road trip prep list

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Home » Gear » road trip packing list

Your ESSENTIAL Road Trip Packing List for 2024!

Do you feel that? That energy gathering inside of you? That sensation where you can’t stand still? Sounds like you’re getting excited…

Because it’s road trip season, baby! The open country is calling our names, and we must go because it’s been a rough week at work and things are always better out there in the world.

But knowing what to include in your road trip packing list can be a little daunting. You may have a hard time deciding how many clothes you really need to bring. You might not know what it takes to pack an effective kitchen with you.

Enter our road trip packing list for 2024. We’ve condensed all our experience into this one mega-post to make sure you know what to bring on your next adventure.

If you’ve ever asked yourself “what do I need for a cross country road trip?”, well, we’ve got all the answers below, so let’s crack on!

Form first -aid kits to card games, we’ve listed all of the absolute must-haves that will make your trip a full success.

Let’s get to it!

Why you should prepare for a Road Trip

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By now you should kind of know what you’ll see in this guide. These are the most important things to bring on a long journey – the absolute road trip necessities that you shouldn’t ever leave the house without. What you pack into your bag is just as important as planning your trip ahead and we’ve got you covered with this list of essentials for a cross-country road trip.

These tools will bail you out of a sticky situation and are practically mandatory to start ANY epic road trip. Whether you want to do a road trip through the USA or check out the amazing roads on the coast of Australia , you need to be prepared. Whatever you do, don’t leave without these top 10 road trip essentials on your packing list!

Right then, let’s get things going on our cross-country road trip checklist.

1. First Aid Kit

Even if you don’t plan on doing any extreme wilderness adventures on your trip, like hiking, climbing, or other extreme sports, you never know what could happen. You could cut yourself while cooking, smash a finger in a car door, or burn yourself on a hot radiator. A first aid kit will be able to handle most of these minor situations. If you’re wondering what item you should never forget when you’re considering what to bring on a cross-country road trip, well, the first aid kit might just be the most important.

Our team absolutely swears by packing a good quality first aid kit not just for road trips but for any trip. This pack is rugged enough for multiple trips and frequent use, the gear is excellent quality and comes with a kit list that can be checked off when restocking it.

Unless you know the region you’re driving in very well or intend on just asking for directions, a map is an absolutely necessary thing to bring on a road trip. You may settle for just using digital apps, like Google Maps or Maps.me , but having a physical map will always be best even just as a backup in case you lose GPS. When you’re compiling your packing list for a cross-country road trip, a map is pretty essential!

It might seem old school but our team always carries paper maps on them and they’ve been a lifesaver when mobile phone batteries have died or GPS signals have dropped off. We’ve got first-hand experience of how much of a lifesaver they can be. Our main advice here for both digital and paper maps would be to give them a test run beforehand so you know how they work!

3. Aux Cord

One of the only things to do on a long car ride by yourself is to listen to music or a podcast. Since most people use their phones as an MP3 player these days, an auxiliary cord is crucial to preserving your sanity. If there is no auxiliary port in your car, buy a radio transceiver or use a portable speaker.

This humble aux cord might seem like a pretty simple bit of kit, but our team wouldn’t leave for a road trip without one. Not only do they keep the vibes rocking whilst on the road, but on a more serious note they can be a lifesaver when it comes to avoiding falling asleep whilst driving.

4. Phone mount

It’s very dangerous to be looking down at your phone while driving. If you need to have access to your phone, for maps and whatnot, buy a mount for it. This way, you can keep your eyes on the road and your phone won’t be far from your field of view. It might seem like something pretty small, but we think it’s one of the most important cross-country road trip essentials.

Like much of this list, these items so far might seem small and insignificant but trust us when we say, as a team we love the functionality and safety that this phone mount adds to our trips. This particular mount is ideal because it fits all different sizes of phone and easily clips and unclips to the vents in your car.

5. Roadside Emergency Kit

Just like you never know what could happen to yourself , one never knows what can happen to their car . A vehicle can mysteriously fail, break, run into a ditch; all that and even more. Make sure you bring an emergency kit for your car on your road trip – most include a pair of jumper cables, a tow rope, a set of essential tools, and ties. It would also be smart to inform yourself about how to use each vehicle tool so you don’t depend on other people’s help as much.

Our team swears by this roadside emergency kit and it’s saved their arses a good few times on the road! You just never know when you’re dream roadie is going to go from awesome to being stuck in the middle of nowhere! This thing has everything you need in it and it’s all good quality without being too bulky or heavy too.

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6. Driver’s License

Obviously, you shouldn’t even be driving without one. If you happen to be pulled over without a license, you could face a heavy fine. If you’re on an epic road trip abroad, be sure to check and see which countries require an International Driver’s Permit.

7. Roadside Assistance

Unless you plan on including an auto shop’s worth of tools in your road trip packing list, you can’t be prepared for every disaster. If your car suffers catastrophic damage, you’re going to need roadside assistance for towing and repair. A lot of travel insurances offer roadside assistance .

8. Spare Keys

Take it from someone who’s been in this situation – if you lose your keys in the middle of nowhere, you could be screwed royally. You’ll have to get a special locksmith to come out there or even have your car towed.

If it’s a rental, the fees for either of these could be enormous. Consider a spare set a road trip necessity: just in case. And this one might seem obvious, but keep it separate from your main key! If you’re headed to the beach consider getting a lockbox that uses a code to keep your keys safe.

9. Registration or Rental Agreement:

These documents should be in your car at all times, regardless if you’re packing for a last-minute road trip or just going to the grocery store. Make sure they’re there before you leave. It’s also good to have a digital copy with you too.

10. Water bottle

You’re going to be drinking a lot of water on your journey – therefore you’ll need a water bottle. If you’re just buying plastic bottles, not only will you be wasting money, but you will also be creating clutter in your car (plus the environment and shit, man). Invest in a good quality water bottle and fill it periodically. Now go and get your own water bottle – save the environment, save your wallet and stay hydrated.

Our team are massive fans of this Grayl bottle and take it everywhere with them, and we mean that! This bottle will not only see you right on your roadie but it will keep you hydrated on your other travels, at the gym or even sat next to your laptop whilst working!

It’s easy to forget that your actual means of transport needs its own kit when you’re compiling your cross-country road trip packing list. But, it’s just as important!

Your car itself needs to be given just as much attention as yourself or your road trip packing list. To help maintain your vehicle and to fix minor problems, like a flat tire, consider packing these items.

• Spare Tire: One of the most common issues on the road is a flat tire. Most cars, especially rentals, have a spare hidden in the floor of the trunk, just in case such a situation arises. Check to see if you have one and buy one if you don’t.
• Car Jack and Lug Wrench : To change that flat tire, you’re going to need the proper tools. A car jack and lug wrench are all that is required to do this. Be sure to brush up on how to change a tire, yourself.
• Tire Repair Kit : If you’re up to it, you can not only change that flat but fix it as well. It’ll take a couple of extra tools and some resins, but it can be done. When you’re finished, you can rejoice at your own handiness.
• Extra fluids : Running out of fluids like coolant and oil could lead to disaster – trust me, you don’t want your car running with a lack of either. Keep a bottle or two of these tucked away in the trunk. Maybe have some extra windshield wiper fluid as well.
• Gas Can : If for some reason you run out of gas, you’ll need a spare gas can to run and grab more. This is one of the most important things to bring on long rides into the middle of nowhere because you never know where the next gas station may be.
• Sunshade : Nothing sucks more than getting into a car after it’s been baking in the sun. If you sit on a leather seat after it’s been cooking, it can feel like 2nd-degree burns. Keep your car cool with one of these.
• Cable ties : A useful road trip item to have around in case something needs arresting, like a loose bumper (or a rowdy hitchhiker) . Also handy when tying down stuff on the roof or in the bed of a truck.

Things to Bring on a Road Trip in Winter for Car Care

• Chains: Regular tires cannot handle snowy conditions – they do not have enough tread and often spin out on ice or snow. Chains provide traction and can handle snowy conditions. Always have a pair if snow is a possibility. Note that there are different sized chains for different sized wheels.
• Ice Scraper : Speaking of swerving, you need to be able to see to drive. Before starting up your car, use a scraper to clear the ice from the windshield and make sure the defroster is on. If you don’t have a scraper, a credit card can work to (but you may destroy it).
• Shovel : If it dumped snow and your car is buried, you’re going to have to dig it out. A lightweight, portable snow shovel is obviously the best way to go about this. If you’re in a really hairy situation, you can use this winter road trip essential for digging a snow cave as well.

Hygienic Things to Pack on a Road Trip

Unless you want to return home looking like you just came from a weeklong music festival (then again maybe you are actually doing this…) you have to take care of your hygiene while on a road trip. Forget one of these on your road trip packing list and you’ll never miss it so much.

• Toiletries : Gotta keep those teeth and hair healthy, people! Admittedly, I almost always forget to pack these things on a long trip and immediately regret not having them (toothbrush: number one most forgotten travel item). Nothing feels better than having a fresh mouth after a night of camping.
• Deodorant: No one likes your brand of BO, especially when they’re stuck in a car with you. Wear some deodorant for the sake of everyone else.
• Comb/Brush : Hair gets nappy, especially when you’re on a wild road trip and doing all kinds of cool things. Don’t forget to take care of your luscious locks. Otherwise, your hairdresser is going to throw a shit fit when they try to unravel all of those dreadlocks.
• Tote Bag : Unless you wanna deal with a dozen objects haphazardly rolling around in the car, you need to have a bag for them. A tote bag is one of those items that will help you stay organized and improve your life 100% while on a road trip.
• Hand sanitizer : You may have just used a disgusting rest stop bathroom or you may have gotten your hands dirty while camping; either way a bottle of hand sanitizer is extremely convenient road trip item and cheap to buy as well.
• Tissues: Good for blowing your nose, drying your hands, killing bugs in the car, and a whole lot more. These are a family road trip essential to help clean up the kids.

Skin Care on a Road Trip

• Lotion: Car heaters can raise the aridity of the cab over time, which, in turn, causes dry and cracked skin. Have some lotion with you in case your skin begins to dry out and become uncomfortable. You can also use lotion as your lip balm.
• Sunscreen : If you’re planning on being outdoors a lot while on this road trip, you definitely need sunscreen in your road trip packing. On another note, if you’re the type who likes to drive long hours with the window open, you can even get burned and have an increased risk of skin cancer.
• Wet wipes : Ever heard of the wet wipe shower? It’s possible and it’s actually pretty effective. If you’ve been driving non-stop and haven’t had the chance to stay in a proper hotel with a shower, a quick wet-wipe-rinse-off is great for freshening up.

Which Clothing to Bring on a Road Trip

Don’t overlook what you kind of clothing you’re putting in your road trip checklist – you’re about to be limited to whatever you pack. On the other hand, don’t bring your entire closet with you because you need space for the other road trip essentials.

Choose your clothing wisely and make sure to bring these key pieces:

• Sunglasses: Driving into the sun and being blinded by it is never fun or particularly safe. Keep a pair of good glasses in your car at all times and have a second pair for walking around.
• Sandals : Wearing sandals feels SO good after you’ve been driving or hiking all day. Taking my shoes off and letting my toes breathe as I slip them into my sandals is one of the greatest highlights of my day. They’re small and flexible too, which means they aren’t hard to pack.
• Shoes: Obviously, you’re going to have to wear shoes at some point. Since you may be stuck in them for hours at a time, you need to make sure they’re extra comfy . Bring the right pair and don’t just settle for some old pair of Converses.
• Hat : I prefer a good bucket hat because they keep my ears protected and can take quite a beating. Any kind of hat will be fine though – just so long it gets the job done and looks good.
• Kaffiyeh : A kaffiyeh is one of the most useful things to bring on a road trip. They’re warm, easy, tough, and, most importantly, can serve multiple purposes. When I’m not using mine as a scarf, I’m using it as a blanket, a pack, a headscarf, and a whole lot more.

Winter Road Trip Essential Clothing

• Beanie : They’re cheap, effective, small, and sometimes stylish. I’d take one even if I was packing for a summer road trip because they’re just so damn easy and convenient to have.
• Rain jackets : Rain can quickly ruin your day if you aren’t ready for it. While most First Aid or Emergency Kits have an emergency poncho included, you should still pack your rain jacket .
• Warm Coat : Down jackets are very lightweight and can sometimes take up next to no room. They can be a bit expensive though. Fleece jackets are quite good at keeping out the cold but you’ll have to layer up if you intend on road-tripping in the winter or in the mountains. A down poncho is also great for cold nights in the tent or around the campfire.

Maybe you intend on sleeping in only hotels and Airbnb apartments on your cross country road trip. Regardless, I highly recommend packing some camping gear . You’ll get to enjoy the outdoors and save a lot of money in the process.

• Air mattress : I personally can’t sleep without having something padded underneath me. Luckily there are some very comfortable and compact sleeping pads out there that are great for camping. If you have a truck, you can also invest in a BIG inflatable mattress and then stick it in the bed of the truck for ultimate comfort.
• Tent : It always pays to have a tent wherever you go . With a tent, you can sleep just about anywhere and cheaply too! If you have a rugged 4×4 vehicle, you can also pimp it out and put a tent on top of it, much like these rooftop tents.
• Sleeping bag : They’re warm, light, come in all shapes and sizes, and are relatively durable. I take a sleeping bag with me whenever I travel and have even gotten to the point where I use it even when there’s a blanket on hand. Check out our favorite sleeping bags .
• Blanket : A blanket is not only useful for staying warm at night, but for keeping an area relatively clean. If I want to avoid getting dirty, I lay one of these on the ground and then use it as a rug. I also use blankets to conceal valuables from curious, would-be car thieves.
• Pillows : One of the things I miss the most when I’m backpacking in the wilderness is a good travel pillow . So when I’m car camping and have the means to pack such luxuries, I always take advantage of it. Nothing is better than a fluffy bag full of goose-down feathers – the ultimate in road trip gear!
• Headlamp : You can invest in a good flashlight if you like, but headlamps are much more useful. They’re hands-free, which then allows you to cook, set up camp, or whatever in the dark. You can opt for a good flashlight if you want, but, honestly, I could never go back to one.

Road Trip Packing List – Kitchen Edition

Unless you plan on eating out every night with greasy spoons or snacking the entire way, you’re going to have to cook eventually. Why not invest in a proper kitchen for yourself so you can cook your own food? You can get creative with your cooking and even involve (here’s a road trip idea) the kids.

• Camping stove : You can invest in a monster stove if you feel so inclined. Or you could get by just fine with a portable backpacking stove.
• Pots and pans : We’re not saying you have to bring the latest and greatest Teflon with you, but you gotta have something. Packing one of each for your road trip should accommodate most of your cooking needs. If you can manage it, cast iron works really well outdoors and adds a lot of flavors.
• Cutlery : I eat with my hands all of the time but my guests may not be so keen on this method.
• Plates : They don’t have to be anything special – just a couple plates and/or bowls. You can buy some collapsible ones, which are very useful when you’re backpacking too.  
• A good knife : Not only is one of these essential for preparing food but it’s also quite handy for small tasks, like cutting rope, twigs, tape, etc. It’s one of the most useful tools in human history and an equally useful thing to bring with you on a road trip.
• Cooking utensils : You’re going to need a spatula, a set of tongs, and a large spoon. I generally stick to plastic or silicone when cooking – wood tends to get grimy after a while and metal can ruin Teflon.
• Coffee press : One thing that adults tend to do on road trips is wake up early – either because they need to get the car ready or to rouse their kids awake. It’s moments like this, when perhaps you had a bit too much to drink around the fire, that having some fresh coffee really pays.
• Camping mugs : These are good for holding everything from coffee to water to wine to whiskey. Invest in a good titanium one and it will last a while for you.

Keeping Your Car Clean and Tidy

• Collapsible bins : By now, we’ve featured a lot if things to bring on a road trip (there’s more to come). Collapsible bins are one of the best road trip items for keeping all that stuff orderly in your trunk. They’re light, flexible, and an essential piece of road trip gear once you’ve used them.
• Compression sacks : These are great for dirty clothes and for packing objects tightly. If you plan on going wilderness backpacking, these are also useful for keeping stuff neat in your backpack.
• Campsuds : This is easily one of my favorite things to pack on a road trip. Campsuds can be used for everything: dishes, upholstery, your body, hair, whatever. It’s also biodegradable and smells pretty damn good.
• Towel: We don’t just mean any kind of towel – we mean you need to get a microfiber one. They absorb more liquid, dry quicker, and are way more portable than cotton ones. All important features when considering what to bring on a road trip.
• Garbage bin: Whether you actually have a dedicated bin or just use a regular old garbage bag, you gotta have something for the litter. While on a road trip, you’ll have to be much better about cleaning up, unless you want to be swimming in trash.
• Air freshener: Being cooped up with the same dirty equipment and same smelly friend is going to make the air a bit stagnant at times. Do yourselves a favor and spray some Febreeze every once in a while.

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What Food to Bring on a Road Trip

When you’re considering what to pack for a cross-country road trip, you don’t want to overlook fuel, and by that, we mean for yourself, not just for your car!

• Nuts: These are a good source of protein and fat. Peanuts are the classic road trip snack but I’ll splurge and get some cashews every once in a while. Avoid sunflower seeds and other nuts with pods as they just make a mess.
• Dried fruit: Raisins are obviously the most popular dry fruit and are practically married to peanuts. You can get just about any fruit dehydrated these days though, including kiwis, mangos, and strawberries. Avoid fruits with too much sugar and banana chips fried in palm oil.
• Jerky: Jerky is pretty expensive and sometimes coated in salt, but it’s a great source of protein. Avoid “fake” jerky, like Slim Jims, and get the natural stuff. Jerky should only have spices, water, salt, and one or two preservatives – stay away from anything with more.
• Canned goods: These can actually be really healthy and delicious if you buy the right ones. Canned tomatoes, vegetables, fruits, and beans are great examples. Preserved meats work in a pinch (love SPAM) but often contain an unhealthy amount of salt.
• Grains: Rice, flour, wheat, cereals, and muesli all have a long shelf life and are great foods to bring on a road trip. Just be sure you keep them in well-sealed bags because they can be a real mess.
• Candied-coated sweets: No road trip packing list is really complete without some sort of candy. Try to avoid raw chocolates, like bars or truffles, as they’ll melt easily. Stick to candy-coated items like M&Ms or fruit snacks.

Food Storage for a Road Trip Packing List

• Cooler : You may end up buying some fresh meat, some dairy products, or you might just want to keep your beers cold. Either way you need to have a cooler in case of these situations. When it’s not occupied by perishables, you can also use the cooler as a storage unit.
• Tupperware : Use these for packing leftover food or random bits in pieces in your car. They’re better than plastic bags because… well… duh.
• Water Jug : This is actually one of the most important things to bring on your road trip because you should ALWAYS have water with you. Keep this in the back and fill it up regularly. Make sure it’s a big one too because you’ll end up going through more water than you expect.

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Camping Road Trip Packing List

One of the best things to do on a road trip cross country is to spend a few days in the wilderness . I always organize my road trip necessities around this activity and have my own ideas on what to bring.

• Wheel lock: Being away from your car for days at a time increases the chances of someone coming along and jacking the whole shebang. While it may seem like overkill to use these, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
• Backpack : If you are planning on going on a multi-day backpacking trip, you’re going to need a good hiking backpack. If you’re just making little day hikes, maybe consider a smaller day pack instead.
• Hiking boots : While you may enjoy wearing a pair of sandals in the car or some trainers in the cities, you need hiking boots for the adventurous stuff . Make sure they’re sturdy and broken in before using them.
• Trekking poles : If you have bad knees, trekking poles will make your life so much easier. They can also be used to prop up a tarp-style tent or to poke people in the back seat.
• Hiking Essentials : A lot of these essentials have already been spoken about in this road trip checklist, but make sure you have them for hiking as well.
• Dry bag : If you’re going to participating in some sort of water sport on your road trip, you should consider investing in a dry bag. These are designed to keep gear safe from water, but NOTE that they are not totally waterproof.
• Mosquito spray : Fuck mosquitoes.

Packing for a Digital Nomad Road Trip

Some people may actually live and work in their car as a way of life i.e. digital nomads . These people need to be both mobile and efficient, which demands a special road trip essential list. Make sure you have all of the following items so you can work and then play.

• Laptop : Just because you’re mobile, doesn’t mean you can’t get shit done. Today’s best laptops are extremely powerful and can do just about anything you could ask for. Bring yours with you to work remotely.
• Camera : You should never travel without a camera! It doesn’t matter if it’s a professional DSLR or disposable point-and-shoot – having one is always useful. Try out one of these fancy travel cameras or consider something more fun, like an Instax.
• Camera accessories : If you’re serious about photography, don’t forget the proper camera accessories either.
• Power inverter : Use one of these docks to charge different devices in your car. They plug into the cigarette lighter and behave just like a regular outlet. A great item to pack for a long drive or if your laptop is about to die on the road.
• Portable Battery : These work really well in a pinch or if your power inverter seems to be on the fritz. When you need to leave your car for an extended period of time – like hiking – these are often good for a couple of days.
• Hard drive : I put all of my essential digital files on a hard drive e.g. movies, photos, etc. Considering how small these are, they shouldn’t take up too much space and make for useful road trip accessories.
• Multi-cord : USB, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt; who can keep up with the different types of cords these days. Buy an all-in-one package and save yourself the clutter.  

Keep that precious laptop safe and all your accessories organized with our favorite laptop protector, the Nomatic Tech Case . Water-resistant and durable this case offers plenty of protection from daily travel life.

Packing for a Fun Road Trip

What’s a road trip packing list without some entertainment?! Pack these items for those long, quiet rides and for when you’re ready to have some fun.

• Notebook : Some people like to keep a journal, some like a day planner for itineraries, and others just like somewhere to take notes. The Nomatic Planner has been my favorite with its mix of calendars, organization and journalling pages. Check out our round up of the best travel journals out there for more options! 
• Deck of cards: No matter what I do, I ALWAYS bring a set of cards with me. Even if I’m packing for a last-minute road trip and have time to grab one thing, I’ll take these over spare underwear. With a deck, I can happily play of my favorite road trip games, like cribbage, rummy, and bullshit.
• Kindle : While it’s hard to replace a physical book with actual pages, Kindles are just too convenient. These devices can literally store thousands of books and weigh no more 12 ounces. Because of their small size, these are one of my favorite road trip packing hacks.
• Road trip book : Boredom can be disastrous on a long ride and can really sour the mood. To avoid these situations, be sure to pack one some sort of special road trip game book. These provide lots of entertainment and are one of the best things for long road trips with kids.
• Portable speaker : I almost always grab one of these when packing for a weekend trip to the lake. Then, we’ll have good drinks, good company, and good tunes. If your car doesn’t support your MP3 player either, you can use this speaker instead.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!

Whatever you do, don’t hit the road without travel insurance. I’ve claimed my travel insurance three times. If I hadn’t had insurance, I would have been fucked.

Check out this post for plenty of intel on staying safe whilst traveling.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Check out these additional road trip packing hacks and take your game to the next level!

• Make sure you get a system in place FIRST. Trying to reorganize the car halfway through a trip is a nightmare and probably going to be a huge ordeal.
• Use every little piece of space that you can. If a cooler is empty, fill it with something. Use those coat hangers in your car (if they still exist). Check underneath the floorboards for additional space as well.
• Use a road trip planning app like ViaMichelin . Not only will it list all nearby gas stations and their current prices, but it will also alert you of upcoming tolls and bridges. The app even provides rough estimates for the cost of whole road trips.
• Check relocation services, like immova or Cruise America , to see if someone needs a car moved near you. If you’re lucky, you can actually get paid to take the car on a cross country road trip.
• If you have a truck, seriously consider turning the bed into your sleeping space. I know several friends who do this and swear it’s the most comfortable way of car camping. Just make sure you have a plan B for rain.
• If you’re car camping, master the wet wipe shower. Trust us, you’ll be devoid a real shower more often than nought.
• Take your car to the shop and have it checked before going anywhere. You don’t want to be halfway through your road trip and have your car break. That could potentially ruin your hard-earned vacation.
• Overnight oats are my favorite road trip breakfast because they’re super easy to make and delicious. If you don’t have milk, a dehydrated mix or some condensed milk will do just fine.

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

What are some things to do on a long car ride by yourself?

That’s tough because you have to dedicate most of your attention to the road. Aside from contemplating your navel or singing along to music, try listening to an audiobook or a podcast.

What are some family road trip ideas when kids are involved?

Try and limit your time in the car as kids get antsy very quick. Have lots of activities planned and limit drive times. Distract them with mobile games (or even packable travel games ) or have everyone listen to that audiobook together.

How much will a road trip cost?

Road trip expenses add up very quickly, especially if you spend frivolously. It’s possible to spend less $100/day, but you need to have extremely strict habits. This means doing things like camping out as much as possible, being fuel-efficient, and cooking your own food. Having a smart road trip packing list goes a long way!

Is it legal to sleep in parking lots?

While it’s technically illegal in most states, camping in certain public areas – like parking lots – is not always enforced. Wal-Marts are a well-known secret among transients as overnight parking is usually allowed at these. Be sure to check the local laws when travelling internationally.

How often should I take a break?

Taking a breather is one thing you should always do on long drives. The official Highway Code recommends taking a 15-minute break every two hours and I completely agree. Step out of the car, do some stretching, whatever you like.

• Epic California Road Trip
• Epic New Zealand Road Trip
• Epic Alaska Road Trip
• Epic New England Road Trip

Still have some questions about the things you need for a cross-country road trip? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

What are the three most important things you need on a road trip packing list?

While there are many things that should be on your packing list, these are the essentials: – First Aid Kit – Driver’s License – Spare Keys

What should I bring on a long road car trip?

A waterbottle is a no-brainer when going on a long road trip. That way, you won’t need to spend extra money on plastic bottles. And of course, the Aux Cord and a Phone mount can’t be missing either.

What do you need to pack on a roadtrip with kids?

Snacks and entertainment . Make sure to bring your kids favorite toys, books or maybe even an iPad.

Should you get an extra car insurance for a roadtrip?

Most definitely, especially if it’s a longer one. Having an extra travel insurance during your trip can be a real life-safer.

There it is, folks: our comprehensive road trip packing list. We hope it works well for y’all!

Get packing for a road trip and get out there! There are a lot of good roads to drive with a lot of good views. There’s nothing quite like a good road trip!

With this road trip packing list in hand (printable for your viewing pleasure) you’ll be sailing – uhh, driving – smoothly. Nothing to fear! Except for maybe a warped head gasket. That will fuck everything up; they’re as bad as mosquitoes.

Did we miss anything, like any family road trip essentials, in this list? Tending to the rugrats is not my speciality.

Please leave a comment if you feel like we missed anything or want to add to this guide! What are your must-haves for a cross-country road trip? We love to listen.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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That’s a good idea to make sure to bring some roadside assistance contact info. I wouldn’t want to have a crash or a breakdown or something and be stuck in the middle of nowhere. That would be bad if we got stuck with no civilization in a hundred miles. That way you could have a way to get some help to tow your car.

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41 road trip essentials: what you need on your next road trip.

Add these items to your road trip packing list to help you travel more comfortably.

Road Trip Essentials

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A road trip is a great way to see the country. Consider stocking up on these accessories before you go.

If you're planning a road trip, you're going to have a lot of work to do before you pack the car and head out of town. You'll need to map out a general itinerary, plan your overnight stops and create a list of must-see sights along the way. And don't forget about all the stuff you need to pack to ensure your family is safe, comfortable and entertained.

While you don't necessarily need a lot of things to make a road trip a success, U.S. News searched far and wide to find the best gadgets and gear that will make your time in the car the highlight of your trip. These are all items you'll want to consider adding to your road trip packing list.

As you pack your bags and get ready for an epic road trip, here are a few last-minute road trip essentials you might want to add to your arsenal, organized by category.

Personal care and hygiene

Entertainment, comfort and convenience.

Keeping a reliable flashlight stored in your car is a good rule of thumb for all drivers heading out on a road trip. In roadside emergencies, the Anker Rechargeable Bolder LC90 LED Flashlight can illuminate a distance of nearly 1,000 feet with a battery life of up to six hours. Its durable design makes it ideal for use in inclement weather, and its five settings include an SOS signal and a strobe light. Meanwhile, the Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp – which features a 400-lumen beam and red LED night vision – is ideal for when you find yourself changing a tire in the middle of the night. Both products earn rave reviews from consumers for their powerful light.

Portable power bank

Goal Zero's Sherpa 100AC power bank is a portable power bank you can use to recharge tablets, phones, cameras and laptops on the go. It features two USB ports, plus four cables are included and it's lightweight at just 2 pounds. Recent customers loved the power bank's versatility, but recommend charging it every two to three days for the best results.

Jumper cables

Jumper cables from AUTOGEN can easily fit in your trunk and could save the day if your battery dies and you're unable to start your car while out on the road. Many travelers also say you can't go wrong with these heavy-duty cables from Energizer. These 25-foot-long cables are perfect for any car type and come with a travel bag for easy storage – they're a must for any road trip packing list.

Portable tire inflator

A portable tire inflator can be a lifesaver if you find your tires have a slow leak during your trip. The AstroAl Air Compressor Tire Inflator is compact, so it won't take up much space among the other gear in your trunk, and it includes an LED flashlight with independent switch control. It is programmed to stop automatically once it hits the preset tire pressure and it comes with a 36-month warranty. Other travelers prefer the ViAir 88P - 00088 Portable Compressor Kit , noting it works well with a wide variety of vehicles. In addition to a 12-foot air hose and 9-foot power cord, the kit comes with alligator clamps that power your air compressor by attaching to your car's battery.

Jump starter

Picture this: You're having the time of your life on your road trip when your car battery dies in the middle of nowhere. Luckily, a high-quality jump starter is all you need to avoid this disastrous scenario. In addition to being water-resistant and compact, the NOCO Boost Plus GB40 comes with a built-in flashlight and a USB port for charging devices like smartphones and tablets. The Hulkman Alpha 85 2000A Jump Starter also comes highly recommended by travelers thanks to its easy-to-use design and powerful battery life (a single charge can hold up to 60 jump starts).

