battery and recharge technology gadgets. The device is small but powerful, with 59.2 amp hours. It also has a digital display so you know how much power you have.
Most modern vehicles come with Apple Carplay or Android Auto, but older models may not. A technical gadget for your trip is a wireless device that connects your phone to the display or audio system of your car. The Terunsoul Wireless Carplay adapter is perfect for Apple users: it allows you to tie your phone to your drive to listen to audiobooks and music, answer calls and make the most of your phone’s screen.
Not only do drivers need to be entertained on road trips—you may have passengers, some may be small children. For parents or grandparents, one of the best ways to get children to interact is through their iPad or mobile entertainment screens. These are godsends when you drive long-term with your children and grandchildren.
In addition to the iPad, you can also consider an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet or an Android Portable Car TV HeadRest monitor. These gadgets allow seated passengers to entertain and make road trips of any length more comfortable.
For any cut and scratch along the way, you want to be ready with a solid emergency medical kit, but not just a band-aid. The $40 Everlit Survival First Aid Kit is a medical kit designed by veterans and survivors that can help you discover almost any difficult situation in yourself. Military-grade bags are made of water-resistant nylon. It has a thymeate space blanket, a 3-type tactical flashlight, a multi-function paracord bracelet (compass, whistle), flintstone, knife, a knife, a saber card, two 12-hour light and emergency rain poncho.
You can plug a gadget into a car’s power outlet, but sometimes it may require power. You might spend a day in town or fight for the shop in a house full of relatives, in which case having your own Plan B is ideal. This is how mobile power banks like Satechi Duo Wireless Charger Stand can charge your device. I used this mobile power library repeatedly while traveling off-road and full-time.
You can drive safely, but you can’t control the work of other drivers. Spending long-term drive increases the risk of accidents. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a dash cam that records everything and make sure you cover it. If you are considering a trip, this is another important gadget.
The Redtiger Dash Cam is a dual dashboard that records videos to Ultra HD 4K, with night vision technology that can be connected to a smartphone via an app. The Dash Cam has built-in GPS and records driving routes, real-time speed and location details. You will be covered up throughout your road trip.
Battery life Up to 20 hoursNoise reduction Yes (ANC)More YesHeadphone type Wireless headphones sent outwater proof No IP rating
I have always been a fan of Bose headphones and bought a pair of Bose noise noise headphones a few years ago in 700. Bose headphones are better for me than AirPods, and they help multiple passengers. On my road trip across the United States, Airpods and headphones are perfect for my wife and children (when they are in the car).
Upgrade your technology for easier road trips
Whether you are on a long road trip or taking a short trip to visit your family, the right gear can make the journey easier, safer, and more enjoyable. Try your settings on your next adventure to find what works best for you.
