Emergency Items to Bring on a Long Road Trip

With the holiday season approaching, many American families are preparing to pack up the car and hit the road to visit grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and every other relative imaginable. However, between the winter weather and the sheer number of other drivers on the road, the holidays can be an especially difficult time for traveling. Here are some car safety tips on emergency items to bring on a long road trip.

Map or GPS
Depending on if you're a new or old school traveler, you will want to include a map or GPS among your emergency supplies. Make sure you or someone in your car is familiar with reading one in case you get lost or break down. A GPS is faster and generally more convenient, but they require a source of power to operate unlike a map.

Emergency money
If you should become stuck or stranded during your journey, having reserve funds are essential when calling a repair truck or finding food and shelter for the night. Keep some spare cash or an emergency credit card handy just in case.

Cell phone charger
While many cell phone batteries can last a few days, it doesn't hurt to have a backup cell phone charger that can plug into your car should yours run low. 

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