Waking up in the morning to an icy windshield isn't a pretty sight. Prestone AS244 Windshield De-Icer instantly melts ice upon contact, so you don't have to worry about waiting for your car to defrost when you're in a rush. As an added bonus, the can comes with a built-in scraper tool for easy ice removal. Recent customers have called this product a lifesaver during harsh winters.

Bringing a trusty multi-tool on your road trip is a simple way to make sure you're prepared no matter what situation you run into. Leatherman products impress consumers time and time again thanks to the company's high-quality and lightweight multi-tool designs. Customer-favorites include the Leatherman Bond and the Leatherman Wave+ , which offers 18 powerful tools like pliers and wire cutters.

Car charger

Frequent car travelers recommend always staying connected with the TECKNET USB Car Charger . Featuring four fast-charging ports, this adaptor can be used to charge smartphones, tablets and more. If you're hitting the road with the whole family in tow, or you simply want to charge more than one device at a time, travelers say this powerful charging adaptor is a must-buy. Pair it with an extra-long charging cable that can easily reach everyone in the back seat.

Dashboard phone mount

Keep your eyes on the road by installing a dashboard phone mount before your journey starts. The iOttie Easy One Touch 5 comes with a telescopic arm, a magnetic cord organizer and a strong-hold suction cup. Plus, its easy one-touch lock-and-release mechanism (a feature that is much appreciated among recent customers) makes taking your phone on and off the holder a breeze. If you don't like the rigidity of traditional dashboard phone mounts, consider choosing a phone mount with a flexible arm instead.

Document holder

Whenever you're hitting the open road, you want to prepare for the worst. In the event that you get into a car accident or are pulled over by the police, having easy access to your car's registration, insurance information and owner's manual is crucial. Recent travelers say that this Samsill car registration holder is great for keeping all your important documents organized.

Roadside emergency kit

To give yourself peace of mind while you're on the road, travelers recommend this STDY car roadside emergency kit from Amazon. Equipped with a tire pressure gauge, a utility knife, safety gloves, cable ties, a tow rope, tire repair tools, a raincoat and more, this compact kit has everything you need when life throws you an unexpected curve ball.

Extra-large body wipes

Extra-large body wipes from Busy Co make it easy to wash up when you can't take a shower. Cloths are suitable for dry, oily and combination skin types, and address a variety of skincare needs, including clarifying, toning, soothing and nourishing. Recent customers appreciated the large size of the wipes and said using them made them feel refreshed while traveling.

Lysol wipes

Disinfecting Lysol wipes are a must-have on your travel packing list. These cleaning wipes kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, so you can feel protected while on the road.

Disposable toilet seat covers

Disposable toilet seat covers from Amazon will help you avoid germs and stay clean when you stop for restroom breaks at gas stations, port-a-potties and campgrounds.

First-aid kit

A comprehensive first-aid kit can't be overlooked when packing up the car for your next road trip. Recent customers say this 298-piece kit from Amazon will get you the most bang for your buck, with bandages, antibiotic ointment, gauze, Band-Aids, pain reliever and much more. Although this will arm you with the basics of what you may need in a medical emergency, it's always a good idea to personalize your kit according to your needs.

Nausea Relief

Long hours in the car might sound daunting to anyone prone to motion sickness. In those cases, having preventative nausea medicine like Dramamine can be a lifesaver. If you prefer a drug-free alternative, Sea-Bands are anti-nausea wristbands that use acupuncture as a natural remedy to reduce motion sickness. Travelers say these bands are highly effective at reducing nausea.

Hand sanitizer

From gas pumps to ATMs, you never know what germs you may encounter on a road trip. Protect yourself against viruses like the cold and flu by adding a travel-size hand sanitizer to your road trip packing list and keeping it in the car during your trip.

If you'll be spending long hours in the car, it's important to remember to wear sunscreen. Sun Bum's SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray is broad spectrum, moisturizing and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. And if you'll be heading for the ocean on your trip, make sure you pack a reef-safe sunscreen like this one from Reef Repair to protect marine life and coral reefs from harmful chemicals. Although some customers reported a white cast upon application (due to the zinc oxide), many reviewers thought the trade-off was worth it to maintain healthy ocean environments.

Toiletry bag

This chic Sonia Kashuk Weekender Makeup Bag features two zipper compartments, a center organizer and carrying handles that make it perfect for transport. Customers particularly love that the bag is compact without sacrificing storage space. For durable, leak-proof travel bottles, check out this Getaway Travel Kit from Ban.do . It comes with four pearlescent bottles, two jars, a spatula, a funnel and a zippered pouch for storage. Plus, it includes a fun set of sticker labels so you can organize your toiletries in style.

[Read:  The Top Travel Toiletry Bags .]

Sitting in the car for hours can be painfully boring at times, but there are plenty of ways you can enjoy your time while road tripping. With the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite , you have access to thousands of books at your fingertips. The device boasts up to 10 weeks of battery life, adjustable warm light and a glare-free display, which recent reviewers said made marathon reading sessions a breeze. Meanwhile, kids can enjoy the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids , which offers a special font for children with dyslexia and comes with a two-year warranty.

Carefully curated Spotify playlist

Whether you prefer jamming out to tunes or listening to thought-provoking podcasts, having a Spotify playlist ready to go before you get on the road is a must. Take some time before your trip to curate a playlist or two so you can keep your eyes on the road and your hands off your phone while road tripping.

Audible subscription

Long drives call for catching up on all those books you've been saying you were going to read this year. With an Audible subscription, you can make the most out of traffic jams by enjoying some words by your favorite authors.

Choose a reliable duffel bag like the Eagle Creek Migrate Duffel for your next road trip. This bag is water-resistant, strength-bearing and perfect for when you need your luggage to fit in a small space. It also comes with lockable zippers and can be worn as a backpack or carried as a tote, a top feature according to recent reviewers. And if you're planning on hiking during your trip, travelers say the Daylite Duffel 30 from Osprey can fit everything you need with room to spare. This bag can be worn comfortably all day long and comes with a mesh water bottle pocket and functional harness straps.

[Read: The Top Rolling Duffel Bags .]

This YETI Hopper Soft Sided Backpack Cooler makes it easy to bring drinks anywhere without worrying about leaks. The cooler, which comes with a dryhide shell and a magnetic closure, can hold up to 18 cans (or 26 pounds of ice), and comes highly recommended by travelers thanks to its durable design. It's ideal for road trippers who plan to get out and explore, and need to stay hydrated or keep food fresh.

Rooftop Cargo Carrier

Save some space inside your vehicle by opting for a car roof cargo carrier. With an anti-slip mat and reinforced adjustable straps, the waterproof FIVKLEMNZ 15 Cubic Car Roof Bag Cargo Carrier from Amazon is suitable for any car type. Recent customers say that they had no problem getting it to stay in place even on high-speed roads.

Car organizer

A car seatback organizer lets you arrange road trip essentials on the back of the driver's or passenger's side seat, where they're within reach of small hands. Many buyers said this seatback organizer from Amazon.com took some of the stress out of traveling with kids, thanks to its multipurpose storage compartments, including a place for a tablet and plenty of other spots to store key items for your trip. You can also maximize your space by stashing your essentials in a trunk organizer. This one from Drive Auto comes with multiple storage compartments, waterproof lining and tie-down straps to keep items in place while you're driving.

Car trash can

There's no doubt about it – road trips can generate a lot of trash. Keep your car clean on your next adventure with this Hotor car trash can from Amazon. Complete with an adjustable strap, mesh side panels for storage and a leak-proof interior lining, this useful accessory comes highly recommended by travelers who find themselves frequently on the road.

Reusable bags

Whether you're stopping for snacks at a gas station or running into the grocery store for those last-minute essentials, a reusable bag is an easy way to reduce your plastic consumption. Recent reviewers said these versatile and water-resistant reusable bags can even be used as laundry bags, garbage bags or beach bags in a pinch.

Electric car blankets

Electric car blankets allow you to stay warm on the road no matter the temperature outside. This Stalwart electric car blanket takes up very little space, is surprisingly lightweight and plugs into any vehicle with a 96-inch-long cord. While some travelers noted that this blanket alone won't be enough to keep you warm in extremely cold weather, many say it was a welcome addition nonetheless.

SleepPhones soft headband headphones let you enjoy the open road while listening to music, audiobooks, meditation, white noise or talk radio. These headphones are expertly padded, which reviewers say makes them more comfortable for long-term wear than earbuds. You can buy the classic version or a wireless version at SleepPhones.com.

Travel pillow

Pick up an ergonomic travel pillow from Cabeau if you need extra neck and shoulder support when you ride in the passenger seat. The pillow features supportive memory foam, a front clasp to ensure it stays put and a removable cover that you can wash. Recent customers also loved that the pillow comes with straps that can be attached to any headrest, making sure you don't fall forward while catching some shut-eye. For kids, this Cloudz plush animal neck pillow comes in a variety of colorful animal options, such as a unicorn, a ladybug, a dinosaur and more.

[Read:  The Top Travel Neck Pillows .]

A battery-operated mini fan from SkyGenius can help you stay cool and comfortable. This fan comes with a rechargeable and replaceable battery, and is ideal for the car and for camping. For even more cooling capacity, opt for a fan with dual heads like the XOOL Electric Car Fan from Amazon. Both mini fans earn glowing reviews from travelers thanks to their powerful airflow capabilities.

Shield your eyes from the sun by picking up a good pair of sunglasses before your trip. Choose sunglasses that protect against the sun's UVA and UVB rays, and are polarized to block glare. Travelers love that these Ray-Ban Aviator Classic sunglasses come in a variety of tints and can even be customized to fit your needs. For a more budget-friendly option, check out these SUNGAIT Ultra Lightweight Rectangular Polarized Sunglasses from Amazon, which recent customers say are very comfortable and perfect for road tripping.

Window shade

The sun beating down on your car all day can heat it up quickly. To keep your car cool, travelers recommend the EcoNour Car Windshield Sun Shade , which protects your vehicle from UV rays and helps maintain your car's interior temperature at a comfortable level. Pair it with these car window shades to protect your backseat drivers from UVA and UVB rays while you're on the road. The shades come in two different sizes and transparency levels, and previous buyers say they are very easy to install.

Travel towel

A travel towel is one of the most versatile accessories you can bring on a road trip. Whether you are cleaning up a spill or want to go for an impromptu beach day, having a spare towel on hand is always a good idea. This odor-resistant and quick-drying 4Monster travel towel from Amazon comes in several sizes and includes a compact EVA box, which recent reviewers say makes it perfect for travel.

Reusable water bottles

Skip the plastic bottles and opt for a high-quality reusable water bottle on your next trip. This 40-ounce bottle from Hydro Flask keeps drinks hot for 12 hours and cold for a full day. It also comes with a lid with a built-in straw, which consumers say makes it convenient for driving. For kids, a durable water bottle like this 12-ounce YETI rambler fits the bill – its stainless steel bottle is dishwasher safe and shatter-resistant, a feature that parents love.

Cubcoats are two-in-one stuffed animals that transform into hoodies. Your child's furry friend (think bunnies, sloths and puppies) doubles as a soft, zip-up sweatshirt, and you get to save some space in your suitcase.

Inflatable car booster seat

If you're flying to another destination to pick up a rental car for your road trip, consider bringing inflatable car booster seats along. This BubbleBum backless inflatable booster is suitable for kids 4 to 11, and comes with a seat belt positioning clip for optimal comfort and safety. Recent buyers said it was portable and extremely easy to use.

Kids travel journal

A kids travel journal makes it easy for your child to document their road trip and all the fun things they see and do. This one from Peter Pauper Press includes world maps, puzzles, fun facts and more, and many parents said it made their kids' time in the car fly by.

Activity books

A family road trip means long hours in the car, and bored children are every parent's worst nightmare. Activity books can keep your kids occupied for long periods of time while you catch up on some much-needed quiet time.

Backseat travel tray for kids

If your co-pilot is constantly turning around to pick up toys or pass out snacks, a backseat travel tray is in order. The LUSSO Gear Kids Travel Tray comes with a safety strap that can be secured to any car seat, and includes a dry erase board table, a cup holder, a storage compartment for toys and a no-drop tablet viewing stand. Reviewers loved the tray's whiteboard area and said it was a great way to keep kids entertained on long car rides.

Shop in bulk

Check out Boxed.com for specially curated bulk items that are perfect for road trips and other types of travel. From sunscreen, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to Fruit Roll-Ups and snack-size packs of Pringles, Boxed.com is a convenient site to order bulk hygiene and snack items in one place.

Bring spare cash

Debit cards, credit cards and mobile phone payments may be the way of the world nowadays, but you may still run into a few places on your journey that are cash-only (for example, some national and state park entrance fees must be paid in cash). Be on the safe side by keeping some spare cash on hand in case of emergencies.

Save on gas

It's no secret that sky-high gas prices can put a damper on your vacation. Save some money on fuel by using apps like GasBuddy , which will show you the cheapest gas prices in your area. Go the extra mile by signing up for a gas rewards credit card to get the most bang for your buck.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Travel Backpacks
• The Top Sleeping Bags
• The Top East Coast Road Trips
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies
• The Best Cheap Travel Insurance Companies

Tags: Travel , Vacations , cars , Road Trips , Travel Gear

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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65 Must-Have Road Trip Essentials: Your Complete Packing Checklist

Get organized with our road trip essentials checklist including gear recommendations and a printable packing list to ensure a smooth journey.

Find this post helpful? Learn how you can support Bearfoot Theory’s work here . You can also shop for gear through the affiliate links in this blog post where we get a small commission at no cost to you. It helps keep our team running and the lights on. THANK YOU! -Kristen

There is an undeniable magic to a good road trip: the freedom of the open road, the opportunity to visit unparalleled sights, and the unique experiences that you stumble upon along the way. However, creating these unforgettable moments requires effective planning and smart packing of the right road trip essentials.

At Bearfoot Theory, we’ve gone on our fair share of road trips and experimented with a plethora of gear – some items have worked well and others not so much. We know that packing for a road trip can easily turn into a stressful part of your journey if organization isn’t your forte – there’s nothing quite as disheartening as realizing you’ve left something important behind.

In this post, we’re excited to share our top selection of road trip gear that will help you optimize your road adventure to its fullest. You won’t need a tricked-out van or struggle with a daily game of Tetris trying to fit everything into your trunk. Keep scrolling for our road trip packing list that covers the gear essentials for ensuring a safe and amazing time on the road.

Download our PDF road trip packing list

When you join our newsletter, road trip essentials at a glance.

Download a printable version here and subscribe to our newsletter while you’re at it!

Entertainment

Kitchen items, vehicle essentials, clothing, footwear, & accessories, personal care, miscellaneous.

Download a printable version here

Road Trip Navigational Tools

While part of the fun of a good road trip might be getting lost and exploring remote back roads, it is crucial to have reliable navigational tools so you don’t end up utterly lost.

Here are our recommendations for road trip maps and apps:

Paper Map or Atlas

Although we all know Google Maps is essential for directions, I persoanlly like carrying a paper map too. Plus, hopefully some of your itinerary will take you off the grid and out of cell phone service.

For that reason, you’ll want to carry a paper map or road atlas. Paper maps are also better than phone apps for telling the difference between a well-graded gravel road and a gnarly 4×4 road.

My favorite paper maps are the Benchmark Road and Recreation Atlases which also detail public lands, camping areas, National Parks, and more.

Shop Benchmark Road and Recreation Atlases at:

A GPS is handy for navigation when you don’t have cell service. If you don’t want to purchase a GPS, download Google Maps for offline use or use the app maps.me instead. This is a helpful free app that you can use to navigate and find sights and amenities even without cell service.

Just be sure to download the maps.me map for the region you’re going to be traveling in ahead of time so that it will work offline.

Still in the planning phase of your trip? Check out our road trip destination ideas here! And if you’re looking for a car camping checklist, head to our Car Camping Essentials blog post .

Road Trip Apps

Downloading a couple of apps before you head out will make road trip planning easier and will help you find things you’re looking for on the road like campsites, rest stops, amenities, and more.

The Roadtrippers App is a handy one too. It lets you save locations on the go, find destination points along your route, and locate lodging, gas, restaurants, and more.

The iExit App can help you determine the best areas to take a pit stop on major highways while you’re traveling.

Gas Buddy is a helpful road trip app that will help you find the cheapest gas prices so you aren’t wasting money when you fill up.

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Looking for more helpful apps? Check out our post on Must-Have Van Life Apps . Many of them are also great for road trips!

Road Trip Clothing, Footwear, & Accessories

Packing for a road trip means filling your bags with versatile, well-fitting, and durable clothes that allow you to do a little bit of everything.

You’ll want to have clothing, footwear, and accessories that:

While crazy patterns can be fun, I prefer to pack solid prints that will go with everything. That way, you don’t have to really think about packing specific outfits.

Here are a few of my favorite road trip essentials picks for clothing, footwear, and accessories. For more recommendations, check out the links below.

Road Trip Packing Lists

Road trip entertainment packing list.

Road trips are all about having a good time, right? Right. Make the drive fun with the following entertainment essentials. I also recommend keeping your day hiking essentials in your trunk too so you’re always ready for a spur-of-the-moment hike, should you need them.

Music Playlists

What’s a road trip without music? A good playlist will keep your energy up and will help the miles fly by. Load up your phone with plenty of tunes ahead of time in case you’ll be driving through areas with limited service. I’m a HUGE fan of Spotify.

Podcasts & Audiobooks

If music isn’t your thing or you need a break from rockin’ out, download a couple of audiobooks or a bunch of episodes of your favorite podcasts.

For suggestions, check out our favorite outdoor podcasts . The Libby App and Audible are also great resources for downloading audiobooks.

A book or two is always nice to have along on a road trip so you can read in your downtime.

We often like to bring books about the places we’re exploring so we can learn about the area while traveling.

Travel Games

If you’re traveling with kids, games are a great way to keep everyone happy and entertained.

But games aren’t just for kids! Bringing along a deck of cards or your favorite road trip games provides fun for everyone.

A set of headphones or AirPods are nice to bring on a road trip in case you need a little alone time.

Bring a camera to capture the memories on your trip and check out our photography page for tips and tricks for taking great photos.

Not everyone enjoys journaling or sketching, but a notebook is nice to bring along on a road trip for those who want to record their trip.

If you like to journal or make notes about the places you travel to, pack a small weatherproof notebook .

Shop Rite in the Rain Notebook at:

iPad/Laptop

An iPad or laptop is nice to have along for evenings when you just want to Netflix and chill. Download a few movies ahead of time for easy viewing.

Road Trip Snacks & Kitchen Packing List

One of the best parts about a road trip is tasty road trip snacks, wouldn’t you agree? Whether you’re a salty or sweet person, having quick and (mostly) healthy snack options can make or break a long drive.

It’s also a good idea to pack some kitchen and cooking gear even if you’re not camping so you can whip up that impromptu picnic.

Here are our road trip snack and kitchen essentials:

Healthy Snacks

Having healthy snacks easily accessible will stop the hanger from creeping in and help you avoid gas station temptations like chips and candy (no judgment though if you want to indulge!)

Some of our favorite road trip snacks are:

Planning on doing some hiking during your road trip? Don’t forget your favorite hiking snacks (which TBH, I also eat while driving!).

A cooler will keep your fruit, veggies, dips, and other snacks cold so you can eat fresh on the road.

If you’re just packing a few cold drinks and snacks, a small, lightweight cooler like REI’s Cool Haul 24 Soft Cooler is a versatile option.

Shop REI Cool Haul 23 Soft Cooler at:

Reusable Water Bottle

A reusable water bottle is key for staying hydrated and eliminating single-use plastics.

An insulated Hydro Flask will keep your water nice and cold on hot days. I also like their straw lid version which allows you to easily drink one-handed while you drive.

Shop Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottles at:

Read next: How to Reduce Waste on Road Trips

In addition to saving money and avoiding plastic bottles, having a water jug with you makes for a quick and easy fill-up of your water bottle while on the road and before heading out on a hike. It’s also a smart thing to have in case you break down or run out of gas.

The GSI Outdoors Folding Water Cube holds 15 liters of water and has a convenient tap handle that prevents spilling.

Shop the GSI Water Cube at:

Consider bringing an insulated coffee mug for keeping coffee and tea hot on sunrise drives or making sure your beverage stays cold on hot days.

The Hydro Flask 20 oz Tumbler has a splashproof lid and its tapered design allows it to fit into most cup holders.

Shop the Hydro Flask 20 oz Tumbler at:

Muli Tool/ Swiss Army Knife

A multi-tool or versatile knife like this Swiss Army Camper Knife is always good to have along, whether for slicing apples, cutting rope, or opening that nice bottle of wine.

Shop the Swiss Army Camper Knife at:

Utensil Set

Saying no to single-use plastics is easy when you have a reusable utensil set with you.

This To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensil Set comes in a handy holder and is perfect for on-the-go meals whether you’re road-tripping or not. It comes with a fork, knife, spoon, chopsticks, and a bamboo straw.

Shop the To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensil Set at:

Quick-Dry Towels

A set of small quick-dry towels is a great zero-waste alternative for wiping your hands and cleaning up messes and spills. A roll of paper towels works too.

Shop the REI Quick-Dry Towel Set at:

Reusable Bag

A reusable bag like the REI Stuff Travel Tote will come in handy for those grocery store stops along the way and once you arrive at your destination.

Shop the REI Stuff Travel Tote at:

Read next: Camping instead? Check out our Car Camping Essentials Packing Checklist .

Packing & Organizing Road Trip Essentials

Keep your stuff organized and easy to find with these road trip packing essentials.

Suitcase, Backpack, or Duffel Bag

You likely already have a suitcase, backpack, or duffel bag at home that you can use to pack for your road trip, it doesn’t need to be anything fancy, just something to comfortably hold your clothes and other belongings.

If you don’t own one already, we love the REI Co-op Roadtripper Duffel .

Shop the REI Roadtripper Duffel at:

A day pack for hikes and other outings is always good to bring on a road trip. It doesn’t have to be big, just big enough to hold water, your phone, camera, keys, snacks, and other hiking essentials.

This Osprey Tempest pack has been my go-to for day hikes and adventures for a long time. The Osprey Talon is the men’s version.

Shop the Osprey Tempest Pack at:

Packing Cubes

If you’re like me, your suitcase (or duffel) can be a disaster. I tackle this problem by using packing cubes to keep all of my clothing organized while I’m road-tripping. Underwear in one. Socks in another. Pants. Shirts. Each category of clothing gets its own cube.

Shop REI Packing Cubes at:

Toiletry Bag

Having all your toiletries and smaller essentials in one bag makes it easy to find them when you need them.

This REI Co-op Shower Roll Bag is a favorite that makes it super easy to access all your toiletries in one place.

Shop the REI Shower Roll Bag at:

Road Trip Packing List for Personal Care

Getting out of your normal routine can make it a bit more of a challenge to keep up with personal care, but with these essentials, you’ll find your new road trip routine in no time.

UV rays can come through your windows so bring a tube or two of good mineral-based sunscreen , especially if you’re road-tripping in the summer.

It’s also handy in case you find an exposed viewpoint you want to picnic at or a sunny hike along the way.

Shop Sun Bum Sunscreen at:

Lip balm is always nice to have along in case your lips get extra dry. We prefer lip balm with SPF for sun protection, like this one .

Shop Sun Bum Lip Balm at:

Toothpaste & Toothbrush

Any old toothpaste you have at home will do, but if you want an eco-friendly, travel-size option, Hello toothpaste bites are a great pick.

Shop Hello Toothpaste Bites at:

Bring the toiletries you need from home, like soap or face wash, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant.

If you want to save space, try these refillable 2.5 oz  humangear GoToob+ Medium Squeeze Bottles . 

Simply fill them up with your favorite products and pack them in your toiletry bag.

Shop Humangear GoToob+ Bottles at:

Tissues or Toilet Paper

Tissues or a roll of toilet paper are always handy to have in the car on a road trip in case rest stops are under-equipped or you have to pee in the wild.

Just remember to pack out and dispose of your toilet paper in the trash .

Read next: How to Poop in the Woods and Leave No Trace .

You’ll want a way to tame that windswept hair after a long drive, so throw your hairbrush in with your other personal items.

A small, travel-size version like this one is always nice to have for trips.

Shop travel-sized hairbrush at:

Bandanas can be used in many ways and is sure to come in handy, whether as a napkin or as a headband t keep your hair from blowing in the wind when you’ve got the windows down.

The Nomadix Bandana Towel adds even more versatility with its absorbent microsuede material, SPF 50 protection, and anti-odor properties.

Shop the Nomadix Bandana Towel at:

Sometimes it’s nice to freshen up after a long drive, or maybe you’re hiking and camping on your road trip as well. A pack of wipes is always on our road trip packing list so we have the option to clean up a bit in a pinch.

The  Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes  are our favorite because they’re gentle on the skin and they are compostable (although you still need to dispose of them properly in the trash).

Shop Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes at:

Vitamin C/Immune Boosting Tablets

We like to pack hydration tablets on any adventure, and if they’re immunity-boosting that’s even better.

These NUUN Immunity Hydration tablets are easy to throw into your bag and pop into your water bottle when you need an extra boost.

Shop Nuun Immunity Hydration Tablets at:

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is always good to have readily available, especially these days. We love this all-natural one from Dr. Bronners .

Shop Dr. Bronner’s Hand Sanitizer at:

Advil/Ibuprofen

While you won’t always need something like Advil or Ibuprofin, we like to include it on every road trip packing list since it can be a lifesaver when you get a killer headache and need it.

Read next: Camping Tips for Women: How to Stay Fresh & Clean on the Road

Miscellaneous Road Trip Essentials

These items are necessarily ‘essentials’ but they can make your road trip more comfortable and trouble-free.

I don’t know about you, but I consider a pillow a road trip essential (especially if you’re the passenger)!

Bring a comfy pillow from home or an inflatable pillow if you’re short on space. This NEMO Fillo Pillow is compressible, lightweight, and awesome for camping, backpacking, and napping in the passenger seat.

Shop the NEMO Fillo Pillow at:

Whether you’re reading in bed, going to the bathroom in the middle of the night, or rummaging around your car, you’ll want a headlamp nearby.

The BioLite Headlamp 325 is a go-to piece of nighttime gear that’s ultralight and rechargeable with a USB cable.

Shop the BioLite 325 Headlamp at:

Read next: Looking for more options? Head over to our post on the Best Headlamps for Hiking & Camping

A small blanket is a nice item to have along in case you find the perfect picnic spot or if you just need a little extra warmth at any point on your road trip.

We love Rumpl’s cozy, packable blankets – they won’t take up much space in your car and they come in all kinds of fun colors and patterns.

Shop Rumpl Blankets at:

Quick-dry towel

Be ready for those impromptu swimming hole dips with a lightweight, quick-dry towel like the Nomadix Original Towel . It’s also sand resistant, so if you’re heading to the beach, you don’t have to worry about tracking loads of sand back to your car.

Shop Nomadix Towels at:

First-Aid Kit

Stay safe and be prepared in case of an emergency by having a car first aid kit that has been personalized to your own medical needs.

This  My Medic MyFAK First Aid Kit  is equipped with all kinds of expert-picked first aid and trauma supplies. You can strap it to the back of a headrest for easy storage or just toss it in the back so it’s there when you need it.

We love that it comes with a small tearaway pouch that you can fill up with essentials and take on day hikes, backpacking trips, and other short adventures as well.

It’s more expensive than some other first aid kits, but it also has more supplies and lifesaving equipment than most.

Shop the My Medic MyFAK at:

Phone Charger & USB Cord

You’ll be surprised how quickly your phone battery will drain when using navigation mode and a variety of apps on your phone so it’s good to be able to charge from your vehicle.

If your headlamp and camera come with car-compatible chargers, bring those along too.

GPS Communication Device

I’d argue that the Garmin InReach is a road trip essential if you plan on exploring remote backroads where there is no cell phone service.

If you break down somewhere, the Garmin InReach allows you to send custom text messages no matter where you are or to call for medical help if you are in an emergency situation.

It also has a GPS and some helpful navigation tools for when the navigation apps on your phone won’t load.

My boyfriend Ryan is a Type 1 Diabetic, so when we are in the van or hiking, the Garmin InReach gives me added peace of mind.

Shop the Garmin inReach Mini at:

It’s always handy to have a little bit of cash on hand in case you come across a farmers market or a roadside stall or if you plan on camping at more remote campgrounds, which are typically cash-only.

Vehicle Road Trip Essentials

I won’t go into too much detail in this section because you should really have these basic necessities in your vehicle at all times, whether you’re road-tripping or not.

These include:

• Driver’s License and Registration
• Proof of Insurance and Contact Info
• Your Car Operation Manual
• Spare Tire and Jack
• Roadside Emergency Kit
• Jumper Cables (or a self-starting jumper )

Planning a road trip? Check out our other road trip tips, guides, and essentials:

• Car Camping Packing Checklist
• How to Road Trip with Your Dog
• How to Find Free Campsites
• Campervan Companies for Your US Road Trip
• How to Reduce Waste on Car Camping Trips
• Cheap Road Trip Tips: How to Save Money on the Road

We hope this road trip essentials checklist helps simplify packing for your next epic adventure. Now tell us: where are you headed and what’s on your road trip packing list?

Related Posts

With two decades of hiking and seven years of van life under her belt, Kristen has dedicated her life to helping people experience the positive effects of nature. As a pioneer in the outdoor blogging space, she founded Bearfoot Theory in 2014 and has since authored more than 350 blog posts about outdoor travel, hiking, camping, and van life. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Outside Magazine, and Backpacker, and when she’s not on the road, she lives in Park City, Utah with her partner Ryan, their son, and two adventure pups.

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16 Comments

Thanks for sharing such a great checklist, I Believe anyone who read this post will be valuable for him for sure. Regards, Team Yugo.pk

I love these lists! As busy as a work week can get, lists like this will help get me outside sooner and more often. I think it would be great if you had a PDF document in the form of a checklist, so I could gather items on the fly and know that I have them ready or loaded into the car/truck/van/camper. Just an idea for this page and great lists.

