Do walkie talkies work on road trips? The quick answer is yes, they do! However, there are many things you need to consider before choosing the best walkie talkie for your road trip and your needs.
Don’t have time to read? No problem! See our top 3 choices below!
Midland GXT1030VP4
- High quality
- Water-resistant
- NOAA weather channels/alerts
Keep reading for everything you need to know about walkie talkies for car trips and how to choose the best option for your next adventure!
Why Use Walkie Talkies On Road Trips?
The next question you may have is why you would want to use a walkie talkie for a road trip. Most people have cell phones these days and it seems to get easier and easier to stay connected with others by phone.
However, there are a few great reasons why you should consider using walkie talkies on road trips.
First, having walkie talkies makes communication easier if you have a car convoy with multiple vehicles. Instead of relying on group chats, making multiple phone calls, and trying to juggle who is in what vehicle, you can simply send out a message to the entire group so everyone is on the same page at the exact same time.
It’s also a great way to communicate when there is no cell phone coverage. There are still lots of places where cell phone service is spotty or non-existent, and cell towers do go down occasionally. Walkie talkies work on radio frequencies so they are the perfect method to keep in touch no matter how remote you are.
Walkie talkies are also fantastic for keeping in touch with others when you are out exploring. If certain members of your party separate to do different activities, you can stay connected and touch base. They are also a great way to make sure everyone is safe and accounted for when you aren’t all together.
Another great benefit of walkie talkies is the emergency capabilities of certain models. If you are in trouble, you can send out an SOS signal. Some also have the ability to get emergency weather alerts when there is dangerous weather approaching so you can plan accordingly.
Best Walkie Talkies For Road Trips
Once you have figured out what features are important to you in a walkie talkie, it’s time to find the device that works for you! To help you out, here are 6 of the best road trip walkie talkies for driving and adventuring on your next vacation.
1. Best Overall Walkie Talkie: Midland GXT1030VP4
I would consider the Midland GXT1030VP4 one of the all-around best car to car walkie talkies for road trips. It’s water-resistant, includes NOAA weather channels/alerts, can use rechargeable or alkaline batteries, and has lots of channel options.
This device also comes with mic headsets which I think are a great addition and can be useful when driving or hiking. You can also use these radios hands free, but it is not as user-friendly as some other models.
2. Best Waterproof Walkie Talkie: Motorola T470
The Motorola T470 is another great all-around walkie talkie and is a great road trip accessory if you want something durable. It’s simple to use, has lots of channel options, is waterproof and weatherproof, and has a flashlight, NOAA weather channels/alerts, and an emergency alert button.
It also has great battery life. If you use the included rechargeable battery you’ll get about 12 hours of use, but if you use AA alkaline batteries, you can use the walkie talkies for up to 20 hours.
One thing to note: while the manufacturer advertises a max range of 35 miles, reviews suggest an average of only a few miles.
3. Most Affordable Walkie Talkie: Motorola T200TP
If you are looking for a simple and affordable walkie talkie, then the Motorola T200TP is a great choice. It has very basic features and is easy to use at a great price point.
While it’s not weatherproof, it has great battery life when used with alkaline batteries, has a low battery alert, and also offers a lot of channel options.
4. Best Long Distance Walkie Talkie: Retevis RT22
I would consider the Retevis RT22 to be one of the best long range walkie talkies you can get for a road trip.
While you don’t have the option to use alkaline batteries with this walkie talkie, a lot of reviews say you get a really good range and the sound quality is excellent. They also come with a belt clip and have an emergency alarm.
These devices are very compact and lightweight and use VOX technology, which means they also have the capability to be completely hands-free!
5. Best Kid-Friendly Walkie Talkie: Retevis RT628
If you are looking for something very simple that kids can use, the Retevis RT628 has got you covered! This is a great choice if you have a few kids in your group because it’s very easy to use and they come in fun colors!
Other features include good durability, the ability to use the devices hands-free, and a nifty feature that locks the channel so you can’t accidentally change the radio settings (an excellent idea for kid use).
6. Best Hands-Free Walkie Talkie: SINORISE Super Mini
The SINORISE Super Mini is a unique option for those who want a small, simple, and hands-free model. While it’s more commonly used in restaurants and sporting events, I think this walkie talkie is a great choice for road trips.
