45 Tips and Tools for Travel Nursing Road Trips
Road trips are a big part of travel nursing. When I was recruiting, it seemed like almost every traveler I worked with got to their assignment by driving their own car, traveling as little as 100 miles to as much as 3,100 miles. While it’s true that road trips are typically fun, they can also be risky, stressful and grueling. So, here are 45 tips and tools to help make your travel nursing road trips safe and enjoyable.
Planning Your Travel Nursing Road Trip
1) Plan Your Road Trip
This might sound obvious, but a lot of travel websites and blog posts about road trips recommend a “flexible itinerary”. Essentially, get the map out and go with the flow. They say this makes the trip more fun.
The problem is that you could actually miss something that you would really like to see if you only knew it was there. You could also get stuck without knowing where the next place to sleep or rest is located. More importantly, travel nurses are often taking road trips to get to their next assignment, so time can be an important factor.
Therefore, consider mapping a detailed trip itinerary in advance. By doing so, you can avoid potential pitfalls and take advantage of tons of tools and services that can help you get the most out of your road trips.
2) Consider RoadTrippers.com
The name “RoadTrippers” says it all. This website and the accompanying App for iPhone and Android helps you find things along your route. Simply enter your starting point and destination and the service will map out accommodations, attractions, dining options, recreation areas, points of interest, camping options, entertainment, services, shopping, and sporting options along the way.
The service also has a feature that allows you to control the area for the results. You can set it as low as 5 miles to as high as 30 miles from your route.
3) Consider TVFoodMaps.com
If you love to watch food shows and dream of chowing down at all the amazing restaurants they feature, then you might like TVFoodMaps.com and their App for iPhone and Android. The service features over 4,000 restaurants that have been featured on over 30 TV shows including Man vs. Food and Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. There are several search options including by show and by state. However, you can also enter your starting point and destination to see the options available along your route.
4) Consider RoadFood.com
RoadFood.com can help you find the restaurants that the TV food shows haven’t discovered yet. The site lists only non-franchised restaurants and has over 1,800 listings. You can search by state, city, food item, keyword and restaurant type.
Their insider service costs $20 per year and provides several premium features. You can download all reviews to a PDF. You’ll also get access to a mapping service to help you find things easier. You can also integrate with Google Earth to take your search to the next level.
5) Consider RoadsideAmerica.com
RoadsideAmerica.com bills itself as “Your online guide to offbeat tourist attractions.” If you like to visit quirky attractions like giant chickens, or dinosaurs made out of used car parts, then this site is for you. On the website, you enter a city and state and it returns the attractions in the area. They also have an iPhone app that will let you locate attractions that are around your current location. The app charges by the region and it’s less than $10 to purchase all regions.
Staying on Course
6) Consider Google Maps
There are tons of map services out there, but there is a reason that maps have become synonymous with Google. They do maps better than most, especially for long distance road trips. You can start by mapping your trip on your computer which is makes it easier to look at alternate routes. Or you can go straight to the app which includes an “Explore” feature that will display things to do near you in several different categories.
7) Consider Waze
Waze is an app that allows users to contribute information about road conditions so that everyone can benefit. The app works like other navigation apps in that you enter a destination and it provides tracking and automated voice guided navigation. Meanwhile, the app is tracking the progress of all users to determine traffic issues that the app uses to determine if there is a better route for your trip. Users can also enter information like police radar traps and vehicle accident reports. The app will also help you find the cheapest gas relative to your current location. Finally, you can connect with others and share your road trip progress.
It’s important to note that the app only accepts road trips of less than 1,000 miles. So, it might not be the best option for your cross country trips.