I like your advice about bringing a spare tire and knowing how to change should be part of the road trip necessities. We won’t know what would happen to us on the road during our trip. One possible problem that might arise would be a flat tire. Having a spare tire will allow us to change it immediately. However, if you’re not capable of doing it on your own you can call someone to assist you. This happened to me a few years ago, good thing I keep the contact details of my roadside assistance service provider which responded to my call immediately. Having this will lessen our worries. You might want to check the blog I’ve read a few weeks ago which provides a list of tips on handling a road trip like a pro. here is the link: https://blog.beepbeep.ph/road-trip-essentials/

I found your article interesting to read the must haves list for the road trip. There are lots of thing which I never remember to bring with me on the road trip. Thank for sharing these checklist.

What a great, comprehensive list. You can also add roadside assistance, it can be a lifesaver when we broke down 9 days into our trip. Loved the roadtrippers app as well. However, we made the rookie mistake of not getting a gas card until halfway through.

What do you normally have in your First-Aid Kit? We are crafting a blog post on our blog and we would definitely mention your website in it.

Its Nice., Thank you for your Necessity guides. These are useful to many.

Great checklist! One addition that we were glad to have on our recent road trip was our checkbook. During the Covid era, we prefer not to handle cash, and some campgrounds didn’t take cards, but writing a check and leaving it in the envelope worked great.

That’s a great tip, thanks Tom!

These modules are all great Lots of information and quite a few things i wouldn’t ever have thought of. However, why do i need to resubscribe every time i want one of your checklists? Seems like there one subscription should “do” and there should be a place i can just download what i want.

After requesting 3 or 4, it now tells me my request is successful but wont sent the mail with the download link.

This is irritating for me and would seem to create lot of duplicate ‘subscriptions” for you.

Hi Linda! Thanks for sharing that with us and our apologies for the inconvenience. There’s not a straightforward solution to this unfortunately as it would require us building out some sort of a membership page where people can login and download all the resources they want. At this time the way we have it set up is the easiest way for our readers to get the specific resources they want delivered to their inbox. It doesn’t result in duplicate subscriptions on our end as your email address is only added to our list once, and I am seeing that the emails for the checklists you’ve requested have been sent. Perhaps check your spam folder or try doing a search for Bearfoot Theory? If you’re still having issues please email me at contact (at) bearfoottheory.com and I’ll help get this resolved personally. Thanks again – we’ll keep your feedback in mind and will see if there’s a way we can improve this process 🙂

thank you, it was very helpful.

A night hike, river tubing, or secret single-track – you never know what adventure may arise while traveling. Don’t miss out because you don’t have the gear. Below are gear staples for us on any adventure:

Rain jacket Daypack Headlamp Water bottle Compass Swimsuit Dry bag (waterproof) Bandana or Buff headwear

Great list – you never know what adventure you could find yourself on!

Thanks for your wonderful work! Fun and practical — a breath of fresh air!

I’d like to add two items that simplify and improve road trips for us:

— A small (maybe 8-inch square) “front-seat bin” for each traveller. Keep your small personal items — sunglasses, reading glasses, snacks, medicines, phone, and so — on in one designated place to ensure that you don’t have to root around to find your things.

— Small waterproof duffle for each person’s shoes — hiking shoes, sandals, comfy campsite shoes. Keeps the car cleaner and, again, ensures that things are “where they’re supposed to be”!

Hi Roy, these are great suggestions! We love tips for staying organized. Thanks for sharing!

89 Road Trip Packing List Essentials for Hitting the Road

This post may contain affiliate links.

Long stretches of open highway, a sense of total freedom, good tunes, an epic adventure at your fingertips… the road trip is a classic travel experience for good reason! In this post, you’ll find all the essential items for your road trip packing list to help you plan your trip.

Written in partnership with Toyota

Michael and I have been taking road trips together for nearly a decade—from weekend jaunts to a year-long exploration of North America—so we’ve had thousands of miles to dial in our road trip essentials. 

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If you’re feeling the itch to hit the road, this post is for you! We’re sharing our complete road trip packing list with everything you need for a comfortable, fun, and safe road trip. A little planning and preparation go a long way so that once you start cruising down the highway, all you have to do is let the adventure unfold.

Before you go…

Bring your vehicle to a mechanic for a pre-trip inspection .

If your vehicle has given you, shall we say, “cause for concern” in the past, then it might be worth bringing it to a mechanic for a pre-trip check before embarking on an extended road trip. 

We often bring our vehicles in to our local Les Schwab Tire Center before a big trip to have them check the state of our brake pads. This is offered as a free service and most mechanics will offer something similar. 

Quick Home Maintenance Check: 

• How do the treads on the tires look? 
• Are your tires at the proper pressure? 
• When will you need another oil change?
• Is the windshield wiper fluid topped off?

Clean your car

The cheapest and easiest way to improve the quality of your road trip is to start with a clean car. We’re not kidding, it makes a huge difference! 

Remove all the extra clutter, random receipts, old coffee cups, etc. Vacuum out the interior, Armor-All the plastic surfaces, and clean your windows with vinegar.

It’s easier to try to stay clean and organized if your car starts out that way.

Vehicle essentials

These are the basic items you should keep in your car (regardless of whether or not you’re road-tripping!) 

• License, registration, and insurance cards: Keep these together in an easily accessible place.
• Spare tire + tools: In addition to the tire, you’ll need a jack and a lug wrench. These are usually stored underneath the spare, but it wouldn’t hurt to double-check that they’re still there. Take five minutes to brush up on how to change a spare tire , too! 
• Jumper cables: Forgot to turn off your lights before heading out to explore, and returned to a dead battery? Jumper cables to the rescue! If you’re going to be traveling on lesser-used roads, you might want to consider a jump start battery booster so you don’t have to wait for a friendly traveler to stop to help you.
• Tire pressure gauge: Many cars will have internal pressure monitoring systems, but having a manual tire pressure gauge is still nice so you can quickly and accurately check each tire. 
• 12v tire pump: If you discover a slow leak in a tire, a 12v tire pump can fill the tire back up until you can resolve the problem. 
• Tire patch kit: You can pick up a tire patch kit at any auto store or gas station. If you get a puncture in the middle of your tread (not near the sidewall) you can usually plug the hole yourself using a patch kit. 
• Flashlight or headlamp: If you have car issues after dark, a flashlight or headlamp will help you see what you’re doing as you troubleshoot.
• Windshield sunshade: A sunshade makes a huge difference in keeping the interior of your car cooler while it’s parked.
• AAA membership: Hopefully you won’t have to use it, but the peace of mind that a AAA membership is absolutely invaluable. Unlock your car, jump your battery, or arrange a tow. As people whose campervan stopped running while parked on a desolate forest service road in Wyoming, we really can’t imagine road tripping without it.
• Fix’d device: This is an optional device that can be really helpful in diagnosing potential issues. This plugs into your car’s OBD-II port , and if the check engine light goes on, it will run and diagnose the code for you so you know what you’re dealing with (or know if you have to get to a mechanic pronto ).

In the glove box

• Napkins: Invaluable for soaking up spills, wiping sticky hands, and any number of minor cleaning tasks.
• Extra TP (store in a ziplock bag): Just in case the one bathroom in a 50 mile radius is out of stock!
• Hand sanitizer
• Tissues: A small pack of tissues are nice to have in case allergies kick up or you start having deep conversations with your travel partner.
• Quarters: Spare change will come in handy if you encounter toll roads or bridges, old school parking meters, or need to run a load of laundry at a laundromat.

Organization

One of the keys to a comfortable road trip is to keep your vehicle and gear organized and tidy. You don’t want to have wrappers piling up in your drink holders, or have to dig through all your stuff every time you need to find something. You don’t need everything on this list—just pick and choose what will work best for you and the type of things on your road trip packing list.

• Trash bag/bin: A small trash bag or bin in an accessible location will really help in managing wrappers, fruit peels, receipts, etc. We like to use an empty protein powder container because the lid helps prevent spills and smells.
• Over the seat organizer: A small organizer that clips to the back of the front seats is a great way to keep things like maps, headlamps, snacks, kids’ car games, and charging cables organized. If you have kids, this larger organizer has an iPad sleeve.
• Packing cubes: We love packing cubes to keep our clothes organized. Tops go in one cube, shorts or pants in one, socks and underwear in another, and one for miscellaneous items like swimwear and other accessories. We each have our own color to make things easier to find.
• Duffel bag: Large soft-sided duffel bags like the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel or REI Road Tripper Duffel are perfect for storing your packing cubes and bulky items like jackets. These tend to be more space-efficient in your trunk than suitcases since they don’t have a rigid shape.
• Storage bins/action packers: Action packers are great for storing camping equipment, extra snacks, shoes, and other gear.
• Roof cargo box: Very optional, but we are big fans of storing as much of our gear in a roof cargo box as possible, especially items we won’t use daily. This helps free up room for backseat passengers and helps open up space in the car, making it feel a little less like driving a mobile storage unit.
• Day pack: Whether you plan on hiking or are sticking to urban adventures, a comfortable day pack is essential for carrying extra snacks, water bottles, layers, maps or guide books, etc.
• Laundry bag: Having a separate laundry bag means your clean clothes stay fresh in your duffel, and when you’re ready to do laundry, all you have to do is haul the bag in—no more sorting through all your clothes trying to figure out what is clean and what isn’t.
• Reusable grocery bag: Stash a few of these in your glove box or over-the-seat organizer for stops at the grocery store during your trip.

Navigation and electronics

We’ve lumped these categories into one since so much navigation is done electronically. However, cell service isn’t guaranteed in many rural areas of the US, so paper and offline navigation are still a road trip essential.

• Road atlas or paper maps: In case you find yourself turned around in an area without service, you should always be prepared with paper maps. We like the Benchmark Maps Road Atlases and have one for the states we frequently road trip through. Alternatively, you can pick up paper maps for free at AAA locations if you’re a member!
• Offline maps: Maps.me is an awesome offline map that is perfect for creating routes and turn-by-turn driving directions on the fly, even if you’re completely out of service. Download the area maps ahead of time and you’ll be able to access everything—including gas stations, public restrooms, hospitals, points of interest, etc. Before your trip, you can bookmark all your stops or things you’re interested in and create “Lists” so you can pull them up on the road.
• Hands-free phone mount: One of the best car accessories we have ever purchased is a hands-free phone mount . No more interpretive re-telling of the directions from the passenger to the driver. Just plug in the directions, mount the phone in your field of view, and you’re golden. 
• USB Cords: We like to have dedicated USB cords that we leave in our vehicle. This way, we’re not shuttling them in and out and potentially forgetting to bring them.
• Small inverter: A 12v to 120v inverter can plug directly into a cigarette lighter and charge AC items like laptops and camera battery chargers. We’ve used this one for over six years of road trips!
• GasBuddy : We use this app to find gas stations—it has user-aggregated price data, too, so we can save money by price comparing nearby stations.
• Maps.me : As mentioned above, this is our favorite offline map app for driving directions.
• Alltrails : Our favorite app for finding hiking trails. Sort by length, elevation gain, and difficulty.
• The Dyrt : A great app for finding campgrounds (complete with photos, reviews, and amenities). The PRO version allows you to access everything offline, has public land map layers, and includes a great trip planner tool.
• Seek by iNaturalist : Identify plants, animals, and birds, and tracks by using your camera or uploading a photo—the app will identify it for you!
• Merlin Bird ID : Enter bird features like size, color, and environment to generate a list of potential birds—includes sound recordings and photos for easier identification.
• The Outbound : A great app for finding all kinds of outdoor adventures.
• Nativelands : Identify the native tribes that traditionally lived in the area you’re traveling in.
• Sky Guide : Dynamic constellation, planet, and star identification.
• PlugShare : If you’re driving a plug-in hybrid like the Toyota Prius Prime , or an all-electric vehicle, this app will be invaluable in locating charge stations along your route. 

Entertainment

Let’s face it: long stretches of driving can get monotonous, no matter how dynamic the scenery is. This is where some in-car entertainment becomes important. 

Download everything to your phone ahead of time. It’s not a matter of if you’ll lose service, it’s when…   And it is never at a convenient time. Once everything is downloaded, you’ll be able to access it any time.

We loved the CarPlay integration that the Toyota Prius Prime came with—it made it so easy to navigate between our music and podcasts while on the road!

• Audiobooks: Use Libby to download audiobooks from your public library for free, or use Everand which gives you an unlimited reading subscription for less than $10 a month ( try it for 2 months free! )
• Spotify playlists: There are thousands of playlists to choose from, but we think the best place to start is with the “Soundtrack My Ride” feature which will build a custom playlist for you.
• Podcasts: We love bite-sized podcast episodes because they give us lots of new topics to talk about, in addition to (usually) learning something new. Here are some great road trip podcast recommendations from Conde Nast Traveler and AFAR .

Comfort essentials for road trips

This is a list of little items we consider to be road trip essentials simply because they make the trip a little more comfortable and enjoyable.

• Snacks and drinks cooler: Keep a small cooler or insulated lunch tote within reach filled with any perishable road trip snacks and cold drinks.
• Coffee mug or tumbler: Make an extra cup of coffee in the morning and save it in an insulated coffee mug or tumbler . This will not only save money, but we bet you can make a much tastier cup of coffee than what you’ll find at a gas station!
• Water bottle: A reusable water bottle is absolutely essential for road trips! It’s so important to stay hydrated when traveling, and if you have water easily within reach, you’re more likely to sip throughout the day. Cycling through bottled water generates so much waste (of resources and your money), so pack along a durable, reusable bottle to fill up.
• Reusable utensils + straw: While we’re talking about reusables, we’d like to suggest throwing in a set of reusable utensils and drinking straws so you can ditch the plastic stuff when you grab takeout or stop at a food truck.
• Blankets/pillows: Catnaps in the passenger seat are so much more comfortable and restful if you have a pillow and a blanket. These are also nice to have to lay out on the grass at a rest stop for some shut-eye.
• Quick-dry towel/Turkish towel: Quick dry towels are a summer road trip necessity! Personally, we love jumping in lakes and rivers and a quick-dry towel is a way better option than regular bath towels. They are less likely to get mildewy and they’ll dry out before your next stop! A Turkish towel is similarly a great item and can double as a picnic blanket, sarong, or shawl.
• Sunglasses: Squinting into the sun as you drive is a recipe for fatigue, headaches, and it’s just plain bad for your eyes. A good pair of sunglasses with UV protection is a must-have for road trips. We love Sunski sunglasses , which come with a great warranty.
• First aid kit: Backroad Ramblers has a great post on putting together your own road trip first aid kit .

Toiletries and personal items

These are the self-care items that are on our road trip checklist to keep us feeling good throughout the trip.

• Sunscreen: While car side windows block UVB rays, they still allow UVA rays through —the ones that cause deep skin damage (but not sunburns), so it’s important to wear full-spectrum sunscreen, particularly on the side of your body next to the window. 
• Lip balm: Prevent chapped lips by using lip balm, preferably one that has some SPF to it.
• Bug spray: You may not need it in the car, but bug spray is nice to have if you’ll be outdoors hiking or hanging out. This is a good travel-sized spray , and they have a DEET-free version as well. 
• Prescription medications and OTC Med Kit: In addition to any prescription medications, put together a small over-the-counter med kit that includes painkillers for headaches and achy joints, Benadryl or Allegra for allergies, Imodium in case your lunch doesn’t sit well, etc.
• Car/Motion Sickness remedies: Either OTC or a non-medication option like ginger chews or those pressure point bands.
• Body wash/soap
• Wet wipes: These will come in handy in case you need a quick “bath” on the road (see the below section on showering during a road trip for more ideas).
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• Wrinkle release spray: Your clothes are going to sit folded up in your luggage for days at a time, so having a travel-size wrinkle release spray can be super helpful on a road trip.
• Tide stain pen: Stains happen, and since you won’t be able to immediately throw your clothes into the wash, having a Tide stain remover pen can help prevent the stains from really setting in.
• Scrubba: Alright, this is totally optional, but this portable wash bag could be useful particularly if you’re traveling with kids and you want to be able to wash out stains and dirt from clothes without spending your time at the laundromat.

What to wear on a road trip

The clothing section of your road trip packing list is going to be pretty personalized based on where you’re going, the time of year and expected weather, and your personal style.

The key to packing clothing for a road trip is to balance comfort and versatility based on your planned activities, while keeping in mind the kind of weather you are likely to encounter. 

Try to choose clothes that will serve multiple purposes, for instance, a warm jacket you can wear in the evening at your campsite but will still look good enough to walk around town on a brisk day. A good tip for pants is to choose ones that are good for hiking but that you’d also grab dinner in. prAna has a lot of good options for versatile pants .

Consider packing clothing that have helpful features while traveling such as antimicrobial or quick-drying fabrics, or UPF clothing that offer built-in sun protection.

Basic road trip packing list

• Short sleeve tops or tanks: one per day in the summer, or fewer in cooler temperatures
• Long sleeve tops: one or two in the summer, or more in cooler temperatures
• Pants, leggings, and shorts
• Activewear for hikes and outdoor exploring
• Warm jacket or sweater: extras if it’s going to be particularly cold
• Rain jacket
• Windbreaker or lightweight jacket
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Hiking shoes , if necessary
• Hat (sun hat/warm beanie)
• Activity-specific items (rashguard, water shoes, etc)

Camping basics

If you’ll be camping, there are a few additional things you’ll need to put on your road trip checklist. These are the bare essentials from our weekend camping checklist —we leave some of the “extras” behind knowing that we’re going to pack up and move frequently.

• Sleeping mats
• Sleeping bags
• Camp chairs
• Folding camp table (optional)
• Camp stove and fuel
• Packable camp cookware set
• Spatula / spoon
• Knife and cutting board
• Plates, bowls, and utensils
• Camp coffee maker
• Collapsible dishwashing bucket (optional, depending on campsite selection)
• Sponge and campsuds
• Microfiber towel
• Bin to store kitchen items in

Essential road trip planning tips

Route planning.

One of the allures of road tripping is the freedom that comes with the open road. As soon as you get behind the wheel, you feel like everywhere is within your reach and you’re in a real-life “choose your own adventure” story. And while that feeling of freedom is real, it truly is a good idea to spend some time planning out an itinerary (however loose or detailed) before you leave.

At a minimum, it means that your co-pilot will have to spend less time looking up what to do and where to go on the fly, and at best it means you won’t have that post-trip regret of finding out you drove past the best waterfall in the state and you didn’t even know it.

We like to take a “planned spontaneity” philosophy when it comes to planning a road trip. After deciding on how long our road trip will be and choosing a general area for the trip, we start looking into the attractions and activities that we’d be interested in and start saving them to our Map.me bookmarks. Then, we can pull up the map that has all the points on it and see what our basic driving route might be, eliminating any real outlier stops.

From there, we’ll spend a little more time thinking about how long we want to drive per day and the time needed to explore different locations. This is how we determine where we plan to sleep each night, and book campsites or hotels/Airbnbs. 

We might add coffee shops or restaurants we want to check out, or do a little more research into different points of interest once we have a more solid route planned.

That’s usually it. What we end up with is a rough timeline so we don’t get behind, and a lot of ideas to choose from when we’re on the road depending on how we’re feeling that day.

We like to budget extra time instead of planning down to the minute, because the beauty of road trips is that even when you have a plan, you’re likely to stumble on fun, spur of the moment stops and you’ll want to have time to stop for those spontaneous adventures.

Make a budget

To an extent, a road trip can cost as much or as little as you have a budget for. If you make most of your own meals, get savvy at finding free camping , and choose free or inexpensive activities, you can really keep the costs of a road trip down. Or, you can book nights at Airbnbs, eat at local restaurants, and splurge on activities if it’s in your budget! We personally do a blend of both on most of our trips.

While you’re planning your trip, keep a total budget in mind, and then allocate it into different categories based on your priorities. Eating great food might be more important than where you lay your head at night, or perhaps you want to be able to book a fun adventure tour and are happy cooking at your campsite most nights.

Where to sleep

You have a few options for overnight accommodation on your road trip. You can camp, stay at Airbnbs, hotels, or hostels, or stay with friends or family if they are along your route and up to hosting you.

During busy travel periods or in popular destinations, you’ll probably want to book everything ahead of time. It sounds free and romantic to go where the wind blows and decide where you want to stay on the fly, but we’ve found that it adds unnecessary stress to our trips.

Campgrounds in particular are important to book in advance because they have limited space and in many cases, if it’s full when you get there there may not be a lot of other camping options nearby.

What to eat

Nothing ruins a road trip quite like a hangry passenger—or worse yet, a hangry driver! Failure to make plans for what and where you’re going to eat means you’re already halfway to Crankytown, so be sure to plan ahead and pack ALL THE SNACKS.

You can opt to eat out for all your meals and not have to worry about cooking at all, in which case, you may want to spend some time looking up interesting restaurants or food trucks along your route so you already have some to choose from when you roll into towns. If you’re camping or staying at Airbnbs or hostels with kitchens, you can make your own meals or pack to-go lunches.

Pack a small cooler or insulated tote with things like fresh veggies and hummus, cheese, sandwich supplies, and cold drinks like sparkling water, iced coffee, or kombucha so they are easy to access during the day.

Stash snacks like peanut butter-filled pretzels, nuts and trail mix , dried fruit, jerky , granola bars , and other non-perishable road trip snacks in your center console or in a bag so there’s always something ready when you start to feel hungry.

If you’re planning on making some of your own meals, it’s a good idea to keep things pretty simple so you can spend more time exploring and less time cooking. Here are some of our favorite road trip meals:

• Overnight oats with a bit of maple syrup and chopped fruit and nuts
• Made-ahead breakfast burritos warmed up on the camp stove
• Granola, milk, and fresh fruit
• Yogurt with berries and granola
• “Charcuterie spread” of sliced cheese and salami, crackers or bread, olive packets , dried fruit, and nuts
• Sliced apple, almond butter, and honey sandwiches
• Avocado, tomato, and hummus sandwiches (perfect with some everything bagel seasoning!)
• Chicken or chickpea salad—make at home and store in your cooler. Serve in wraps, sandwiches, or on crackers.
• Chickpea curry with rice or naan—all can be made ahead of time and reheated at the campsite
• Quick stir fry with noodles
• BBQ chicken quesadillas —you could cook and chop the chicken ahead of time for an even faster meal
• Tacos with store-bought salsa and avocado
• Pasta with fresh veggies and chickpeas or chicken sausage
• Here are a bunch more easy camping recipes and one pot meals

How to shower on a road trip

If you’re going to stay in hotels or at Airbnbs every night, you get to skip this section. But if you’re camping during your road trip, here are a few ideas (from most “civilized” to most “dirtbag”) of how to stay clean during your trip:

• Campgrounds you stay at: Check the amenities ahead of time, but many state and national park campgrounds will have shower facilities. Some will be included with your site fee, while others will require you to use quarters or buy shower tokens, so make sure you have some change on hand.
• Gyms/rec centers: If you have a gym membership to a chain with lots of locations, check to see if there are any along your route. The Planet Fitness Black Card Membership is famous among road-trippers because it’s $20 per month and gives you (and a guest) access to all their locations (and there are a TON of them). If you don’t already have a gym membership, many towns have city rec centers or Y’s where you can buy a day pass and take a shower.
• Sun shower: A sunshower is basically a portable water bag with a hose or spout that you can rinse off with. Leave it in the sun for a bit (or add hot water) and it’s an easy, cheap way to enjoy a warm rinse. We have used the Nemo Helio , which has a foot pump to pressurize the water (great if you want to do more than just have a quick rinse), and the Sea to Summit WatercellX , which we use as our extra water storage but also has a shower hose attachment.
• Jump in a lake: But don’t use soap in it! If you’re spending time near lakes or rivers, a swim with a good ole hand scrub is one way to stay feeling clean. Just please don’t use soap in or near any water source. Even biodegradable soaps can pollute waterways since they need microorganisms to break down properly. If you want to use biodegradable soap , lather up and rinse off at least 200 feet away from the water’s edge
• Wet wipes: When all else fails, wipe down with a couple of wet wipes to get the day’s sweat and grime off you before bed.

What are the best road trips in the USA?

Road trips are a quintessential US travel experience and there are SO many amazing routes to explore. Here are some of the best road trip itineraries on our website as well as others that we’ve done or are on our bucket list!

• 7 Wonders of Oregon Road Trip | Fresh Off The Grid
• Wild Wonderful West Virginia Road Trip | Fresh Off The Grid
• Gem Of The West Idaho Road Trip | Fresh Off The Grid
• Ultimate Teton & Yellowstone National Parks Road Trip | Bearfoot Theory
• Olympic National Park Road Trip | Bearfoot Theory
• 10-Day Utah National Parks Road Trip | Bearfoot Theory
• The Best California Road Trips | She Dreams of Alpine
• Northern California Road Trip Itinerary | The Mandagies
• 10-Day American Southwest Road Trips | The Mandagies
• 7-Day Glacier National Park Road Trip | The Mandagies
• Blue Ridge Mountains Road Trip | AFAR

Made possible by Toyota

We recently had the opportunity to take a Toyota Prius Prime on an epic Oregon road trip . We loved that it’s a plug-in hybrid, so we could charge at any number of charge stations along the way, but since it still has a fuel-efficient gas engine, we never had to worry about range. And, its large cargo space meant that we had plenty of room to pack all of our road trip essentials! Learn more about the Toyota Prius Prime here .

Megan & Michael are the creators of Fresh Off The Grid, a blog dedicated to helping you fuel your adventures by sharing camp cooking recipes, backpacking meals, and outdoor travel guides. Their recipes and outdoor cooking expertise have been featured in Backpacker Magazine, Outside, REI Co-Op Journal, Food & Wine, and New York Times Cooking.

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One Comment

Outstanding information. Thank you for the great tips!

54 Must-Have Road Trip Essentials + Packing Checklist

I’ve been learning the ins and outs of road trip essentials and perfecting my packing list since I was old enough to get behind the wheel. The open road had me hooked at a very young age and will continue to draw me in for the rest of my days.

As an eager teenager, I took my first adventure to Las Vegas with a carful of giddy friends. The complete freedom to explore as I pleased was exhilarating.

Since then, I’ve explored thousands of miles of my captivating home state of Colorado , driven the stunning California coastline, navigated the magical Hawaiian islands, and traversed the barren plains of Texas.

I’ve voyaged the sweeping Irish countryside, bumped up and down countless miles of rural Mexican roads, and soaked in the fascinating culture of North Vietnam on a motorbike .

These years of experience have taught me that packing for a long journey on the open road isn’t easy, so I’ve put together a list of my favorite road trip essentials to help you. I’ve also included an interactive checklist list, my top ten road-tripping hacks, and a list of all the lodging, navigation, and travel resources I use when I’m on the road.

Ready? Let’s get into it.

Road Trip Essentials & Packing List

• What Exactly Should You Bring?
• Safety & Repair Accessories
• Tech Gadgets

Food & Drink Must-Haves

Music, entertainment & relaxation, clothing & comfort items.

• Camping & Outdoors Gear

Family Essentials

• Organization & Storage Systems
• Road Trip Packing List + Checklist
• More Road Trip Resources
• Final Thoughts: Road Trip Essentials

What Exactly Should You Bring on a Road Trip?

This is a tough question to answer, I’ll admit. Everyone has specific needs for their road trip, and my setup will look quite different than yours. We’re all likely headed towards separate destinations when we jump in the car for an adventure, so what I throw in the trunk may not work for you.

Keep this all in mind as you look over my road trip essentials, and prepare for your trip as you see fit. Take some of my advice , get your hands on a few pieces of gear you think will help, and leave the rest behind.

If you want to skip past my recommended products and jump straight to my complete packing list, click here . The checklist is interactive, meaning you can click the boxes as you get ready for your adventure and stay organized throughout the packing process.

Safety Gear & Repair Accessories

Alarm System & Remote Start: Viper 5906v

If you’re taking a proper road trip, you’re likely to pack a lot of valuables in your vehicle that are essential to protect. So, arm your car, truck, or camper van with a proper — LOUD! — alarm system that can also auto-start your rig remotely.

VIEW ON AMAZON

Car Jack Kit: Big Red Scissor Lift

Nobody ever plans on getting a flat tire, but they happen regardless. A proper car jack kit will allow you to remove and replace your tire safely without expensive emergency roadside services. Make sure you have a spare tire and a lug wrench as well.

Power Bank Jumper Kit: Hulkman Alpha85

Dead batteries are a morale killer, plain and simple. This high-capacity power bank allows you to bring your car back to life by yourself and has a handy flashlight, compass, and USB charging inputs to boot.

12-Volt Air Digital Compressor: Fortem

Whether you want to fill a tire with a slow leak, need to adjust tire pressure for off-roading, or simply want to avoid paying for air at gas stations, this 12-volt air compressor will get the job done quickly, safely, and efficiently.

One Gallon Gas Container: Garage Boss

Running out of gas in the middle of nowhere is a drag, so get a portable gas container, keep it full, and hit the road with peace of mind. This $14 investment could be the difference between hitchhiking to a gas station and arriving safely by yourself.

Versatile 196-Piece Tool Set: DEKOPRO

Breakdowns and equipment failures are a very unglamorous reality of the road-tripping lifestyle. Keeping a versatile set of tools on hand will allow you to handle minor repairs when they arise and get you back on your way safely.

DIY Windshield Chip Repair Kit: RainX

Windshield chips are a pesky reality of road tripping and can get expensive and dangerous if ignored. This affordable repair kit will fill chips and cracks with a fast-drying resin and prevent them from spreading and ruining your windshield.

Duct Tape: Duck Tape Brand

If all else fails, use duct tape. (That’s what I tell myself at least.) Whether you’re sealing a leaky hose, patching a tear in your tent, or fixing a broken pair of sunglasses, a roll of duct tape is a must-have on your upcoming road trip.

First-Aid Kit: Surviveware

Whether you’re confronted with a minor scrape or an injury far more severe, a fully-stocked first-aid kit will be your ally. Packed with everything from band-aids to a CPR mask, this portable setup will be there when you need it most.

United States Atlas: National Geographic

Digital maps are handy, but a physical road atlas offers an in-depth look at your surroundings without the need for technology. Use this detailed, adventure-focused atlas to plan your US, Mexico, or Canada trip as you go. Traveling Europe? There’s an atlas for that too.

