This was published 8 years ago

How technology has transformed road trips

June 24, 2015 — 12.26pm

Mobile broad can keep you entertained during a road trip and during rest stops.Credit: iStock

This sponsored article brought to you by Telstra.

But those early road trips stay with us – there is just something to hitting the road, particularly in Australia where two capitals cities can be a day's drive apart. A road trip represents freedom, the chance to take to the open road with an open mind, to stop where you like and to find some adventure along the way.

But with changes in technology and the improvement in mobile internet – you can enjoy mobile broadband recharges like Telstra's new $50 Pre-Paid Annual Pass, which gives you 5GB data to use in Australia for a whole year – road trips are not what they used to be. With mobile internet you can get your devices online to play games, find the perfect song or Google something to solve an argument between siblings.

Here's a look at how technology has transformed the humble road trip:

You can't stop the music

There is no road trip without a soundtrack of carefully selected tunes. In the past – or as millennials call it "the olden days" – the week before a Sydney to Brisbane all-nighter would have been spent poised by the radio, cutting off the beginning and ends of songs as you tried to piece together a mix tape. Then came the CD and the stress of which treasured albums would be perfect for the long drive.

Now, not only can your smartphone hold more music than the entire back seat of your car, you can stream any song you like when you have mobile internet. No matter what service you use, streaming is a road tripper's dream. How many times have you been on the road and realised that the song that perfectly suited this stretch of highway was Stone Temple Pilots' Tripping on a Hole in Paper Heart – but you forgot to pack that CD? With mobile broadband you can have the right song in seconds – just make sure it is your co-pilot that does all the searching.

Plan the perfect rest stop

Part of the fun of a long road trip is never knowing when, or where, you are going to pull over and take a break. You are a free spirit, you are only going to rest when the mood takes you, or when your bum goes numb, whichever comes first.

But as exciting as a new town is, without local knowledge it can also be a bit hit-and-miss when it comes to finding the right place to refuel. In some towns it can be a no-brainer, when you are in Goulburn, for example, you have to head to the red neon lights of the art deco beauty Paragon Cafe (174 Auburn St, Goulburn; paragoncafe.com.au) but if you have to make an unscheduled stop then portable Wi-Fi can save time, effort and trying to find the tourist information office. Look up the best spots to eat, the cheapest petrol or if there is a farmers' market on that day, a great rest stop is at your fingertips.

Keep the kids amused

Parents have a love-hate relationship with the game of Eye Spy. It has a certain retro charm for a few rounds, but when it is the only thing you have to amuse your two squirming kids – and you have exhausted the particular stretch of featureless road – it can drive you mad.

When it does it is great to have some Wi-Fi in your pocket. You will be the kids' holiday hero when you handover the iPad and get them watching some kids shows or movies, playing interactive games or picking music vids on YouTube. They may even surprise you and choose an audio book. And the best bit is you can avoid all the stress of pre-downloading all this content before you hit the road.

And being connected while you are on the road needn't mean the end of learning, you can Google homework or make up your own trivia questions. So ditch any electronic guilt on a big tip, better the kids are screening than screaming.

Working it out

There can be a bonus for working parents with mobile Wi-Fi, too. There is always a last-minute rush to get everything done before setting off on a weekend away. But what if you can do those last few emails from the comfort of the passenger seat in the car. Then you can arrive at your destination – be it hotel or holiday home – safe in the knowledge that you have a relaxing weekend and not have to check in at the office. Just remember to pack the internet.

This series of articles brought to you by Telstra.