Essential Cross-Country Road Trip Items

There’s nothing worse than beginning a cross country road trip and discovering your forgot your case of CDs two hundred miles back. Before beginning any long road trip, it is always essential to make sure you have all the items necessary to ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for anything the vast expanse of the United States has to offer you. This article will discuss these essential items and why they’re important to have.

One of the worst aspects of a cross-country trip is the endless boredom that accompanies the open road. This goes double for those going at it alone. While having a ready supply of music is essential, at times it can become repetitive. This is where audio books and podcasts come in. With a quick search online you can find literally hundreds, if not thousands, of podcasts, almost all of which are available for free download. The same can be said for audio books, though they may require a more diligent search, as they usually have a fee attached to them. Programs such as iTunes break audio books and podcasts in categories, and while some are free and some aren’t, the options are endless.

When driving cross country, you have to be prepared for anything. As such, every car should contain a variety of items necessary for any situation. In addition to a spare tire and toolkit, some helpful items include towels, a change of clothes in a plastic bag, a gas canister, flashlights, and batteries. Beyond this you should be sure to have at a readily available location your insurance information, registration, etc. In some cases some form of protection, be it a gun (which requires a permit) or something as simple as a tire iron or crowbar may provide you with some peace of mind, especially if you decide to eschew hotels in favor of sleeping in the car.

Driving long hours across the country often means long stretches of road where stopping really isn’t an option, and as such it’s always best to have the following items with you at all times: a bottle in case you have to, ahem, “relieve” yourself while on the road, and plenty of drinks (water, sodas, juices) and food (anything that doesn’t need to be cooked). These items are not essential, yet if you’re in a hurry and would rather not make unnecessary stops, they certainly help.

More great travel tips can be found here!

How to Safely Drive on Icy Winter Roads

With winter approaching faster than a Japanese bullet train, a major cause of concern is driving safely on the icy roads. While those who live in the South are given respite from these potentially dangerous weather conditions, others are not so lucky. A fresh, evening snow fall and a plunge in temperature can bring about a layer of ice on the road that can easily result in an automobile accident if proper precautionary measures are not taken. Here are some of the best ways to minimize your chances of losing control of your car and plunging two hundred feet off a cliff.

One tip my mother gave me before I moved from the sunny beaches of Florida to the cold, wintry mountains of Colorado was to fill my trunk with bags of sand. By throwing in several 25-50 pound bags of sand you weigh down the back of your car, allowing for better traction. This will not only help prevent you from getting caught in really deep snow, but its primary purpose is to prevent hydroplaning by allowing for better traction. This can be made even more effective if you consistently rotate your tires and ensure they do not go bald.

If you live in the northern states many places sell special tires designed for gripping the road during icy conditions. While some suggest you only need two winter tires, it is recommended that you purchase four snow tires. According to tiretrack.com, four winter tires as opposed to two allows the car to work uniformly in the same conditions, as opposed to two tires attempting to work one way while the other work another way.

Clearly the best way to avoid getting into an accident while driving on the icy roads is to simply avoid the roads entirely. If you don’t have to drive, don’t. Stay in, make a fire, and watch a movie. At times it’s unavoidable, however, and if you can you should take public transportation such as the bus or subway. If you can handle the cold and live a short distance from your destination, walking (provided there are clear sidewalks available) is always a good idea. It’s safer, and you get some exercise to boot.

More great travel tips can be found here!