8) Bring a Paper Map
Technology is awesome and all, but it requires energy and a data connection. You may find yourself without one or both of these things on a long road trip, so be sure to bring a paper map with you. Considering that travel nurses could potentially trek cross country several times during their careers, a great map might be a good investment. Here are a few popular options:
Rand McNally 2016 Large Scale Road Atlas
The Next Exit 2015: The Most Complete Interstate Hwy Guide
National Geographic Road Atlas – Adventure Edition
Finding Places To Stay on Your Travel Nursing Road Trip
9) Truck Stops Aren’t Just For Truckers
Truck stops are great options for your road trips. They typically have the cheapest gas in the area. They always have restaurants attached to them and their retail stores usually offer an eclectic mix of interesting and useful items.
Perhaps most importantly, you can always count on truck stops if you just need a shower. The shower fees are typically $10 – $15 and the service usually includes a fresh towel, washcloth, bathmat and soap.
You can sleep in your car at a truck stop. However, many truck stops have major hotel and motel chains attached to them these days, so if you need a bed you can typically find one nearby.
10) Finding Truck Stops
There are tons of apps that can help you find truck stops along your route. One of the most popular is called “Truck Stops and Travel Plazas”. The app is provided by AllStays which provides tons of useful services for travelers. However, this app costs $10.
Another app to consider is called Trucker Path Pro. The app lets you plot a route and shows you the truck stops and rest areas along the way. Best of all, it’s free.
Another premium app to consider is Rest Stops Plus. This is another app provided by AllStays. It has over 4,000 rest areas, welcome centers, turn-outs, service plazas and scenic vistas in the USA and Canada. The app costs $2.
Truck Stops and Travel Plazas on Android
Truck Stops and Travel Plazas on iPhone
11) Comparison Shop Vacation Rentals and Hotels with Hipmunk
Hipmunk was founded in 2012 and you can already find articles on Forbes proclaiming it “The World’s Best Travel Site“. One of the reasons is that Hipmunk was the first service to let users comparison shop for hotels and vacation rentals in one place. This means that the listings include accommodations from Airbnb, VRBO and others. Check it out if you’re looking for a place to stay on your road trip.
12) Try Hotel Tonight
Hotel Tonight is an app that is designed to get you great deals on hotel rooms at the last minute. It won’t always be useful for a road trip because you’ll often find yourself in small towns and rural areas that aren’t well serviced by the app. However, it’s always worth a shot as it’s typically considered the best way to save on hotel rooms.
Prepare Your Vehicle
13) Check Your Tires
According to TechAuto.com, the most common vehicle component to fail is a tire. When inspecting your tires, you want to look for uneven wear, warn tread, and proper inflation. If you discover any issues, then you may need to have your tires balanced, rotated or aligned.
14) Check Your Spare Tire
Given that tires fail more than anything else, it’s wise to make sure you have everything you need to switch to your spare. Make sure the spare is properly inflated. Also, make sure you have a jack and tire iron.
15) Check Your Windshield Wipers
Getting stuck in a big storm with shoddy windshield wipers opens you up to unnecessary risk. Windshield wipers are cheap and easy to replace. Make sure you check them before you embark.
16) Ensure Maintenance is Up To Date
Beyond the tires and windshield wipers, it’s also a good idea to ensure that the maintenance recommended by your auto’s manufacturer is up to date. This can include a whole host if things if you’ve gotten off schedule. In general, the breaks, fluids, filters, belts, transmission, lights, heating and cooling system should all be up to maintenance recommendations.
17) Bring The Jumper Cables
Jumper cables are always good to carry on board your vehicle, especially when you’re taking a road trip!
18) Bring a Spare Car Key
It stinks to get locked out of your car anywhere, but it can be a real nightmare when you’re on the road. Car keys are getting pretty fancy these days, but most cars still require some form of key to get the vehicle started. Having a spare key can be a life saver if you accidentally lock your main set in the car or lose your main key while on the road. I use a hide-a-key myself, although my wife thinks I’m crazy because someone could steal my car. I don’t think car thieves operate that way though 🙂
19) Consider Roadside Service
Many folks just don’t do well with cars even when it comes to small things like changing a tire. Moreover, road trips always present potential for major breakdowns. A good roadside service plan can be well worth the cost, especially is you plan on several road trips in a year. TopTenReviews has a list of 10 great roadside services to consider.
