How to Have the Perfect Holiday Road Trip, According to Singer and Actress Christina Milian

Christina Milian is keeping busy these days. The grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur has been traveling around the world working on various projects. Following the success of last year's "Falling Inn Love," Milian has again teamed up with Netflix for a new film produced by Alica Keys.

But just because Milian is a certified jet-setter, doesn't mean the mother of two doesn't spend plenty of time in her car — especially around the holiday season.

To help travelers gear up for holiday and winter road trips, the "Dip It Low" singer teamed up with Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader to help people stay informed with winter driving tips and advice for keeping your car in top shape as the temperature drops. She's also getting in the spirit by giving away light-up ugly sweater-themed face masks and steering wheel covers to make your holiday road trip even more festive.

Travel + Leisure recently caught up with Milian over the phone while she was in Mauritius filming. Milian — who recently launched a new Youtube series called Really, Truly, Maybe, documenting the more personal aspects of her life — shared her secrets to the perfect road trip, her advice for a nice holiday, and her incredible journeys around the world.

Travel + Leisure: Tell us about why you're helping Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader give away these hilarious masks and steering wheel covers.

Christina Milian: "I think most importantly in this time of the year — and it's been a roller coaster of a year, — it's just important, I think, to bring the holiday spirit back to life. A lot of people are going to be relying on hitting the road and going — whether it's like making their own little, small family road trips, or just recreating whatever the holiday is, and kind of finding a new normal in it. Between Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader, they're just making it easier for people, whether it's buying a new car or [to] service your car, and just find a new comfort in this new normal."

How has the pandemic changed how you travel and celebrate the holidays?

"I mean, I'm big on travel. I love to travel. I travel year-round, whether it's through work or just finding new outlets — and sometimes we need that as a family. I've made a couple of trips this past year. You know, I've done road trips with my new family, with my man and my daughter, and same thing with my son. We're just finding comfort in finding new ways to keep the spirit alive for our family."

What's your advice for the perfect road trip?

"Well, I think first off you've got to have good snacks."

Of course, snacks are front-of-mind. What else?

"And on top of that, be ready to stop. Like I can try all the really good things at the places that are like really small and kind of themed. If you're in Arizona, you're going to go find really good beef jerky. I like to pick up little fun things along the way.

Do you have any practical tips for a good road trip?

"Stock up the trunk [and] always be prepared for the long-distance run where, you know, you never know if you might not have a place to stop. So I say, make sure you get toilet paper, make sure you have all your food and your snacks and make sure you bring water and good music. I think that a good playlist of music really gets you through, especially in the long run. And, and if you've got kids, it doesn't hurt to have an iPad."

We know you've been staying busy. What all are you working on right now?

"I have a new movie, which I'm currently out actually in Mauritius filming. It's an Alicia Keys project where I get to highlight my music as well because I sing in the movie. It's a romantic comedy. And as you know, last year I did a romantic comedy with Netflix, which was very successful worldwide. — and we shot that in New Zealand. So I've been very fortunate to travel through these new movies and show people life outside of our bubble."

And you have your new Youtube show that seems very personal?

"My YouTube show, Really, Truly, Maybe, [is] really just about my life, my family, my stories, — things that are near and dear to me, and things that I've never opened up about before."

What's the one thing you cannot travel without?

"I always have my iPad with me. Literally, everything is in there that I need for work and that I need for play."

Editor's Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Tanner Saunders is the Associate Digital Editor at Travel + Leisure. He cannot dip it low. Follow him on Instagram @Tizanner.