Tech Gadgets & Navigation Accessories

High-Capacity Power Bank: Anker PowerCore

For better or worse, a dead phone can leave us feeling powerless when traveling. Ensure that your devices are always ready for action when you’re away from an outlet with this hefty power bank that will fully recharge an iPhone 8 up to seven times.

Magnetic Phone Mount: Neckteck

If you’re road-tripping without a phone mount, you’re doing it wrong. I love this particular setup because it’s minimalist and reliable. Simply adhere a thin metal disc to the back of your phone case and a powerful magnet within the mount will hold it without fail.

4-Port Car Charger: Amazon Basics

A car charger with four ports is probably overkill on a road trip with a couple of people, but it’s essential for groups of three or more. Four ports means a carful of people can keep their precious devices charged at all times. Don’t forget extra long micro USB or USB-C cables.

Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker: JBL Charge 4

Whether you’re blasting tunes at a campsite or setting the mood in your hotel room, you’ll need a solid Bluetooth speaker to get the job done. The waterproof Charge 4 has mega battery life, powerful sound, and even has a USB output to charge devices when their batteries get low.

Digital Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M10

Cell phone photos probably won’t do your trip justice, so get a quality digital camera if you want to capture your adventure properly. My current travel camera is the budget-friendly OM-D E-M10, which is compact, easy to use, and takes great high-res photos.

Powerful Travel Stove: Camp Chef Ranger II

Those who want the option to cook meals on the road can do so with this incredibly powerful 34,000 BTU dual burner stove. The Ranger II can be attached to a standard 5-gallon propane tank or can run off of smaller one-pound camping canisters with an adapter .

Backpack Picnic Kit: Sunflora

If you’re going to cook in style on your road trip, you’d better eat in style as well. This luxurious picnic set not only has full tableware for up to four people, but also includes a blanket, cutting board, corkscrew, insulated food and drink compartment, and salt and pepper shakers.

12-Volt Fridge/Freezer: Alpicool

Keeping your food fresh and your drinks cold is vital during long stretches in the car, and this 12-volt fridge/freezer combo will do just that. It plugs into your cigarette lighter, draws power while the car is running, cools its contents quickly, and is incredibly efficient.

Portable Espresso Maker: WACACO Nanospresso

Of all the road trip gadgets on this list, this is one of my absolute favorites. With this handheld device, you can create restaurant-quality espresso on demand. All you need is boiling water, a Nespresso capsule (or coffee grounds), and your own two hands.

Rapid Water Boiling Stove: Jetboil Flash

If you need to boil water in an instant, the Jetboil Flash is exactly what you’re looking for. This lightweight camping stove takes water from room temperature to boiling in less than two minutes, allowing you to make tea, coffee, instant meals, and more.

Insulated Thermos: Hydro Flask

Whether your beverage is boiling hot or ice cold, the uber-efficient Hydro Flask thermos will retain its temperature for a very long time. My incredible 32 oz vessel has kept ice for over three days before it finally melted, which is a dream on longer trips.

Folding Table & Chairs: REDCAMP

If you’ll be cooking during your road trip, or simply want somewhere comfortable to play cards or eat takeout, a compact folding table will serve you well. This lightweight aluminum set comes with two chairs and weighs in at only two-and-a-half pounds.

Audio Book Subscription: Audible.com

Nothing passes the hours on the road like a good audiobook. An Audible subscription — click here for a free 30-day trial — gives users one free audiobook per month (to keep forever), selected free titles, guided exercises, and newspaper subscriptions from all over the world.

Streaming Music Subscription: Amazon Music | Spotify

If you plan on listening to CDs or MP3s on your upcoming adventure, you’re stuck about a decade behind. Get with the modern times and sign up for a streaming music subscription which will allow you to listen to pretty much any song whenever you want. Amazon Music | Spotify

Inflatable 2-Person Kayak: Intex Explorer K2

This durable and portable kayak will give you the freedom to explore lakes, gentle rivers, and other bodies of water as you please. Fully inflatable in just a few minutes, this cushy setup can put you out on the water at a moment’s notice. (Don’t forget to grab some life jackets !)

Frisbee: Innova Big Kahuna

Frisbees provide endless entertainment and will forever be a staple of my road trip packing list. Whether I’m camping, strolling the beach, or relaxing at a park, my Innova disc is a great excuse for me and my girlfriend to run around outdoors and breathe some fresh air.

Hammock: ENO DoubleNest

Leaving my hammock behind would be a huge hit to my relaxation capabilities on my trip, and is thus unacceptable. Thankfully, I’ve never forgotten my DoubleNest, so I can sway in the breeze at will (so long as there are two trees and a nice view).

VIEW ON REI

Waterproof Playing Cards: Kovot

I play cards frequently when I travel — gin rummy is my game of choice — and usually wear out a normal deck within a couple of weeks. Thankfully, I’ve invested in a set of waterproof cards, which stand up to humid environments (and spilled drinks) quite well.

Cornhole Set: GoSports Portable PVC

If frisbees, rafts, hammocks, and playing cards aren’t your thing, then maybe you can find a little entertainment playing cornhole. This lightweight setup — made of PVC and high-quality fabric — includes eight bean bags and packs away conveniently into a carrying case.

Polarized Sunglasses: Knockaround Fast Lanes

I tend to break or lose my sunglasses all the time , which is why I don’t let myself spend much on a pair. Knockaround’s polarized shades have the feel, quality, and style of high-end sunglasses, but only cost $25 a pair. They come with a carrying case, pouch, and cleaning cloth to boot.

VIEW ON KNOCKAROUND

Travel Pillow: Casper

Napping is an essential part of the road trip lifestyle and a comfortable pillow will take your sleep game to the next level. My small Casper Nap Pillow is compact, cozy, and stays cool as I watch the miles go by and fade away into dreamland.

Packable Travel Blanket: BlueHills

While we’re on the subject of car naps, I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend a comfortable and portable blanket to help you get some sleep on the road. This microfleece blanket packs down to the perfect size for cars, and is great for airplanes, camping, and at-home use as well.

Earplugs: Howard Leight by Honeywell

When spending hours in a cramped car, sometimes you need to tune out the background noise. Ear plugs will help you do so, and give you some respite from your fellow passengers. I’ve tried multiple brands of earplugs, and these are by far the most comfortable.

Sandals: Montbell Aqua Gripper

Any road trip wardrobe is incomplete without a good set of sandals, and the Montbell Aqua Grippers are my top choice. They’re lightweight, portable, and versatile enough for hiking, watersports, or any other outdoor activity you might come across during your adventure.

Portable Clothes Washing Kit: Scrubba

If you’re frugal and impatient like me, you’ve got no time for laundromats during your travels. The portable hand-washing bag allows you to clean your clothes in a matter of minutes. All you need is some warm water, laundry detergent, and your own two hands.

Camping & Outdoor Gear

Lightweight 2-Person Tent: REI Half Dome SL 2+

If you do it right, your voyage will lead you to some beautiful camping destinations. Once it does, you’ll want a quality tent to get comfortable in and catch some rest. I recommend the REI Half Dome 2 Plus for couples, or the Half Dome 4 if you’re camping with three or more people.

Sleeping Bag: Hyke and Byke Eulos

Though I’m a bit of an ultralight gear snob and sleep in a $500 quilt, I’ve tested out a friend’s Hyke and Byke Eulos and was very impressed. It’s warm, lightweight, and uses water-resistant 800-fill down. The best thing about it? It costs about one-third of what I spent.

VIEW ON HYKE AND BYKE

Lightweight Sleeping Pad: Sleepingo

To catch some solid sleep in your tent, you’ll need a comfortable sleeping pad to cushion you from the ground below. This particular model has blown me away. It’s comfortable, packs down to the size of a Nalgene, and inflates and deflates as quickly as you could ever ask for.

Pressure Camp Shower: Nemo Helio

Life spent bouncing from campsite to campsite isn’t the cleanest existence, which is why a portable shower is a must-have on your next road trip. This foot pump pressure-powered system allows you to get a strong and refreshing stream of water on demand.

Packable Day Pack: 4Monster

Whether you’re setting off on a day hike or venturing into the city for an afternoon, a packable travel backpack will serve you well. This 24-liter waterproof pack will carry your gear, snacks, and other essentials with ease, and compresses down to the size of a soda can.

Camping Chairs: Moon Lence

Car camping without a comfortable chair is against the unwritten rules of road tripping, so get your hands on one of these if you haven’t already. They weigh only two pounds apiece, fold down into an ultra-compact carrying case, and are as comfortable as they are convenient.

Water Filter: LifeStraw Flex with Gravity Bag

Purifying natural water when you’re camping will save you money, time, and resources. I recommend using the LifeStraw Flex filter system to treat lake and river water safely and conveniently. Simply fill the bag, hang it up, and let gravity do the rest.

Collapsible Water Bottles: Platypus

Clunky metal and polycarbonate water bottles are a thing of the past when it comes to exploring the great outdoors. So, instead of bringing along your Nalgene or HydroFlask, opt for a far more lightweight option like the SoftBottle to store your backcountry beverage.

Multitool: Leatherman Wingman

Keeping your outdoor gear in working order is easy with the right multitool, which is why I recommend packing a Leatherman on your next expedition. Whether you’re prepping fishing line or tightening the screws on your ski bindings, the Wingman has the right tools to get the job done.

Portable Trash Bins: EPAuto

A family packed tightly into a car on a long road trip is a recipe for a mess, but it doesn’t have to be. This handy waterproof trash bin will attach to just about anywhere inside your car and can hold up to two gallons of trash without so much as a leak.

Wet Wipes: Amazon Elements

If you’re a parent to young children, you know quite well that literal sticky situations will arise on your next adventure. Be prepared for anything with this mammoth supply of baby wipes that’ll help keep your car and your children clean until the next backseat disaster.

Tablet: Kindle Fire HD 10

When all of the games, singalongs, and coloring books get old, the kids are going to get bored. That’s when you dazzle them with a tablet loaded full of fun games, apps, movies , and kid’s shows. Boredom will turn to delight, and all in the world will be right again.

Volume-Controlled Headphones: JBL for Kids

At $25 a pop, these just-for-kids headphones are a no-brainer for road-tripping families. These headphones max out at 85 decibels, which is designed to protect its listener’s hearing. They’ll pair up well with a fully loaded tablet to make for the perfect distraction when you need it most.

Family-Friendly Card Game: Kids Against Maturity

If you were to play Cards Against Humanity with your young children, you might just be a bad parent. Instead, play Kids Against Maturity, which is a family-friendly spin-off. It’s entertaining for both children and parents and is a great way for families to goof off on long rides in the car.

Sun-Blocking Window Shades: Enovoe

Children don’t enjoy having the sun shining in their eyes; nobody does actually. So, help them out by shielding the sun’s annoying (and sometimes harmful) rays with window shades. This transparent set won’t block the view out the window or create any blindspots, either.

Helpful Organization & Storage Systems

Rooftop Cargo Storage: Yakima Skybox

Sometimes, there’s just not enough room inside the car for all of your wonderful gear. Don’t worry, though, you can create more space. Slap a Skybox or two on the roof of your car and, just like that, you don’t have to leave any of your precious gear behind.

Trunk Organizer Tote: JACO CargoPro

In the heat of car travel, trunks can turn into a disaster zone in a hurry. Prevent the mayhem by setting up a few helpful organizer totes to keep all of your gear, gadgets, and accessories in order. Or don’t, and prepare yourself for a lawless and chaotic trunk of oblivion.

World Map Laundry Bag: Kikkerland

Stinky, dirty clothes have no business mingling with clean road trip supplies, so stash them in a laundry bag like a civilized human being. This world-map bag packs down into the palm of your hand, and can stash a decent amount of clothing when thrust into action.

Road Trip Packing List + Interactive Checklist

Here’s the exact packing list and interactive checklist I use to get ready for my road trips. Click the ‘+’ sign to expand the category, and use the checkboxes to stay organized as you pack for your trip.

Roadside Emergency Kit

First-Aid Kit

Gas Container

Car Jack Kit

Jumper Cables

Air Compressor

Windshield Chip Repair

Car Charger

Charging Cables

Battery Bank

Lantern/Light

Bluetooth Speaker

Camera Lenses

Camera Batteries

Camping Stove

Cutting Board

Bottle Opener

Coffee Maker

Cooking Oil

Cooler/Refrigerator

Long Sleeve Shirts

Button-Up Shirts

Rain Jacket

Light Jacket

Winter Jacket

Athletic Shorts

Skirts/Dresses

Bathing Suit

Long Underwear

Hiking Boots

Baseball Hat

Soap/Laundry Detergent

Laundry Bag

Clothing Line

Safety Pins

Toiletries Bag

Conditioner

Hair-Styling Product

Dental Floss

Contact Solution/Case

Ear Cleaner/Swabs

Nail Clippers

Advil/Aspirin

Multivitamins

Playing Cards

Sporting Equipment

Journal/Pen

Sleeping Pad

Sleeping Bag

Travel Pillow

Water Filter

Water Bottles

Camping Shower

Folding Table

Camping Chairs

Packing Cubes

Reusable Grocery Bags

Storage Totes

Window Shades

Water Storage

Toilet Paper

Garbage Bin

Lighter/Matches

Windshield Scraper

Medical Insurance

Car Registration

Car Insurance

Helpful Road Trip Resources

Now that you have your essentials and packing list squared away, it’s for some tools to crush your next road trip. Here are a few helpful resources that’ll help your next adventure go smoothly:

• RoadTrippers – Incredibly detailed trip planner to build your dream itinerary
• Hipcamp – Connects users with private landowners who offer camping on their property
• Booking.com – My go-to website for booking affordable hotels, hostels & homestays
• Couchsurfing – Budget-friendly lodging option where hosts offer up a free place to stay
• Turo – Rent private cars at fair prices to avoid going with big-box companies
• RentalCars – Puts users in touch with car rental agencies all over the world
• GasBuddy – Helps users find the most affordable gas prices within a certain radius
• WorldNomads – Widely-trusted travel insurance popular in the backpacking community

Essential Gear + Packing List = Perfect Road Trip 

Well, I’ve divulged about as much info as either of us can handle when it comes to road trip essentials and packing lists. I hope you found some useful gear, hacks, and resources to help you plan your next journey on the great open road.

While you do that, I’ll be busy plotting my next adventure: a 3,000-mile adventure to the Pacific Northwest region of the US. I’ll be booking campsites, gathering a long list of can’t-miss destinations, and piecing together the most scenic route possible. I’m going to get as prepared as I possibly can.

But, if my wild and unpredictable history of car voyages is any indication, few things will go according to plan. At least I’ll have my road trip essentials and packing lists to cling to when life on the go gets dicey.

Stay safe out there, and may the open road lead you to fascinating new places.

Last Updated on March 19, 2024

Noel Krasomil

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The Ultimate Road Trip Packing Checklist & Best Tips [Printable]

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Plan your route, how long is your trip, your vehicle or a rental, plan your sleeping arrangements, make a packing list early, choose the right gear, purchase travel-sized items, what electronics should i take, travel insurance, keep your travel documents safe and handy, cash and credit cards, keep your personal details close for emergencies, lay it all out, consider your itinerary, take out anything unnecessary, roof box, suitcase — what should go where, take a laundry bag, get your car road-ready, make the car comfortable, how many drivers, plan your driving time, note rest stops, be flexible, pack car activities, travel safely, make the trip an adventure, bring comfort items, know their limits, apps for road trips, how to prepare your house before you leave, final thoughts.

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There are few things as exciting as taking a road trip. Whether you’re going somewhere completely new or visiting an old favorite spot, it’s bound to be an adventure. However, one of the defining characteristics of road trips is that they can be unpredictable, especially if you’re not prepared. Weather changes, road conditions, or underestimating your ability to handle long car rides can come up.

Always ensure you have emergency and safety gear packed in your luggage, and bring plenty of water, music, and maybe a book or 2 to pass the time for a successful trip.

📋 Click To View Our Printable Road Trip Packing List >> 📋

Road Trip Packing Tips and Advice

Don’t get overwhelmed by the idea of planning your next big road trip. This guide will help you pack like a pro so you’re ready to hit the road, whether you’re driving a few towns over or across the country. However, being prepared isn’t just about what you pack. Here are a few things to consider before embarking on your car adventure.

While you’ll probably spend a lot of time in the car on your road trip, knowing what weather to expect is still an essential part of the planning process. For example, rainy weather might affect your visibility, so you must adjust to cover less ground in a day.

It’s also important to check the weather if you’re crossing multiple climate regions. It might be summer at home, but if you’re driving into the mountains, you’ll want to pack layers and a jacket because the temperature could drop drastically. 

Most of the time, a road trip has an end destination. Once you know your final stop, you can plan your trip accordingly.

Planning your trip route will not only help you get an idea of your driving times and what traffic and road conditions to expect, but it can also add extra fun to your trip. Take note of any side trips you could take or attractions you’d like to see while on your journey, and plan a few fun stops to help break up the miles in the car.

Most road trips are between 7 and 10 days in length but can vary greatly. Packing and preparing for a weekend-long getaway will be a lot different than for a 6-month-long adventure.

Some things will be on your packing list no matter how long you will be away from home. You’ll always want rechargeable batteries , a reusable water bottle, and a patch kit or spare tire.

Pack enough socks, underwear, and entertainment to last your whole trip, or at least until you can get to a laundry service or replenish anything you’ve used up.

You’ll want to decide if your road trip will be better in your vehicle or if you should rent one for the road. There are pros and cons to both.

Your Vehicle

The biggest upside to using your car is its familiarity. It’s an extension of your home, and you probably know how to change the settings to suit your preferences. However, consider its size. For example, if you’re going on a long road trip with 4 or 5 people, a sedan won’t be too comfortable.

Rental Cars

Rentals have the exact opposite pros and cons of using your own car. The advantages of renting come if your personal vehicle is small, isn’t equipped for electronics, or if it just isn’t road ready. You can find a temporary option to make your trip more comfortable and potentially more secure.

On the other hand, if you’re driving a rental, you have to be more careful about keeping it tidy. That could mean no eating while on the road or being meticulous about mud to avoid paying hefty cleaning fees or losing a deposit.

There are many ways to road trip, and any one of them has the potential for fun. However, they all require different types of planning, especially when it comes to your sleeping arrangements.

Here are a few of the most popular sleeping options for road trips:

• Hotels and Motels: This is the most comfortable option, but it requires the most planning, especially during popular vacation times, like during the summer or over a holiday weekend. To ensure you find a room that suits your needs, it’s a good idea to plan where you’ll be staying and make reservations.
• RV and Tent Campgrounds: Similar to hotels and motels, staying at these campgrounds offers some comforts, but they’re a little more rustic. If you’re road-tripping in an RV, you’ll often have access to electricity and water. Campsites set aside for tents usually have restrooms and access to cooking areas. Even in this case, you must make reservations to guarantee your spot.
• Car Sleeping: This is the least luxurious sleeping arrangement, but it’s popular for some types of travel. It’s most often preferred to pull over at a rest area for a few hours when driving long distances in a short time, but there are understandably no amenities.

Packing for a road trip takes a little more planning than you might be used to if you typically opt for other vacations. To ensure you have everything you need for hours on the road and whatever climates you’ll find yourself in, avoid waiting until the last minute to get your bags ready.

Start making a packing list as soon as you finalize your plans. Doing so gives you time to ensure you have the right clothes, toiletries, gear, and entertainment for the journey. It also gives you time to shop around if you need to, meaning you’ll have the best chance of finding exactly what you need.

You don’t need a luxury vehicle or top-of-the-line RV for a successful road trip. However, you’ll still want to ensure you have the right gear.

Some equipment might vary depending on the length and location of your trip, but there are a few things you should have no matter what sort of drive you’re taking on. Here are a few things you should remember to pack:

• Car battery jumper cables
• First-aid kit
• A spare tire, wrench, and car jack
• A tire patch kit
• A tire gauge and a small air compressor
• A warning triangle and reflective vest (preferably 1 per passenger)

Depending on your car, you might also want to invest in a luggage rack or roof box to save space inside your vehicle.

If you’re traveling with a pet, a crate or dog seat cover is also recommended, and if you have small children in the car, an appropriate car seat is necessary.

Even though traveling by car means you don’t have to worry about any restrictions on what personal-care items you can bring, you still want to pack efficiently. Using full-sized versions of your favorite hairspray or lotion can take up a lot of valuable space in your luggage.

Consider opting for travel or trial-size items unless you plan a particularly long trip. If your preferred brands don’t carry these products, you can make your own with reusable travel containers .

Depending on your sleeping arrangements, you’ll also want to pack soap and shampoo. This is particularly true if you plan on staying at campgrounds where toiletries aren’t provided.

Remember, spills are still possible even if you pack items in brand-new packages. To protect your other belongings from leaks, pack your personal care items separately in an easy-to-clean nylon or plastic toiletry bag . 

While it’s true that being in the car means you won’t be able to bring tons of electronics with you on your trip, you’ll still want to have a few tech items with you. Of course, you’ll bring your smartphone, which will likely grant you access to most of the apps and online resources you need.

You’ll also want to make sure you have a charger you can plug into your car with you as well. It’s a good idea to have an outlet and USB charger if you encounter a place to plug in when you’re not in your vehicle.

It’s a good idea to bring a tablet or e-reader , too. The larger screen is more convenient for watching videos or reading, which saves you from having to take up space by packing separate books or DVDs. You might also want to consider packing a camera to document your trip. A small digital or disposable camera will let you save your phone battery while still capturing photos and videos.

In most cases, your regular car and health insurance will cover your road trip. However, you might want to take out other travel insurance coverage in some instances.

If you’ve made any non-refundable reservations, travel insurance can help guarantee you get your money back if your plans change. You might also want to update or take out insurance on any valuable belongings you’ll be taking with you, like electronics or meaningful jewelry like engagement rings or wedding bands.

Consider taking the opportunity to become a member of AAA so you have some peace of mind if you need roadside assistance. These memberships also occasionally grant discounts at motels, attractions, and restaurants.

Travel Admin

Road trips might be a more low-tech way to vacation without complicated boarding passes and luggage tags, but there’s still some paperwork and administrative things to take care of.

Make sure you don’t forget these important documents:

• Your ID , including a driver’s license for anyone who might get behind the wheel; also, bring a passport if your trip might take you out of the country
• Car and health insurance information
• The addresses and booking information of any places you’ve made reservations at
• Multiple forms of payment , including money, credit or debit cards, and checks

If you want to go the extra mile, plan ahead in case you lose or damage anything while on the road by bringing extras of:

• Any health information to be aware of, including medical conditions, dietary requirements, allergies, and a list of medications taken
• Your contact details and those of your next of kin or emergency contacts

Keep multiple copies of all the necessary documents for your trip. If you have email confirmation for reservations or car rentals, save that email, take a screenshot on your phone, and bring a hard copy. Keep all necessary paperwork, including your ID, somewhere safe that you can easily access.

Most places today take credit and debit card payments and even mobile payment options, but don’t count on that being the case everywhere. Bring some cash with you in case of emergencies to ensure you’re not stuck and unable to pay .

At the same time, If you’re renting a car or booking a hotel room, you might be asked to leave a deposit ahead of time which should be returned to you at the end of your trip. In those cases, using your credit or debit card is the most secure option. 

With modern technology, it seems crazy that we used to memorize phone numbers or keep a written address book of contacts.

However, when planning your road trip, it’s best not to rely on your phone. Your battery could die, or a locked cell could keep someone from contacting your loved ones in an emergency. To avoid that, keep a physical list of contact information for yourself and your loved ones in a safe place.

Packing Your Car

The packing process is one of the most exciting parts of road trip planning. However, if you get too carried away, you might end up with a disorganized mess or even forget something important. Follow these tips to ensure you pack like a pro.

Before putting anything in your luggage, lay out everything you plan to bring. Here’s where making a packing list will come in handy. Seeing everything in front of you will help you notice gaps you might not have thought of.

Everyone knows to use the weather forecast as a packing guide, but make sure you also consider your itinerary.

If you think you may have a beach day, bring a towel and a bathing suit, for example. That’s why it’s a good idea to devise a plan of what you might do and see while you’re on the road so that you can pack appropriately.

Remember, there’s a difference between being prepared and being over-prepared. Only pack for the activities you are reasonably sure you’ll be able to do while on your trip. If you’re taking a road trip around Florida, you likely won’t need a snowsuit.

When it comes to packing clothes, personal care items, or entertainment, if you don’t use something at home, you likely won’t need it while on the road. For example, if you never wear a robe around the house or at the pool, don’t bring one with you.

Figuring out how to pack your car can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. There are 2 main options when it comes to packing up a car for a road trip:

Suitcases and Car Trunk

This is the easiest and most cost-effective way to pack, as most people already have a duffel bag or luggage set. However, if you’re traveling with a large group or have a smaller vehicle, the car’s trunk may not be large enough.

Roof Box and Luggage Rack

This packing option is more of an investment, but it can be more efficient for road travel as they both save space inside your vehicle. However, roof boxes offer more protection from the elements as they’re made of durable material suitable for most environmental conditions.

If you plan on going the roof box or luggage rack route, make sure to pack your important or valuable items in a separate bag that will stay inside the car.

You might also want to have a small bag with a change of clothes and your essential toiletries in the vehicle as well, so they’re easy to access if you’re overnighting at a hotel. 

You’ll likely have very limited access to a washing machine or dryer while on the road. Between washes, bring a spare bag to put your dirty laundry in to keep from mixing anything up with your clean clothing.

That could mean using something as simple as a trash bag, but you can also go the extra mile and opt for a waterproof bag you can use for swimming suits or other wet clothing items. 

Making sure your car is reliable and ready to handle long hours on the road is perhaps the most important part of the planning process. If you’re renting a vehicle, you likely won’t have to worry about doing much, as the car you get from the rental agency will probably have been inspected shortly before you get the keys.

However, if you’re taking your own car, there are a few things you’ll want to make sure you do before heading out.

• Check Your Oil: Make sure you have enough oil and that you aren’t due for a change to make sure your engine runs safely and efficiently.
• Get a Tune-up and Inspection: Take your car to your trusted mechanic for a look-over to have the brakes and engine checked.
• Check Your Tires: It’s a good idea to rotate your tires if it’s been a while since you’ve last done so. Make sure they’re aligned, balanced, and aren’t worn down as well. Depending on where you’ll be driving, consider changing to all-weather or off-road tires.
• Change Your Filters: Since you’ll be in your car for extended periods, changing your filters will help keep your vehicle free of air pollutants.
• Check the Lights: Test your turn signals, headlights, fog lights, and high beams to make sure they work properly.
• Check the Battery: Make sure your car battery doesn’t need to be changed. A mechanic can do this, but you can also do it at home with a multimeter.
• Fill the Tank: Of course, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to go an entire road trip without stopping for gas (or a charge if you’re using an electric vehicle), but it’s best to start your journey on the right foot with a full tank. 

Driving Considerations

To help things go smoothly, take the time to address a few things that can affect the drive.

Car seats are padded, but they aren’t usually designed for long journeys. Bring a lumbar or seat cushion for the driver to avoid back aches from hours on the road. For passengers, consider bringing blankets or pillows .

Of course, remember to have food and water in the vehicle so no one gets hungry or thirsty. It’s also important to wear soft, comfortable clothing and shoes. For example, you might want to opt for sweats instead of jeans.

One of the biggest factors that can affect your trip is how many drivers are hitting the road with you. That can mean the difference between covering 500 miles and 1,000 miles in a day, for example. If multiple drivers are going on the trip, you can plan your shifts behind the wheel according to your preferences.

Generally, it’s considered safe to drive for up to 8 hours with a break every 2 hours for at least 15 minutes to stretch your legs and rest. However, for some people, that’s still a long time to be behind the wheel, especially for multiple days in a row.

Even if you’re okay in the car for that long, other passengers might struggle with it. Don’t overestimate your abilities or the tolerance of your travel companions, and plan realistic driving times between stops.

Long periods in the car can be grueling and uncomfortable. While you probably planned some stops while figuring out your route, note other rest areas you might encounter while on the road and make sure to keep an eye out for signs of upcoming places to stop.

You might make detailed plans and have your road trip prepared down to the mile, but things happen. One day, you might find yourself burning out after just a few hours on the road, someone could get car sick, or unexpected traffic might pop up.

Be as flexible as you can, and come up with alternatives in case your Plan A doesn’t work out. This can also be a good thing! After all, being too rigid in your itinerary won’t leave much room for any other little adventures that could make your journey even more fun. Be open to stopping at a roadside attraction or checking out a town you drive by.

Road Trip With Kids Considerations

Road trips can be a great opportunity for family bonding and can give kids a lifetime’s worth of memories. However, taking on this sort of travel with children brings along a different set of considerations.

The number 1 thing that will help ensure your child is happy and entertained while in the car is to provide plenty of car activities. Here are a few options that will work in the confined space of a vehicle:

• Shows and Movies: This is the easiest option. You can download videos on a tablet or bring a portable DVD player.
• Coloring Books: It’s not recommended you bring markers that can stain, but colored pencils and a coloring book or drawing paper can work wonders.
• Travel-sized Games : If you have multiple kids or passengers, consider getting travel versions of board games like checkers or Monopoly or a deck of cards to play with. You can even find car-specific games like car bingo.

In most places, there’s an age and weight requirement for children to be in appropriate car seats.

In the U.S., most state laws for car seats require that children under 8 and/or under 65 pounds need a car seat, and children under 12 have to sit in the back seat of a vehicle. However, each state has further requirements, so double-check the laws where you’ll be traveling.

You can have all the games and toys your kid loves in the car, but they’ll still get bored after hours of driving. To help, make the trip an adventure . Point out interesting signs, stop at attractions, and give them a “job,” like looking for signs for your destination. All of that will help the ride be more exciting and tolerable.

Being away from home and their routine can be tough on kids, even if they’re excited about your vacation. Bring comfort items like their favorite blanket or stuffed animal so they have something familiar to make travel and homesickness easier to handle.

It’s hard enough for adults to take on a lengthy drive, let alone kids, and there’s no real way to practice building up that tolerance. Know your kids’ limits. Pull over for a while if they start getting agitated or uncomfortable , even if it means changing your plans and timeline projections.

