Essential Car Safety & Travel Tips for Convention Trips
Get AAA (or equivalent roadside assistance)
- AAA doesn’t just cover your car—it covers YOU. So whether you’re in your own vehicle, or a friend’s car, you’re still covered if something goes wrong.
- Check your personal car insurance and see what it covers outside of fender benders. Will it cover you if you break down? Will they send someone to help?
Storytime: I once broke down at midnight on I-95, over an hour from home. I was cold and alone. And my spare tire? Buried under all my stock and FLAT. Learn from me—make sure your spare is functional!
Emergency Kit Items
- Get a Portable Jumper.
No more relying on strangers in parking lots or struggling to remember how to use traditional jumper cables. Many portable jumpers even double as phone power banks and flashlights.
Best Part? For your own safety, most won't work if you hook it up incorrectly. - Get a Portable Tire Inflator.
Having a portable inflator can save you from being stranded or hunting down a gas station with a working air pump. - Car Escape Tool (Resqme Brand is a Seatbelt Cutter + Window Breaker in one)
These tools are tiny, inexpensive, and could literally save your life. Keep one within easy reach of the driver’s seat. - Emergency Kit Items
You know the drill: blanket, flashlight, ice scraper, duct tape, flares or reflective triangles, a high-viz vest, and water bottles. And things you'll probably have with you as a convention seller anyway: non-perishable snacks and battery packs. - Bonus tip: If you have space, keep a small bag of sand or cat litter in your trunk. It can give your tires traction on ice or snow if you get stuck.
Emergency Contact Info
Keep a physical card with your emergency contact details in your wallet. Phones die and screens crack, and passcodes lock people out - paper doesn't!
A simple card (even a DIY one) can make a huge difference in an emergency.
Rentals for Long Drives
- Long drives put a lot of wear and tear on your car. Rentals are often worth the upfront cost. Plus, newer cars usually have better gas mileage, and some are even electric—saving you a ton on fuel.
- Extra bonus - if you only have a small vehicle, a rental provides a lot of extra room for bigger displays and more products!
- I'm personally loyal to Enterprise. I always reserve so I can see how much its gonna be before I step foot inside the office. If you make a reservation, they have to honor it. If they don't have the vehicle type in stock, they’ll upgrade you. And after a certain # of rentals per year, you get put into their Plus/Silver/Gold status. (Comes with extra perks like big discounts.)
Enterprise is one of the few companies that rent to you if you only have a debit card - it's just a $300 security deposit that you get back. - Check if your personal car insurance covers rentals—mine does, so I always decline the overpriced insurance for rentals.
- Extra Tip: Take photos of every angle of the vehicle before leaving the lot, focusing on any existing scratches, dings, or imperfections. This creates a timestamped record to protect you from disputes when returning the car.
General Long-Drive Survival Tips
- Give yourself plenty of extra time. More than you think you need.
- Stop to stretch your legs - often! Even if it’s just a quick walk around a gas station. Should try to stop at least once every 2-3hrs.
- Take naps if you’re tired—better late than never arriving.
- Stay hydrated and eat properly. Being tired and hangry on the road is a recipe for disaster.
- This should go without saying - but stay sober!
- Long drives are exhausting. Take care of your body and mind along the way.
- Travel buddies are great! They can make the time go faster, and its great to have someone to trade off with when you're tired. Plus, safety in numbers!
Safety First!
- Stop for Gas, Intelligently: If it’s dark out, stop at a well-lit gas station. Don’t wait until your tank is running on fumes and you’re forced to stop at the first sketchy place you find. Fill up regularly as you go.
- Keep Travel Details Private: Don’t broadcast to strangers at gas stations, rest stops, or anywhere else that you’re traveling solo.
- Download Offline Maps: If you rely on Google Maps, download your route beforehand. Dead zones are real (looking at you, North Carolina), and losing service can leave you stranded without directions.
- No Identifying Markers on Your Car: As tempting as it is to brand your car with cute decals or business logos—don’t. It signals that you might have valuables, cash, or inventory inside, making you an easy target for break-ins, especially at convention centers.