As snowflakes drift past my window, I’m reminded of winter adventures at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. There’s nothing like piling into a car filled with cozy blankets, hot cocoa, and the scent of fresh pine as you head toward snow-covered peaks. On a recent trip, I revisited this childhood favorite with my husband, David, with the Drive Time® 12V Scent Diffuser filling our car with the warm, woodsy notes of Exotic Teak. The perfect scent, just like the perfect playlist, transforms a simple drive into an unforgettable winter adventure.

Ready to hit the road? Set the mood with Drive Time®.

As our anniversary approached, we reminisced about one of our most unforgettable trips—an adventure through Alaska. From first-class surprises to panning for gold, this journey was full of breathtaking sights, delicious seafood, and an unexpected lesson in scent’s power to shape experiences. But it also made us ask: Do car air fresheners really work? Armed with our Drive Time® Truck Puck®, we discovered how the right fragrance could make a rental car and temporary lodging feel just like home. Ready to take your travels to the next level? Read on to see how a simple scent transformed our Alaskan adventure.

Winter had me dreaming of warmer places, and a Florida road trip was the perfect escape. With the refreshing Cottony Fresh scent of Drive Time® Aromables® Vent Clips, every mile felt like a fresh start. Beyond the beaches and adventures, the trip also made me reflect on small, sustainable choices—like how we can responsibly dispose of everyday items like air fresheners.

In this blog, I share highlights from our journey, eco-friendly tips for managing travel waste, and how tiny changes can leave a big impact on the planet.

Oh, and About That Air Freshener...

Spending so much time in the car makes you appreciate little things, like a good air freshener. But if you’re driving through hot climates like we were, you might find your air freshener melting. Here’s how to avoid that…

Choosing the right scent for your car air freshener can make all the difference on a long road trip. Consider what complements your personality and enhances your driving experience. Do you prefer a calming aroma like lavender or vanilla for stress relief, or something invigorating like citrus or peppermint to keep you alert? The time of year can also influence your choice—fresh, floral scents are ideal for spring, while warm, spicy fragrances like cinnamon or amber feel cozy in winter. Don’t forget the preferences of other passengers, as everyone should enjoy the ambiance. Testing different scents can help you find one that transforms every drive into a pleasant experience.

Our trip to South Padre Island may not have been as exotic as the Bahamas or Jamaica, but it was filled with unexpected joys, scenic beauty, and memories we’ll cherish forever. If you’re considering a road trip, this Texan gem might just surprise you, too.

To celebrate 50 years of friendship, we recently planned a trip to Table Rock Lake State Park and Branson, Missouri. Three of us, still living in the Midwest, were able to drive, while one friend made the long journey from California to join us. To set the tone for our adventure, I tucked a Drive Time® High Range Cedar Truck Puck under her seat. The uplifting scents of upland pine and balsam filled the car, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere long before we reached our destination.

We covered a lot of territory on this trip, but the impression made by Niagara Falls is indelible. It makes me want to capture not only the sight and sound of the Falls but also the scent, a fresh, invigorating blend of water and earth, mingled with the cool mist that fills the air. The combination of the Drive Time® Power Fresh® 12V Exotic Teak and Truck Puck® Watermint scents diffusing in my car helps me keep that memory lively…and inspires me to see those Falls again.

Since the devastation of Hurricane Helene and Milton has been in the news so much of late, my mind was taken back to our trip to Asheville, NC. It was about this same time of year when my husband and I headed east for yet another road trip. This time, though, we were going to be driving right through an area of Kentucky and Tennessee where I spent some years in my youth. There’s just something about visiting old stomping grounds that can bring back fond memories, right?

The drive through town was aimed at Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock. This was one of my favorite places as a child, so I was eager to get there! I remember running out to Haystack Rock at low tide and seeing the dark-bodied but brightly beaked Tufted Puffins. Part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Haystack Rock is a protected marine environment. If you enjoy birdwatching, you will not be disappointed.

Do you remember, back in high school, studying the importance of the ecosystems of rainforests and the role they play in our lives? Not many of us will ever get to see the Amazon rainforests but, guess what? You don’t have to go all the way to the Amazon to experience the lush beauty of a rainforest. Right here, in the Pacific Northwest, is the Hoh Rainforest, 24 miles of low-elevation forest along the Hoh River (pronounced “Hoe”).

Our favorite area to explore is the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and this trip did not disappoint. So that we could get the most enjoyment in the PNW we decided to fly to Seattle, rent a car and tour the coastline. For planning purposes, keep in mind that the month of August is the best time to head to the PNW, with more sunshine and less rain than normal.

The Midwest is experiencing a blast of hot weather causing a wave of nostalgia for the ocean breezes of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Our journey began with four of our friends who had also been invited to do some volunteer work and vacationing in one trip. We made our travel plans together, down to the minutest details. Afterall, we were going to Grand Turk Island, which at the time, had not been built up with any businesses to speak of. It was mainly for snorkeling, diving and offshore banking. So, it’s not like we could run down to the local Walmart and pick something up. If we forgot anything we would just have to do without.

Watching the recent Olympics took me back to the 1990’s when my husband and I made our first trip to Europe.

We flew to Frankfurt, Germany - which reminded me a lot of Missouri – and then on to St. Petersburg, Russia.

Our hotel in St. Petersburg, the Pribaltiyskaya, was on the Gulf of Finland and it was there that we experienced what is known as the “white nights” ­- the sun sets at about 10:00 p.m. but it never really gets dark. Thank goodness I found the black out curtains when we checked in.

My last blog had us leaving Yellowstone National Park on a beautiful August day heading north to Helena, MT to join some friends there. Driving along I-90, we reached the outside of a little Montana town called Three Forks when the highway suddenly turned to gravel! A mighty big construction project was underway that dumped four lanes into two. We drove on gravel in two-way traffic for what seemed like several miles. We were glad that our old Camry was as tough as a Jeep because that was some rough road!

If you decide to hike one of the many trails in the Jackson Hole area in the spring, summer or fall your sense of sight and smell will be delighted by the many wildflowers in bloom. We were there in August and were treated to beautiful clusters of Silver Lupine, Indian Paintbrush and Larkspur – I name these as they were the ones I could identify. A wildflower book and my Mountain Air Drive Time® Wheel Spinner® would be a lovely way to lose myself in the Wyoming landscape.

Have you taken a trip like this before? Tag along with us and see if it is a good match for you. But first make sure you grab a Drive Time® Power Fresh® 12V Scent Diffuser and their Citrus Sky Scent Bar! You won’t regret it.

As much as I’d enjoy (and deserve!) a long vacation, our many home projects are taking precedence this summer, so a long trip will have to wait until the Fall. To satisfy our travel lust, we are taking a few short ones within our home state.

Ya wanna take a road trip to Branson with us? The first order of business for me will be to get my Drive Time® Power Fresh® 12V Car Air Freshener ready. Given the heavy traffic we will no doubt experience I want to be sure and offer myself some uplifting, stress-relieving, tension-easing help along the way. Do you get the idea I’m not crazy about traffic?

By Popular Demand, For People Who Drive, We Are at It Again with Our Top Seller!