Technology has made road-tripping so much easier thanks to software that can help you plan and drive. Here are a few handy apps (all for Android or iOS unless noted) to consider downloading before hitting the road:

Roadtrippers

This app is a lifesaver when you’re still planning a trip. Its map database can help you decide on a route and shows attractions, gas stations, hotels, and more for each option. It even provides travel time estimates and gas costs.

GasBuddy has access to fuel prices at over 140,000 stations in North America. If you need to fill up while on the road, it can help you decide which nearby station is most convenient.

You can’t use most map apps if you lose reception while driving. Maps.me is essential because it lets you download maps that can be accessed offline.

Roadside America

There are hundreds of landmarks and attractions most people have never heard of. This app, only available for iOS, compiles them all in 1 easy place, so you can see which ones you can stop at for extra fun.

Waze is useful for every drive, especially while on a road trip. The app gives you updates on traffic and road conditions while also providing alternative routes when they’re available.

• Get Rid of Perishables: Avoid buying perishables in large quantities the days before your trip and use up anything that might expire or go bad while you’re gone.
• Clean Up: On a typical day, you can put off taking out the trash or doing the dishes, but that’s not what you want to come home to. You don’t have to deep-clean your home, but tidying up will make your return more relaxing.
• Take Care of Your Mail: If you are out of town for over a few days, you’ll want to ensure your mail doesn’t pile up in your mailbox. You can ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail or even ask the post office to pause service to your house for the extent of your trip.
• Make It Seem Like You Never Left: If leaving your house empty for multiple days worries you, make it seem like there’s someone home. In addition to the above tip for handling your mail, invest in a light or television timer.
• Get a Housesitter: It’s not always necessary to have a housesitter stay over. You can just ask someone you trust to come by and check on your home, water any houseplants, and feed your pets if they didn’t come on your trip with you.
• Turn Off Appliances: Power surges can come out of nowhere, especially if there are storms or construction work in your area. Avoid returning home to damaged tech by unplugging non-essential appliances and purchasing surge-protector strips you can shut off at the socket.
• Let People Know: Make sure you have a few close family and friends who know your itinerary and have copies of all your plans and documents, including a photocopy of your ID. You’ll also want to call your bank, credit card providers, and insurance company to let them know you’ll be traveling to avoid being flagged for suspicious activity.

Road trips are a great way to see the country, but they involve some planning to avoid mid-trip stress and headaches. Plan your route, make sure your car is road ready, and bring plenty of activities for yourself and any other passengers you have with you so hours in the car can fly by in a flash.

Remember to use our helpful packing list to ensure you don’t forget any essentials or overpack for the occasion, and download a few handy apps to make your trip run smoothly.

If you’re searching for inspiration, check out our guide to the best road trips in the U.S. , including routes and highlights.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a road trip be.

Most road trips vary between a week and 10 days because they usually involve driving thousands of miles away from home. However, you can also plan trips that are shorter or longer as long as you’re comfortable in the car.

What not to do on a road trip?

There are a few rules for what not to do on a road trip. The most important rule is not to drive past your limit. If you feel like you’re getting tired, stop for the night or switch drivers for everyone’s safety.

How should I pack for a long road trip?

Consider how long you’ll be gone for and make sure you pack enough to last that long, plus have a few days’ worth of spares just in case. Also, make sure your car entertainment essentials and important items are easily reachable.

What should I not forget to pack for a road trip?

Batteries and chargers for all your tech are essential for keeping yourself and your travel companions entertained while on the road. Also, make sure you have all your travel and driving documents and plenty of water to stay hydrated.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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The Ultimate Packing List for Road Trips (plus Road Trip Checklist)

Published by sarah vaughan on march 6, 2022 march 6, 2022.

As full-time road trippers, we’ve racked up thousands of miles and too many hours to count driving across the country. Each month, we play a game of Tetris to pack all of our belongings into our car and make the trek to our next destination. We don’t have a van, RV, or trailer – just 4 wheels on our Subaru and a trusty car top carrier. We both work full time and our cat, Fitzgerald, travels with us, which means that we’ve become experts in how to pack strategically for a road trip – everything that we need, but nothing that we don’t! In this article, we’ll give you our complete packing list for road trips, including a downloadable road trip checklist to help you prepare for your journey. This carefully curated packing list includes everything that we pack into our car every time we hit the road.

Two Outliers may contain affiliate links – we only recommend products we personally use and love. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Our life on the road

In March of 2021, we got rid of most of our belongings, packed up what was left, subleased our apartment in Virginia and hit the road: California bound! We drove from Virginia to St. Louis in one day, then to Denver the next.

After spending one week in Denver to break up the road trip, we continued to southern California, then to southern Utah, Arizona, northern California, Idaho, South Dakota, Minnesota… eventually we decided we loved life on the road too much to ever give it up and we made this nomadic lifestyle permanent.

We both secured jobs that would allow us to work remotely full-time during the week. We settle into a new “home base” each month with space for us both to work, typically in small towns strategically located near beautiful places with abundant opportunities for outdoor adventuring on the weekends.

P.S: You can read more about us here and check out the top highlights of our Western USA road trip adventures .

Overview | Packing List for Road Trips

Our lifestyle demands lots of road tripping, and over the many miles and hours in the car, packing and unpacking, we’ve crafted the perfect packing list for road trips that we’re excited to share with you!

We’ve learned a ton about what you really need (and don’t need!) on a road trip, and we hope our experiences will save you a little time and frustration.

Every single item that we pack into our mid-sized Subaru Forester for our life on the road is included in this list. As I was writing the list, it was hard to believe all this fits in one car, but believe us, with some strategic packing (plus a car top carrier), it really does!

We want to point out that we do not have children, so our road trip packing list is best for couples, solo travelers, or group road trips.

Be confident you have everything you need with our free road trip checklist!

Our interactive excel road trip checklist is complete with all the essentials you need to pack for your next road trip adventure!

Download our free Road Trip Essentials Checklist

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Our Road Trip Camping Essentials (plus Downloadable Checklist)

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How to Plan an Epic Utah National Parks Road Trip

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Adventurous One Week Arizona to Utah Road Trip

Packing list for road trip essentials.

First on our packing list are key road trip essentials, including tips on keeping your vehicle organized during a road trip, vehicle safety gear, important personal items, and miscellaneous items to keep in the car.

Organization

If you’re going to be spending a significant amount of time on the road, organization is essential. Here are few items we use to keep ourselves organized on the road:

• Plastic drawers | We leave these in our car to hold cooking supplies, camping essentials and hiking gear for easy access on adventures.
• Document organizer |This may seem silly, but when you’re on the road it can be really hard to keep track of important documents (think passports, insurance cards, travel tickets, etc). This organizer is perfect for keeping all our most important documents in one place.

Car top Carrier

Picture this: you’re about to set off on a 12 hour road trip. The car is packed full, car top carrier included. It starts torrentially down-pouring. Everything on top of the car is soaked. Sound like a nightmare? We’ve been there, and trust us, it is.

All that to say, a good quality hardshell rooftop carrier is 100% worth the investment.

Hard shell | Thule Pulse Hardshell, Medium Before switching to our Thule Pulse , we had a cheap softshell carrier and had all sorts of problems with it, from fighting to install it to wind torn straps to wet stuff. Our Thule has been a game changer – lightweight and aerodynamic (better for gas mileage), easy to install, pack and use, built in lock and key, and reliably waterproof.

Roof rack assembly gear | Thule Squarebar Raised Bars & Thule Evo Raised Rail Foot Pack Unfortunately installing a car top carrier isn’t as simple as purchasing the hardshell. Assuming your car already has a basic roof rack (bars that run parallel to the car), you will also need to purchase a set of crossbars (these go perpendicular to the roof rack) and rail feet , to which the carrier will be attached.

Vehicle safety supplies

Perhaps the most important set of items to pack before setting off on a road trip is vehicle safety supplies. You can hope you’ll never need these, but odds are if you are putting a lot of miles under your wheels, at some point they will come in handy:

• Jumper cables | It’s all too easy to accidentally leave a light on in the car overnight, and suddenly the battery is dead. These are always good to have just in case.
• Fix-a-flat | Although just a temporary solution, fix a flat is great to have to avoid having to change a spare tire. However, beware that you can only drive up to 100 miles on it.
• Spare tire | And its always a good idea to brush up on how to change one.
• Tire inflator | A great tool if you are car camping, driving on sandy or dirt roads, or just to avoid scrounging for quarters and waiting in line at a gas station to inflate your tires.
• First-aid-kit | It’s always good to have basic first aid gear in case of an emergency, especially if you are traveling in remote areas.
• Flashlight or headlamps | Again, good to have in case of emergency (also essential for camping while on the road! )
• AAA or roadside assistance card | I’ve had a AAA membership for years and it always pays for itself, especially if you spend a lot of time on the road.

Electronics and navigation

• Cell phone and chargers
• Cell phone car charger | Most of us rely on our phones for navigation these days so it’s important to have a car charger. If you are driving somewhere that you could lose service, it’s also a good idea to start the navigation (GoogleMaps or AppleMaps) before you go.
• Aux cords | To keep yourself entertained with music or podcasts if your vehicle doesn’t have Bluetooth.
• Map | Let’s be real, if you are sticking to major roads and highways in the United States, you probably won’t need to a hardcopy map. But if you are venturing off the grid, driving through national parks, etc you may want a real map for when you inevitably lose service.
• Phone holder | This makes navigating with your phone’s GPS a million times easier. This one is expandable to fit any phone and can be attached to the window, dashboard or vent.
• GPS Device | We primarily use our Garmin InReach Mini for hiking and backpacking, but it’s also great to have in the car on road trips, particularly when traveling in remote areas. It allows you to send texts or an emergency message in areas without cell service.
• Portable chargers | For hikes or excursions along the road, or in case of emergency in the car, we always bring several portable phone chargers – just make sure to charge them before you hit the road!

Personal items/documents

Below are the most important personal items/documents you don’t want to hit the road without !

• Purse/wallet
• Insurance cards
• COVID vaccination records
• Driver’s License

Misc items to bring/keep in the car

The following set of items on our packing list for road trips includes things that we keep in the car at all times to make our lives easier and keep the car tidy (or rather, keep the car from becoming absolutely filthy):

• Vehicle registration | In case you happen to get pulled over. (Tip: pay attention when you cross over state lines – speed limits often change here. Yes, we’ve been burned by an 80mph highway that suddenly drops down to 70mph…)
• Easy pass (or quarters for tolls) | There’s nothing worse than scrambling for cash when you come upon a toll.
• Napkins / Paper towels | Always good to have for the unexpected spill.
• Hand sanitizer | Looking at you, Covid.
• Grocery bags | To reuse for storing trash in the car.
• Pillow and blanket | To keep you comfortable on a long car ride.
• Sunshade | Great for keeping your car cool on a hot day sitting in the sun.

Entertainment

I (Sarah) hate to sit still and long road trips make me very antsy. Packing a variety of ways to keep myself entertained is very important, for the sake of my sanity, as well as Matt’s! Here are our favorite ways to stay busy in the car:

Number one source of road trip entertainment: podcasts! Listening to hours upon hours of music can get boring, and as soon as that happens we switch on a podcast to give us something else to think about. Here are a few our personal favorites – let us know if you have others that you love, we are always looking for new podcasts!

• National Park After Dark | If you love true crime and the outdoors, you will enjoy this podcast. It covers missing person cases, murders, tragic accidents and mysteries that take place in national parks across the country.
• My Favorite Murder | I’m a true crime junkie and this podcast is the perfect mixture of humor and great storytelling.
• Freakonomics | Alright, I may be a bit of a nerd, but Freakonomics puts a relatable twist on economics. It’s a great podcast to get your brain engaged in the car.
• This is Actually Happening | Fair warning, this one can get dark. Personal stories told from the point of view of survivors of tragic experiences of life circumstances, this podcast is intense and totally captivating.

E-books | Kindle

Books are too heavy and bulky to pack in the car, so a Kindle makes the perfect replacement. I always thought I would hate reading on an e-book, but my kindle is lightweight and has a soft light that is easy on the eyes.

Books on tape (eh.. phone) | Amazon Audible

“Books on tape” may be a thing of the past, but Audiobooks (like Audible), are perfect for road trips, especially if you are the one driving.

We use Spotify to listen to music and create our own road trip playlists, and make sure to download them in advance for driving through areas without service. Here are a few of our favorite artists for road tripping:

• Turnpike Troubadours
• Trampled by Turtles
• The National Parks

P.S. If you’re looking for more music inspiration, be sure to check out this list of our favorite songs about adventure and travel and download the Spotify playlist before setting off on your road trip!

Other sources of entertainment

• Computer | If you have an unlimited data phone plan, you can use your phone as a personal hotspot in the car, as long as you have service. We do this a lot to work on planning trips or writing while we travel. We both have 13 inch Macbook Airs and love that they are compact, portable, and have long-lasting battery life.
• Camera /photography gear | One of my favorite things to do in the car is look at photos from the trip and work on editing them in Lightroom .
• Questions card game | If you are road tripping with someone you spend a ton of time with already, you may be looking for some new things to talk about. We love card games, like Thinking and Drinking (without the drinking in this case…) that give you a random topic to prompt new and fun conversations.
• Journaling | When we’re traveling, we love to write about our experiences while they are fresh in our minds and keeping a journal is the perfect way to do so while passing time in the car.
• Portable speakers | Obviously not necessary in the car, but portable speakers are great to have for your final destination or stops along the way. (P.S. we lost our Oontz speakers for over a month and found them outside drenched from many rainstorms – they still work to this day… I’d call that durable!)

Car Camping

Camping while on the road helps save money on accommodations and allows you to stay as close as possible to the places you want to explore.

If you plan to camp along your road trip, you’ll need a whole other set of gear. We’ve compiled a complete list of all our road trip camping essentials to help you pack your car for camping:

In this article, we’ll tell you all our road trip camping essentials, including an excel checklist to help you prepare for your camping trip on the road.

Here’s where the packing list for road trips starts to get tricky. Packing enough clothes that you aren’t doing laundry all the time, but light enough that it fits in the car! Here’s what we pack:

Everyday basics

• Socks | Balega for running and Darn Tough for hiking.
• Underwear | My go-to comfy underwear for exercise and hiking are Sweaty Betty’s .
• T-shirts | Something comfy and versatile (also for running).
• Pants/leggings | Mountain Hardwear leggings are great because they are comfortable for lounging around but also great for hiking!
• Sweatpants | We haven’t found a pair more comfortable than Vuori joggers .
• Pajamas | I live in my Lake Pajamas .

Athletic/hiking gear

The bulk of the clothes on our packing list falls into this category, as most of our road trips are heavily focused on hiking and outdoor adventures:

• Hiking pants | These Athleta Headlands pants are my absolute favorite! Plus all the pockets make them more stylish, so they can double as normal pants. Matt’s go-to hiking pants are his PrAna Stretch Zion Pants .
• Quarter Zips | I have two Smartwool Merino 1/4 Zips and I absolutely love them! Warm, comfortable and stylish, they are the perfect base layer for colder hikes. Matt also has the men’s version of the Smartwool Merino 1/4 Zip.
• Fleece Pullover | The Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip Fleece is so cozy and keeps me warm, from lounging around the house to chilly mornings out camping. Matt loves this pullover from Patagonia!
• Long sleeve base layers | Again, I love my Smartwool long sleeve base layers . They’re a bit pricey but the quality is worth it – they’ll last forever!
• Tanks | I’m obsessed with the Athleta Conscious Crop – a sports bra and tank all in one, and so comfortable for hiking!
• Ballcaps | Perfect for throwing on when your hair starts to look like you’ve been in the car for a few hours (or days…).
• Down Jacket | My Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody Women’s Down Hoodie is lightweight and incredibly warm with 850 fill down. If you hate being cold (like me) this is the jacket for you! The quality is top notch and totally worth the extra warmth. Matt loves his Cotopaxi Fuego Down Jacket.
• Rain Jacket | I pack 2 rain jackets – an ultralight Asics packable jacket (great for running and hiking in warm weather), and my Patagonia Torrentshell 3L with a bit more warmth that makes a great shell over my down jacket. Matt swears by his Outdoor Research Microgravity shell.
• Vest | This WoolX vest is sleek, stylish, and keeps me extra warm!
• Hats | I love this Patagonia hat that matches my down jacket!
• Gloves | Have I mentioned I love Smartwool? My favorite gloves are Smartwool Merino 150 , warm but not too bulky. Matt prefers something with a little more warmth and raves about these Black Diamond gloves .
• Hiking Boots | From long distance backpacking trips to quick day hikes, my Danner Women’s Mountain 600 Waterproof Hiking Boots have never let me down. Matt prefers the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX hiking shoe for their low weight and high durability.
• Running shoes | Hoka One One Bondi – these may not be the most stylish running shoes, but I swear they feel like running on clouds. I’ve trained for 2 marathons with these and I will never buy another running shoe again. For trail running, Matt uses the New Balance Hierro .
• Water shoes | If you plan to be near any body of water, Chacos are essential. I use them all the time for car camping and pack them on hikes that require wading through water to avoid getting wet boots.
• Casual wear | Toms Flats are great for road tripping because they’re small and easy to slip on and off. Matt always packs these super versatile Seavees . They can be worn with jeans for a night out, with shorts around town, or slipped on with sweatpants for a quick run to the grocery store.
• Sandals | I don’t pack a ton of “nice” clothes that aren’t for hiking or running on the road, but these Toms Sicily Sandal are so comfortable and versatile that they’re worth bringing.

Packing accessories

The following list includes everything we use to pack and organize our clothes and toiletry items.

• Packing cubes | We pack all our clothes in packing cubes ! They help you pack more clothes in a smaller space and keep things organized.
• Toiletry organizer | We both use Sea to Summit’s Hanging Toiletry Bag for our toiletries – it’s great for road tripping because it’s compact but big enough to fit the essentials, and also lightweight enough to take backpacking.
• Laundry bag | We always travel with a mesh laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate from our clean ones when we don’t have time to do laundry.
• Backpacks | Since we do a lot of outdoor backpacking, Matt & I both pack all our clothes in our two backpacks (HERS: lightweight 40L Osprey Tempest and midweight 65L Osprey Ariel , HIS : 55L REI Co-op Flash )
• Day backpack | Matt uses the CamelBak Rim Runner 22 with Hydration Pack and I use the CamelBak Women’s Helena 20 with Hydration Pack . They’re both great day hiking packs and double for miscellaneous storage when packing the car.
• Suitcase | In addition to our backpacking packs, we also pack one hardshell Away Suitcase (shared between the 2 of us) that we use for work travel and packing nicer clothes that shouldn’t be shoved into packing cubes.

Food + & Kitchen Supplies

Next we’ll cover the most important road-tripping essential: food! We try to pack as much of our food for road trips as possible to save money on eating out. When packing for road trips, we always make sure to pick food that will last over a multi-day trip and not take up too much space.

Kitchen Supplies

We’ve found that there are few kitchen items that are important enough to bring on the road, and also make life easier in the car. Note that we also pack camping kitchen gear that can also be useful in the car and at Airbnbs/hotels along the road – you can read more about our packing list for camping on road trips here .

• Cooler | Before we get into food specifics, it’s absolutely essential to get a good cooler that can keep your food cold for the entire day (or multiple days). We could not road trip without our Yeti Tundra 35 . Its the perfect size – large enough to fit essential food for a few days, but doesn’t take up too much space in the car.
• Coffee mugs | One of the easiest ways to save money on the road is making your own coffee in a mug , at home or from your hotel room or Airbnb, before you set off. A $20 mug pays for itself in just a few days on the road.
• Water bottle | Again, save money on plastic water bottles and invest in a reusable one.
• Extra water | We originally purchased these 2-liter Platypus bottles to carry extra water backpacking in the desert. But, it turns out they serve another perfect function: packing extra water for road tripping. Fill 2 of these up before you hit the road and never buy a $3 water bottle from a gas station again!
• Utensils | A few reusable spoons, forks and knifes (or sporks ) make life so much easier.
• Reusable sandwich bags | Help the environment and save money on plastic bags = win, win!
• Bottle opener | For cracking a cold beer or popping a bottle of wine when you arrive at your destination.
• Cast iron-pan | Kind of a pain to travel with, but since we cook over the campfire so much it’s worth the space it takes up.
• Paper towels

Breakfast | Yogurts, Clif bar , Stroopwafel

Yogurts may be a luxury if you have limited cooler space but it’s our go-to breakfast so we try to make room, or at least pack one on the first day of the trip. If you want to conserve cooler space, try a Clif bar (cool mint is our favorite) or Str o opwafel .

For lunch , you’ll want to pack something that’s easy to put together in the car and that you can have for multiple meals (if you are road tripping for several days). Here are a few ideas:

• PB&J (on an english muffin) | A classic, simple and easy. Just refrigerate the jelly. To spice it up a bit, use an English muffin instead of 2 slices of bread.
• Turkey & Cheese (with ranch or avocado) | Also easy because all you need to keep cold is turkey meat and cheese, and you can make several sandwiches with one pack. Add ranch or fresh slices of avocado to spice it up!

While road tripping, we usually leave dinner as our one meal to eat out. That’s because packing food for dinner is tough, takes up more space in the cooler, often requires re-heating etc. By the end of the day, we typically don’t want to have to think too much about preparing dinner.

Tasty snacks just make a long road trip that much better. Here’s what we don’t hit the road without:

• Cheese-itz | Cheesy. Crunchy. Crispy. The best.
• Hummus and pretzels | For something a little healthier and full of protein to keep you satisfied on the road.
• Peanut M&M’s | Great for road trips because they don’t melt like other chocolate candies do!
• Bottle of red wine | For winding down after a long day of road tripping. Red wine is perfect because you don’t have to keep it cold. Just open and enjoy!

Pet supplies

If you’re road tripping with a cat or dog, your packing list just got a little longer. We don’t have a dog, but we do travel with our cat, Fitzgerald. Below are the essentials to pack if you are traveling with a pet:

Pet road trip packing list

• Food + water bowl
• Carrier/crate | We usually let Fitzgerald roam free in the car, but safety always comes first. If your pet is distracting while driving, you will want to have a way to contain them.
• Toys | Essential for keeping your pet happy and entertained while on the road.
• Collar and leash with name tag | For moving your cat/dog to and from the car, and just in case your they gets loose.
• Treats | But only for after you arrive at your final destination (Fitzgerald’s all time favorites are Temptations Shrimpy Shrimps )
• Anxiety medication | If your pet is particularly anxious in the car, talk to your vet.
• Comfortable bed or blanket | If you are traveling with a fully loaded down car, make sure you have a comfortable spot for your cat or dog to relax.

Cat supplies

Here are a few extra supplies to pack if you are traveling with a cat:

• Litter house (with a door) | So your cat can use the bathroom while in the car if necessary, without spilling litter everywhere.
• Scratching post | At home Fitzgerald loves his scratching post with hammock . Even though it’s a bit bulky, we always bring it with us on road trips because it means he won’t scratch up the furniture at our Airbnb/hotel/short-term rental. 100% worth the space it takes up!

For more tips on road tripping with your feline, check out this post:

Road Trip Tips

11 Proven Tips for Taking a Cat on a Road Trip

In March of 2021, we set off on a cross-country road trip from Virginia to California, taking our beloved cat, Fitzgerald, along with us!

Remote Work Essentials

Our last bucket of packing items for road trips is obviously optional depending on the nature of your trip. Since we are on the road full-time, we also have to bring with us the essentials for working remotely , which unfortunately means a lot of space in the car. Here are the items we can’t work without:

• Portable monitor | When we first started living nomadically, we hauled our massive monitors around the country with us… not exactly space efficient. Now we’ve both invested in a Foowin 15.6 inch portable monitor . It’s lightweight, and compact, plugs right into your laptop, and makes life on the road so much easier!
• Wireless keyboard | No cord means easy setup each time we move and less hassle packing and unpacking.
• Wireless mouse | Again, easy setup and transport makes a world of difference when you’re always on the move.
• Mouse pad | Since we move around a lot, our work surfaces aren’t consistent. Bringing a mouse pad means we don’t have to worry about whether our mouses will work well on rough surfaces.
• Laptop sleeve | I skip the bulky laptop bag and pack my Mac in a compact sleeve . It provides enough protect from scratches in the car, and also double as a raised workspace.
• Folding card table | Okay, again, this is a huge pain the a**! However, it’s often tricky to find Airbnb’s that have two work spaces, so it’s easier to just bring our own. The legs fold down so it slides easily in the car.

Other useful resources

Planning a road trip in the U.S.? We think you may find the following resources helpful in planning your trip:

• Road Trip Tips | 11 Proven Tips for Road Tripping with a Cat
• Road Trip Tips | Our Complete Road Trip Camping Essentials plus Checklist
• Travel Inspiration | 59 Best Songs About Travel & Adventure
• Zion & Bryce | How to Spend 3 Days in Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks
• Arizona | Adventurous One Week Road Trip in Arizona & Southern Utah
• Grand Teton | The Perfect 2-Day Grand Teton Itinerary

What gear would you add to our packing list for road trips? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Sarah Vaughan

Hello! I'm Sarah, one half of the couple behind Two Outliers! In 2023, I quit my job as a Data Scientist to travel around the world on an epic 15-month journey in search of the world's greatest hikes and outdoor adventures. Matt and I started Two Outliers in 2021 as a place for visitors to find concise, accurate, and honest information to plan their own adventures. We hope our experiences inspire you to hit the trail! Happy Hiking! Sarah

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What to Pack for a Road Trip (+FREE Printable PDF Packing List)

Not sure what to pack for a road trip or just don’t want to forget any road trip must haves? I’ve got you covered with the ultimate road trip packing list with a FREE printable pdf checklist of everything you’ll need. This checklist is perfect for any road trip – whether doing a short day trip or a long cross country road trip.

My road trip essentials list includes everything you need for you and your vehicle as well as fun things to bring on a road trip. For anyone traveling with kids and/or pets, I have also included family and pet road trip essentials to keep them healthy and happy.

The Ultimate Road Trip Checklist

Road trip essential items (that should always be in your car!)

• Driver’s license, registration and insurance information
• Pen and paper
• Cash and coins (for tolls, parking meters or places that don’t accept credit cards)
• Paper map (I always like to bring a paper map just in case as a backup to GPS or my phone dies and I can’t access navigation apps)
• Smartphone (loaded with road trip apps like Google Maps)
• Cell phone car charger
• Extra set of car keys in case you get locked out
• Emergency road side assistance kit – this one by AAA is more affordable or splurge on this one
• Jumper cables, flashlight, duct tape , scissors, pocket knife or seat belt cutting tool if not part of your emergency kit
• Tire chains, ice scraper and snow shovel if traveling somewhere cold in the winter
• Extra gas in a can (just in case you run out of gas!)
• Sunglasses for everyone
• Blankets (for those that get cold from the AC or to keep warm if your car breaks down at night or in the winter)

Food, drink and snacks for your road trip

• Lots of water! (Keep some water both in the trunk and inside the car)
• Insulated water bottle (to keep your drinks cool and to fill up at water fountains)
• Food and snacks – Stock up on non-perishable road trip snacks ( granola bars , fruit, turkey jerky, nuts, dry cereal, popcorn, crackers, trail mix) but you can keep some food in the cooler as well.

Entertainment for road trips

• Travel journal and pen
• Books, audio books or kindle
• Music playlist (here is my free Spotify road trip playlist with the top road trip songs of all time)
• Road trip games ( Mad Libs on the Road , License Plate Game )

Health, safety and personal care essentials

• Face mask or other face covering to cover your nose and mouth when going inside a gas station, grocery store, convenience store or other indoor establishment
• First aid kit (band aids, pain reliever, allergy medicine, anti-nausea medicine, antacid tablets, cotton balls, q-tips)
• Antibacterial wipes or hand sanitizer
• Sunscreen because you can get sun damage from UVA rays (make sure to keep sunscreen in the car so that you can reapply)
• Disposable gloves for filling up at gas stations
• Essential medication and prescriptions
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
• Lip balm, lotion and other toiletries
• Scarf and extra sweater or fleece (to keep warm if the A/C is too chilly)
• Bug spray (I like this one because it is pocket sized)
• Body wipes for when you are not feeling fresh

Other recommended items for your road trip packing list

• Cell phone mount
• Car seat back organizer – This one has an insulated main compartment and this is a good one for kids
• Towels – Can be used as a seat cover, picnic blanket, to cleanup spills or dry off in an unexpected downpour.
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper in case you run into bathrooms without any!
• Plastic and trash bags
• Nail clippers & tweezers
• Reusable shopping bag for when you leave the car to buy snacks or souvenirs
• Day pack (tote or small backpack) – Handy for exploring your destination but also to keep inside the car with your personal items
• Camera – Make sure to keep a camera in the car. Also consider a GoPro for videos or instax camera
• Sun shade to keep your car cool while exploring
• Batteries for any devices you bring and external battery to recharge your electronics (this is one of my travel essential items for any trip!)

Family road trip checklist – if traveling with kids

• Tablet for each kid loaded with movies,books, educational apps and games (my nephew loves this kid friendly tablet )
• Headphones for each kid (my niece loves these headphones )
• Notebooks and colored pencils
• Change of clothes for babies younger children – keep in the car so they are easily accessible in case of spills or illness
• Extra formula/baby food/diapers for infants
• Favorite toys or stuffed animals

Pet road trip essentials – if bringing your pet along

• Leash, collar, tags
• Pet food and bowls
• Vaccination records and medication
• Bed or crate for the hotel room

What is on your roadtrip checklist?

Liked this packing list? Check out some of our other helpful travel essentials guides and packing lists:

• Carry On Bag Essentials List
• Beach Essentials Packing List
• Essential Things to Take to a Hostel
• Best Eco Friendly Travel Products & Accessories to Help You Travel Green
• Practical and Useful Travel Gifts That Every Traveler Needs

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10 Comments

This list is a great resource! I take frequent road trips and I always carry a paper map as well. I learned my lesson on a cross country trip and we ran into several areas where our GPS lost satellite service. Crazy. I know. But now I carry an atlas in my minivan everywhere I go.

Before each trip, I think it is very important for us to plan our safe and comfortable road trip especially preparing car for our trip such as checking basic car features, making sure the tires are in good shape, packing first aid kit, tool-box and emergency numbers.

