Road Trip Packing List

What to Include on Your Road Trip Packing List

Whether you prefer to travel solo, in a group, or with your family, road trips provide a memorable experience when traveling. They allow you to engage more mindfully with your surroundings and marvel at sights often missed when traveling via airplane. Road trips are also more about the journey, as opposed to just arriving at your destination. Along the way, you’ll have opportunities to take photos, experience the local culture, and support small businesses.

That being said, a road trip needs adequate preparation to be a success. This makes having a road trip packing list important. The following is our guide for road trip essentials and things to pack for a trip.

Road Trip Must-Haves

Before venturing out on your adventure, check out our road trip must-haves to ensure you have what you need.

Car Essentials

Car Maintenance Items

When deciding on what to pack for a road trip, be sure to include a spare tire, tire iron, and jack in the event of a roadside emergency. Add a flashlight and some spare batteries to your road trip packing list, too. Throw in some jumper cables and a paper map, as mobile apps may not always be available if you lose your phone signal. This is especially common when traveling through remote areas. It's also best to bring your car in for a service appointment before your trip. Don't forget to check your oil, water, and windshield wiper fluid levels. Add anti-freeze, a shovel, and gas can in the trunk in case you get stuck.

Other Car Essentials

As you’re drawing up a road trip packing list, always ensure that you have enough paper towels for any spills. Never leave home without your first aid kit. Some items to include are adhesive bandages, gauze pads, scissors, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, antiseptic wipes, and a thermometer. Rain or shine, don't forget to add sunscreen and lip balm to your first aid kit, as UV rays can reach your skin through car windows. You should also pack any prescription medication, including motion sickness medications, glasses and/or contact lenses, and a lens cleaning solution.

Travel Documents, Emergency Contacts & Money

One of the other things to bring on a road trip is your driver’s license. It’s also imperative to ensure that your car insurance policy is up to date. You can sign up for a roadside assistance plan like AAA ahead of your trip in case you need services like towing while you're on the road. Make sure to always keep emergency contact numbers with you.

All road trips require money, so always take enough cash or your credit cards with you. Note that having cash is especially important, as some remote areas may not accept credit cards. You should also pack your wallet, coins for toll roads, your visa if you’re doing a road trip abroad, and any travel itinerary documents.

Electronics

Getting stuck on a road trip is tolerable if you can reach out for help via your phone. Electronics can also keep passengers entertained during the trip. Try to always ensure that you can access your mobile devices and electronics. Do include the following road trip essentials:

• Cell phone and/or tablet
• Power bank or solar charger
• Batteries for lamps/flashlights
• Car phone mount
• Vehicle power adapter
• A travel playlist from Apple Music, Spotify, or Amazon Music
• A portable DVD player or tablet with a rechargeable battery
• An eReader
• A portable gaming console
• Wireless headphones

What to Bring on a Long Road Trip

Personal Items
Whether you’re traveling in hot or cold weather, packing a blanket is essential for emergencies, sudden changes in temperature, or even impromptu picnics. Pack comfortable clothing as you’ll be spending a long time seated. If you plan to go hiking, be sure to bring along hiking boots, pants, and any other essentials.

Oral hygiene is important when looking at things to pack for a trip, so bring your toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. Always ensure that you have enough bottled water for brushing when you're between hotels. Don't forget to include other toiletries like soap and toilet paper. Haircare items to include are shampoo, conditioner, a brush, and comb. Another great item for a road trip packing list is a microfiber travel towel. These are lightweight, easy to pack, super absorbent, and fast-drying.

Also, being on a road trip doesn’t mean you have to neglect your regular skincare routine, so pack your day-to-day products like cleanser, moisturizer, night cream, and toner, as well as your makeup. If there's rain in the forecast, pack rain boots, a raincoat, and umbrella. For sunny weather, bring along sunglasses, sandals, a baseball hat or sun hat, and some lightweight clothing made of breathable fabrics like cotton t-shirts and shorts.

Food & Drinks to Pack for Your Road Trip

Whether you plan to make stops or drive straight through to your destination, plan to pack plenty of non-perishable snacks like dry cereal, granola bars, peanut butter, Graham crackers, and potato chips. You can also buy on-the-go breakfast items like bagels, muffins, or scones. Fresh fruit like apples and bananas don't require refrigeration, while canned fish, beans, corn, and soup are ideal for quick meals during longer 10-day road trips. Don't forget to bring tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Some food items require storage in a cooler such as cheese, deli meats, and yogurt.

Be Prepared

You can never be too prepared for a road trip. It's best to get your vehicle, travel documents, personal items, and food in order before you hit the open road.

Whether you’re taking a cross-country road trip or staying closer to home, planning your overnight accommodations is key. Book now to secure your stay and enjoy peace of mind.