Perhaps one of the most obvious tech gadgets in use today when on vacation is the GPS unit. This relatively simple-to-use device allows you to not only get easily from point A to point B, but also allows you to find new places of interest once you get to your vacation destination. What you may not know is that some newer GPS units also allow you to navigate a route using less fuel, monitor your fuel consumption and avoid traffic. Savings in the wallet and savings in time! Check out a GPS that offers live traffic reports such as a Garmin or TomTom. To get even fancier, Garmin has an accessory (ecoRouteHD) that ties your Garmin ecoRouteHD compatible GPS into your vehicle’s computer-control system to provide you with live engine data, including miles-per-gallon and engine trouble codes, right on your Garmin GPSs screen!

The smartphone is another tech tool that can help you save some cash. For example, a slew of applications are available on the market that allow you to see average area gas prices. Some applications, including GasBuddy (iPhone/Android), AccuFuel (iPhone/iPad) and GasBook (iPhone), even help you calculate whether or not it is wise to drive out of your route to save a few cents at a cheaper station. Smartphones and tablet devices can also help keep those back-seat drivers occupied by providing endless choices of entertainment. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you “are we there yet?” gets very old very quickly.

Technology can also help keep you safer when you are away. Digital cameras can be used to take a backup picture of vital documents such as passports or the condition of your rental car. GPS routing can be utilized at home before you leave, so you can let loved ones know your expected travel and arrival times. Smartphone and tablet applications that share your live location can also be shared with loved ones for a little extra peace of mind on those long-haul trips. Some people even leave their webcam-equipped computers on at home so they can log in via an internet connection and view get a live view of what is going on in the house.

Below is a short checklist you may find useful in planning and executing your vacation travel. Enjoy your adventure and keep it safe:

• Plan route in the GPS, write down times/dates and share with loved ones via email or written letter
• Take pictures/make photocopies of important documents as backups in case you lose the originals.
• On the day of departure have a list ready of all accessories: Do you have power cords, charters, batteries, and mounts for all your gadgets? Would an all-in-one power supply or charger help cut down wires?
• During your trip use your phone, portable DVD or tablet as a source of entertainment.
• Check in with your loved ones periodically by phone or email, especially if you have to deviate from your planned route.
• Always remember to have a map as a backup. GPS units are not infallible and should not be your only source of navigation whether you are in the car or on the trail. Please, use your head, it is the best safety device you will ever have!

To add insult to injury, add in a paper printout map – you not only have misery refined, you have a very good possibility of ending up in a ditch. (Or somewhere worse).

Times like this, GPS is seen for what it truly is: a Godsend. But not everyone wants to drop the cash for a unitasker GPS unit from Magellan, Tom Tom, or other companies well-known for making quality GPS units. The good news is that, for basic GPS functionality, you may not really need extra equipment — because it may be as close as the smartphone in your pocket.

More and more smartphones are coming with GPS receivers as standard components, which can really save your bacon in a situation like that listed above. And while such phones usually come with a GPS application installed, they sometimes leave much to be desired.

As a traveling Geek Squad trainer over the past 4 years, I’ve logged a lot of miles on the road, in places I’ve never been before. With my trusty Windows Mobile phone (and later a Blackberry), I’ve tested the following GPS applications:

Google Maps for Mobile (free)

Another in the neverending list of software apps that Google seems to be so good at, Google Maps — the web-based application we’ve used for years to print out directions — is also Mobile-based as well. Its My Location feature allows you to see where you are on the map, even without a GPS, and with integrated business listings, you can search for that all-night sub shop, and get turn-by-turn directions to it. A handy feature — transit & walking directions — gives you routes and schedules by public transportation as well. And with Google Latitude turned on, your friends can know EXACTLY where you are at any moment (on second thought, that could come off as slightly creepy.)

Windows Live Search Mobile (free)

Similar in functionality to Google Maps for Mobile, Live Search Mobile has a slew of helpful options for the road warrior on the go, with traffic, weather, directions, map and categories as only a few of the options available. Built by Microsoft, its integration with GPS makes it a very handy way to find pizza, hotels, public venues, and the like on the go.

Both apps include traffic updates (really handy to avoid that 2.5 hour parking lot known as the 405), and are truly handy for traveling. The lack of auto-recalculating of directions (for when you accidently missed the freeway exit) and voice turn-by-turn directions makes these slightly less of a solution than standalone GPS units by TomTom, Magellan, and the like, but for the traveler looking to save a buck and not have to carry around extra equipment, These solutions will save your bacon — whether around town, or across the country.

• Location – a hotel close to the attractions I wanted to visit

• Features – WiFi for the laptop. After all, even vacationing geeks like to have Internet access at the end of a long day touristing.

Here are a few things that may help simplify your travel this summer:

Map Out Where You Want to Stay

I knew I was going to the COSI science museum in Columbus, Ohio and the US Air Force Museum in Dayton. So, I pulled up both locations with Google Maps. From there I could easily search local lodging by “Search nearby” and typing in “hotels.” If the area you’re looking to stay has Google Streetview, you can even check out what the street outside your potential hotel looks like.

After you land on a hotel, check prices using both the national chain Web sites for the hotels, and through travel Web sites like Expedia or Orbitz.

Update Your GPS

Having a GPS in your car for any road trip seems like a no-brainer. Getting lost on a long drive is annoying and can suck up a lot of time. Before you go, make sure to update the firmware on your GPS – updating firmware by downloading the software updates from the manufacturer’s Web site and then connecting your GPS to your computer via the provided USB cable.

Updating the firmware on my inexpensive Garmin nüvi 255 provided access to a great new feature called “ecoRoute” that added a “Less Fuel” route preference option in addition to the usual “Faster Time” and “Shorter Distance” options.

A Well-Prepared Geek is a Well-Rested Geek

Through a little prep, my week away was great and didn’t break my budget. Even better, it made for a good learning experience to provide tips to my Geek Squad clients on how they can use all the tech tools around them to make their time away the best time ever.