You’ve got some good tips there. I can pack really fast myself because I travel a lot. I just grab things and put them in my suitcase. I leave my ziplock bag ready so I can just grab that and it has everything in it I need.

I will be going on a road trip this weekend this article is perfect right now. Thank you.

Thanks for sharing so much information. Ideas like these are so useful for a travel freak like me. Looking forward to going for a road trip soon! 🙂

Great list. We’re going on a road trip next month around California so it’s really useful. We need to start making our playlist and downloading a few audiobooks to keep us entertained on the journey.

I should use this as my go-to list for my next road trip. This will help so much and prevent me from leaving my essentials.

Fantastic list! I keep forgetting bin bags lately. Definitely downloading the PDF so I remember everything next time! (Btw you should put your blog name on the PDF!)

Thanks that is a great idea. Will do it next time I revise the list.

Oh these are some really good tips, thanks for putting all together 🙂

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Ultimate Road Trip Packing List w/Printable Checklist

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• Printable Packing Lists

Knowing what to bring on a road trip is essential for a successful journey. But with so many potential items to bring, what should you include on your road trip packing list?

To help you out, we’ve compiled 75 road trip essentials and created a convenient road trip checklist PDF that you can download below:

Click here for our free printable PDF

Ready to start packing? Here's a breakdown by category of the items you'll likely need and a brief explanation of why they're essential for any road trip list:

Important Road Trip Items

The below items should be top priorities for any road trip:

1) Valid Driver's License

Before you hit the road, double-check that your license is still valid and up-to-date.

2) Vehicle Registration

Along with a valid driver's license, you'll also need to make sure your vehicle registration is up-to-date. Keep it in your glove compartment in case you need to grab it quickly.

3) Car Insurance Information

No road trip packing list is complete without car insurance information! If your provider has an app, download it so you always have a convenient way of accessing your policy details. 

4) Maintenance Checkup

Ensure that all necessary maintenance is up to date before you embark on your road trip. This includes checking the oil level, examining brakes and tires, ensuring the car battery is in good condition, and topping off any other necessary fluids.

5) Extra Car Key

Keep an extra key to your car with you in case you're locked out or lose your primary key.

6) Car Manual

When available, keep the car manual with you in case of any issues. You may be able to troubleshoot some minor issues by referring to it. 

7) Toll Transponder

When wondering what to take on a road trip, chances are a toll transponder doesn't always come to mind! But if your route includes any toll roads, make sure to order the necessary transponders in advance, as this can help you save time and money at the tolls.

Cash is an essential road trip item that can't be overlooked or understated. Even though you may have access to a debit or credit card, it's best to carry between $150 and $250 in cash for any emergencies. 

9) Roadside Assistance Phone Number

If your car breaks down, the last thing you want is to be stranded without a way out. Keep the number for your roadside assistance provider in your wallet or phone, so you know who to call if the need arises. You can also contact triple A at 1-800-400-4222.

Road Trip Essentials

The following items are must-haves for any road trip packing list:

10) First Aid Kit

A first aid kit can help in emergencies or minor accidents, so make sure to include one in your road trip checklist.

11) Spare Tire

It's probably there already but just give it a check before you hit the road.

12) Car Jack

This road trip essential is the jam to your spare tire's peanut butter. Make sure it's nestled in the trunk alongside your spare.

13) Jumper Cables

If you ever run out of juice while on the road, jumper cables are a lifesaver. Keep them in your vehicle at all times and you'll be good to go. 

14) Road Atlas

GPS and navigation apps don't always work, especially when you're in rural or remote areas. If you plan on taking a scenic route, make sure to bring an old-fashioned yet updated road atlas as a backup.

15) Wiper Fluid

You'll be glad for wiper fluid when the elements don't cooperate, including dust, dirt, rain, and bugs! Keep the container in the car and top off as needed.

16) Basic Tool Kit

You don't need to be a mechanic, but having some basic tools with you is always helpful in case you need to repair something (think screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, etc.). 

17) Mechanics Gloves

One of the best road trip essentials is a pair of mechanics gloves. These come in handy when making minor repairs on the road, such as changing a tire or adding wiper fluid.

18) Tire Pressure Gauge

A tire pressure gauge is another essential item to have in your car, as it will help keep your tires in good shape.

19) Ice Scraper

If you're planning on venturing in the wintertime, make sure to bring an ice scraper. You'll thank yourself later when you don't have to use your credit card to scrape off ice from the windshield!

20) Duct Tape

One of our favorite road trip must-haves is duct tape. It has a dozen uses on the road, like fixing minor issues with the car or mending a broken suitcase. 

21) Flashlight

Because let's face it: Your phone's flashlight feature can only do so much!

Snacks are classic road trip necessities that can't be overlooked. Pack some healthy options like nuts, granola bars, and fruit to get you through those long drives.

23) Reusable Water Bottle

Hydration is key, so don't forget to bring your reusable water bottle and fill it up at rest stops or restaurants along the way.

Road Trip Basics

Now for the fun stuff! These road trip basics can keep you comfy and looking cool.

24) Sunglasses

By sunglasses, we mean more than one pair. After all, you never know when they'll get lost or broken! 

25) Sunglass Visor Holder

We highly recommend a visor holder like this one for any road trip packing list. It makes it easy to store your sunglasses and reach them quickly without any fuss.

26) Hand Sanitizer

An essential road trip item, the hand sanitizer is the unofficial soap you wish you had after using a restroom at the gas station where there never seems to be any soap! 

27) Painkillers

You never know when a headache or other minor ache may come along, so make sure to pack some painkillers just in case.

28) Travel Mug

You can never go wrong with a travel mug. Bring yours and fill it up at the local coffee shop during rest stops for an extra pick-me-up.

Wipes can be used to clean surfaces, wipe down hands, and even freshen up on the go.

No judgment here—but mints are a road trip must-have. They'll help freshen your breath after all those snacks, and they make a great pick-me-up during long drives.

31) Umbrella

You'd be surprised at how quickly the weather can change, so don't forget to add an umbrella to your road trip checklist.

No more guzzling down your beverages before they get too hot. Instead, just add some ice to your car cooler and enjoy cold drinks at your leisure.

33) Microfiber Towels

There are so many uses for microfiber towels: wiping up spills, cleaning glasses, drying off your car after a wash, and more. Make sure to add a few to your road trip list and you'll be good to go. 

34) Swiss Army Knife

A Swiss army knife is one of the best multi-purpose tools ever made. It comes with multiple blades, a corkscrew, scissors, and more in case you need it. The best part? It can fit in your pocket!

35) Bug Spray

Mosquitos and other bugs may be out in full force, so don't forget to pack some bug spray.

36) Travel Blanket

A travel blanket is a great item to have in your car for those long road trips. Not only will it keep you warm, but it can also double as a makeshift picnic blanket or pillow.

37) Travel Notebook

If you're a planner or like to take notes while traveling, then make sure to bring a notebook with you. It's a great way to keep track of all the places you've been and jot down a few memories along the way.

38) Pen and pencils

You can never have too many of these. Stash a few in your glove compartment for filling out paperwork or taking notes.

Road Trip Personal Items

These road trip items are essential for your comfort and enjoyment:

A hat is great for keeping the sun out of your eyes and hair away from your face. It's a small item, but it can go a long way in making your road trip more comfortable.

A scarf is a great way to stay warm in the early mornings and at night. Plus, it will keep your neck from getting sunburned.

We all know how chilly it can get on road trips sometimes, especially in the evenings. A hoodie will keep you warm and is also a great way to show off your style.

42) Earplugs

Earplugs are key for sleeping comfortably on the road. Whether you're in a hotel or camping, make sure to check these off your road trip packing list.

43) Sunscreen

No road trip checklist is complete without sunscreen. Make sure to use at least 40 SPF and apply it regularly to protect your skin from sun damage. (Don't forget to dab some on your ears, too!)

44) Toothbrush

Good oral hygiene is important, even on the road. Make sure to bring a toothbrush and some travel-sized toothpaste with you.

45) Lip Balm

Chapped lips are no fun! Stock up on some lip balm and keep your lips from getting dry and cracked. 

46) Lint Roller

Lint rollers are some of the most underrated road trip essentials. They can help keep your clothes looking neat during long drives, and they're especially helpful for pet owners with furry friends in tow.

47) Hair Brush

Keep your locks looking neat and tangle-free while on the road.

48) Hair Ties

Hair ties (or headbands if you prefer) are great for keeping your hair out of your face when needed. They'll also come in handy if you're planning on going for a swim or doing any other outdoor activities.

49) Duffel Bag

Of all the things to bring on a road trip, a duffel bag is one of the most versatile items you can have. It's great for keeping your clothes and essentials organized, gaining quick access to your belongings, and providing extra storage when needed.

50) Laundry Bag

We love a proper laundry bag designed for travel so much that we dedicated a whole blog post to it! Check it out .

51) Packing Cubes

If you're looking for a neat and efficient way to store and access your items, we highly recommend packing cubes.

52) Tide-To-Go Pen

Tide-To-Go pens are essential for removing those pesky food stains that can build up during long road trips. Make sure to have one handy so you can keep your clothes looking their best.

53) Liquid Detergent Packets

Another thing to include on your road trip checklist is liquid detergent packets. They're great for hand-washing clothes if you don't have access to a washing machine or need to do a quick spot clean.

Road Trip Tech

Having the right tech gear can make your road trip much more convenient, enjoyable, and comfortable. Here are some top picks:

54) Camera / GoPro

Invest in a good camera or GoPro to capture all the great places you'll be visiting.

55) USB Cable

USB cables will come in handy when you need to charge your phone or other devices on the go.

56) Powerbank

Powerbanks are essential for charging your devices when you don't have access to a power outlet. Make sure to bring one along with you!

57) Car Charger

Car chargers fit into your car's cigarette lighter and can be used to charge your phone or other devices. We recommend getting one with multiple ports so you can charge several devices at once.

58) Phone Mount

If your vehicle doesn't have a built-in navigation system or Apple CarPlay, then you might want to add a phone mount to your road trip checklist. This will help you keep your phone secure and easily accessible while on the road. 

59) Headphones

Headphones are another road trip essential if you're planning on listening to music or streaming while riding as a passenger. Invest in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones to ensure that you won't be disturbed by any outside noises, and consider a headphone splitter if you're the sharing kind!

60) Power Inverter

If your car doesn't have enough outlets for charging all of your devices, then consider getting a power inverter. These devices convert DC power from your car's battery into AC power, which can then be used to charge or use multiple devices at once.

61) Gas Buddy App

You've already thought about what to bring on a road trip, but have you thought about what you might need to download? The Gas Buddy app is a great way to quickly find the best gas prices in your area.

62) SpotHero App

SpotHero is another must-have app for road trips. It will help you find and book parking spots with ease, so you can reach your destination hassle-free.

63) Podcasts App

A selection of podcasts is key for those long drives. Download one of the many available and explore the amazing content out there.

Road Trip Extras

Need some more suggestions for the ultimate road trip packing list? These extras will take your experience to the next level.

64) Trunk Organizer

Trunk organizers can help maximize the storage space in your car, so you can arrange all of your road trip essentials neatly and avoid clutter.

65) Extra Batteries

Depending on the type of tech gear you're bringing with you, you'll probably need some extra batteries. Check your device to see what type of batteries you need and stock up on some spares.

66) Titanium Toothpick

Titanium toothpicks are the pro traveler's best-kept secret. They're great for anyone who wants to travel more sustainably, reduce their carbon footprint , or simply have them on hand after a crunchy meal.

67) Coin Pouch w/Quarters

A coin pouch with quarters is a classic item to include in your road trip packing list. It comes in handy when you need to do laundry on the road, use a vending machine, or pay a toll.

68) Car Vacuum Cleaner

Car vacuum cleaners are lightweight and easy to set up, so you can quickly clean your vehicle in between destinations.

69) Car Trash Can

A car trash can will help you keep your vehicle tidy and organized. Look for one that's leak-proof, has a built-in lid, and is easy to empty.

70) UV Window Shades

UV window shades can keep your car cool and reduce the glare of direct sunlight, especially during long summer trips. Choose a set that's easy to install and remove, so you can quickly adjust them as needed. 

71) Reusable Shopping Bag

Reusable shopping bags are great for packing snacks on the go, carrying items from the store to the car, and reducing your single-use plastic consumption.

72) Sling Belt or Day Pack

A sling belt or day pack is essential for carrying your valuables while you explore new areas. Get one with several compartments and try complementing it with a carabiner or some other locking mechanism. 

73) Apple AirTag

Apple AirTags are great if you want to keep track of all your items while on the road, including your car! They're small, lightweight, and water-resistant. Plus, they work with the Find My App so you can see their location at any time.

Additional Items for Your Ultimate Road Trip Checklist

We promised you 75 items for the ultimate road trip experience, which leaves just two more:

74) Road Trip Playlist and Adventure Songs

No road trip list is complete without your favorite songs and albums to accompany you throughout the trip. If you need some ideas, check out our "Songs About Adventure" post.

75) Road Trip Trivia

Trivia games are a great way to pass the time while you're on the road. They'll keep you and your passengers entertained, all while learning something new. Check out our curated list of road trip trivia questions and answers for some inspiration.

Ready To Hit the Road?

We hope this road trip packing list helps you plan your next journey, whether it's a weekend adventure in the desert or an epic cross-country odyssey.

Happy travels! 🚗🌍💨

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Road trip 101: prepping for your best driving adventure.

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Are you itching to travel but don’t feel like dealing with the stress of an airport and connecting flight? Or maybe you want to explore your own country a bit more? Either way, road trips are a great option for you .

Think about the ocean views you’ll see while you’re driving through Big Sur State Park along the Northern California coastline. Or the vast wilderness you’ll see while exploring the hiking trails of the Olympic National Park along Highway 101.

Just you and your travel mates in the car, no need to mingle with other people unless you really have to.

If you’re a first-time road tripper, here is our Road Trip 101 prep guide to ensure that you have a great trip.

Vehicle Preparation

Airplanes go through a rigorous check before they take off for their first flight. The same practice should also be applied before you embark on a big road trip.

If you’re regularly keeping up with your car’s maintenance schedule as inscribed in its manual, then you’re already on the right track . You should already know if it’s due for an oil change, or tire rotation.

It’s worth getting a professional to check your car if you’re planning on a major overland self-drive trip . You might also want to consider getting them to teach you what to look out for, some quick fixes that you can do, and basic troubleshooting .

Nothing worse than getting into some car trouble in the middle of nowhere and having no cell signal to make a call!

Pack the basic tools you’ll need in case you need to do some minor repairs while on the road. The last thing you want while traveling along the Oregon coast is to get stuck with a flat tire and no tools to change it. Items in an emergency car kit usually include:

• Flat-blade and Phillips-head screwdrivers
• Adjustable wrench
• Wire cutters
• Pocket knife
• Ball-peen hammer
• Fire extinguisher
• Jack and axle stands
• Tire pressure gauge
• Jumper cables
• Safety triangles
• Road flares

In this day and age, I think we’re all pretty much used to using Google Maps on our smartphones.

It allows us to search for nearby attractions, restaurants, and gas stations and gives us the different routes we can take to get there.

You need wifi or mobile data to access Google Maps , but you can download portions of the map so you can access them even when you are offline. This is especially helpful if you are driving through an area with few stops and little reception like along the Historic Columbia River Highway.

To do this, search for the city or area that you are planning to travel to. When the map loads, tap on the name of the place and then tap on Download. Make sure that you are connected to the Internet when you do this.

Do you prefer to use a GPS device instead? There are loads to choose from on Amazon .

Plan your route so that there are plenty of facilities along the way in case you need to load up on gas or use the toilet (taking advantage of available facilities is one of our top toilet tips for traveling women !).

Make sure to also check where the rest stops are in case you need some shut-eye before continuing on your way.

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Food is essential, not just to live, but also to keep everyone in a happy state of mind. There’s nothing worse than being stuck in an enclosed space with someone who’s hangry .

Whether you are camping and cooking your own food or settling into a hotel or Airbnb for the night, it’s always a good idea to pack food that you can easily snack on with minimal fuss and preparation .

While it’s easy to load up your snack bag with junk food, opt for snacks that can give you energy , satiate your hunger pangs, and more importantly, nourish your body.

Fruits are a great choice for snacks as they are packed with vitamins and can also help keep you hydrated. If you are buying fruits, make sure they are on top of your snack bag as they can easily get spoiled or worse, crushed.

For snacks with a longer shelf-life, consider energy bars , good quality beef-jerky (not the gas station kind), string cheese, seeds and nuts, dried fruit, and dark chocolate.

Ready-made Meals

It’s always better to cook using fresh ingredients , but there are days when you are just plain exhausted and can’t bear the thought of getting creative with your cooking. Prepare for days like these with pre-made meals that are ready within minutes and require very minimal preparation.

There are a number of freeze-dried meals available on Amazon that only require hot water to be ready to eat in 10 minutes. Some take it even one step further with fully ready-to-eat meals like this Indian Mushroom Masala .

Need some veggies in your diet? This bag of Frontier Co-Op Soup Vegetables is a great addition to your cooking repertoire. Though the pack is marketed mainly for making soup, dehydrated vegetables can also be used for stews or casseroles. Just be sure to rehydrate the vegetables before cooking and season them well.

Cooking + Eating Packing List Additions

Some other food items for your road trip packing list:

• Camping cooking equipment (pans, burner)
• Matches or kitchen lighter
• Small chopping board
• Spoons, knives, and forks (or a spork )
• Plates 
• Paper towels or cloth towels

Sleeping Arrangements

Where do you plan to sleep at night? Are you pulling into a campground and staying at a cabin or staying at a guesthouse? Are you staying at a campsite and setting up camp?

• Be sure to check out our campervan and car camping packing list .

These factors determine what you would need to bring for your road trip.

If you are staying at a cabin or a guesthouse and made prior reservations, make sure to bring printed copies of your confirmation in case there is a mix-up and they cannot find your booking.

Always double-check what they are providing with your accommodation : Are they providing linens and pillows? Do you need to bring your own travel towels and toiletries?

Provided there is still space in your car for it, bringing your own pillow and blanket is not a bad idea. Regardless of whether your accommodation is providing these, it’s good to have a familiar feeling of home to help you have a good night’s sleep. 

You could also opt for a travel pillow instead which takes up less space and is perfect for getting comfortable in the car.

If you are planning on sleeping under the stars like at the Redwood National Park off of Route 101, here are some camping essentials you need to bring:

• Sleeping bag
• Insect repellant

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Essentials for girls gone camping, packing list for a camping trip to the rocky mountains, packing tips for camping in new zealand, personal necessities.

Sometimes you need to take a break from all the activities and just sit back and enjoy being in a new place. 

It’s important to also bring items that make you happy. Bring that book that you’ve always been meaning to read but never found the time. Bring a notebook and pencil and let the beauty of nature inspire you to start sketching or writing. There’s nothing like a bit of whale watching in Monterey after traveling along the Pacific Coast Highway to inspire you

• Check out this packing list for traveling with watercolors .

Traveling is also a great time to bond with friends and family. Bring games and activities that you can do together while traveling in the car or during your downtime like card games.

Keep the little ones occupied with books and toys that they can interact with while in the car. Play games like “I Spy” while driving to keep the boredom at bay. No doubt there will be lots of unique features to “spy” on while completing your road trip itinerary.

Other personal necessities that you really need to bring with you:

• Clothes and underwear
• Toilet paper and wet wipes
• Disinfecting wipes
• Hand sanitizer

The biggest tip I can give you for packing for a road trip is to PACK LIGHT! Check out HPL’s Handbag Packing Masterclass to learn how to pack for a week in a personal-item-sized bag.

Medicine and First aid

While you can buy first aid kits from Amazon, you must also customize it to suit your personal needs. Aside from the kit, you should also bring:

• Your allergy medication
• Maintenance medicine
• Prescription medication
• Prescription for all of your medication (in case you need to buy extra)
• Multi-vitamins and supplements
• Extra pair of glasses or contact lenses

Take it for a test drive

Are you all set to go on a one-week or more road trip ? If you are planning on going on a major trip that spans a great distance and many days, it would be prudent to take a shorter and smaller-scale trip for you to test drive your packed items and gear.

By doing this, you can see what you really need when you’re out on the road and what you can leave behind.

Popular Road Trips in the USA

If you are feeling inspired to take a road trip now (us too!) there are many popular routes in the US that you can explore.

Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica

We can’t not mention the iconic Route 66 road trip. Start in Chicago and travel all the way across the country to the Santa Monica Pier. This road trip covers eight states and approximately 2,500 miles!

If this seems like a bit much for your first road trip don’t worry we’ve got you covered.

Highway 1 from San Francisco to Big Sur

Road-tripping along Highway 1 , also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, from San Francisco to Big Sur will only take you 4 hours if you go directly (although it’s recommended to take your time and stay overnight in Monterey). Much more manageable for your first road trip.

Make sure to snap a pic of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Bixby Bridge in Big Sur. Also keep an eye out for Pigeon Point Lighthouse, one of the West Coast’s tallest lighthouses. If you wanted to extend this trip you could drive all the way to Los Angeles in Southern California.

Blue Ridge Parkway from Virginia to North Carolina

A great road trip for fall is to take the Blue Ridge Parkway from Virginia to North Carolina because the stunning colors of the fall foliage will be on display. You’ll drive through the Appalachian Mountains and end at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a great place for exploring. 

Olympic Highway around the Olympic Peninsula

A road trip around the Olympic Peninsula from Seattle is perfect if you want to get out of the city. Travel along the Olympic Highway past Discovery Bay and the west side of Sequim Bay and spend the night at the charming coastal town of Port Angeles on your way to the Olympic National Park.

Great River Road from Northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico

If you’re in the mood for some serious exploring, then the Great River Road Road Trip is for you. Follow the course of the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles along the Great River Road National Scenic Byway from Northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll pass through ten states and hundreds of river towns. The drive is 36 hours straight but most people take four to ten days to complete it.

Highway 101 from Portland to Florence

This list wouldn’t be complete without a West Coast road trip along the Oregon coast .  Start your trip in Portland and journey north. Make sure to stop in Cannon Beach where you’ll find the iconic sea stack, Haystack Rock. Then travel south to Florence and check out the historic downtown area before journeying back to Portland.

Got any tips and hacks for road trips? Any particular product that you find useful in your travels? Share them in the comments below!

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Reader Interactions

March 19, 2021 at 3:34 pm

Great checklist! This is similar to my own prep list. I would add sleeping mat (camping ground is often hard and pebbly), head lamp to free hands for chores, audio books or podcast not just music, machete/hatchet/mini square head shovel (for camp site/toilet prep and firewood gathering; also as protective measure).

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The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List — FREE 130 Item Printable Checklist

Hi friends! Planning a road trip is a lot of fun, but it’s not always easy. There are a ton of things to coordinate, from where to go, to when, to what to bring, and everything in between. The amount of prep can honestly be overwhelming, especially if you’re traveling in these uncertain times , and even more if you have to come up with the entire road trip packing list yourself.

There are a ton of resources and Pinterest printables out there of road trip packing lists and prep, but so many of them seem to be geared towards an audience slightly different than mine is.

The fact of the matter is that while I love to road trip as a way of travel, I love it more as a content creation opportunity. I like to consider myself a connoisseur of the modern aesthetic road trip, the millennial road trip, whatever you want to call it — I’m a young woman who road trips for the #content, and because of that, what I need to pack for a road trip can be kind of different.

That’s why I decided to make up a FREE printable checklist of everything I do to prep and pack for a road trip. It’s long and detailed, yes, but it contains pretty much everything I bring or think about bringing before I hit the road. It’s geared toward the modern young woman who’s looking for an aesthetic, instagrammable road trip, and will ensure you that you have everything you need to make the most of your vacation!

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you shop through these links at no extra cost to you. For more information, check out the  disclaimer here .

What’s on the road trip packing list?

This ultimate road trip packing list is really meant to be a super-inclusive guide of everything you could or should do before you leave for your trip, and the things you want to bring on your trip. While I know there are many things that won’t apply to everyone (not everyone has to have a full six-step glow up before vacation like I like to), I hope that it’s at least detailed enough to jog your memory of things you might want to make sure are taken care of before you leave!

I wrote the list from my perspective, which is frankly that of a 20-something white girl. If you’re a family of four trying to figure out what to pack for your children, this checklist may not be for you. Even if you are a millennial woman like me, you may not shave, tan, get your hair done, or need eyelashes to look like a human person — that’s you’re prerogative and I totally support it! However, if you’re like me, I hope you find it helpful!

This road trip packing checklist contains more than 130 things to do and pack for your next road trip. But don’t be scared! It’s long because it’s detailed, and if you skim through each item based on your personal needs and who you are, you should be good to go for any road trip you go on.

Also, this packing list is definitely more for someone who plans to be on the road for at least a week, if not more. It’s a bit of overkill for your day trip or weekend getaway, but for that once-in-a-lifetime cross-country road trip, this checklist should prep you for everything you need!

The printable is divided into two sections, Before You Go and For the Road

The Before You Go section contains a set of action items in the following categories:

• Beauty & fashion
• Electronics
• For the car
• Trip planning

The For the Road section contains an extensive checklist of anything you might want on your road trip packing list, divided into these categories:

• Documents & Finance
• Car Essentials
• Entertainment

Like I’ve said, this list is extensive . However, it includes nods to some favorites that I personally consider necessities on any road trip packing list, like:

• My favorite self tanner (here are 4 other great options as well!)
• My go-to leggings that are supportive enough for working out but comfortable enough for lounging
• My favorite Free People dupe bralette
• The iconic road trip necessity, a butt pillow
• The best car charger out there
• This great Amazon blanket that I love for staying cozy and using as a prop in photos — the colors are so pretty!
• The perfect neutral eyeshadow palette for travel
• The camera and lens I rent for every road trip

Ok, how do I download the FREE printable road trip packing list?

This road trip prep and packing list is totally free to download! Just sign up for my mailing list below to receive your printable packing list in PDF version. Once you sign up, the printable will be sent directly to your inbox!

If you’re not crazy about mailing lists — that’s okay! I’m not either. I promise I won’t spam you, I literally don’t even know how haha. I’ll just send you some occasional updates on what’s going on at Go For Kady, including posts you may have missed, more freebies, and any other major news. You’re totally free to unsubscribe at any time.

All that being said, sign up below for your FREE road trip packing list!

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Complete Road Trip Packing List: Never Forget Anything Again! + PRINTABLE

Kimberly Miles

This road trip packing list will ensure that you have all of the necessities, from cell phone chargers to bug spray. No matter how many miles you plan to cover, keep everyone happy with the right entertainment, safety gear and snacks. Definitely snacks. You don’t ever want to forget the snacks!

When it comes to  planning a family road trip , preparation is key. In fact, being prepared with all of the right travel gear can make the difference between a delightful and disastrous road trip experience.

Mini-road trips are something that I’d gotten pretty used to with my son since his birth. With one set of grandparents 45 minutes across town, we were in the car quite a bit. However, the real test came when I made a 3+ hour road trip alone with him from Virginia to New Jersey when he was just 2 years old.

I knew that if I wanted to keep the stops (as well as the “are we there yet’s?”) to a minimum, I’d need to be well-packed with all the essentials to make it a smooth ride for both of us. And other than the occasional minor traffic jam, it was just that.

With the help of this complete packing list for a road trip with the kids, you’ll also be well-prepared with all of the road trip essentials you need to have the best road trip ever:

Road Trip Packing List Must-Haves

No matter when or where you go, you won’t want to leave home without these road trip necessities:

• Car registration/Car insurance
• Passport and birth certificate
• Travel insurance
• Cell phone car charger
• Charging cables
• Portable charger
• Bottled water

Wallet : This may seem like a no-brainer, but don’t leave home without making sure your wallet is packed with all that it needs. This means making sure your driver’s license, credit cards, cash and coins (especially for the toll roads) are all in their proper place.

Car registration/Car insurance : Whether you’re driving your own car or road tripping in a rental car, you don’t want to drive off without your car registration and car insurance information handy in the glove compartment or center console.

Passport and birth certificate : If you’re planning on crossing the border at any point of your trip, be sure to pack passports and birth certificates for both you and your kids. I like to use a passport wallet such as the  Valante Premium Family Travel Document Organizer to keep our documents organized and in one place.

Travel insurance : A good insurance plan is a must-have to keep you covered when traveling.  World Nomads  is my preferred travel insurance provider and is also great for road trips while abroad.

Cell phone car charger : The last thing you want when you’re out on the open road is a dead cell phone! Keep your cell phone battery charged and ready with a cell phone car charger like the  AILKIN dual-port car charger .

Charging cables : In addition to having the car charger ready, don’t forget to pack the usual charging cables for all of your devices (phone, tablet, Kindle, etc.)

Portable charger : For recharging your cell phone and other devices on the go, I highly recommend packing a portable charger. The  Anker Powercore is the one I never leave home without.

Medication : When traveling with my allergy-prone son, one of the first things I made sure to pack was his Epi-Pen. It’s also important to have over-the-counter medications packed and handy such as Benadryl, Tylenol and Imodium.

Bottled water : Having bottled water on hand is a must-have in the car during a road trip for quenching thirst as well as for cleaning. Opt for a reusable water bottle or large water jug to cut back on plastic waste as well as space.

First aid kit : A must-have on every packing list for a road trip is a well-stocked first-aid kit. Be prepared for emergencies with a portable kit such as the DAVEMED 2-in-1 Travel First Aid Kit .

Road Trip Emergency Kit

While these road trip essentials likely won’t make or break your trip, they are all good to have in an emergency. Even if there isn’t a true emergency, they’ll definitely make your road trip go much smoother as you make your way to your destination:

• Paper map/Printed directions
• Bathroom kit
• Roadside emergency kit
• Phone mount
• Multitool pocket knife

Paper map/Printed directions : Although GPS devices, cell phones and map apps have made it easy to find our way around when road-tripping, a paper map and/or printed directions are good to have handy for backup. Maps can be downloaded from Google Maps ahead of time for use when you’re offline or have limited cell service.

Bathroom kit : For the times someone has “gotta go” but a rest stop or gas station isn’t within reach, it’s good to have a car “bathroom kit” available. Be ready for those off-road potty emergencies by packing toilet paper, tissue, wet wipes, hand sanitizer and waste bag. The roll of toilet paper also can come in handy at the rest stop that has run out of paper.

