The Ultimate Road Trip Hacks : Comfort, Technology, and Planning

The great American road trip has been a beloved tradition since the early days of the automobile. From coast to coast, iconic highways like I-95, Highway 1, and the historic Route 66 have beckoned travelers to hit the open road and explore the country's diverse landscapes and vibrant cities. While air travel has made long-distance journeys faster and more convenient, the allure of the road trip remains strong, offering a unique opportunity to create unforgettable memories with friends and family.

As vehicles have evolved over the past century, so too have the tips and tricks for ensuring a successful road trip. To uncover the key hacks for the modern-day road trip, we embarked on a 2,100-mile journey from New England to North Carolina in a Kia Sorento, traversing the eastern seaboard, venturing into the Appalachian Mountains, and cruising along Virginia's scenic Skyline Drive. Along the way, we discovered the vehicle features and specs that truly matter, the ones that don't, and the importance of proper route planning. Whether you're gearing up for a 200-mile weekend getaway or a 2,000-mile cross-country odyssey, these hacks will help you make the most of your next long drive.

Choosing the Perfect Road Trip Vehicle

When it comes to selecting the ideal vehicle for your road trip, comfort reigns supreme. After all, you and your passengers will be spending hours on end in the car, so it's essential to prioritize features that will keep everyone relaxed and content throughout the journey. Here are the key factors to consider:

Seat and Steering Adjustments

Even the most basic vehicles today typically offer at least four-way seat adjustments, allowing you to slide the seat forward and backward and recline the backrest. However, for optimal comfort on a long drive, look for a car with more advanced adjustability options, such as seat height adjustment and lumbar support. Seat height adjustment helps alleviate pressure on your thighs, while lumbar support can prevent lower back pain and fatigue.

Equally important is a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, which allows you to find the perfect driving position and reduce strain on your arms and shoulders. Our Kia Sorento test vehicle, equipped with the X-Line package, offered 10-way power adjustments and 2-way lumbar support for both the driver and front passenger, as well as a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, ensuring a comfortable ride for all.

Power and Connectivity

In today's digital age, staying connected and powered up is a must, especially on a long road trip. When choosing your vehicle, make sure it has an ample number of charging ports to accommodate the needs of all passengers. While most cars still feature USB-A ports, some manufacturers have begun incorporating faster-charging USB-C ports as well.

If you're traveling with children, rear-seat charging ports can be a lifesaver, ensuring that tablets and other devices remain charged and ready to entertain throughout the journey. Additionally, look for vehicles equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which seamlessly integrate your smartphone with the car's infotainment system, making it easy to access music, navigation, and hands-free calling.

Cargo Space

While a sleek sports car might be tempting, it's crucial to choose a vehicle with ample cargo space for your road trip essentials. From luggage and camping gear to coolers and souvenir purchases, you'll need room to accommodate it all. Our Kia Sorento, with its generous 75.5 cubic feet of total cargo space, easily handled two passengers' luggage, camping equipment, a 38-quart cooler, a garment bag, and even a dedicated shoe box.

When selecting your road trip vehicle, consider not only what you need to bring with you but also what you might want to bring back. Overloading your car can leave little room for mementos and souvenirs, so opt for a vehicle with plenty of storage space to ensure a comfortable and clutter-free journey.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

While they may seem like high-tech gimmicks at first, advanced driver assistance systems can be game-changers on a long road trip. Features like lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control work together to reduce driver fatigue and improve safety, making those 4-, 6-, or 8-hour driving days feel more manageable.

Lane-keeping assist gently adjusts your steering to keep the vehicle centered in its lane, while adaptive cruise control automatically maintains a set speed and distance from the vehicle ahead, slowing down and speeding up as needed. Other helpful ADAS features include blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and lane-tracing assist, which can further enhance your driving experience and provide added peace of mind.

Features That Don't Matter (Much)

While certain vehicle features can greatly enhance your road trip experience, others may not be as crucial. For example, while a high-performance engine can be thrilling, smooth and effortless operation is often more valuable on a long drive. Similarly, while fuel economy is always a consideration, prioritizing comfort and cargo space over a few extra miles per gallon can make for a more enjoyable trip.

Built-in navigation systems, once a premium feature, have largely been overshadowed by the convenience and familiarity of smartphone-based navigation apps like Google Maps. Our Kia Sorento came equipped with an onboard navigation system, but we found ourselves relying more heavily on Android Auto and Google Maps for their superior accuracy and user-friendly interface.

Planning Your Route for Maximum Enjoyment

With the perfect vehicle selected, it's time to plan your route. While the shortest path between two points may seem like the most efficient option, taking a more strategic approach can help you avoid traffic, reduce stress, and create opportunities for memorable experiences along the way.

Avoid Cities (Unless You're Sightseeing)

Unless your road trip itinerary specifically includes stops in major cities for sightseeing or attractions, it's best to steer clear of urban areas. Cities are notorious for heavy traffic and congestion, which can quickly derail your schedule and dampen the mood. By planning a route that skirts around metropolitan areas, you can minimize the risk of getting stuck in a frustrating traffic jam.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Even with careful planning, unexpected delays can occur, whether it's a surprise traffic snarl or a roadside attraction that catches your eye. To account for these variables, build extra time into your daily driving schedule. During our road trip, we found that adding an extra 10 minutes for every hour of estimated driving time helped alleviate anxiety and allowed for impromptu stops and detours.

Don't forget to factor in time for rest stops, too. Whether it's to refuel your vehicle, grab a bite to eat, or simply stretch your legs, these breaks are essential for maintaining your energy and focus on the road. Depending on the length of your drive and the age of your passengers, your rest stop needs may vary, but as a general rule, assume the drive will take a bit longer than your navigation system predicts.

Embrace the Unexpected

While planning and efficiency are important, the most memorable moments of a road trip often come from the unexpected detours and impromptu adventures. By giving yourself a buffer in your schedule and remaining open to spontaneous stops, you can create truly unforgettable experiences.

During our return trip to Massachusetts, we made a last-minute decision to take a two-hour detour to visit Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia, where we hoped to hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail and spot wild ponies. Thanks to our ahead-of-schedule progress and the comfort of our Kia Sorento, we were able to easily accommodate this unplanned excursion. The result? A breathtaking hike, a chance encounter with a friendly thru-hiker, and a cherished memory (even if we didn't see any ponies).

The Bottom Line

Road trips remain a quintessential way to explore the country, bond with loved ones, and discover new places. With advances in vehicle technology, they've become more comfortable, affordable, and accessible than ever before. By choosing the right car, equipped with the comfort and technology features that matter most, and adopting a flexible, experience-oriented approach to route planning, you can ensure an unforgettable road trip in 2023 and beyond.

So, grab your map (or your smartphone), pack your bags, and hit the open road. With these ultimate road trip hacks as your guide, the only thing left to do is choose your destination and let the adventure unfold.