Road Trip Hacks To Make Your Next Trip Easier

Before you're in the final stages of getting ready, utilize these hacks:

• Download apps that will be of assistance. Yelp will help you find good meals on the road, and FuelMyRoute will save you money on gas. If you're going to be booking hotels along the way, many popular hotel sites have mobile apps that will come in handy.
• Put together an emergency car kit. The contents will depend upon the time of year and terrain you'll be traversing, but it should always include a first aid kit, jumper cables, reflective warning triangles, a tire gauge, gloves, foam tire sealant, duct tape and emergency drinking water.
• Buy a five-port car charger to keep everyone's phones charged. Between the GPS feature, music players and browsing, car trips can really drain a phone battery.
• Whether you're driving from home or flying somewhere first, renting a vehicle for your trip will save you the wear and tear on your car. Plus, if you have more passengers than your personal car can comfortably carry, you'll save money by taking everyone in one vehicle. Browse Car Rental Express for the best deals.
• Join AAA or make sure your car insurance covers roadside assistance.
• Even if you want to be as spontaneous as possible, it's best to do some quick research on the spots you plan to visit. That will help you budget both your time and money since some cities will be more expensive than others.
• Buy everyone a nice reusable water bottle. You can save room in the car by filling them at gas stations.

When it's time to get packed and organized, you'll be glad you have the following:

• The laundry basket/muffin tin hack. Place a muffin tray inside a laundry basket to use as a mega cup holder if you'll have a big group of travelers.
• Prepare baggies of snacks: fruit, cheese and crackers, veggies, etc. Keep them cool with a portable cooler. This is a great way to save money on your food bill and stick to a healthy eating plan.
• Empty coffee creamer containers are perfect for storing dry snacks like nuts, cereal and trail mix.
• Hang over-the-door shoe organizers over the front seats of the vehicle. This will eliminate car clutter that always seems to accumulate on road trips.
• Gather your loose change and store it in an old candy or mint container for tolls.
• Make some mixed playlists. You might not always have data service, and you never know when you'll be in areas with no radio reception.
• If you're traveling with young children, put together a backpack with activities they can do on the road. Don't let them peek at it until you've left to add an element of surprise.
• Pack a Ziploc bag full of napkins and plastic utensils so you're never caught without them.
• If you have the space, pack your clothing and shoes in clear plastic totes and place them in the trunk. This will make it easy to grab what you need for the night.
• Keep a travel journal. Jot down your favorite memories from each day. You'll be surprised how quickly the days all start to blend together.