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Last summer my husband and I took a road trip from Colorado up through Wyoming into Utah and Nevada and California on I-80, down the coast of California to LA, out to Scottsdale, Arizona on the 10 and then back up to Colorado. A lot of miles, but a lot of fun. If you haven’t taken a road trip in a while (or ever) I highly recommend it. It’s a great way to see the country.

Since travel season is rolling around and people will soon be hitting the roads again, I thought it would be a great idea to share some things we’ve learned through many road trips that will hopefully help yours go smoothly. Aside from a good navigator and a sense of adventure, there are at least 10 road trip essentials you should have to make the trip enjoyable and to minimize any problems.

10 Road Trip Essentials

Food, Snacks, and Water: Of course it’s important to have food and snacks. Sometimes it can be 50 miles or more between exits with services and often rest areas are no more than parking lots. Of course, you can always stop along the way at gas stations, in towns, and at restaurants for food, but taking along a few things will help save you money. You should also have extra food and especially water when taking a road trip just in case you happen to break down in the middle of nowhere or find yourself driving at night when everything is closed. One year my husband and I found ourselves driving up from Monument Valley through Utah on our way home in the middle of the night, starving, and, of course, nothing was open. We were miserable. Don’t make that mistake.

Battery Jumper: Again, no one wants to think about car trouble when setting out on a road trip, but it can happen and you need to be prepared. Many people carry jumper cables in their cars and while these are certainly useful if you find you have a dead battery, what if you are out in the middle of nowhere? What if there are no cars to flag down or you are concerned about the safety of doing that? A battery jumper can save you from hours of hassle and waiting for help.

Good Music: One of the best things about road trips is the tunes. Music helps pass the time, keep you awake, and lower stress. Whether you sing along at the top of your lungs or choose to listen to an audiobook instead, make sure you bring along a good selection of CDs in your CD binder or hook up your iPod. Satellite radio is also a great option. Aside from the occasional tunnel, my husband and I had satellite radio the whole way on our last trip and could listen to everything from Top 40 to Soundtracks to News to Comedy.

Jack, Tire Iron, and Spare Tire: Just like the the battery jumper, a jack, tire iron, and spare tire are essential on road trips. You never know where you are going to get a flat tire and chances are it won’t be down the road from a tire shop. Even if you have roadside assistance, if you break down in the middle of nowhere, it could be a long time before help arrives (that is if you have cell phone signal). Knowing how to change a tire and having the tools to do it are two things that will help make any flat tire less of a roadblock.

Travel Blanket and Pillow: If you’re taking turns driving and you plan to drive for hours at a time, it’s always a good idea for the passenger to get some rest. Sleeping in a car, however, is not easy for most people. A travel blanket and pillow can help make the effort a little easier. Even if you don’t think you’re going to sleep, it’s better to have these items and not need them than try to get comfortable and wish you had brought them. Even though we most often take road trips in the summertime when it’s warm, my husband loves to crank up the air conditioning so much that a blanket is a must for sleeping.

Gas Can: With the number of gas stations on the road these days, it’s hard to think of a situation where you’d run out of gas. Still, it happens. Having a gas can will help save you time because all you need to do is walk to the nearest gas station, fill up, and bring it back to the car.

Power Inverter: Imagine this scenario. You brought along a cell phone, laptop, iPod, Kindle, or some other device for entertainment and your battery is running out. You don’t have a charger for the car with you (or it doesn’t have one) and you don’t have spare batteries. What do you do? Well, you can use the power from the car by using a power inverter (sometimes called an AC to DC adapter). Power inverters are devices you plug into your car’s outlet (often the cigarette lighter) and have standard electrical outlets on the other end for your devices. Plug in anything from your laptop to your cell phone charger and never worry about a dead battery on the road again.

Trash bag: With food, snacks, and drinks inevitably comes trash. Nothing is worse than arriving at your destination or home or even setting out on the next leg of your road trip with a car full of trash strewn everywhere. A trash bag is a great solution for this. But when I say trash bag, I am not necessarily referring to your standard plastic, drawstring close kitchen trash bag. I mean a bag designed for your car that is self supporting, leakproof, and perhaps even comes with a lid like the High Road TrashStand. These are handy even in day to day driving in keeping your car clean and organized.

