Last Updated: December 21, 2023
I love road trips! The freedom of the open road, the scenery changing every so often and a great playlist are what I love most about a road trip. I get super excited whenever I’m about to venture on a new adventure that requires only a tank full of gas and good company.
Road trips can be super fun if you plan a little ahead and anticipate any mishaps by knowing what to pack. I have done all the pre-work for you and prepared the ultimate list with the most essential items you must pack for your road trip. Now all you have to do is choose an awesome destination and hit the road!
13 THINGS YOU MUST PACK FOR A ROAD TRIP
FIRST AID KIT
A First Aid Kit is essential not only when you prepare for a road trip but to have in the car at all times. If you already have one, then be sure to double check that it is fully stocked with bandaids, gauzes, gloves, sterilizer liquid etc.
HAND SANITIZER
Hand Sanitizers are essential not only when going on a road trip during COVID times but ideally you always have one in your bag. We frequently touch several surfaces and items with our hands and then unconsciously touch our face. Having a hand sanitizer and using it often, keeps our hands clean and minimises the risks of spreading germs.
EMERGENCY CAR KIT
When we were road tripping across Portugal a few years ago, we had a little accident and we ended up with a punctured tire. Naturally, I felt very relieved when I realized that we had all the tools we needed to change the tire and continue our road trip in a jiffy. An Emergency Car Kit is a crucial item to pack before starting your road trip if you want to avoid delays in case you have a minor issue with your car.
COOLER
There’s nothing worse than driving in the heat and running out of cold water. During our first road trip to the United States, there were more instances than I can count, where we wished we had packed a cooler to keep our drinks cool. Needless to say, we learned our lesson and the second time we visited, we were better prepared and bought a cooler before starting our road trip.
FACE MASKS
Whether we like it or not, 2019 introduced us to a new norm that no one could have ever imagined. Masks are now mandatory almost everywhere and they’re important to help us stay safe. Be sure to wear it in all indoor spaces, while practicing social distancing. Buy a pack of them before starting your road trip, so you can change them frequently and ensure that they are clean.
CASH
Although most places nowadays accept credit cards, it is always good to have some cash handy. There could be times that you may find yourself at a place where they only accept cash. Another instance could be needing cash for parking meters or road tolls. If you’re visiting a country where they have a different currency, then be sure to plan ahead and exchange some money before heading out on the road.
CAR DOCUMENTS / CAR INSURANCE
It goes without saying that your car documents including the car insurance should always be in your car. Preparing for a road trip, one of the first things that you should do is to make sure that you have all the necessary car documents up to date and stored in the glove compartment in case anything goes wrong.
CAR CHARGER & PORTABLE CHARGER
I always carry a portable charger in my bag! Running out of battery seriously causes me anxiety, let alone when on a road trip. You’ll be needing your phone for GPS, to find information about your trip and last but certainly not least, music! Not being able to use your phone, is the last thing you want.
TOWEL
A travel towel is an absolute must when on a road trip. Be sure to get a versatile, good quality absorbent towel which can be used for picnics and/or for the beach. You could even use it instead of the motel’s towels in case you’re unsure of their cleanliness (speaking from experience).
FOOD BAGS AND CLIPS
After a few hours on the road, the car can get quite messy with open snack bags and laying around. Keep it tidy by sealing any open half-eaten packs with clips or rubber bands. This way you will also ensure that your snacks stay fresh.
TRAVEL MUG
Quite honestly, this one is mainly for eco friendly reasons. I am always trying to reduce waste and the unnecessary use of plastic and paper. A travel mug, especially when planning on being on the road for a long time, is a great way to avoid that. It is also much safer to use while driving as the lid is more secure than the disposable ones, so don’t forget to add it to your road trip packing list.
HEALTHY SNACKS
I will speak from experience here. Our longest road trip was when we were crossing the West Coast USA 3 years ago. While on the road, we ate literally any junk we could find at the gas stations along the way. I had noticed that after a few days our energy levels weren’t the same as back home and I was feeling tired more often than not but I thought that it was because of our busy schedule. Not to mention the weight we put on after 2 weeks of our unhealthy eating habits. During our second road trip across the USA, we decided to stay healthy by packing plenty of supplies of nuts, dry fruits, energy bars and fresh juices and the difference in my energy levels was significant.
PLAYLIST
I love listening to my favorite tunes, but even more so when there’s nothing but the open road in front of me. A good playlist to listen to during your road trip it’s important to set the mood. You can’t exactly “pack” a playlist for your road trip but if you have a subscription on Spotify, you can download your favorite albums and listen to them offline. Even better, you can create your own playlist with your favorite jams and listen to them non-stop.
