*This is a sponsored post on behalf of Metromile. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in anyway.
8 Road Trip Must Haves
My husband and I love to travel, but we never were ones to be planners. We were fly by the seat of your pants type of people. The kids all changed that and after a couple of road trips with one baby, then one baby and a toddler, and now two young children, we’ve become pros at how to make any long car trip successful.
Here are just some of my top tips for making sure you have a great time on your road trip!
Movies
Dual DVD players and lots of your kids favorite movies. Even better, stop at the Redbox and pick up some new flicks for them to watch!
Basket for Toys
Keep a basket between kids or in the backseat so that they have a central place to keep their toys, books, snacks, electronics, etc.
Dollar Store Finds
Stop at the dollar spot at Target or your local Dollar Store to pick up new activity books, crayons, colored pencils, little toys to make grab bags for rewards, glow sticks,
Leave at their bedtime
We are lucky because my husband works at night, so he used to driving all night long. We leave at bedtime when everyone is sleepy and then can usually get 7-8 hours with no one crying, asking for anything or needing anything. Bring pillows and blankets for the kids, we find that sometimes it gets cold in the car even in the heat of the summer with the air conditioning going.
Individual Snacks
I fill a lunchbox for each person with some sandwiches and some snacks. It can be expensive eating on the road!
Clean up supplies
If you have ever found yourself without a baby wipe when you really need one, you know how vital clean up supplies are on a road trip. Pack baby wipes, wet naps, garbage bags, paper towels and straws. There is no shortage of these!
Extra clothes in backpacks
I cannot tell you how many times we have been on the side of highways digging through bags trying to find clean clothes after someone gets car sick or we don’t get to the rest stop fast enough. Keep the clothes in a bag in the backseat where it is easily accessible and include everything down to socks and underwear.
Metromile
Metromile is the only pay-per-mile auto insurance available in New Jersey. Metromile allows drivers to pay for the miles they actually drive without judgement on driving style or behavior. Metromile saves the average customer $500 annually. What would you do with your savings? Maybe go on another road trip?
About Metromile:
Metromile’s mission is to empower drivers through a more informed car ownership experience. In addition to offering insurance that allows the driver to pay for the miles they use, they also provide smart technology via the Metromile App to give drivers visibility into their cars’ general health and usage.
- Metromile is designed for those who drive less than 10,000 miles a year and saves the average customer $500 annually.
- With Metromile, drivers only pay a few cents per mile with a low base rate each month for full coverage. You can get your quote HERE.
- Metromile makes every car a smart car with the Metromile Pulse. The Pulse plugs into the standard OBII port and is used to track mileage and provide car data, such as driving stats, engine health and car location. It’s even been used to recover stolen cars!
Giveaway
Comment below with your quote from Metromile, plus tell us what you would do with your potential savings! Not in a Metromile state? No problem! Enter your zipcode on the site to sign up for the waitlist and comment what you would do with the potential savings! Get started HERE!
What will you win? a $100 gift card + some fun Metromile swag!
*Giveaway ends 3/9/15 at 11:59p ET
Metromile allows you to pay while you’re driving, and not pay while you’re enjoying time with your family!
Melissa@ the Staten Island family says
These are such great tips! Leave at their bedtime is number one on my list??
Divna says
VERY COOL!
Lyla says
These tips are soooo good. There is nothing worse than having dried out old wipes when you have a roadside emergency!
Claudia Krusch says
Love it! Saving it’s always a great thing!
Tomika Bryant says
I was quoted $64.71 per month which is extremely low. I really like this idea and I think it is great for the person who does not drive constantly. I would use the saving for more road trips!
Pamela @ A Little Glitter says
This is such a smart idea. I don’t drive very much since I commute for work and I would love to only pay for insurance based on miles I am actually using. Great find!
Sarah H says
Oh, thanks so much for this. My husband just said last week he wants to get some new quotes on insurance because we haven’t price checked in years!! Sending him this link now!!
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says
These are great tips! This sounds like a great product!
Sarah Honey says
Very cool! What a great idea for someone who doesn’t drive a ton.
Amy Brooks says
Great post! I’m dreaming of a trip to the shore soon! Okay winter, finish up your nonsense – I’m done!
Justine says
We’re headed to UT from CA this year so all the help is appreciated!!
Lillie says
Great tips! I do a lot of the same things for my daughter but I like the extra change of clothes in backpack idea I have to remember that one! this sounds so cool! Will check it out
DebbieZ (The Jersey Momma) says
For some reason I couldn’t get their quote generator to work. It kept saying ‘error’ for me (could be my old browser). But I am always interested in saving money! If we happened to switch to them for auto insurance, maybe we could use the money we save for a vacation, even if it’s a small one!
Gina M says
My projected monthly cost was only $45.30 per month, which is less than HALF of what I am paying now!! With the savings I could join the nice 24-hour gym in my location and work harder on my fitness goals!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Kerri says
Ohh, it’s not in my state yet! Great idea for a giveaway!
momma lew says
Hi Kerri! Random.org chose you as the winner!
Neiddy says
I signed up for the wait-list. I would use the savings for our summer vacation. Thanks for the chance to win!
Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? says
Great tips…I wish the leaving a bedtime worked for us…our kids see it as a personal challenge to stay awake!
And, yes to the cleaning supplies!
Kristin G says
It’s not offered in my state yet! I hope it is offered soon because I would love to save money! I would save up for a trip to visit my sister.
Tania Lamb says
Agree with all the tips! Metromile sounds cool! I’ll have to check it out.
Latanya says
Not in my state, but I would use it for groceries
Rachel jenkins says
It says they are not currently in my state yet 🙁
What a great read, I would love for them to come to my state with the rate your getting!!!
Jes says
Not available in my state yet. With the potential savings I could travel back home and visit my parents.
Amy Z. says
It’s not available in my state yet. I’d use the potential savings towards a family vacation!