Whether you’re planning a day trip or a two-week journey across the country, there’s something so exhilarating about packing up the car and hitting the road: adventure awaits! To help you plan, here are all the road trip essentials you need to remember to pack, including a few you probably didn’t think of.
Happy driving!
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Snacks
The first rule to any good road trip? Pack snacks, and lots of them! Nothing can sour the mood of the car like a hangry driver or passenger, and packing your own snacks instead of stopping to buy them en route will save you time and money.
Car Phone Chargers
You’d be surprised at how much your phone battery can drain just from keeping Maps open and listening to a podcast. The easiest way to avoid any low battery disasters is to pack a couple car phone chargers (having more than one means the driver and passenger don’t need to bicker over who gets to charge).
Physical Map
We know, we know, a physical map sounds so old school, but if your phone dies or you lose connection to the internet, a physical map can be a real life saver in a pinch. While this may not be necessary if you’re traveling a familiar route, if you’re exploring new territory, you’ll be glad to have packed one.
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Offline Google Maps
In addition to a physical map, it’s a good idea to download offline Google Maps for wherever you’re driving. Generally, your phone will still be able to track your location even if you lose internet connection, so if you have a map downloaded you’ll be able to see if you’re on the right track.
Blanket
It’s always smart to have a blanket in the back of your car, even if you aren’t traveling anywhere with cold temperatures. In a pinch, you can use it as a picnic blanket if you find a pretty place to stop, as a car seat cover if you or your passengers gets dirty, or as a makeshift pillow when your back gets sore.
Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is essential on any road trip, and packing your own reusable bottle means you can fill up at rest stops and gas stations instead of having to spend money on buying water.
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Travel Cooler
Perfect for keeping drinks cold or for storing your packed lunch and snacks, a travel cooler can seriously open up your snacking options on the road. This way, you can pack treats like cut veggies, hummus, cheese, cold-cut sandwiches and more! We like packing a soft cooler so that if it’s not in use, it can be squashed down to fit in any empty space in the car.
Downloaded Music and Podcasts
Keep yourself and your passengers entertained by downloading podcasts and music in advance to play in the car. That way, you don’t have to use up precious phone battery or data by streaming it, and it won’t be interrupted if you hit any areas with spotty internet.
First Aid Kit
Hopefully you won’t have to use it, but being prepared with a first aid kit on hand can take the stress out of any minor accidents that happen on your journey.
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Cash
Having cash on hand is always a good idea when travelling, and especially during road trips. Whether the campsite you’re staying at for the night only takes cash, or you come across a gorgeous roadside fruit stand that’s cash-only, you’ll be glad you didn’t arrive empty handed!
Sunglasses
Nothing is more uncomfortable than the blazing sun in your eyes while you’re driving. Keep a spare pair of sunnies in the car in case someone loses or breaks theirs on the road.
Hand Sanitizer Wipes
These might just be the MVP of any road trip. Whether there’s no soap in the gas station bathroom or your hands got all sticky from eating snacks in the car, these are the next best thing to washing your hands.
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Portable Charger
Only one charging jack in the car? No problem. Packing a portable charger means you can also keep your other devices charged on the road, and it’s one less thing you’ll have to worry about.
Emergency Car Tool Kit
Jumper cables, a tire inflator, a car battery jump starter, a spare tire, a car jack and wiper fluid all belong in your emergency car tool kit. And depending on how far you’re traveling, you’ll want to customize your kit to include some or all of these things.
Duct Tape
It’s a fix-all for a reason! Having a roll of duct tape on-hand can be ideal for fixing minor car issues or even patching up broken luggage in a pinch.
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