Driving home for Christmas? Make your long journey that little bit easier with this selection of must-have car gadgets for your next road trip.

Car Stereo with AUX Input

With around a 15-song limit, there’s only so much enjoyment you can get from a single CD. Before long, you’ll be balancing CD cases and fussing with the stereo as you try to change your music.

A more practical option is a car stereo with AUX input. Available from In Car Connections, the AUX connection means you can easily hook your smartphone, iPod, iPad or MP3 player to your stereo, allowing you access to a greater library of songs with minimal fuss.

To avoid having to use your gadgets on the move, make a playlist before you set off. Include all your favourite artists and sing-along classics, as well as some must-have festive songs!

Sat Nav

The festive traffic is bad enough without getting lost and adding additional time onto your already long journey. You’ll be thankful you invested in a Sat Nav as you find an alternative route that sees you avoiding the rush hour gridlock.

The Garmin nuvi 52LM is a great option, as it has a lane-assist function, which clearly shows where you’ll need to be to make a turn. It also shows the speed limits— a handy feature if you’ll be driving in unfamiliar territory. Visit the official Garmin website to find a stockist of this model near you.

Portable Phone Charger

While smartphones may be getting smarter, it seems their batteries aren’t! Very rarely do our gadgets make it through the day without us having to charge them.

Regardless of how long your journey is, you should always carry a portable phone charger with you. Should you break down or get lost, you’ll need to call someone for assistance. Having this extra bank of juice can really make the difference.

You can pick up a portable phone charger for just a few pounds on sites like Amazon — perfect for staying connected on the go.