First Aid Kit: No one anticipates injuries on a trip, but it can happen especially with kids. Run around too fast at a rest stop and fall and you might have a skinned knee. So a first aid kit is a must on any road trip. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to have a first aid kit in the car any time. The Lifeline First Aid AAA Adventurer Road Kit is a great option because it combines basic car care with over 45 First Aid supplies. Not only will you have items like an emergency car care guide, pliers, duct tape, and poncho, but you also get standard first aid items like adhesive bandages and antiseptic.

Camera: When you take a road trip, you’re bound to see some sites you’ll want to remember. A camera is a must. From odd roadside attractions to scenic views, you’ll be glad you brought along your favorite camera in its trusty camera bag so you can capture the fun of your journey. The picture at the top of this post is one we took along Highway 1 just outside of Carmel, CA.

 

Depending on what other items you choose to bring (especially for entertainment like books, portable DVD players, toys, etc.) you might also want to consider one or a couple of car organizers. This will also help keep your car clean and organized and allow you to find things easier. eBags carries a wide range of car organizers including trunk organizers, backseat organizers, and glove box organizers.

Do you have additional suggestions for what to bring on road trips? Leave us a comment with your suggestions. We’d also love to hear your road trip story.

How clean is your toothbrush? Do you use it, swish it under the water, and put it away? Maybe it’s not as clean as you think. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Even after being rinsed visibly clean, toothbrushes can remain contaminated with potentially pathogenic organisms.” That means that when you go to use the toothbrush again, you could be introducing bacteria back into your mouth - potentially harmful bacteria.

What can you do? How do you clean your toothbrush?

You can use a toothbrush sanitizer like one from VIOlight. VIOlight toothbrush sanitizers use a germicidal UV bulb to kill germs in minutes. As the sanitizer works, the bulb glows blue-violet. When it is finished (within minutes), the bulb automatically shuts off. That means you can place your toothbrush in the sanitizer when you are done brushing at night, let the unit do its work, and then, in the morning, find your toothbrush ready to go - fresh and clean.

VIOlight makes more than just toothbrush sanitizers for home. You can find travel toothbrush sanitizers, kids toothbrush sanitizers, oral device sanitizers, and razor sanitizers. The kids toothbrush sanitizers are especially cool. The VIOlight Za-Za ZAPI is a coloful weeble-wobble that brings fun to cleaning your child’s toothbrush. I personally love the VIOlight Hi-Ya ZAPI that looks like a ninja.

Check out all the VIOlight sanitizers. To learn more about how VIOlight works, watch the video below.

 

Increased airline fees. New fees. Ticket price increases. Gas prices on the rise. It’s enough to make you want to stay home. But if you’re like me and you’ve done the staycation before, you’re feeling the urge to get away. Don’t let all the news about fees and price increases stop you from getting a little R&R this spring and summer. With a little careful planning, you can avoid airline fees and find great travel deals.

One area that you can definitely save money in is luggage. If you need luggage, a suitcase that meets carry-on requirements, or need to replace a worn-out luggage set, budget luggage is the way to go if you want to save a few dollars. But don’t confuse budget luggage with discount luggage or cheap luggage. In the luggage world, you often get what you pay for. In other words, discount luggage and cheap luggage may save you money right now, but they may not last very long. In fact, they may not even make it through your next trip. That’s not a good value at all!

So how do you find quality budget luggage? Shop at eBags! Start by narrowing your search for the type of luggage you want. Are you looking for a luggage set, a hardside suitcase, a carry-on sized bag, or are you simply browsing for an upright with wheels? Once you’ve narrowed your search to one category, you can sort the products by price (low to high) so you can see the least expensive bags first or sort by Top Rated to see which bags other customers love.

