There are several tech gadgets you should always bring with you on a short road trip. A few are absolutely essential, and some are just for fun, or to fight off boredom. The items below are listed in order of importance, with the most important items listed first.
Mobile Phone
The most important item to have with you on any trip is a mobile phone. It is important to find out ahead of time whether your phone will have access in the place to which you are travelling. Without access, the most important aspect of the phone will be lost.
Most cell phones are free with a service plan, but if you don’t have the money, you can also get a burn phone (prepaid cell phone). As long as you have some type of calling service with you at all times, you will be able to call for help in case of an emergency.
The phone is also important for fighting off boredom, as most phones (even some of the non-smart phones) have games you (when not driving, of course) or your children can play. A built-in camera, and built in wifi for other devices are great additions, if you have them.
Car Charger
A cell phone charging cord for the car is another absolutely essential item. Many cell phones either come with a car charger, or require a specific type of car charger. These specific devices are almost always going to be the best. Car chargers that allow you to use a regular wall plug tend to have very low power, and can take a long time to charge. Make sure everyone has a charger for each of their devices.
Battery Pack
A battery pack for your cell phone and other mobile devices is a great option to keep your cell phone charged, even when you are away from your car charger for an extended period of time. They are available for many types of cell phones, and typically cost between $20 and $100. Usually, the length of charge time correlates with the price. The more you spend on the battery pack, the longer it will keep your mobile devices charged. Some of the more expensive battery packs will charge several devices at one time. Some battery packs don’t even require a charge, as you can wind them up manually for a short burst of charge for your phone, which can be a great option in an emergency.
GPS device
Unless your cell phone has GPS service included, a standalone GPS system can be a big help. The more expensive GPS devices can run as high as about $400, but they may include features that are not necessary. The cheapest are around $100, and include everything you need to get from point A to Point B. Garmin, TomTom, and Magellan all have excellent devices in the cheaper price range.
Portable WiFi
A portable WiFi device is great to have if it is not already built into your phone. It will allow you to connect multiple devices to the Internet when away from home. It’s a fantastic device, even on a short trip to a friend’s house. For example, you can use your mobile device (iPad, laptop, or any other device that requires WiFi to connect to the Internet) with portable WiFi to show something to a friend who does not have WiFi access at their home.
Portable WiFi plans are similar to cell phone plans, and are comparable in price. The most common, easiest to use, and portable WiFi devices are called MiFi, and are available from Verizon.