Road trips are arguably the most fun type of vacation – because they’re filled with quality time and irreplaceable memories.
But when we look back on the memories, we tend to gloss over the backseat throwdowns and countless potty breaks. It’s true that only the good memories remain, but wouldn’t it be great if we can minimize some of the frustrations along the way?
Much like with anything else in your life, where there’s frustration, there’s technology to help.
So, before you embark on your next road trip, consider adding any of the following tech gadgets and solutions to your vehicle.
In this post, you’ll find some of the best technology to add to your car before a road trip.
Wireless phone mount
If you have a new car like the 2019 Mazda CX5, you’re probably going to be able to control your phone through the car’s infotainment system.
But if your car is a bit older, you’re going to want to cut the risk of distracted driving with a wireless phone mount.
You’re probably going to be relying on your phone for GPS and maybe even music, and you don’t want to be digging around for your phone in the passenger’s seat.
And with the wireless option, you can also charge your phone wirelessly, which is a major bonus.
Portable Jump Starter and Charger
If your battery dies while you’re at a pitstop in the middle of nowhere, you’re going to be extremely thankful for this portable jump starter. And even if you never need it to jump your car, you can still get use out of it for device charging purposes. When you have a car full of people and their devices, you can’t have too many chargers on hand.
Portable Cooler/Warmer
These devices will help keep your food and beverages at the appropriate temperature on the road. So if you make a stop and get leftovers, it’s no problem to keep them until you get to your next destination.
If you think about it, this gadget may even help you save money during your road trip – and that’s always welcome, isn’t it?
Standalone GPS
Before the days when we had handy GPS maps on our phones, most of us used standalone GPS systems like the ones Garmin makes.
Well, fortunately for your next road trip, Garmin is still making these systems. Your phone may work well to help you navigate to your new dentist, but it’s not as convenient when you’re on the road for days. If you have an infotainment system with GPS, you may not need this gadget, but there are some advantages to the newer-model standalone navigation systems. For one, you can choose a larger screen size to make it easier to see at glance.
These systems are also equipped with a great deal of supplemental information, like info on state parks and Yelp reviews, that can be helpful for your road trip.
Dashcam
With more time on the road comes a greater risk of car accident, and a dash cam can help you make a case for who is at fault – which is something you may want to do if the at-fault person is NOT you.
These devices capture 1080p video and will automatically save footage on impact, so you don’t have to do a thing.
Can you have an epic road trip without technology? Yes. But why would you want to>