Road trips, although they do have an end destination, their primary purpose isn’t getting from one place to another. More than half of the fun of a road trip is the journey of getting to the destination. They’re adventurous while bringing your family and friends closer.
What is more, is the freedom you get from road tripping that you normally don’t get while traveling. You can forget about all the hassles of booking (sometimes months before) a flight and or accommodation, carrying luggage, etc.
However, it’s easy to forget to carry certain items or things that you didn’t even think you would require on a road trip with such independence.
Road Trip Packing Checklist
When it comes to a road trip, you can pack as many items as you wish, which adds to its fun. But preparing yourself for any possible situation on the road is essential for a successful trip. So consider checking through our list of things to pack before heading out on the road!
Basic Essentials
Starting with the car, the most important, you need to make certain that you have everything to avoid facing any casualties on the road because the last thing you want is a car issue.
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Driver’s License and Registration
Whether it’s your car, your family’s, or a rented one, you must ensure you have them both before starting the trip.
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Insurance Information and Other Documents
We’re trying to avoid casualties, but being prepared can never hurt. So make sure to carry a copy. Also, remember to pack the car manual and other requirements necessary, such as a special card for crossing borders.
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Spare Tires
Make sure to carry one extra tire to be safe and the tools for changing a flat tire.
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Car Emergency Kit
A kit mainly designed to save yourself from any car issues that you probably won’t even think of, so consider carrying one.
With this, you’re good to drive your car with ease on any road. Now that it’s out of the way, it’s time to check other essentials to tackle any situation.
- First Aid Kit
- Bug Spray and Mosquito Repellent
- Paper Map (in case you lose connection)
- Portable Phone Chargers
- Toilet Papers
- Flashlight
- Portable Wi-Fi
- Large (reusable) Water Bottles
Personal Clothing and Hygiene
With road trips, being confined for a long time with other people can quickly turn a fun trip to one of the most disarrayed moments to remember. So it’s important to pack wisely.
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Clothing
Keeping the season and weather in mind, dress in the comfiest clothes you own that also serve a purpose. Of course, you can pack any fancy clothes and accessories you want to wear but prefer carrying more comfy ones.
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Backpacks
Carrying your clothes in a backpack will allow more room to squish them into places inside the car.
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Toiletry Bag
For easy access, keep a toiletry bag, preferably with a hook if there’s a storing issue.
Other than that, keep in mind to add these personal care and hygiene products as well:
- Hand Sanitizer
- Wet Wipes
- Tissues and Napkins
- Garbage Bag or Bin
- Toothpaste and Toothbrush
Entertainment and Comfort
The trees and mountains won’t keep everyone entertained for long, especially if kids are traveling along. So remember to pack enough items to keep everyone entertained.
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Instant Camera
It’s a must for travel, especially on a road trip, to not only enjoy the view but also to capture it.
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Portable Speaker
Music can keep anyone entertained. With the perfect playlist to go with the road journey, a portable speaker can bring out the fun in people.
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Headphones
In case you want to enjoy listening to music, podcast, etc., alone. You can carry a splitter along with it to share too.
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Books
An excellent way to keep yourself occupied is to carry your favorite book or a good book, be it e-books or regular books.
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Travel Games
Have a fun time with everyone and keep the kids entertained by packing some travel-friendly games.
No matter how beautiful the passing sceneries are, if you’re not comfortable, none will matter. Make the most out of the flexibility of a road trip and pack stuff to keep you and others cozy.
- Blanket
- Painkiller Medicine
- Sleep Mask
- Towel
- Travel Pillow or Neck Pillow
- Sunglasses
- Flip Flop or Sliders
- Sun Screen
- Raincoat
- Hairbrush and Hair ties
- Mints
- Dry Shampoo
Food and Cooking Utensils
While road tripping, you may wish to take your and everyone’s favorite food on the road to keep everyone satisfied. But then comes the issue of storing the food and making sure it doesn’t spoil. You need to be careful because you don’t want to disappoint anyone. So follow up on these things to preserve your foodwell.
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Plastic Ziplock Bags
It’s an excellent way to store wet and dry foods easily.
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Food Containers
They’re useful for storing any home-cooked meals. Also, make sure they don’t have loose lids; you don’t want to spill the food everywhere.
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Cookset Pack
It’s a handy kit that contains all the kitchen essentials designed for road trips and camping. You will find everything you didn’t even think you needed in this useful kit.
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Camping Stove
If you’re planning to camp, don’t forget this one, along with gas.
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Lighter
Carry one in case the ignitor fails to work.
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Thermos and Cooler Bag
They will help store and keep your drinks and food at the right temperature. Though consider not carrying any carbonated drinks as it can fizz up too much and potentially explode in the car.
When it comes to packing food and snacks, the staple is to carry food that’s simple and doesn’t need many preparations. Although it’s mainly up to you and others to decide, here are some healthy and tasty options for you:
- Cheese Sticks
- Granola Bars
- Canned Tuna
- Dried Fruits and Nuts
- Juice Packets or Boxes
- Coffee/Caffeine drinks (for the driver)
- Canned Soup or any canned food
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Crackers/Popcorns/Chips
Miscellaneous
Besides the general items, there are also other things you might end up needing. These mainly depend on the location you’re going to, your accommodation plans, and others.
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Snow Shovel
If you’re road tripping in winter where it snows, a snow shovel is a must-to-pack.
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Umbrella for Wind
Depending on the location, you might need one of these windproof umbrellas.
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All-Weather Tent
It’s a must for almost every condition if you’re camping.
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Swiss Army Knife
Its numerous tools can come in handy to tackle any situation.
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Prescribed Medicine
If you or anyone else have any, you don’t want to forget them since you will be on the road most of the trip.
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Portable Gas Can/Tank
If the traveling location doesn’t have the minimum gas stations along the way, this can be a life-saver.
Final Words
A road trip is an adventurous way to make the most out of your travel. With the flexibility and freedom of such an activity, you have endless options to make it the perfect trip for you and everyone.
However, keep in mind always to check for any particular condition or pass to travel through a country or location and never stop at a gas station without getting gas. Lastly, double or even triple-check to see you packed all the items on your list.
Don’t let the lack of a single item ruin your entire trip! Just with a little planning and research, you can easily make your first and every road trip a driving success.
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