What to Pack for a Road Trip

What to Pack for a Road Trip

You’ll want to make sure you’re prepared for any trip you take, whether it’s only a few days or a week.

 

1. Water bottle – You can easily get dehydrated from traveling and eating salty snacks, so fill up your water bottle whenever you get a chance.
2. Cooler – Save money by bringing your own snacks and keeping them cold in your cooler. This is also helpful if you buy food on the road and don’t finish it but need to keep it cold.
3. Coffee mug – Mug is a must to use for a cup of coffee every morning, but all those paper cups the coffee shops give you can really add up. 
4. Polarized sunglasses – We can get really bright on the road depending on what the sun is reflecting off of, so keep yourself safe and have a good pair of sunglasses.
5. Sunscreen – You’ll need sunscreen when you’re out and about exploring, but it’s also important to have it on when you’re in the car as well. You can have one side of your face and arm exposed for hours, depending on the time of day.
6. Bug Spray – This will help protect your skin even more, especially from pesky mosquitos and sand gnats. Try to be aware of the climate in which you are driving through and stopping, as this may affect what kind of bug spray you should use! 
7. Portable Smartphone Charger – are a must for traveling anywhere. These are perfect to ensure your battery never dies between taking photos and updating social media to share with your friends back home.
8. Universal Plug Adaptor – The U.S. has very different outlets from Europe and even places within Europe have distinctive plugs. Think about all of the devices you’ll have to charge – your international cell phone, your camera, your tablet, and more. A universal adaptor plug will become an essential part of your ultimate packing list especially if you’re planning to travel to different countries throughout your trip.
9. Camera – One of the other important things to bring on a road trip is a camera. Being able to take pictures whenever you want is part of the reason to drive. 
10. Hand Sanitizer – You never know when that gas station you desperately need to stop to go to the bathroom is out of soap. Keep this in your glove box so it’s easily accessible.
11. Secure Phone Case – You’re more than likely going to be using your phone a lot during your road trips, so we highly recommend investing in a secure phone case that can protect it during your journey! Adding a waterproof phone case is a must for road trip essentials. Better yet, most of these phone cases double as shock-proof or sand-proof, ensuring your phone will not be damaged by grains or a great fall. We want you to be safe with what could be your GPS, camera, and contact with family and friends back home! 
12. Rain Jacket – You should always have a lightweight rain jacket on hand in case of a sudden rainstorm. Even the places that hardly get rain can suddenly dump, and you don’t want to be stuck in your car. A rain jacket lets you continue to explore the area.
13. First Aid Kit – Although we don’t want to think about needing a first aid kit during our adventures, it is often better to be prepared rather than stuck in a situation we can’t fix. By adding a first aid kit to your road trip essentials, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones no matter what happens! 
14. Snack – Road trips can become expensive, especially if you’re stopping every hour or so for snacks at local stores or gas stations. We recommend prepping for your trip by adding pre-purchased snacks to your road trip essentials. This way, you won’t have to continuously stop and add time (and gas and mileage!) to your trip. Ease those growling tummies with road trip snacks, that way they are in the car and easily and readily available to you! 
15. Travel Games – These games on the go are often compact in design and family-friendly, making them easy to add to your road trip packing list, as they don’t take up much space and can truly add some fun as you cross state lines or wait on interstate traffic! 
16. Travel Pillows and Blankets – Putting a blanket and pillow as part of your road trip essentials will have you ensure you are comfortable no matter where you are or how long you are traveling. These are also great for when you stop– you will always have an extra blanket and pillow backed and ready for you!  
17. Paper Maps – Although many of us rely on our phones or Google Maps or a GPS to guide us along our road trip, paper maps are something you may want to consider adding to your road trip essentials. There isn’t always going to be reliable sell service, and with detours and unexpected stops needed, having a paper map can really help! 
18. Slip-on Shoes for Comfort – Tying and retying shoes every time you stop during a road trip is frustrating and time-consuming. You also don’t want to mark up your car’s seats with sneakers, so investing in a pair of slip-on shoes is great for road trip essentials. This way, no matter where or when you can simply slip-on shoes and be ready to go. They are quick and easy, and often comfortable. 
19. Compression Socks – During long stretches in the car, you can’t get up and walk around. Investing in a pair of socks that can help reduce swelling and encourage your circulation is great for protecting your legs during the trip.
20. Toilet Paper or Wipes – The best thing about adding toilet paper or wipes to your road trip packing list is that they can be used for more than one thing– whether you have sticky fingers from snacks, need to do a quick “on the go” shower or wipe down, or you really need to use them for the bathroom, they’ve got you covered! 
21. License, Registration, and Proof of Insurance – Although packing your license, registration, and insurance policy may seem intuitive, do not forget them– they are road trip essentials! You don’t want to end up pulled over, stopped, or caught up on the side of the road without your appropriate contact information. Having multiple copies and having them in your car or even on your person as you travel can help stop some heartache. You may even want to ensure your car’s manual is in your dashboard in case a light pop on and won’t shut off!