Then start reading about the luggage that catches your eye. Don’t just look at price. Pay close attention to customer comments and reviews because these are the people who will give you honest advice on whether you should buy this bag or not. Read the features and understand if this bag will meet your needs or not (size, internal organization, material, warranty).

At eBags we try to go one step further in helping you spot high quality luggage quickly. Look for our Best of the Best symbols to tell you what luggage has been rated highly by other customers. Our Best of the Best distinction is only given to products that meet the following criteria:

• The overall rating for the model is 9.0 or above.
• 90% or more of the customers said they would buy it again.

When you see the Best of the Best symbol on a luggage product page, you’ll know quickly that you’re looking at a quality suitcase. Combine that with a low price and you can rest assured you’re buying budget luggage that’s a real value.

Start shopping quality top-rated luggage by price below:

Shop Best of the Best Carry-On Luggage
Shop Best of the Best Rolling Luggage

The right luggage isn’t the only thing that helps make travel go smoothly. Sure, having a carry-on that’s the right size and weight helps you avoid checked baggage fees and a checkpoint friendly laptop bag gets you through security quicker, but there’s more to comfortable and convenient travel than avoiding fees and dashing through the airport. Sometimes a good trip means avoiding potential headaches.

 

Consider, for instance, the scenario where you can’t find your luggage at baggage claim. When you packed your suitcase, you thought it was fine. Now you realize that it’s one of many seemingly identical black, gray, or blue bags making their way around the carousel. You can either pull each bag off and look for the name and address information or you can wait until everyone else has picked up their bags to see what’s left (I certainly do not recommend the latter only because it increases your odds that your bag could be stolen).

 

What could have helped you avoid this problem? Why, a set of brightly colored luggage tags and/or a luggage handle wrap of course. These are just some of the luggage accessories that can help make travel easier. Discover these and other products designed to help you avoid the headaches of travel beyond avoiding fees and security lines.

 

Luggage Handle Wraps: Luggage handle wraps are just as they sound; they wrap around the handle of your luggage. The purpose of a handle wrap is two-fold. One, they offer a bit more cushioning for your hand while you roll it around the airport. Secondly, many luggage handle wraps are brightly colored so they help you identify your luggage quicker at baggage claim. For this reason, they are particularly useful when you take along black, blue, brown, or gray bags since these are some of the most common luggage colors.

 

Luggage Tags: Another great way to help you identify your luggage easier is by using colorful or unique luggage tags. Sure you can always pick up and fill out the free tags provided by the airline, but so can everyone else. Don’t rely on those to A) hold up under the stresses of loading and unloading luggage from the plane and B) help you identify your luggage since you may not be the only one with black luggage and the airline’s tags. Luggage tags are usually inexpensive but the convenience payback can be much more than you’d expect.

 

Luggage Locks: It used to be that you could use any lock on your luggage and that would be fine. Now, if you’re checking your luggage, you need to make sure your lock is TSA compliant. Why? Because if it isn’t, there is a good chance that the security screeners will need to cut your locks in order to inspect your belongings. A TSA approved lock cuts down on that chance (but note that it doesn’t guarantee they won’t need to cut the locks off). So why bother with luggage locks anyway? Because they help keep your bag secure. Whether you’re checking your bag or not, a luggage lock helps keep your packed belongings safe from theft. It doesn’t take much for someone to reach into the overhead and into your carry-on while you’re sleeping. A luggage lock can give you that extra peace of mind. Luggage locks also help prevent your luggage from accidentally opening.

 

Luggage Scales: Luggage scales are a great way to help you avoid baggage check fees. Afterall, the carry-on rules are not only related to the size of the luggage, but also how heavy it is. Luggage scales are also a great way to avoid one particular headache. Say, for instance, you got past check-in only to be questioned later about the weight of your luggage. You might be asked to check the luggage at that time - which could even include once you’re boarding the plane. That’s a real headache to sort out when you should be finding your seat and relaxing before takeoff. Avoid that scenario altogether by weighing your luggage when you pack it and ensuring it falls within guidelines.