Random Preparation for Your Travel Nursing Road Trip
20) Bring Money For The Toll Trolls
Toll roads are popping up more and more these days. It’s a good idea to have change and paper money on hand in case you run into one. Some states, like Illinois have toll roads that require you to throw some change in a bucket. There are parts of southern California that have this too. Neglecting to pay can result in uncomfortable fines.
21) Charging Devices for Electronics
These days, the main charging device to have for a road trip is a USB charger that plugs into a cigarette lighter. Of course, your car may already have built-in USB chargers, in which case you’re good to go. However, some electronics require unique charging devices so be sure that you have whatever you need before setting out.
22) Bring Toilet Paper
It’s a real downer to enter a rest stop or gas station bathroom and realize there is no toilet paper until after you’ve gone. Get in the habit of carrying your own and you’ll never get stuck in this awkward situation.
23) Bring a Flashlight
Flashlights come in handy in many road trip situations. Use them to help you change a flat tire, or to save your car battery while reading in your car at night (parked of course). Be sure the batteries are fresh before embarking.
24) Bring Sunscreen
It’s easy to forget that you can get a sunburn when driving all day long. Your left arm is typically most at risk, but your legs can get hit too. Be sure to carry some sunscreen with you in the cab.
25) Supplement Your Cell Phone With a Phone Card
You never know when you might find yourself without your cell phone. You might have no signal, lose it, or have it break on you. A prepaid phone card can be a life saver in these situations. These cards typically let you make calls from any touch tone phone. There are tons of options out there, but I like this virtual phone card from AT&T.
26) Carry Plastic Grocery Bags For Trash
Keeping plastic grocery bags in your cab to dispose of trash can save you from the distraction of finding somewhere to put your trash and help you keep your zen going for the long haul.
27) Keep Your Essentials Handy
Pack a small necessities bag so you don’t have to dig through a bunch of stuff when you need something.
28) Notify Your Bank
Banks are serious about security these days. If their system detects that your card is being used somewhere outside the norm, then it may automatically shut the card down. It’s best to contact your bank prior to your road trip to give them an idea of where you’re headed and for how long.
Stay Safe on Your Travel Nursing Road Trip
29) Pepper Spray
It’s a good idea to stay safe on the road. Besides, most travel nurses are flying solo. Consider carrying pepper spray with you. The laws for pepper spray vary from state to state. The Pepper Spray Store has some useful information about state laws.
30) First Aid Kit
C’mon, you’re a highly trained healthcare professional. You know better than to leave home for a long road trip without a well equipped first aid kit!
31) Keep People Posted
It’s always best to keep people posted with your progress. Provide your family with an itinerary and let them know you’ll be checking in daily. You can even use many of the apps we discussed above to keep your family updated with your progress.
Stay Clean & Comfortable on Your Travel Nursing Road Trip
32) Stay Hydrated
When you’re road tripping on a timeline, forgetting to drink water can be really easy. You may even make a conscious decision not to drink water in an effort to cut down on pit stops. However, make sure you don’t get dehydrated. As you know, dehydration causes all sorts of side-effects that can ultimately slow you down, negatively affect your sleep and lower your immune defenses. In the end, it’s just not worth it.
33) Keep Water and Snacks Accessible
With that in mind, prep your cab with water and snacks prior to heading out. Keep them easily accessible to minimize stops and maintain your attention on the road.
34) Bring Wet Wipes
Consider moist towelettes for your hands and bathroom needs. Also, a small pack of Lysol wipes for cleaning the car will help you stay tidy and focused.
35) Paper Towels
Paper towels are versatile. They can replace tissue and napkins. They’re more durable and easier to use on the road.
36) Bug Repellent
You never know when you’re going to end up in a place with a mosquito infestation while you’re road tripping. It’s always best to carry a small bottle of mosquito repellent just in case.
