Highway Helpers
Cool stuff to make your next road trip safer and way more fun By Laura Daily
Speak Easy
It’s a walkie-talkie on steroids: the
Motorola Talkabout MR350R
features an alert siren, 11 weather
channels, and even a flashlight.
You’ll get an extralong range of
35 miles between units, and the
large buttons are driving-glove-friendly ($79.99 per pair; 866-
289-6686; hellomoto.com).
The Spill Is Gone
Hot coffee is usually more enjoyable when it’s in a mug and not
in your lap. With the insulated
Autoseal Stainless Steel Mug
you can easily push the button to
drink your favorite beverage; the
lid automatically seals between
sips ($19.99 each; 888-262-
0622; gocontigo.com).
Grip Service
Say cheese—anywhere! The
Original Gorillapod flexible
tripod wraps around just about
everything, from trees to lampposts. And its rubberized feet
keep it steady on most surfaces—
so you can get the clearest pics
on your favorite routes ($24.95;
888-569-5629; joby.com).
You’ve Got Game
After you’ve passed your third
Stuckey’s, the big drive has probably turned into a big snooze. Perk
things up with the Go Games
series from Magnetic Poetry.
Choose from 12 compact games,
including chess, hangman, and
pachisi ($9.95 each; 800-370-
7697; magneticpoetry.com).
Use Less Gas!
Saving gas can be fun—if you
have a Kiwi. Just plug it into the
diagnostic port (usually under
the steering wheel). The Kiwi
offers feedback on how efficiently you’re driving and how much
fuel your car is burning (for 1996
or later-model cars; $289; 800-
270-5699; juicedhybrid.com).
Great Escapes
Driving into a lake can put a real
damper on the ol’ road trip. To
break out fast, carry the Houdini
Automotive Escape Tool: the
pocket-size device shatters car
windows and saws through seat
belts. Plus, its whistle can be heard
for a quarter-mile ($24.95; 866-
927-2280; houdinitool.com). ;
