It's Holiday Road Trip Season-These Are the Essential Tips and Tricks Professional Drivers Actually Rely On

"Coffee is very popular with drivers, so a good thermos flask is on the list,"

"You're not just driving for yourself. You have to drive for the people around you. They might be on the phone, distracted, or doing something else in the car. Even if you're in the right, there can still be an accident. Give yourself extra time."

"Sometimes you end up in the middle of nowhere and have to stay in a less-than-desirable hotel, that's just life on the road,"

Holiday airfare increases and flight cancellations make driving a common alternative for seasonal travel. Seat cushions with coccyx cutouts and gel or memory foam layers reduce discomfort on long drives. High-quality insulated bottles or thermos flasks keep beverages hot for extended periods. Allocating buffer time and slowing down lowers crash risk and accounts for other drivers' distractions. Noise-cancelling headphones and supportive memory-foam travel pillows improve sleep at stops. Shower shoes and basic preparedness help when overnight accommodations are subpar. Combining ergonomic gear, recovery items, and conservative planning improves safety and comfort on winter road trips.

Read at Travel + Leisure