37) A Small Cooler
Coolers, or Ice Chests, can take up a lot of space. However, having a small cooler handy to keep various fruits, vegetables, meats and beverages chilled is well worth the space.
38) Exofficio Underwear
Sitting in a car for long periods of time can cause you to sweat through the seat of your pants even when the Air Conditioner is on. And even if it doesn’t, being in the same pair of underwear for extended periods while sitting in a car is uncomfortable anyway. Exofficio provides the best underwear I have found for traveling. They have both men’s and women’s underwear that are breathable, lightweight, quick drying, and antimicrobial.
39) Bring Sleeping Gear
Truck stops, roadside hotels, motels and camp grounds can be really noisy and brightly lit. Plus, it can be tough to get comfortable when sleeping in your car. So, consider bringing an eye mask, ear plugs and travel pillow.
This eye mask from Temper-Pedic is my personal favorite.
Backpacking pillows like the Thermarest Compressible Pillow are great because they pack down really small to save space.
Entertainment On Your Travel Nursing Road Trip
40) Consider A Satellite Radio Subscription
Many people love satellite radio. It provides access to over 140 channels depending on the subscription you select. There’s commercial free music, television shows broadcast via radio, sports and much more.
If your car isn’t pre-equipped with a satellite radio, then you’ll need to purchase a unit that is. You can get these all over the place including directly from SiriusXM. The units cost as little as $50 and the monthly subscriptions start at $15. For me, that’s a little too expensive so I opt for the options below.
41) Download Your Favorite Music And Podcasts In Advance
When you’re road tripping, finding good radio stations can be a pain. Moreover, you may lose your cell connection. So, having your favorite music or podcasts downloaded in advance is always a good idea. Of course, we highly recommend The Truth About Travel Nursing Podcast which can be found on iTunes, Stitcher and most other podcast services!
42) Consider Audio Books
Audio books are a great way to make time fly while road tripping! There are tons of options out there for purchasing and playing audio books. My personal favorite is Audible which is an Amazon company. They have a monthly subscription service which gets you one free audio book per month regardless of price. You also get discounts on all additional books you purchase. The cost is $15 per month. You can also forgo the subscription and purchase the books straight from Amazon at full price.
You can have the Audible app downloaded on several devices so you could potentially share your library with a couple of friends or family members if you wanted. One helpful thing to know is that if you already have an Amazon account, then you automatically have an Audible account. Use the same username and password for both. If you want to share your account with someone, then you need to provide them with your log in information.
43) Consider Cracker Barrel For Audio Books
Did you know that Cracker Barrel has an audio book service? It’s pretty old school, but some travelers love it. Here’s how it works. Visit a Cracker Barrel where you can purchase an audio book on CD. They have over 200 titles. Then, return the book to any other Cracker Barrel location for a refund minus a fee of $3.49 for each week you’ve had the book.
Many travelers use the Cracker Barrel service because their cars are old-school, like mine. These cars don’t have a convenient way to connect to a mobile device. However, the next two tips are options that I prefer.
44) Try A Cassette Adapter
Cassette?! Yes, I said it…cassette. I have a 2001 Toyota Tacoma with 90,000 miles on it. Clearly, I’m not taking many road trips. Either way, lots of people still have cassette players in their cars. The great thing is that they can help you connect your mobile device to your car stereo. Here is one example adapter for iPhones.
45) Try A BlueTooth Mini Speaker
Maybe you don’t have a cassette player, or it’s broken because it’s too old. If so, you can try a bluetooth mini speaker to enjoy audio from your mobile device on your road trip. These units have a wide range of quality, options and price. You can certainly get by with something cheap like this. However, I’m a big fan of the Bose Soundlink Mini Bluetooth Speaker. The newer version of this unit costs $20 more but has a USB charger…which isn’t a big deal if your car isn’t equipped with a USB port.
As always, we hope you found this information useful! Please let us know if you have any questions or comments about this topic by posting in the comments section below. And please let us know if you have any additional tips or recommendations for travel nursing road trips!
