Road Trips
Drive smarter on your next road trip
Use GasBuddy to Find the Cheapest Gas Along Your Route
GasBuddy shows real-time gas prices along your route — save $0.20-0.50 per gallon.
Pack a Cooler to Avoid Highway Food Markups
A cooler with sandwiches and drinks saves $30-50 per road trip vs highway stops.
Download Offline Maps Before Leaving Cell Coverage
Download maps before your trip — GPS works without cell service for full navigation.
Leave Early Morning to Avoid Traffic and Gain Time
Leaving at 5-6 AM avoids traffic, gains 1-2 hours, and kids sleep through the boring part.
Use Rest Areas Every 2 Hours to Stay Alert
A 10-minute stop every 2 hours prevents drowsy driving — the cause of 100,000 crashes per year.
Create a Road Trip Playlist and Podcast Queue
Pre-download entertainment before leaving — avoids dead zones and data charges.
Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Car
A basic emergency kit handles 90% of roadside problems until help arrives.
Use Cruise Control to Save 7-14% on Gas
Cruise control maintains constant speed — no micro-accelerations that waste fuel.
Check Tire Pressure Before Every Long Drive
Proper tire pressure improves fuel efficiency 3% and prevents blowouts at highway speed.
Bring Car Phone Chargers for Every Passenger
Dead phones on a road trip = bored passengers, no navigation, and no music.
Use Waze for Real-Time Traffic and Speed Traps
Waze routes around accidents and traffic in real-time — plus community-reported speed traps.
Book Hotels Along Your Route in Advance for Best Rates
Pre-booking with free cancellation locks in good prices. Day-of rates are 30-50% higher.
Keep the Car Clean with a Small Trash Bag
A grocery bag on the shift knob catches trash instantly — never clean a trashed car post-trip again.
Plan Scenic Routes Instead of Fastest Routes
The scenic route adds 30-60 minutes but transforms driving from chore to experience.