 

See these and all luggage accessories at eBags including products not mentioned above like luggage straps and luggage carts.

What fees do airlines charge for checked bags? Are there airline fees for pets? How much is inflight food?

There are so many airline fees these days that it is no wonder so many people are asking these and other related questions. Not only are people confused about who is charging for what, but people are also wondering how much each airline is charging.

Is there a solution?

There is. It’s the airline fees chart. Smarter Travel has compiled their Ultimate Guide To Airline Fees and we’ve linked to it from our Luggage section of eBags.com. So now if you want to know the 1st checked bag fee for American Airlines ($25) or the ticket change fee for Jetblue ($100), check out the airline fees chart and you’ll find the answer quickly and easily.

Of course, you can avoid all airline fees by booking your flight online, avoiding changing your plans, taking carry-on luggage within the weight limit, and avoiding inflight amenities. However, as we travelers know, sometimes it’s just impossible to avoid extra charges and for that reason it’s important to know what you’re going to pay and plan your trip accordingly.

Did you know that eBags sells bags for wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers? We sure do. You’ll find a whole range of wheelchair bags by Case Logic under Travel Accessories > Travel Comfort > Mobility Organization Bags.

One such bag is the Case Logic Mobility Backpack Deluxe. This backpack for wheelchairs features oversized zipper pulls for easy access plus multiple storage compartments and 3 handles. The backpack is tethered to and can sit in an outer shell for protection and security. It fits most 16″ to 20″ wide wheelchair models and it is latext free.

Another bag for wheelchairs and scooters is the Case Logic Mobility Armrest Organizer. It provides spacious and secure organization within arm’s reach. The armrest bag is made from a soft nylex material so it is gentle on the skin.

For walkers, check out the Case Logic Walker or Rolling Walker Organizer. This universal bag for walkers attaches to most models and gives you easy access to personal items when out and about. Zippers on this bag feature an oversized hoop for easy pulling. A “Quick Draw” pocket works perfectly with a cell phone - it safely “pops up” your phone for easy retrieval. This bag can be attached to either the front or sides of the walker.

See all bags for wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters.

 

United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, and Continental Airlines have all just raised their checked baggage fees. That means that it’s now more important than ever to use carry-on luggage to avoid paying those extra fees.

Not sure if your luggage is carry-on sized? Take out your tape measure and measure the length, width, and height. Then check your airline’s website for their size restrictions. Many airlines use 45 linear inches as the maximum, but this can vary. “Linear inches” simply refers to the sum of the 3 measurements.

Also, don’t forget to take into account the weight of your bag once it’s packed. Each airline lists their weight restrictions for carry-ons and you can easily figure out the weight of your luggage with a luggage scale.

If your luggage isn’t carry-on sized, or you need new bags, here are some affordable options available on eBags right now.

Carry On Luggage Under $50

Netpack Wheeled 20″ Gear Bag

Skyway Sigma 2 22″ Vertical Expandable Carry-On Case

American Tourister Eco Collection 21″ Upright

Shop all carry on luggage under $50. Or shop all carry-on luggage for a wider selection including many bags under $100.

 

Everyone has heard of the risks of theft during travel, but not everyone knows how to protect themselves from it. From pickpocketing to stealing items from your luggage, travel theft is more common than you might think.

There are some steps you can take, though, to lower your risk of having something stolen not only from your luggage, but also from your travel bags while you’re out sightseeing. Here are some tips to help protect yourself from luggage theft and general travel theft:

 

when traveling…

• Replace the locks that came with your luggage with TSA approved luggage locks. While security screeners may have to open your bag at the airport, the locks will help protect you on the baggage carousel and at the hotel.
• Do not check valuables in your luggage. In fact, leave anything you cannot bear to lose at home or ship it ahead of time.
• Keep your most valuable items at the bottom of your carry-on bag so they are not easily accessible.
• If you set your luggage and travel bags down in the airport, leave a hand or foot on them at all times.
• Whenever possible, use the area under the seat in front of your for carry-on items. It is more difficult to access your bag there.



