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Planning a trip across the United States? Before you dive in and start thinking about which destinations to visit, how to get around, where to stay, and what to eat… don’t forget to also consider your digital setup and its needs.
Preparing digitally for your trip can make a world of difference. You can effectively leverage digital tools to make your trip easier and more convenient. Without the right preparation, you could end up facing lots of issues, some of which may even be a serious threat.
This digital survival guide will ensure that you’re fully prepared digitally, and can travel smarter, safer, and more efficiently across the United States.
Stay Connected: Mobile Data & SIM Options
Connectivity varies greatly in different parts of the United States. Major cities generally have good coverage, but connectivity may be more limited in rural areas and national parks – if there’s any signal at all.
If you’re travelling from overseas, the main options you can choose from to stay connected are:
- Prepaid SIM cards from popular providers such as AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile
- eSIM plans that can be activated instantly without a physical SIM
- International roaming plans that are convenient but tend to be more expensive
In most cases the most cost-effective option is a prepaid SIM card with unlimited data. However some eSIM plans may be comparable, if you shop around for the right one.
Just remember that even with a strong provider you will probably encounter dead zones in national parks and rural areas. Don’t rely solely on mobile data when venturing outside major cities, and take precautions such as downloading maps and important documents offline.
Manage Public WiFi Safely
Lots of hotels, airports, gas stations, and cafes in the U.S. offer public WiFi – which is a really convenient way to connect to the internet when you’re on the go. However because these networks are unsecured, there’s the risk of data interception, malware injections, or fake WiFi hotspots.
To stay secure when connecting to WiFi networks, you can:
- Connect to VPN servers in the United States to encrypt your data and protect it
- Turn off auto-connect to unknown networks to avoid fake hotspots
- Avoid accessing sensitive accounts on public WiFi
- Enable 2-factor authentication for any accounts that are important
Download Essential Apps in Advance
Once you’ve planned your trip, think about what apps you’ll need and download them. Some of the essential types of apps that will prove useful include:
- Navigation
Exploring destinations is much easier with navigation apps pointing you in the right direction. The two most popular for real-time directions and traffic are Google Maps and Apple Maps – but Waze is a good option for traffic alerts and speed trap notifications.
- Transportation
There are lots of different types of useful transportation apps. Ride hailing apps are the most common, with Uber and Lyft providing a convenient, safe, and affordable way to get around. Aside from that, airline apps can be helpful for boarding passes and flight updates, while the Amtrak app is great if traveling by train.
- Payment
Many shops will accept payment apps, with Google Pay, Apple Pay, Venmo, and Paypal being the most widely used. If traveling from overseas, check that any banking apps you use have international alerts enabled to be safe.
- Accommodation
Airbnb and Booking.com are the two most popular apps for accommodation. Booking.com is ideal if you intend to stay in hotels, while Airbnb is better for rentals, longer stays, and unique experiences. Additionally, some hotel chains have dedicated apps that let you unlock special deals, rewards, or perks.
Prepare for Streaming on the Go
Streaming content may seem to be the perfect way to keep yourself entertained on long flights, road trips, and hotel downtime. However, access isn’t always straightforward. Using mobile data for streaming can drain it quickly, while hotel WiFi can be unstable. Some platforms also geo-restrict content, making it difficult to access.
The best way to solve this issues is to prepare in advance by:
- Downloading movies, shows, and playlists so you can watch them offline
- Finding unlimited data plans from mobile carriers to avoid data limits
- Using a VPN with servers in the corresponding country to bypass geo-restrictions
Set Up Emergency and Safety Tools
If things ever go wrong, digital tools could play a key role in your personal safety – as long as they’re set up for it. Here’s what you need to do on your phone to be prepared for the worst:
- Turn on the Emergency SOS feature that will quickly call emergency services and alert emergency contacts by pressing a specific button sequence.
- Enable emergency notifications to receive warnings for imminent threats such as extreme weather conditions or active shooters.
- Set up medical information that will display critical details such as your blood type, allergies, medical conditions, medications, and emergency contacts if you are unable to speak for any reason.
- Install weather apps to get emergency notifications when there’s severe weather, and so you can check the forecast in advance and prepare accordingly.
Handle Power, Charging, and Battery Management
Keeping your devices charged while you travel can be tricky. With heavy usage due to navigation, photos, and communication – you’ll find that batteries drain quickly.
There are a few essentials you’ll need to ensure your batteries stay charged for as long as necessary:
- Portable power bank (preferably 10,000 mAh or higher)
- Car charger if you spend a lot of time driving
- Multi-device charging cables if you have devices with different charging ports
- Plug adapters for international travelers that don’t use Type A/B plugs
Conclusion
The right digital preparation can help ensure that your trip across the United States goes smoothly. That way you can rely on your tech to navigate, make payments, book accommodation, or get around – without having to worry about connectivity, safety, or your battery running low.
A little bit of planning can go a long way, and allow you to focus on exploring new places, meeting new people, and making unforgettable memories.