Roadside emergency kit : For those unexpected roadside emergencies, you’ll want to be prepared. The  BLIKZONE Roadside Emergency Car Kit has what you need for those breakdowns and flat tires such as jumper cables, tire repair kit, tire pressure gauge and other essential car items to help you get to your next destination safely, or at least until roadside assistance arrives.

Spare tire : While most cars already come equipped with a “donut” to temporarily use in case of a flat tire, having a full-size spare tire available is the safest way to get you back on the road during long road trips. Pack a can of Emergency Fix-a-Flat and a reflective triangle too. And make sure you have the equipment you’ll need to change the tire should the need arise. That includes a working jack with all the parts and a wheel lug if your tires require one.

Multitool pocket knife: Choose the brand that works for you but definitely keep one in the glove box. I like the Leatherman Tool . It has 15 tools that come in handy in all sorts of emergencies, from a sharp knife for cutting a seat belt after an accident to a set of pliers for opening a hard-to-open drink for a thirsty kid, which is its own kind of emergency on a long road trip!

Car manual:  Yes, you can Google it, if you happen to be in an area with cell service. But if you’re not — and don’t these thing always happen when you’re not? — you’ll be grateful to be able to page through the manual looking up “what does that dash light mean?”

Phone mount : There’s nothing more dangerous than having to reach for and look down at your phone for directions or to answer urgent calls while driving. That said, I highly recommend having a phone mount such as the  Humixx Car Phone Holder Mount  to help keep your hands on the wheel and not your phone.

Flashlight : Stay out of the dark by keeping a portable flashlight or headlamp handy in the car. Recommended :  GearLight LED Flashlight Pack .

Trash bags : Whether for trash or for the traveler who may get a little road sick, make sure to pack a few trash bags in the car for collecting waste.

Road Trip Essentials for the Kids

For a fuss-free trip, keep the following items on your road trip checklist for the kids:

• Sunglasses/Sun visor
• Diaper changing pad
• Extra diapers or Pull-Ups
• Portable potty
• Travel pillow and blanket
• Books and toys

Vitamix Blender

The “nothing but fast food” feeling is my least-favorite part of travel. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that way. My best travel tip: Pack homemade nut butters, juices, baby foods and more. That allows my family to start our day out right and stay energized on the road. I make them all quickly and easily with Vitamix! Explore all of the amazing things Vitamix can make for your next road trip here.

Snacks : Having healthy, portable snacks are a must-have on the packing list for a road trip with kids. Even at 8 years old, my son still loves to munch on cheerios, granola bars and goldfish during our road trips.

Sippy cup : For washing down the snacks, a sippy cup for your child’s favorite drink is a must-have on the packing list.

Sunglasses/Sun visor : One of the things that would make my son fussy during a long car ride was when the sun was shining in his face. Having child-size sunglasses or a sun visor for his side of the car would always help. I recommend the  iZoeL Car Sun Shade , which has bright letters and numbers for entertainment and learning.

Diaper changing pad : For easy and sanitary diaper changes both in the car and at rest stops, a diaper changing pad is necessary. I would always make sure to keep a multi-functional diaper changing pad such as the  TOPGOOSE Large Capacity Baby Diaper Changing Mat  stocked up with fresh baby wipes, diapers and a change of clothes before my son and I hit the road.

Diapers and Pull-Ups: Bring twice as many as you think you’ll need. That’s why cars have trunks.

Portable potty : For potty-training toddlers or younger kids who are out of diapers but can’t quite wait until the next rest stop, a collapsible, portable potty can save the day. Recommended :  Reusable Banana Travel Toilet Potty Training Seat  can save the day.

Travel pillow and blanket : During long drives and mid-trip snoozes, a travel pillow and blanket will help keep the ride as comfortable as possible for the kiddos. Recommended :  ARELUX Travel Blanket and Pillow .

Books and toys : When road-tripping with my son, I always pack a few new toys or books to keep him busy during the ride. I would also load up his Leapfrog tablet  with new games and movies to keep him entertained and quiet. Don’t forget the  headphones !

Road Trip Essentials for Entertainment

When on the road, these essentials will keep everyone entertained and happy for hours:

• Family-friendly music playlist
• Road trip games

Family-friendly music playlist : A road trip isn’t a road trip without some good tunes to listen to on the way! Load up your device with good family-friendly tunes from Amazon Music or Spotify prior to the trip so that you won’t have to rely on the radio or your wifi for music.

Road trip games : I’ll never forget the days when my family would hit the road for our annual beach trip. With hours to burn before reaching our destination, we’d pass the time with fun road trip games such as “I Spy” or “What Am I Counting?” Now I enjoy keeping my son entertained and off the electronics during our road trips with the same games.

Audiobooks : In addition to games and music, loading up devices with a good family-friendly audiobook or podcast is a great way to pass the time and keep everyone entertained.

Road Trip Essentials: Clothing

In addition to your luggage, it’s helpful to have these extras in the car for the journey:

• Change of clothes
• Rain jacket
• Light jacket/Sweatshirt
• Comfortable shoes

Change of clothes : Messes and accidents can happen during trips. That said, it’s always good to have an extra change of clothes and underwear handy in a carry-on bag.

Rain jacket : A lightweight rain jacket is good to have on stand by for rainy road trips.

Light jacket/Sweatshirt : For cooler temps inside and outside of the car, having a light jacket or sweatshirt is helpful

Comfortable shoes : Lightweight, comfortable shoes are a must for staying comfortable during long road trips. For an easy slip-on, slip-off shoe option, flip-flops are good to have.

Winter Road Trip Essentials

• Ice scraper with a brush
• Microfiber towel .
• Can of de-icer
• Tire chains or cables
• Small shovel
• Hand warmers and blanket

Ice scraper and shovel: For winter road trips, you won’t want to leave home without making sure that an ice scraper and snow brush is in the car. I like to keep them in my trunk year round so that I’m never caught off guard by snow or ice. Add an extra so the kids can help clean the car after a snowstorm! Recommended :  Zone Tech Car 3-in-1 Replaceable Heads Snow Brush Kit . Also pack a pair of waterproof gloves to keep your hands warm and dry while you’re removing the snow and ice.

Microfiber towel : These quick-drying towels are perfect for wiping down side mirrors and foggy inside windows.

Can of de-icer:   It melts ice, snow, and frost on contact, which sure beats standing in the freezing cold trying to scrape an inch of ice off the windshield!

Tire chains or cables: You’ll be happy to have them if you will be road tripping through the mountains. A freak snowstorm can be a scary thing, especially if you’re driving a smaller, lighter weight car. Be sure to pack some cash to pay a roadside installer.

Small shovel : You’ll need this to dig out in the event of a big snowstorm. This small foldable shovel can live in your trunk. Toss in a bag of cat litter or sand too. They help give your tires traction to drive out of the snow.

Hand warmers and a blanket:  You’ll want those if you get stuck on the side of the road waiting for help.

Road Trip Essentials: Miscellaneous

Last but not least, you won’t want to leave these items off of your packing list for a road trip:

• AAA membership
• Packing cubes
• Sleeping bag
• Manual Breast Pump
• Bug spray/Insect repellent

AAA Membership : While not completely necessary, an AAA membership definitely comes in handy when you need roadside assistance. Not to mention, AAA membership comes with great perks including hotel discounts!

Packing Cubes : There’s only so much space in your car. However, you can help make packing much easier and organized with a good set of packing cubes in your luggage. Recommended : BAGAIL 8 Set Packing Cubes .

Sleeping bag : If you plan on sleeping in your car during your trip, having sleeping bags are a must. Even if you don’t plan on it, they’re good to have in case of emergency.

Toiletries : Don’t forget hygiene essentials such as your toothbrush, toothpaste and shower products! A good toiletry bag such as the Bagsmart Travel Makeup Organizer  helps keep everything organized so nothing is forgotten at home.

Travel mug : Keep a travel mug handy for your having your favorite hot or cold drinks while on the go.

Manual Breast pump : If you’re breastfeeding your baby, don’t forget to bring along a manual breast pump  and breastmilk bags for when you need to pump on the go. I can tell you from personal experience that it’s much better than lugging around a big electric pump!

Umbrella : Rainy days happen, and can happen at any time during your road trip. Don’t forget to have an umbrella packed in the car just in case!

Towel : Have a towel handy for drying up messes in the car or drying off when that unexpected rainstorm hits.

Bug spray/Insect repellent : Keep bugs out of the car and off of your skin by packing the bug spray.

Sunscreen : Keep sunscreen handy to protect your skin from the blazing sun while on the road.

Batteries : Having extra batteries on hand is never a bad idea for road trips. You may need them for your flashlight or for the kid’s toys!

Are there any travel tips or items on your family packing list that we didn’t include above? Share with us in the comments below!

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Road Trip Packing List and Preparation Guide

There is nothing more freeing than a long drive down an open road. Road trips are my favorite way to travel, especially during the warm weather months!  You get to see more and you have more flexibility to do what you want because you are not tied to any schedule. 

Preparing for your road trip can make the difference between it being the best trip ever and a nightmare.  It can be overwhelming trying to figure out what to bring on a road trip, especially if it is your first one.

In this post, I share some of my tips on what you need to do to prepare and pack for a road trip.  It’s based on my experience doing road trips in a few different countries in recent years, including a road trip in Portugal and several road trips in the UK , plus my time exploring the US .   

Note: This post contains affiliate links.  Please see disclosure for more information.

What to Bring on a Road Trip

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Not all road trips are the same, so what you need to pack for each road trip may vary.  I created the road trip packing list below to be comprehensive, so depending on the details of your road trip, you may not need everything on the list.   Or you might also want to include some items from this Motorhome packing list if that’s the kind of road trip you have planned.

Just make sure that you are prepared for your road trip because you won’t always be able to stop by the store.  It’s best to make a list so that you don’t forget any road trip necessities .  Below are my suggestions for what to include.

Let’s start out by going over some of the most important things to pack for a road trip.  Some these you may already have in your car.

#1 Driver’s license and paperwork

In the US, you must carry your license and insurance with you when you drive.  I know this is not the case in all countries though.  It’s a good idea to check the requirements before your road trip.

Sunglasses are top of my list of things to bring on a road trip because, for some reason, this is the one thing I forget the most.  Squinting while driving into the sun is not a good look, so bring along sunglasses! It’s also nice to be able to put your sunglasses up when it’s cloudy.  If you don’t already have sunglasses clips on your visor, check out this one on Amazon that can hold two pairs of glasses.

#3 Sunscreen

You may not be at the beach, but if it is sunny you can still get sunburned in your car.  Plus, the tan lines from a road trip are not going to be attractive.  Sunscreen (or sun cream in the UK) has to be on your summer road trip packing list! For my face, I like to use this Neutrogena lotion .  For a day spent in the car, I will also use this Neutrogena lotion for my arms, I like the lightweight feel.  If you plan on going to the beach you need to use a reef safe sunscreen like this one .

(If you are headed to the beach, be sure to check out my Ultimate Packing List for the Beach !)

#4 Windshield/Window Screen

The sun can heat up your car quickly especially if you have a black interior.  I put a screen on the windshield when we park to keep the car cooler.  It will also help prevent the interior of the car from getting sun damage. ( Click here to check price and availability on Amazon).  

You can also get similar screens for the side windows.  ( Click here to check the price and availability on Amazon).

#6 Water/Drinks

When you are doing a road trip it is always a balance between staying hydrating and having to go to the bathroom! It’s important to stay hydrated when you travel.  I am a water drinker myself, but bring whatever you like to drink.

#7 Travel Coffee Maker

Speaking of drinks, you may need some coffee to help you wake up in the morning! There are actually several portable coffee machines that make amazing coffee.   Personally, we love our Aeropress .  It doesn’t need electricity, just hot water.  We love the coffee it makes so much that we use it even when we are not on the road.  Be sure to also bring along your favorite ground coffee .

#8 Travel Mug/Reusable Water Bottle

It’s important to try and minimize the use of plastic bottles and cups, so taking a travel mug or reusable water bottle (like this one ) makes sense from an environmental perspective.  It will save you money and can also help your drinks maintain the appropriate temperature.

A road trip has to have music.  I use Amazon Prime Music because it comes with my Amazon Prime membership and I can access my music on my phone even if there is no signal.  If you are not a music person, then a road trip is the perfect opportunity to listen to an audiobook or podcast. (Be sure to read about all the travel benefits that come with Amazon Prime. )

#11 Portable Battery Charger

We also can charge one phone through our Bluetooth device. Some new cars have USB ports so all you need are cables.   This retractable one for Apple products gives you the flexibility of a longer cord, but keep things neat and organized.

#12 First Aid Kit

You should keep a first aid kit in the car at all times because you never know when you might need it.  It is important to have it on your road trip supply list because something could happen when you are miles away from the nearest store or gas station.  You want a compact but comprehensive first aid kit. I like one by Swiss Safe. Click here to check prices and availability on Amazon.

#13 Toilet Paper

It’s nice to have some toilet paper just in case.  You never know if you will find a good toilet or what the condition of the restrooms you stop at will be.  Better safe than sorry!  If you are worried about the toilet situation on the road, you might want to try a female urination device. It lets women go to the bathroom standing up.  ( Click here to check out the GoGirl Female Urination device on Amazon ). 

#14 Hand Sanitizer

On a road trip, there are going to be times when there is no place to wash your hands.  Hand sanitizer can be a lifesaver. A small bottle, like this one , will probably last you a few trips.  In the winter, you can put hand sanitizer on a frozen lock to melt the ice.

#15 Squeegee/Scraper

It’s more pleasant to drive with a clean windshield, plus it’s important if you want to take photos or video.  Best to bring along a squeegee like this one .  It can double as an ice-scraper if you are doing a winter road trip. If you plan on traveling where you expect snow, you might what something more heavy duty like this snow scraper with a brush.  

(If you are planning a cold weather trip, be sure check out my winter packing list .)

#16 Blankets

If you are like me and get cold easily, you might want to bring a blanket.  That way everyone in the car can be more comfortable. If you want to splurge, check out this electric blanket that you can plug into the lighter of your car.

#17 Pillows

#18 Trash Can

On a road trip, you are going to have some trash, unfortunately, so you will need something to keep it contained to make sure the car stays nice and neat.  You can line a cereal storage container ( like this one on Amazon) , with a trash bag and you have a trash can that doesn’t take up too much space and contains any smells.

#19 Air Freshener

Just like you have an air freshener at home, it’s nice to have one in the car to keep things from getting stuffy.  I prefer the ones that you can clip on to the vents and adjust the level of intensity of the scent like this air freshener .

#20 Jumper Cables

Hopefully, (and most likely) you will not need jumper cables, but it’s a good idea to always have some in your trunk. You can pick up some jumper cables on Amazon for much less than what it would cost for a tow truck.  Honestly, it’s a good idea to keep jumper cables in your car, even if you are not on a road trip.  Alternatively, you could get a car battery charger .

#21 Cash/Small Change You should research the toll process for the areas that you will be driving through.  In some cases, you can pay online or even get automatically billed. In other cases, you may need to have cash to pay the tolls.  It’s best to be prepared so that it doesn’t catch you off guard. If you will be going through lots of toll booth that require change, you might want to get a coin organizer like this one

If you have a newer vehicle these items may already be built into your car, but if you have an older vehicle like we do, you might need these gadgets on your packing list for your car trip!

I know a lot of people have GPS built into their cars, but since we don’t, we like to use google maps or WAZE from our phones for navigation.  It’s important to make sure that you have maps that you can access when you don’t have any cell signal. We download google maps for the areas that we plan on visiting.  Make sure you do the download while you still have wifi because it is a lot of data.

Having GPS can really help when there are unexpected road closures. The GPS can find detour routes that I don’t think you would have ever been able to find on your own.  It gives you an estimated time of arrival and alerts you to potential travel problems – both of which are invaluable! 

I  know some people still prefer old-fashioned maps and there is nothing wrong with that, but make sure you get maps that are up to date and have sufficient detail.  I like the Rand McNally spiral bound ones because they are easier to use. ( Click here to check the price and availability for the Rand McNally USA atlas ).  Alternatively, if you plan on going off-road and don’t mind using an app, you might want to consider a membership to onX .

In the UK, the gold standard is Ordnance Survey Maps, which include hiking maps, in addition to the road maps.  You can buy the paper maps on Amazon here or download their app .  Some of the features of OS Maps app are free, but others require becoming a paid premium member.

Bluetooth Kit

Since we play Amazon music from our phones, we use a Bluetooth kit that plugs into the car’s lighter so that we can hear the music through the car’s speakers.  You just have to make sure your radio is tuned to the right channel. It also has a USB port to charge your phone too. ( Click here to check price and availability on Amazon ). 

The Bluetooth device allows you to use your phone hands-free.  This is also especially important when traveling on your own.

If you are like us and want to be able to document your road trip, you are going to need to bring the right equipment.  Depending on how serious you are about photography, these items could make up a large portion of your road trip gear.

If you have one of the new phones with excellent cameras, you don’t need to bring a separate camera.  Since we do a lot of photography, we also bring a mirrorless camera, the Sony A6000.  We have had it for awhile now and have been very pleased with the quality of photos it takes. ( Click here to check current price and availability on Amazon ).  If you want a newer model, it’s the A6400 .

We also bring along a few different lenses and filters, but for beginner photographers a good camera is fine.

We have the Andoer Q666C Carbon Fiber tripod.  It’s lightweight, comes in different sizes, folds up to fit inside a backpack, and can convert into a monopod.  ( Click here to check current prices and availability on Amazon for the Andoer Q666C ).

GoPro & Mount

We upgraded to a GoPro hero black 7 ( click here to check the price on Amazon ) to film our youtube videos.  It’s easy to use and it takes high quality (4K) video.  Since then the GoPro hero black 8 has been released.  While it does have some nice new features, we haven’t felt the need to upgrade yet.  Get more information about the GoPro 8 here .

For road trips, I like to get some driving footage.   Clipping the GoPro to the sunvisor has not worked too well for us.  I usually end up holding it while Russell drives. If you want your hands to be free, it might be worth getting a dashboard mount like this one . More on some of the accessories we use with our GoPro coming up in a future post.

If you are thinking about getting a drone, DJI now has the Mavic Pro 2 or the Mavic mini might be a more affordable option.

I have done a few long drives on my own.  It’s a great way to clear your mind, but it can be more challenging than if you have a co-pilot.  You don’t have that extra set of hands!  There are a few more things you need for a road trip when you are traveling solo.

Phone Mount   

If you are driving in an unfamiliar place it can be hard to figure out the directions and drive at the same time.  Make sure you review the route prior to starting out and if you are using a phone for GPS, get a holder to make it easier to see when you are driving.  Just a friendly reminder you should not use your phone (especially texting) while driving. This one is easy to install, fits most phones, and is simple to use.

GoPro Mount

Also, if you want to film using your GoPro, I would definitely recommend getting a dash mount since you won’t have anyone else to hold the camera. ( Click here to check the current price and availability of the dash mount on Amazon. ) Again, make sure you set it recording before you set off, and don’t use it while driving.

Personal Safety Device

You always need to be thinking about your personal safety, but it is even more important when you are doing a solo road trip.  Many cars have an alarm that you can activate, but if something happens when you are not by your car or in a deserted area that may not be enough.  

In general, I would recommend that you bring along pepper spray, like this one , or something to that effect.   You should research the laws related to pepper spray and personal safety devices for all the locations you will be traveling through on your road trip to make sure anything you use complies with the rules.

If you are bringing the kids, you are going to need to keep them safe, comfortable, and entertained so that they don’t keep asking “Are we there yet?”  You can only play “I spy” for so long! I don’t recommend bringing books because a lot of kids get sick reading in the car, but you might want to try some of these road trip activities for kids .  Also, considering adding these items to your checklist for a road trip.

Car Seat and Seat Belt Cover

You need to make sure you have car seats that comply with the laws of the places that you will be traveling to.  (Check out this guide for traveling with a car seat ).  Kids in booster seats with a seat belt might appreciate a seatbelt cover like this .

Your road trip clothes packing list does not have to include anything fancy.  I always try to find outfits that are stylish and comfortable at the same time, and this is especially important for a road trip.  Keep in mind you will be sitting for long periods of time, so don’t wear anything too tight.  Compression socks might also be a good idea.

Also, be sure to check the weather and make sure you dress for the forecast.  It’s always best to dress in layers so that you can easily adapt to changing temperatures.

One of the good things about taking a road trip is that you don’t have to worry about any airlines baggage rules! I tend to bring a lot with me! Still, you need to be able to find what you need when you need it.  I keep important papers (like insurance documents or the car rental agreement) and other small items in the glove compartment and some snacks and water within an easy reach. The rest of the road trip items go in the back seat or the trunk.  

If you are one of those people that like packing cubes, you may want to get a trunk organizer to help you keep essential road trips items neat and orderly.  I like this one that folds up easily when you don’t need it.  If you want to keep more in the back seat, you can get a road trip organizer ( like this one ) to help keep things tidy. I also recommend making a road trip packing checklist to make sure you have everything before you head out.

In addition to making sure that you have all the essentials for your road trip, it is important to make sure the car is in good working condition before you take off.  Nothing can ruin a road trip like car problems. Luckily, if you check a few key things as part of your long drive preparation, then the risk of an issue is greatly decreased.

Don’t wait until the morning you are leaving on your road trip to do you car readiness check.  If you find something wrong, you may need time to fix it, so please check at least a few days in advance. If you are renting a car, I wouldn’t worry about this too much, but if you are going in your own car you might want to go through this checklist of items.

You need to check the air pressure in your tires to make sure they are properly inflated.  It’s best to perform the check while the tires are cool.  Check your owner’s manual for specific guidance on inflation levels.

You will also want to make sure the tread on the tires is not too worn.  If the tread is worn, you should consider replacing the tires before going on a long road trip. Make sure you also have a spare tire that is pumped up before you hit the road.

Check your oil and add more if needed.  Be sure to check your car’s owner manual for specific directions for your car.   Consumer Reports also has information about how to check your oil .

Windshield Washer Fluid

It is a given that your windshield will get dirty on a road trip, so you want to make sure you have the fluid to clean it.  In the US, most gas stations provide liquid and tools for you to clean your windshield when you fill up with gas for free. However, this is not the case in England, they even make you pay for water!  

If you need a refill, why not try Bug Wash Windshield washer fluid that helps removes bug residue, road grime, bird droppings, and tree sap. Click here to check price and availability on Amazon.

Be sure to check that the coolant level is above the minimum level.  If not, you can add water. You will find the coolant under the hood.

You should check to make sure that headlights, brake lights, and indicator lights are all working.  If not, you should replace since you can get a ticket for lights that are out. You also might want to add some spare lights to your road trip supply list in case one goes out during your trip.

It’s always a good idea to start your road trip with a full tank of gas.  If you need more gas, I recommend filling up the night before to save time during your trip.

Some countries will require that you carry proof of insurance.  You should check to make sure your car insurance will be valid over the course of your road trip especially if you are doing an international road trip.  Additionally, make sure that anyone that is going to help out with the driving will also be covered.  It’s smart to make sure you have the phone number for the insurance company with you, just in case.

If you are renting a car, I would recommend either purchasing insurance or verifying that you will have car insurance through the credit card that you used to book the car rental .

Road trips are my favorite travel but just like other trips they do require some preparation.  This ultimate road trip packing list should help you get organized.  If you need some inspiration for where to go, check out this post about the best road trips for couples .

What are some of the things that you do to get ready for a road trip?

• Take my road trip packing ideas and create a tailored road trip checklist for your own trip.
• I would recommend that you do your car safety checks a few days in advance and not the morning that you need to leave.
• Research the driving regulations for all locations that you will be traveling through.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means we will receive a small commission for some purchases made using links in our blog with no additional cost to you.  Please be assured we would not promote any product unless we believe that our readers will also benefit.  The commission does not influence the editorial content of this site.

Two Traveling Texans is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Last Updated on May 14, 2021

About the Author

Anisa  

Anisa is an experienced international traveler with extra pages in her passport and stamps from 41 different countries across 5 continents (and counting). She was born and raised in Texas. After a 13 year stint in NYC, she moved to England to live with her husband.

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Ultimate Road Trip Packing List Printable Guide

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Our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List Printable Set contains all the printable road trip checklists and tips in this post, plus bonuses! So if you’re pressed for time, feel free to grab a copy and print it out to read later.

The printable contains:

• 3 seasonal printable packing lists for adults
• Bonus: 10 Road Trip Hacks for families
• Printable Basic Planning Questions for planning a family road trip
• Road Trip Essentials List for the Car/ Van
• Home Prep Check List
• Cooler packing lists for day trips and long trips, ideas for snacks, and some other handy lists.
• BONUS: 2 versions of the Kids Visual Packing list for pre-readers
• BONUS: 2022 list of most popular National Park sites in the US, including seasonal information to help plan your visit.

Table of Contents

Road trip with kids – yay or no way.

Most people fall into one of two opinions about road tripping with kids. Either they love the idea, or they shudder at the thought of being trapped in a car for long drives with young children.

We are firmly of the opinion that a family road trip can be a happy and memorable experience! We say that based on our own childhood road trip experiences, as well as from our road trip experiences as parents of six children. 

Expert Family Road Trippers

Our family has made several long trips from San Diego, California to Edmonton, Alberta and back. We have driven the I-5 from Portland to Los Angeles dozens of times. Last summer, we completed a month-long cross country road trip from Oregon to Georgia and back.

We’ve taken babies as young as eight weeks old on road trips, and logged more than 100,000 miles with our children in tow. Our whole family has traveled in cars, minivans, and full-sized vans.

@dinkumtribe Road trips with toddlers can be super challenging, so plan plenty of extra time in to make it easier. #roadtrippin #roadtripwithtoddlers #adhdfamilytravel #familytravelcreator #familytraveltiktoker #oregonfamily #pnwfamily #pnwfamilies #oregonfamilies #familytravelvlog #familytravelblog #familytravelblogger #familytravelvlogger #familytravelinfluencer #travelwithkids @dinkumtribe #roadtripwithkids #roadtripwithatoddler #familyroadtrip #familyroadtripsbelike #familyroadtrip2022 #familyroadtrips ♬ original sound – DinkumTribe ADHD family travel

We’ve made road trips in cold weather, and in hot weather. We’ve done lots of low-budget road trips, and a couple “blow-the-budget” trips too!

The best way to ensure a successful trip with your family is to plan ahead by using the most complete road trip checklists available. It’s a good idea to be flexible in your thinking, but also to prepare well.

Dinkum Tribe’s Complete Guide to Road Trips With Kids

In this post we’re going to give you all of our best tips for fun and memorable road trips with your family. At the end we’ll share our best road trip packing list printables and variations (such as a winter road trip packing list). Read on to plan your best trip ever!

Basic Planning Questions

There are so many factors to consider when you are planning a road trip. Get clear on your priority for the trip, and go from there. 

For many of our previous trips, the priority was to attend an event: Christmas with grandparents, family reunion, church conference , and so on. If that’s the kind of road trip you are planning, that will preempt some of the questions below. 

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However on our most recent road trip, we had complete flexibility in terms of dates and timing, and a big budget. The priority for that trip was to see my cousins in the American South, but everything else could fit in around that. That flexibility made our summer trip our favorite so far!

So here’s some questions to help guide your planning.

How long will your trip be?

• Do you have specific limits on the beginning or end dates ( school starting or ending, vacation time limits, etc.)?
• How much time will you need at home (before the trip starts) to prepare? 
• Will you need time to rest or complete at-home tasks after the trip ends?
• How long do you want to be away?
• Are there holidays or events happening that could impact your trip (a long weekend tends to create more traffic)?
• Are you traveling with the intention to attend a specific event (festival, family event, business event)?

Where are you going? 

• Do you have a specific destination?
• Are there certain stops you must make, or certain places you want to avoid?
• How quickly do you need to travel?
• Are you able to make multiple stops, or do you need to cover a lot of miles in a short amount of time?
• Will you take the same route coming and going?

What budgetary considerations are there?

• Where are you planning to stay: in hotels, AirBnBs, hostels , or are you camping?
• Are there places you need to make reservations for far in advance (more than a couple weeks ahead of time)?
• Will you eat out often , bring your own food , or cook along the way?
• Are there activities you plan to do that will require specific equipment?

Travel Flexibility

We have made many trips where the timing, budget or destinations were fixed and there was little flexibility to our plans. Those trips were stressful for us as parents , and difficult for the children as well. 

When you are traveling with young children, we strongly recommend building in lots of margin. Margin in the budget, margin in the timeline, flexibility in the activities. This will make road tripping so much more fun for everyone, and you will be surprised at how many new discoveries you make when you are willing to go with the flow!

@dinkumtribe My take on road trips with a newborn. @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe #roadtripwithkids #roadtripwithbaby #roadtripwithababy #roadtripwithanewborn #roadtrippers #familyroadtrip #familyroadtripsbelike #familyroadtrips #roadtripwithus #roadtripwithtoddlers #roadtripexpert #familytraveltips #familytravelblogger #familytravelcreator ♬ original sound – DinkumTribe ADHD family travel

Travel insurance can be a great way to give some peace of mind in case your plans unexpectedly change. The extra cost involved in purchasing travel protection is much less than the cost of cancelling your entire trip due to an unforeseen emergency.

Things to think about as you set up your itinerary/route

What time of year are you going.

Many places have special events or festivals that are seasonal and definitely worth seeing! Visiting hours at many museums and other destinations have hours that change based on the the time of year. Always check ahead to make sure your planned activity or destination will be open when you arrive!

Are there weather considerations you need to prepare for?

Blizzards, extreme heat, tornadoes, dust storms, hurricanes, can all throw a wrench in your plans! For example, in many years of driving Interstate 5 from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon, we learned to check the winter weather forecast for snow.

The mountain passes often shut down completely for a day or two when a snowstorm goes through. Alternate routes add anywhere from 6-18 hours of drive time—ask us how we found out!😉

How will you handle unexpected illness? 

We dealt with two colds that went through our family over the course of our road trip last summer. We ended up sleeping in later, and dropping some activities because people were simply too tired. 