• If you want to use an overhead bin, try placing your carry-on bag in the bin across from your seat so you can keep an eye on it.
• Wear a neck wallet that holds your vital travel documents such as passport and tickets especially if you plan on sleeping during the flight.
• When you arrive, head directly to baggage claim.

 

when at your destination…



• Use a bag that can be worn across the body (cross body bag) so it sits closer to your body. Or use a travel bag designed with anti-theft features such as slashproof handles and protected pockets. Check out Pacsafe - a leader in anti-theft travel bags.
• In restaurants, do not place your bag on the back of your seat or on the floor. Keep it within sight. Try using a purse hanger such as a Pursehook to hold your bag out of the way but still within sight and reach.
• Never leave anything valuable in your hotel room unless it’s locked in a safe.
• Handle money discreetly. Do not flash your money around. Do not talk about how much money you have left where others can hear. Don’t pat your wallet over and over. Consider using a money belt which is hidden from plain sight (although sometimes these are more trouble than they’re worth).



• To protect your travel backpack or bag, use a carabiner to clip zipper pulls together so the bag cannot be unzipped. Consider a bag protector like one from Pacsafe with anti-slash protection. Check out this Pacsafe video to see how they work.
• Don’t look like a tourist. Dress like the locals or in plain clothes. Even if you cannot dress quite like the locals, do not dress like you’re wealthy or others will assume you are.

 

 

For more travel safety and travel theft prevention information, check out these sites:

Travel Safety Information from The Scholar of Thievery
10 Tips For Preventing Theft from The Lonely Planet

 

Travel safety, heightened airport security, and carry-on rules are back in the spotlight, so it is now more important than ever to know the rules BEFORE you pack and leave for the airport. A prepared traveler is a smart traveler.

You might be asking yourself, what can I pack in my carry on? What bags can I take on a plane? What can I bring on a plane? You’re not alone. Searches online continue to rise for these and other similar questions which means many people are trying to make sure they understand the rules so their trip goes as smoothly as possible. For answers to these questions and more, check out these carry-on tips and the airport security information below.

 

Know The TSA Rules

Check the TSA Website before you pack and leave for your flight. Knowing the procedures in advance will save you time and headaches. The TSA website has all of the information you need to get through security faster including lists of prohibited items, rules for carrying on liquids, tips for traveling with children, and information for travelers with special needs. Some of these guidelines include:

• The 3-1-1 Rule: 3-1-1 is the name for the rule about carrying liquids on board airplanes. The rule covers ANY liquids including toiletries, drinks, and food. The only exceptions are medications, breast milk, baby formula, juice, and other liquids necessary for travelers with children and travelers with medical conditions and in such cases, the items must be declared for inspection at the checkpoint. The 3-1-1 rule states that you can carry 3 ounce or smaller containers of liquid or gel in a 1 quarter-size clear plastic zip-top bag, and only 1 bag per traveler. The bag must be placed in the security bin (not packed in your carry-on luggage. See our collection of 3-1-1 Kits that meet these TSA guidelines. Many toiletries these days come in travel sizes that meet the 3 oz. requirements. Want to fill your own containers? Lewis N. Clark has a line of containers called GoToobs that are designed just for that purpose.



• Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags: For business travelers and other passengers who carry their computers on board planes, the rules state that you must remove the laptop from the bag and place in security bins separately. The only exception is when a checkpoint friendly laptop bag is used. Not all laptop bags are checkpoint friendly so make sure your bag meets these guidelines (even if the company claims it is checkpoint friendly): 1) bag has a designated laptop-only section 2) The laptop-only section unfolds completely to lie flat on the X-ray belt 3) There are no metal snaps, zippers, or buckles on top, inside, or underneath the laptop-only section 4) No pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop only section 5) Nothing packing in the laptop-only section other than the computer itself.

