Some of the best travel memories come from road trips with family or friends—especially during the leisurely season of summer and the colorful fall months. The anticipation of reaching your chosen destination can be fun, but even for the most experienced traveler, sitting in a car for hours on end can get a bit dull.
Be prepared for anything your excursion might bring—from car trouble to boredom—with this checklist of road trip essentials. Plus, avoid getting hangry by toting along some of these tasty (and mess-free) snacks.
Here are all the items you’ll need on your checklist for a smooth road trip.
Entertainment
Perhaps the most important factor to consider before driving away is what you’ll bring along that will keep you and your fellow passengers entertained. Whether you’re driving 5 hours or 15, a well thought out entertainment bag is key to making sure the time passes with ease. Here are some items that will make your drive more productive and fun. This is especially important for a road trip with kids!
A great playlist
Driving along the highway and belting out your favorite song lyrics is practically a must-do on a road trip. Create your own playlist specifically for the trip to get your group pumped up for your vacation. Be sure all the songs are downloaded on your phone so you aren’t streaming the entire time. Spotify is my favorite app to custom build a playlist.
Airpods
Headphones seem like a no-brainer but it’s worth a mention/reminder. While listening to music together is nice, you might prefer to switch between a shared playlist and your own songs. Another good way to pass time is by using your headphones to listen to some new podcasts or audiobooks. Don’t forget the charging case!
Portable charger
Having your phone, laptop, or airpod battery die while on the highway is somewhat heartbreaking. Avoid the letdown by packing a portable charger—just make sure the charger is fully charged before heading out.
Wifi hotspot
Today’s technology allows for some pretty great perks. With wifi hotspots readily available (and at a range of price points) you can totally get some work or internet browsing done while on the road.
Laptop or iPad
Depending on where you are and whether or not you’re connected to a hotspot, you can still get some work done if needed. Open up the notes app on your laptop, iPad, or cell phone and type out your work there. Not in the mood to be productive? Download your favorite shows or movies before going on your trip, then watch from the comfort of the back seat.
Something to read
Being stuck in the car for hours at a time is the perfect chance to finally start reading that book or magazine you’ve been eyeing. Plus, you’ll give yourself a break from all the tech. If you aren’t into reading, buy an adult coloring book and let your creativity out.
Playing cards
Take advantage of having someone ride with you in the back seat by playing card games. Bring along a set of standard cards or more specific games like Uno.
Car Necessities
The last thing you want while driving through an unfamiliar or quiet town is for your car to act up. It’s important to plan for the worst case scenario so you’re prepared for any mishap that might come your way. You might already have some of these items in your car, but it’s worth double checking before you head out. This road trip checklist keeps your most important asset in mind, your car!
Spare tire and jack
Do not—I repeat—do not leave for a road trip without making sure you have a spare tire and a jack. Sure, you might have roadside assistance but what happens if you’re stuck in the middle of the desert or you’re left without cell service? It’s best to just make sure you have what you need in order to get the job done yourself.
An extra car key
Keep a spare car key with you throughout your trip, but remember to attach it to a separate keyring (so you don’t lose both keys). And if you have a keyless fob, consider bringing along extra batteries.
Flashlight
Because you never know when you might need it! This handy tool should pretty much always be in your glove box, but it’s especially important to pack when going for a long drive. Late night tire changes, power outages at your destination, and other stressful situations will be made a whole lot easier if you have your own source of light.
Car manual
With so much time spent in the car, you might be messing with some of its features. Keep your car manual in the glove box so you can easily reach for it if you have any questions about how the car works (or how to fix something that stops working properly).
Comfy Clothes
After a year plus spent in basically just athleisure, it’s not likely that you’ll want to sit out a car ride in jeans or stuffy sneakers. Here’s what you need to put together the most comfortable road trip uniform.
Leggings and a big t-shirt
Cozy, stretchy pants are an absolute must on a road trip. Pair them with an oversized t-shirt or pullover for the ultimate road trip look. Tie a hoodie or crew neck sweater around your waist so you can put it on in case you get chilly.
Sandals
It’s so much nicer to slip in and out of sandals during a road trip than be stuck wearing socks and sneakers.
Sunglasses
They’re very easy to forget but oh so important on long drives. Pack a couple pairs of sunglasses and keep them in different places (like in your purse and in your car’s center console) so you have a backup if one pair breaks or gets lost.
Mealtime Must-Haves
Stopping for fast food might be appealing to some travelers, but regardless of how often you make pit stops, it’s nice to have food on hand. Curb hunger and please sweet and salty cravings with these road trip snack essentials.
Snacks
Trail mix, nuts, string cheese, fruit snacks, cereal, pretzels, popcorn, sandwiches, and fruits and veggies are all somewhat clean snacks you can enjoy while in the car. Bringing your own snacks will help you limit the number of stops you need to make, and let’s face it, it also helps beat the boredom.
Cooler
Keep water bottles, sports drinks, string cheese, and sandwiches from getting too warm by stashing them in a small cooler. Place the cooler somewhere reachable, like on the floor in the back seat or in the trunk (if you have other travelers with you). Freeze extra water bottles to act as ice and drink when they melt!
Napkins
You can never have too many napkins on hand. Store a handful in your glove box to clean up any messes with, and grab some extra napkins whenever you make a stop.
Hand sanitizer
This should go without saying, but the bathrooms along busy highways and at gas stations aren’t the cleanest. Make sure you have hand sanitizer with you throughout your trip. I like having both liquid hand sanitizer and wipes to easily clean high touch points like door handles and the radio dial.
Water bottle
It’s difficult to stay hydrated while on a road trip since you don’t want to stop every hour, but try your best to drink water by filling up a reusable cup. Pack big water jugs and keep them in your cooler so you can grab a refill when needed.
Other
A few random but important items you need on a road trip checklist.
Cash
Because you never know when you might come across a toll road or a snow cone stand (wishful thinking, I know), it’s smart to bring a bit of cash with you on your trip.
Lip balm
Why does it seem like lips get so much more dry while we travel? It could be partly because of dehydration but also could be due to the fact that the sun is often pounding through the windshield. Trust me, lip balm will be your BFF throughout your trip.
Pet supplies
If you’re traveling with your four-legged friend, remember to pack waste bags, a bed, a collapsible water bowl, treats, a leash, and food, if needed. One handy way to utilize your trunk space is by putting your back seats down and laying your dog’s bed flat in the back. They’ll appreciate the extra space.
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