This model has up to 12 hours of continuous battery life and can clip to your hat or shirt for ease and comfort. You probably won’t even know it’s there! The range is only about 2 miles, but for a car convoy, this could be a great choice so you don’t have to use your hands at all.
How Far Can Walkie Talkies Reach?
What kind of range can you expect from walkie talkies if you want to pack them along for a road trip? While every walkie talkie will have slightly different ranges, there are two main factors that determine how far you can communicate between devices.
The first is whether the walkie talkies use UHF or VHF waves to transmit the signal. UHF (Ultra High Frequency) has shorter radio waves and is better for shorter distances and indoor use. Most walkie talkies will use these waves.
VHF (Very High Frequency) has longer radio waves so you can use these devices for greater distances. These waves are used more in maritime devices and are not as common.
The other factor in determining range is interference and obstacles. The more buildings, structures, trees, mountains, etc. in the way between any two way radios, the less range you will have.
Most walkie talkies use UHF waves and can reach anywhere from 1/2 mile range to 4-5 miles depending on obstructions.
How To Choose The Best Walkie Talkies For Road Trips
There are so many kinds of walkie talkies out there, so how do you choose the best option for your needs? Here is a list of things to consider when deciding what walkie talkie to purchase.
Overall purpose
You first want to know exactly what you are going to use the walkie talkies for. Are you mainly using them to keep in touch with other vehicles while driving? Do you plan to take them with you while hiking and exploring? Knowing the overall purpose of the walkie talkies will help you know what to look for.
Mandatory features
Going along with the overall purpose of the walkie talkies, what features are necessary to accomplish that purpose? Do they need to be waterproof? What about battery life and durability? Keep a list of things you need your walkie talkies to have in order to help you narrow down your options.
Ease of use
Some walkie talkies have basic features and some have lots of bells and whistles and are much more complicated. If you have experience with radios and want more features, go for it, but if you or others in your party don’t know a lot about walkie talkies, you might want something a bit simpler so they are easier to use for everyone.
Price
Your budget and how many walkie talkies you need are going to be important factors in determining what kind of radios to get for your road trip.
Size
Does size or weight matter for your walkie talkies? Do they need to fit in a pocket or a compartment of your car?
Range and frequency
Keep in mind your overall purpose of the walkie talkies and determine how far the radios need to reach. Do you only need to reach a mile or two or would it be better if they could cover a larger range? This will make a big difference in figuring out what devices to purchase.
However, know that if you want a walkie talkie that can cover more than a few miles, you’ll probably need a device that uses GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) which requires a license to operate. You can find out more information on GMRS here.
Channels and privacy codes
Depending on the walkie talkie, you will have a certain number of radio channels to choose from and some with the capability to have privacy codes on the channels.
Privacy codes are basically codes that eliminate all other interference on a radio channel except for the transmissions that have that code attached. Essentially, it helps filter out other transmissions on the channel except for you and your party.
However, having a privacy code does not mean the transmission is private. It just helps filter out other traffic on that channel so you have a better chance of communicating only with your party.
Battery life and charging
Each walkie talkie model will have a certain battery power life and a way to charge the device (if they have a rechargeable battery). Determine how long you will need your walkie talkies to work before charging or changing out the batteries, and decide if you would rather have a device that recharges or takes standard alkaline batteries.
Licensing
Walkie talkies that use GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) instead of FRS (Family Radio Service) require you to obtain a license to use them.
Basically, radios that run on the 462 MHz and 467 MHz frequency range and use up to 2 watts of power are FRS, and radios that use more than 2 watts are GMRS.
Most walkie talkies will use FRS and do not require a license, but make sure you check before buying the device.
Durability
If you plan to use your radios outside or in inclement weather, make sure you get ones that are weatherproof, waterproof, and durable in case they are dropped or left out in the elements.
Conclusion: Best Walkie Talkies For Road Trips
Walkie talkies are a great tool to use when you are on road trips with multiple vehicles or for keeping in touch with others while away from your group. There are so many models available, but you are sure to find one that fits your needs and is within your price range!
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