Check your airline’s website

In addition to reading the TSA rules, you should also check your individual airline for their rules. The airline’s website may list many of the same rules as the TSA, but the site will also provide information specific to their business including checked bag fees, additional fees for in-flight items, travel with pets, checking oversized or bulky items like skis, and, most importantly, carry-on luggage size and weight restrictions. It is particularly important to pay attention to the carry-on limits because even though a company claims their bag is carry-on sized doesn’t mean the airline will allow it to be carried on board - especially if you overstuff it. Be sure to:

• Weigh your luggage: Use a luggage scale to make sure your bag is under the weight limit - especially if you have a habit of overpacking. Check out our selection of luggage scales.
• Measure your luggage: Each individual airline has set its own carry-on luggage size requirements so make sure your carry-on luggage fits within those measurements. As a general rule, when shopping for carry-on luggage, look for pieces that are no more than 45 linear inches. This means that the height + width + length of the bag is no more than a total of 45 inches. The luggage you will find in the carry-on category on eBags meets these requirements.

Pack Organized

Forgot to remove your 3-1-1 kit? Are you being asked to open your bag so it can be more closely inspected? In the event that you need to open your carry-on bag in the security screening area, make sure you packed in an organized way so you can not only find things easier and quicker, but also so your belongings don’t spill out on the floor. The TSA website recommends packing in layers - clothes then electronics then more clothes then heavier items. Another great way to pack and keep your items safe, organized, and easy to find is to use packing cubes. For more information about packing cubes, read our packing cubes article.

Holiday Travel

Don’t wrap gifts. You hear this tip every holiday, but some people still don’t listen. You will be asked to unwrap your gifts if you do not follow this rule so do not waste your time wrapping ahead of time. The best option if you’re traveling during the holidays is to ship gifts or purchase them at your destination. If you must carry your gift on board, wrap it at your destination.

Want to bring food with you either as a gift or for the holiday dinner? Make sure you check the TSA website for the list of prohibited food items. Remember that liquid foods are subject to the 3-1-1 rule. Consider purchasing the food item at your destination, shipping ahead, or simply leave it at home. If you have purchased a food item at the airport after the security checkpoint, you can carry that item on board your flight.

Check It or Leave It

When in doubt, check it or leave it at home. You’ve scoured the prohibited items list on the TSA website, the airline website doesn’t say anything about it, and you can’t find the information anywhere else. What do you do? Pack it in your checked luggage. Don’t want to pay the checked baggage fee? Leave it at home.

 

 

Please note that these guidelines are subject to change so you should check for the most up-to-date information on both your airline’s and the TSA’s website before you pack and leave.

Information sourced from the TSA website: TSA.gov.

 

How much do you spend on your lunch at work? Even if you are being conservative, $5 a day on lunch 5 days a week totals to at least $1,300 a year. And if you are spending $5 or less going out, you can bet that 9 times out of 10, it isn’t healthy. The only bonuses of going to a sit-down restaurant are that you MIGHT be eating healthier, and there is less paper and plastic waste than eating “fast food”.

My healthy challenge to you: Pack your lunch. There are so many benefits to it, it is amazing that there are still so many who eat out every day! First, if you pack your own lunch, you can eat so much healthier. A bag of carrots, an apple, a sandwich, cottage cheese. So much better than french fries! And you won’t have to spend so much time on the treadmill trying to work it off. Second, you can do your part to be green by using a lunch tote rather than brown paper bags. (even when you re-use them, they are worn out by one week of use.) And third, you can easily save money by making your lunch. After going on a budget with my husband a year ago, we both got re-usable lunch bags. We budget for every little expense, and you would be surprised how much can be saved by getting your food at the grocery store and spending 10 minutes each morning to put a healthy lunch together. It also saves time, since you no longer have to leave work just to eat.

Not sure what type of lunch bag to get? Anything insulated is perfect when you do not have anywhere cold to store your lunch. Pick a bag that has room for what you need. If you plan on packing a large garden salad, be sure to purchase a lunch bag large enough to hold the container you plan on packing in. Want to keep your soda or beverage cool? You might want a bag with a compartment that can hold a cold pack. eBags has over 250 lunch bags!! The choices are almost endless.