Top Road Trip Hacks

Hours and days spent cooped up on the road can turn your carefully packed car into chaos and your cheerful travelers into cranky companions. Planning the ideal road trip can be a challenge, but these road trip hacks will help make the most of your time in the car.

Mess-Free Snacks

Munchies are great for staying alert as the miles go by—and let's face it, they give little mouths something to do besides ask, "Are we there yet?" Save coffee creamer containers and fill them with nuts, cereal or other bite-size snacks. Just pop up the top and pour when it's time to serve. Line your car's cup holders with cupcake liners and you'll have a no-spill, easy-to-clean-up snack holder.

Filling Up the Easy Way

Whether you need to fuel your car's gas tank or your own stomach, travel apps give you tips about what's coming up along your route. Discover the cheapest gas prices at the touch of a button with GasBuddy or the Waze navigation app, which uses crowd-sourcing to direct you to the lowest prices at the pump. Need to fill up on food, too? It's just as easy when you download iExit. It'll show you the restaurants available at each exit within a few miles of the freeway. You can also pinpoint attractions or stores if you need to buy snacks or groceries.

Keeping Kids Busy

Forget piles of activity books for the kids. Reduce clutter by downloading their favorite books and games. Protect their devices from sticky fingers and spills with large zipper-seal plastic bags. Create an instant movie theater by attaching the device—bag and all—to the headrest poles with binder clips, or remove the headrest and poke the poles directly through the bag. Remember to bring headphones and a multi-charger to avoid bickering over who whose turn it is to use the outlet!

Keep It Neat

Car clutter increases stress levels, so plan a place for everything. Keep trash in a plastic cereal container lined with a plastic bag—the snap-tight lid prevents spills even if the container tips over. Use clear plastic shoe boxes that fit under the seats to stow items you want in easy reach. More plastic bins in the trunk can help you organize groceries that don't need refrigeration, and they keep swimsuits and hiking gear easily accessible.

Catching Some Z's

One of the best road trip tips—bring along an oversized hoodie for times when you want to switch drivers and take a snooze in the passenger's seat as the miles roll by. Pull the hood down over your eyes to block out the sunlight and drape the rest around your body like a blanket. Keep your smartphone secure in the pocket as you listen to relaxing music on your headphones. Rest your head on a travel pillow that suctions in place on the window—some models also unzip into U-shaped neck pillows. You can also easily book a place to rest up for the night with the Choice Hotels mobile app.