Talk things over with your fellow travelers so that you’re on the same page about unexpected developments. If you have to cut out an activity or two, which ones will you eliminate?

Are there local events happening that may impact tourism and travel options? 

Take time to visit the destinations travel website, sign up for newsletters and free travel guides so that you can travel proactively.

Last year we stayed in Custer, South Dakota for several days in August. We did not realize until we got there that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was in full swing. Every popular tourist destination was full of loud motorcycles, and our kids with auditory sensitivity found that difficult.

How long do you want to be driving each day? 

Our family gets cranky and unreasonable past 7 or 8 hours total drive time. Even if the drive time is broken up by interesting stops, we’re all done with being in a vehicle after 7 hours. We try not to do more than 2 long drive days in a row, because that causes more fatigue.  

We found that we could drive until midnight but when we did our kids would wake up fresh out of six hours of sleep. We’d pull into the hotel exhausted and our kids were refreshed and ready for action! Tired parents hushing excited kids at midnight is not a happy situation.

Likewise, we’ve tried our share of overnight hauls. We found that the time savings for the trip wasn’t worth the risk of driving while fatigued. If you have older children who can help with the driving, this might work for your family, but it didn’t work for us.

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Another limit for us is how many nights we have in one place. Every two or three nights, we try to plan for a place to lodge for more than one night, so that we can do laundry and not have to pack up again every single day. 

What kinds of things do you want to do and see on your trip?

For our big road trip, we let each person, adult and child, decide one thing that was their top pick. Then we made sure to hit that for each person. 

My big one was Mt. Rushmore, and my husband’s was the Badlands . One of our kids was dying to see the whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium !

Once we had our trip set up to hit our big items, we filled it in with activities and stops that would appeal to several family members. It made for an epic and memorable trip, and every kid felt like they got to do their thing. 

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We also built in a couple “regroup” days. These were days when we caught up on sleep and did all the adulting things that need to happen to keep life going. That included bank errands, car care, phone calls, laundry and so on. We highly recommend planning in a couple regroup days, based on the specific needs of your family.

Lodging options

Now that you have your route and basic itinerary set up, it’s time to make preparations! The first thing we did for our road trip was to book lodging. 

It’s pretty hard to visit a place for any length of time if it’s not near somewhere you can stay overnight. We stayed in several hotels, two AirBnBs and also stayed with s everal family members in the South . Each option has advantages and disadvantages. 

Hotels are one of the more expensive options, especially as a family of 8. We have found very few hotel suites that can accommodate all of us, so we nearly always have to book two hotel rooms. 

We don’t want our minor children staying in a room by themselves yet, so the hotel option means Mom and Dad have to sleep separately. That gets frustrating after several nights on a long trip! Also kids usually have to share beds in a hotel room, so they don’t sleep soundly. 

Pros and cons

Hotels have rules about noise, rules about when to arrive, and when to leave. Breakfast is on a schedule, if there is one, and options for doing your own cooking/ eating in are minimal. Hotels are frequently the least flexible option for lodging on a trip. 

However the major advantage of a hotel is that they are everywhere , and often close to major attractions or tourist areas. Free breakfast may be included, and cleanup is minimal. A hotel is a great option if you just need a place to bunk for one night.

A hotel may be near an attraction, but it’s also right next to the busy street, the mini-mall, and the highway. You’re going to be pressed to find a place to hang out with the kids other than the pool and the parking lot. It’s a lot like a studio apartment— it’s a good place to sleep, but you’ll have to do a lot of life elsewhere.

Airbnb/ VRBO/ Rental properties

AirBnbs, or other similar rental properties, are fantastic options for a large family. You can usually ensure a bed for everyone, which means better sleep all around. 

There is usually a full kitchen and laundry facilities, so you can have a more “at-home” comfort experience. There are often open areas to spend time together, and you don’t have to worry so much about the noisiness that is ever-present with lots of kids in a family. 

The disadvantages of a rental property are that there is more work involved. You usually have to do some basic cleaning before you leave. You will have to do the cooking yourself, or order in. No one cleans up after you each day. 

There are also rules about when to arrive and when to leave. With a rental property, it’s hard to know what exactly you’ll be getting at the place until you walk in. It’s easy for pictures to look amazing. But then you walk in and realize that the floorboards are super creaky, or there’s a lot of dust, or a strange smell. 

Hotels are less likely to have those unexpected issues. When they do, there is usually another room available on short notice. 

Staying with family, or with local friends

Staying with family, or with local friends, can be a fantastic option! We were specifically making our trip so that we could spend time with our cousins and our kids could get to know each other. By staying in our cousin’s homes, we all got LOTS of time together and it wasn’t all structured around a meal, or an activity. It was just everyday life together. 

If your goal is to spend time with people and get to know them staying in their home is a great way to do that, if people are able and willing to host you. You will also find out about local favorites that may not be as well-known or as “touristy” as other places. 

The challenge of staying with local friends or family is that you will have less freedom to determine your routine and schedule. If your lives and general approach to life are super different, you’ll find it stressful to be together for such a long time. You’ll have to be ready to work with your hosts for scheduling and food, and activities. 

Camping is another option we considered, but ultimately decided against for this trip. Of all the lodging options, camping requires the most prior preparation . 

You will need to think ahead about weather and temperatures for your location. Be sure to check the weather forecast frequently as you get closer to the camping days. 

You will probably want to reserve your campsite ahead of time.  Popular national park destinations need to be reserved several months, or even a year in advance. Many campsites require minimal to no reservation— however if you pull into a campsite at 11:00 PM on a “walk-in” basis you’re likely to get stuck with the last (and worst) option.

You will need to bring appropriate gear for all the activities you plan on doing – hiking, sleeping, cooking, hygiene, everything. Experienced campers who have camped a lot near their home may find camping on a road trip to be manageable and fun. 

However we hadn’t done much camping, so for this trip we decided to stick with more predictable options. My cousins, who often camp on trips, recommended that you be prepared to book a hotel as a backup plan if something just isn’t working about the camping experience. 

The app that does it all!

We HIGHLY recommend using the Roadtrippers app for this process! We used the app to plan our month-long road trip from Oregon to Georgia and back last summer. It made the entire trip so much more fun and smooth! 

We made over 45 stops at different places along the route coming and going. That’s a lot of information to track, but the app does it perfectly. 

Read our full review , and use our affiliate link to sign up for a discount on the year-long membership. We make a small commission on eligible purchases—thanks for supporting our family business!

Should you use a rental car?

We have done a couple of road trips with rental vehicles. Honestly, we prefer our own car whenever possible. We already know all the ins and outs, and idiosyncrasies. We found that we drive most comfortably, and safely, in our own vehicle. 

The other thing is that a rental vehicle has requirements when you turn it in, that can add time and stress to the end of your trip. No thank you! 

We also recognized that with a rental car or van, we did not have the same freedom to explore. We might risk a gravelly side road with our own van, but definitely not with a rental!

Getting things ready!

We had 6 weeks to get ourselves ready for a month-long road trip. I do NOT recommend such a short preparation window! Having said that, here’s the timeline we followed to make it happen.

1. Booked lodging

Book rental houses first, as they tend to be full near prime locations. Hotels are more likely to be able to accommodate you on short notice.

2. Booked pet lodging/ care

We discovered that finding a place to board our pets on short notice was difficult. During holidays and vacations the pet boarding facilities tend to fill up quickly If we knew our neighbors better, or had good friends living nearby, we might have opted for a house sitter instead, since we have 3 cats and a dog. Pet boarding was one of the most expensive things about our recent trip.

3. Prepped home

We set up our timer watering system, put a hold on our mail, communicated with our neighbors. Every home is different, but I have included a list of standard considerations in the next section of this post.

4. Prepped vehicle

Have your local trusted mechanic give the vehicle a once-over to make sure that tires are in good condition, an oil change is up to date, and wipers work. Make sure that you know how to change a flat tire, and have the mechanic check your spare tire.

If you are driving in remote areas , you will also want several things in your vehicle to ensure you’re prepared for unexpected eventualities, such as a flat tire, dust storm (Arizona) or blizzard (many states in winter). We have a complete vehicle prep list in our road trip packing list printable set at the end of the post!

5. Reserved destinations and activities

Many National Parks require reservations , or have capacity limits, especially during the COVID era. We found out on this trip that the Gateway Arch NP required reservations several days ahead of time, and we were not able to go up into the Arch. ☹️ On another occasion we discovered that Alcatraz required a two-week prior reservation! Look for more tips about National Parks further down in this post.

If you tend to be a “fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants” traveller, be aware that you may miss some discounts by not reserving your important destinations ahead of time. We got discounted entry into Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun by buying ahead of time, and our preschooler was able to sign up for the free preschool entry ticket. Yay for discounts!

6. Purchased trip necessities

Car needs, snacks, entertainment for long drives … It’s best to do this at least few days ahead of your departure date. That way you have a couple days to purchase a few unanticipated items that show up in the last days leading up to your departure.

You’ll also want to download audio books, apps, games, and videos while at home if possible. Wifi in other places can be unpredictable and not as secure.

@dinkumtribe #roadtriphack #roadtriphacks #familyroadtrip #dinkumtribe_roadtriphacks ♬ original sound – DinkumTribe ADHD family travel

We have loved listening to audio books with our kids on trips! We find that it greatly enhances our enjoyment of the trip, especially if the audio book is relevant to the places we’re seeing.

On our recent trip, we listened to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s first three Little House books as we drove through the areas she lived in. Our kids really got a feel for life on the prairies!

7. Checked packing lists and updated clothing as needed

We needed to get all of our kids water shoes for this recent trip, so that took a bit of extra preparation. We also make a point of having at least one brightly colored shirt per kid so that they are easy to find in crowded theme parks or other locations.

Matching family shirts can make it super easy for other adults to connect you with your kid if there’s any sort of mix-up. 

8. Preordered prescription medications.

Ugh. This one smacked us around last trip. We found out that ADHD medications cannot just be ordered from any pharmacy in other states.

If you have specific medications that you need, check in with the doctor ahead of time to make sure you won’t run out while you’re away. The important thing is to ensure you can get it locally on your trip, or bring enough with you.

We wound up with no ADHD medications for 4 members of our family on the last two weeks of the trip. We still had a great time, but it would have been less stressful for everyone if we had done a better job of getting that set up ahead of time.

9. Started packing

I tend to get out the packing lists about a week ahead of time to make sure my kids actually have enough clothes before the trip. Somehow there is always a kid who discovers that all their socks are hole-y right before we leave!

I don’t mind buying things on a trip, but since Oregon has no sales tax, it’s cheapest to buy stuff here! We do a “dry run” on packing for that reason. 

I typically allow my kids a lot of freedom when it comes to choosing clothes for a trip. However, sometimes a specific event or destination will require more specific types of clothing (like a wedding). In that case, I choose my kids’ clothing and pack those specific items needed for the event in big labeled Ziplock bags or packing cubes . It’s a huge timesaver!

@dinkumtribe Our son “reads” the items on the list, then gathers them from his room and we help him pack the suitcase. @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe #TravelWithKids #HowToPackASuitcase #PackingWithKids #FamilyTravelBlog #PackingListPrintable #VisualPackingList #FamilyTravelVlog #FreePrintable #SubscriptionFreebie #KidsWhoTravel #KidsWhoTravelYoung #HomeschoolKid #TravelingKid #ParentingHack #ParentingTip ♬ original sound – DinkumTribe ADHD family travel

House preparation list (for a long trip)

1. mail forwarding or mail hold.

We highly recommend this if you will be gone more than a week. We have also signed up for the email updates from USPS, and we love the ability to see what’s coming!

2. Turn off water/ unused utilities

If you have an option to pause utilities certain utilities, such as water/ gas that are not needed when you’re not home, this is a great help. However if you have someone housesitting, or a watering system for your yard, make sure it is all functioning properly before you leave. 

3. Plants/ lawn

Decide what will happen with plants or garden while you are away. Automatic watering may work, but indoor houseplants will need a friend to take care of them. We’ve lost quite a few houseplants due to long road trips!

4. Alarm System

If you have one, decide who you will ask to attend to it if it gets set off while you are out of town. A trusted neighbor, or local friend, should have their name on the system alerts in case there is an issue while you are away. 

5. House watching

We have been thankful for good neighbors or church/ local friends when we are out of town for extended amounts of time. On one occasion, our home was broken into, and our neighbors had called the police before we got home and secured the place even before we knew about it.

Another time, a neighbor informed us that street repaving was happening while we were out of town, so we needed to have our non-travel vehicle off the street. It is a good thing to develop your relationships with neighbors, so that you can all look after each other’s properties when you are out of town.

6. Install smart home devices

These are a lifesaver if you travel often! You can set the thermostat off so your utility bill will be less when you come home. You can then use your smartphone to remotely set the A/C to cool the house a few hours before your arrival in the summer. Or set it to warm the house for a few hours before your arrival in the winter.

You can also set up automatic lighting for your rooms and even music, which gives the impression to a casual observer that there is someone home.

Our smart doorbell alerted us when an unexpected Amazon delivery arrived. Even though we were half way across the country we could ask our neighbor to pick up a package We could also keep an eye on the property when we were away.

Your Vehicle Road Trip Packing List

1. first aid kit.

I usually make sure I have both acetaminophen and ibuprofen (chewable for the kids, tablets for the adults); bandaids and antibacterial ointment, a thermometer (you don’t want to be wondering if your child has a fever); antihistamine (in case of insect bites) and an instant ice pack. 

2. Credit card

We like to use the Alaska Airlines one because we get points. Even if you don’t usually use a credit card, having one on road trips is helpful if you run into a major emergency. Also not all establishments will accept debit cards or local bank cards, so a major credit card is a good backup plan.

3. Toilet paper

Often rest stops or gas stations are out of toilet paper. If you get stranded somewhere far from civilization and a bathroom, you’ll be really glad you have some!

4. Phone charger and stand/ clip

We bring several to plug into any available outlets of our car/ van. A car charger to go in the lighter outlet is handy for older vehicles. I charge my cell phone all the time while I drive, so it can always be at the ready for photos, Google Maps navigation, or music.

5. Roadside emergency kit (see post for details)

Be sure it has: supplies to change a flat tire, flares, a working flashlight, a tire pressure gauge, and a window sign to call for help. If you’re traveling in winter, carry chains that are sized correctly for your tires. Make sure you know how to put them on before you leave on your trip!

6. Plastic bags

You can use Ziplock™️ bags for smelly food remains or other items . A large plastic garbage bag is great for wet/ muddy clothes or rags in case you have to sit/ lay on wet ground while dealing with a flat tire change or some other issue in inclement weather. You can also spread a couple plastic garbage bags out on the ground to keep from getting muddy while you work.

A grocery store plastic bag makes a great mini trash bag! We ask our kids to stop and collect any trash from around their seats, then we toss the bag of trash at the next stop. Every little bit helps keep the van clean.

7. Sleeping bags, up to one per person (optional based on weather)

A sleeping bag is a good thing to have if you are traveling in remote areas, or in harsh winter weather. Bring at least one below-zero sleeping bag per person in case you wind up stranded in a winter storm.

We often bring a couple of standard sleeping bags to use at hotels. Our kids usually share a queen bed, but having sleeping bags available means that if someone is sick and needs the bed to themselves, another kids can bunk on the floor for a night. Some nights kids kick each other awake while they sleep, so having the option of a sleeping bag is super handy.

8. Daypacks (based on activity)

If you are planning to go hiking, especially in a national park or wilderness area , bring a decent day pack. Bring several if you have lots of kids. 

9. Backpack/ tote (1 per passenger plus a couple extra)

If you are not planning hikes longer than a couple of miles, a tote bag or standard backpack per kid will probably be more than sufficient. We give each of our kids a backpack to carry their own personal items, travel games , and entertainment for the long drives. Comfort items, like a blanket or favorite stuffed animal go in there too. 

10. Hand sanitizer/ sanitizing wipes

Use these when a sink with soap and water is not available. Anytime we stopped at a public place, we had everyone sanitize their hands upon return to the van. Road trip stops can be pretty germ-filled!

11. Baby wipes

These will clean most grease, sticky mess, and miscellaneous stuff off of surfaces easily. We always have them with us. They are also gentle enough to use on sticky faces or fingers.

12. Clorox wipes

These are great when you are going to be handling something that is publicly used. Use Clorox wipes if you have any doubt about the cleanliness of hotel and gas station restroom facilities, or at the grocery store. No one wants to pick up illness on a road trip!

13. Swiss Army knife

Somehow we always need scissors, or a small knife, or a corkscrew at some point on our trip. Keep them all at your fingertips with a Swiss Army knife.

14. Rags/ paper towels

We were driving through South Dakota, and went through about 20 minutes of driving where there were so many bugs, our windshield fluid ran out! We couldn’t see through the windshield because of the bugs, so every few minutes we had to get out and manually clean them off.

Learn from our mistake, bring extra windshield fluid! Or at least plastic bottles of water and rags (that’s what we used until we got to the next gas station).

15. Reusable water bottles (for drinking) and travel mugs for hot drinks

We like water bottles for the kids that are spill resistant and have a handle for clipping to a belt loop. Our oldest daughter prefers a Camelbak. Travel mugs are the best things for keeping your drink hot for hours of driving. “Hydrate or die-drate” as our daughter says!

16. Printed map and itinerary

If you are traveling where cell service is limited, you will be glad to have printed/ downloaded maps of unfamiliar areas. A printed itinerary with lodging information is also handy if you can’t access your digital copy on your phone.

17. Pack n Play (for babies and toddlers)

This is a must-have if you are traveling with a baby or toddler. Our personal preference was to bring our own whenever possible. That way you know whether it’s up to current safety standards, and it’s already familiar to your child. You can also use it to corral a kid safely at picnic areas when needed.

These are the most important items to have in your vehicle. Check out our list of new vehicle must-haves for extra items that make great additions to your car or van!

National park know-how.

If you are planning to visit one of the amazing sites in the National Park System of the USA , there are some fantastic helpful hints we discovered along the way.

Free For Fourth Graders and Their Families!

Yup, you read that right. If you have a child in the 4th grade, you can sign up for the Every Kid Outdoors pass, and your whole family gets in free. Here’s the website: https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm

The National Park App provides downloadable maps and general information for each National Park in the system. When you are headed to the park, download that park’s maps and you will not have to worry about no wifi or spotty cell service. 

Annual Pass Savings

If you are planning to visit more than 3 parks in a single year, it’s worth it to get the yearly pass for $80. There are discounted passes available for certain groups too, so research that if you are in the military, or over a certain age.

Reservations Required

If there are specific activities you know you want to do at a particular park, get on the website and see if reservations are needed. Otherwise you may arrive and find that you can’t do something that you planned on doing.

Summer of 2021 was the busiest year yet for popular national parks such as Zion and Arches, and some parks hit top occupancy for the day by 9 am. Do your homework to make sure you can have fun at the park.

Our Road Trip Printable Planning Guide has a cheat sheet with basic info for the 25 most popular NPS sites in the US for 2022. It’s super handy for planning ahead!

Junior Ranger Program, Stamps, and Souvenirs

Many National Parks and even many state parks have programs specifically for children. Our kids loved doing the activities and earning a free Junior Ranger badge! They learned so much more, and they got to take home a souvenir. It’s a win-win for kids and parents. Be aware, though, that it takes some time to earn the badge , so it’s not the thing to do if your time is limited.

For adults and children, most parks have a stamp program. You can usually buy an NPS stamp passport at the gift shop, and we bought a cute book for each of our kids to collect their stamps. For ourselves, we collected a coffee mug at each park.

Dinkum Tribe’s Road Trip Packing List Printable Set

Preparing to take your family on a road trip can be overwhelming, even when you have lots of travel experience. That’s why we developed our Road Trip Packing List Printable Set !

This set contains all the information written in this post in organized, printable formats. There are our three free printable packing lists (also available separately as a subscriber freebie). We also included our Top 10 Road Trip Hacks for 2022 and various printable road trip checklists for different kinds of trips (beach vacation, anyone?) .

@dinkumtribe This free printable packing list set is available on our blog! Search for “ultimate road trip packing lists”. #familyroadtrip #freeprintables ♬ original sound – dinkumtribe

By signing up for our subscriber list, you’ll be first to hear when we add new printables too!

We love to hear new ideas and tips for making travel with kids fun and enjoyable. Share your best tips in the comments!

© Copyright 2022-2023 Jennifer D. Warren. First published: February 7, 2022. Updated and expanded: June 2, 2023

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We love to travel and travel often but packing still causes me anxiety and making list really help with that. Pinned this for later also. Thanks for sharing!

Hope the lists help with the anxiety! I know I get anxious about forgetting stuff too.

This is such a useful guide! I always manage to forget something, so this would be really helpful. I’m guilty especially of leaving chargers behind :,)

Can’t tell you how many chargers I have bought for road trips. 🙄

Just trying to plan a relaxed beach vacation with just my husband and I is driving me crazy right now. I can’t even begin to imagine planning an active vacation for a family. Once that part is done, I am very organized. Or do I thought until seeing your list. I will be saving for all of the things I never thought of!!

Vacations would be a lot more fun if someone else did all planning!😂 The next best thing though is being well organized, so sounds like you’ve got it handled. The lists will be helpful too, I’m sure. 😊

Oh wow! I can’t imagine having to plan such a long trip and with so many people. These are such great guidelines, having a list to follow is so much easier to follow!

Thank you for your encouragement!

Great tips and suggestions on how to efficiently and effectively plan for a road trip! Especially with a large family with small children. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for stopping by.

This post brought back so many fond memories for me! My family would always take road trips down Hwy 101, so beautiful, and the long drive was such an adventure for us kids! Thanks so much for helping me relive happy memories!

Hwy 101 is a gorgeous stretch to drive – sounds like you had some amazing childhood experiences.

Very thorough post. We do a lot of road trips with the kids, so it can definitely be a daunting task trying to remember what to pack. Your printables are a great resource!

Thank you! I hope the printables make it just a little easier for other parents road tripping with kids.

Very informative article.

I don’t have kids but cannot imagine logistically what it would be like getting everything together for a road trip. Great informative article.

It’s definitely a different experience, that’s for sure! But so worthwhile.

This article is super informative for road trips. Well broken down!

Snack, snacks, and more snacks. Essential when traveling with kids.

LOL, 100% agree!

So many great ideas and lists for family road trips. We did a lot of this when our kids were young and found the most important things topack were flexibility, patience, and good humor!

You nailed it!

Super helpful for anyone traveling to kids! You’re pretty great at this whole road trip thing!

Thank you! We have had a LOT of practice.

Firstly, I love your National Park mugs. How awesome. I like to find fun things to collect on trips too and this is perfect. Some great tips here and some incredible road trip items not to forget. The reusable water bottle is one for me, and of course a selection of backpacks for every occasion and trip length

One can never have too many mugs – or backpacks!

Hi! First of all, I love your family pictures, sooo cute! Second, good for you for traveling such a long distance with your kids! You definitely are super organised. I can barely pack for myself and most of the times I forget things! Thanks for the tips!

Thanks for stopping by! Glad you found them helpful.

Very thorough post. Love all the infographics and hints and tips.

It’s always a good idea to have a packing list with you, especially if you’re travelling as a larger group. Thanks for the help!

Absolutely.

Lists are essential! I can’t live without them especially when travelling. Great tips.

Thanks for stopping by!

This packing lists are EPIC! You really have thought of everything! I love a packing list to maintain my sanity before a trip, but also to make sure everything we packed comes back home with us again! Thanks for the great guide!

Good idea to have the list for the return trip too – I’ll have to do that for our next road trip!

This is a fantastic guide, to keep everything together. I love the bright shirts for kids idea. I will have to get those for the grandkids. Great ideas

Bright shirts for kids makes a huge difference to my sanity at crowded places!

I’ve never considered a packing list. I just may have to try it out! Good information here.

My original packing list has been through several iterations before I made it cute like these ones. It’s a lifesaver if you are leaving and don’t have a lot of time to prepare.

Thanks for sharing the lovely insights!! I am really motivated to do a long road trip now 😊

I hope the lists help with your planning!

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Excellent post Jennifer or Jenn(not sure which you prefer). Wish I had known all these things when my kids were young, but after a while I caught on. Love your tips, printables, and enthusiasm! Pinned this post.

Aw thank you! Jenn or Jennifer is fine. 🙂

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Great article with so many super useful tips. Every time we took a trip with our son when he was little we stopped driving at 6 pm. This allowed him to run around and let all his energy out. Early to be and early to rise made our trips super easy and fun.

Yes! Totally agree about getting in early enough to let kids run off energy – it makes such a difference!

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105+ Easy Road Trip Meals & Snacks: Best Road Trip Food

Packed for Life contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Disclosure policy for more info.

Road trips are exciting adventures to take with your friends, family or solo. However coming up with a list of the best road trip food & easy road trip meals and snacks can be hard.

Which is where our ultimate list of the best food for road trips comes in handy. To help you avoid hangry companions, outrageous food costs, and unhealthy gas station food stops.

We’ve taken our share of cross country & multi-day road trips over the years, both as adults, and with kids from months old to teenagers. So we know quite a few tricks when it comes to road trip meal planning.

Our list includes easy ideas for healthy snacks, breakfasts, lunches & dinners, for all ages we love. As well as gluten-free, and vegetarian options too.

Plus we provide essential packing tips and a list of non-food items to bring along, at the end of this post. Hop in the car, & let’s go!

Table of Contents

ULTIMATE HEALTHY ROAD TRIP MEALS LIST

If you plan ahead and pre-make some yummy snacks and meals, your family will be well fed on the road. Whether you are heading on a Southwest USA road trip or a coastal road trip from Boston to Acadia National Park or elsewhere.

Healthy road trip food & easy meals the whole family will love.

Why Bring Make Ahead Meals For Road Trips?

Before I get into our epic food list, I’ll quickly go over a few reasons why we bring our own make-ahead road trip meals and snacks. And why you should too:

• Road trip meal planning is a great way to reduce fast food temptation, junk food and save money for your family road trip .
• Bringing good food for road trips frees up some of your hard earned cash to splurge on meals you will actually look forward to . 
• We find our own make-ahead meals & road trip food tends to be healthier.
• If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, creating a road trip meal plan will allow you to have safe meal options on the road.
• Have fun picnics at rest stops, parks, or in your hotel room along your long drive.
• Avoid hungry kidlets with healthy road trip snacks , so they can focus on road trip activities , not driving you crazy with whining. I know you feel me on this one!

Bringing your own food is well worth the time and money you can save on your adventure. Use our road trip planner to help organize your trip.

I love how make ahead easy travel meals are great for cutting down on the mess, stress and time it takes to prepare and clean up on the road. Because as a parent anything I can do to make my life easier is golden.

Road Trip Breakfast Ideas

We’ve found it’s easy to take these road trip breakfast ideas to go, or quickly eat hot in the morning.

As long as we’ve made them ahead of time, and brought them in our cooler. Or if we have access to hot water or basic kitchen facilities or a microwave.

Grab tasty breakfast recipes .

Cold, Non-Perishable Road Trip Breakfast Ideas

• Granola 
• Cereal Bars & Granola Bars
• Breakfast Bars
• Fruit & Veggie Pouches 

⭐️ PRO TIP : Bring a reusable coffee mug and water bottles for each family member. They’re a great option for filling up with hot water, tea, coffee and water on the go. We’ve found they’re less likely to spill in the car if you use a spill-proof refillable cup and snack cup for the littles.

Cold Breakfast Ideas for Road Trips

• Yogurt – Tubes, Drinks
• Fresh Fruit
• Rye Crisp Breads & Goat Cheese
• Chia Pudding – Make the night before
• Granola & Overnight Oats – Make the night before
• Muffins & Peanut Butter (or other nut or seed butters)
• Egg Muffins or Mini Quiches (To heat or not to heat. That is the question)
• Hard-Boiled Eggs
• Breakfast Cookies 
• Vegan Blueberry Muffins
• Bagels and Cream Cheese
• Peanut Butter and Banana Wrap
• No Bake Oat Bites 
• Apple Pie Oat Bliss Balls
• Croissant, ham, cheese
• Croissant, jam & cream cheese
• Pancake Sandwiches – nut butter / jam between two mini pancakes (make ahead)

Hot & Quick Breakfast Ideas

• Instant Oatmeal 
• Cup of Soup or canned soup
• Pre-made Mini Quiche (just heat up)
• Egg, Cheese, & avocado tortilla wrap
• Haloumi Cheese and Bacon Breakfast Sandwich
• One Pan Chickpea Hash (fried chickpeas, veggies, herbs) & Fried eggs

More kid friendly breakfast ideas here .

Road Trip Lunch Ideas

Road trip lunch ideas are probably the easiest for most people to come up with, when it comes to thinking of meal planning for road trips . We like to think of them as picnic lunches.

What is the first thing that comes to mind, but sandwiches. Sandwiches are such a staple we’ve given them their own section below. 

To be honest, I often just prepare and pack foods I would usually take for lunch at work, for the first day or two.

Then I add easy road trip lunches to grab and prep along the way, like sandwich fixings. Or cheese, meat  and cracker plates for a longer trip.

Easy Non-Refrigerated Road Trip Lunch Ideas

• Canned Tuna & crackers – The mini pull tab tins come in many flavours
• Protein Bars , Energy Bars
• Sardines or Mackerel canned with avocado, crackers or bread
• Snacks for lunch: Beef Jerky, Trail Mix, Smoothie Pouches, Nut Butter Pouches
• Peanut Butter (or other nut & seed butter) & Jam Wraps
• Canned grape leaf rolls

Cold Road Trip Lunches

• Sushi / nori rolls – sweet potato, cucumber and avocado,  smoked salmon, cucumber and avocado, smoked salmon & cream cheese
• Sandwiches (see Road Trip Sandwiches below for ideas) 
• Tortilla Pinwheels
• Meat Kabobs
• Pasta Salad
• Corn & Zucchini Fritters
• Fruit (apple slices, cantaloupe, grapes), cheese and bread or crackers
• Charcuterie plate – cheese, deli meats, olives, dried fruit
• Chickpea or Bean Salads
• Quinoa Salad
• Mason Jar Salad – keep the dressing separate
• Pre-made Quesadillas – Refried beans and cheese. Keep salsa & sour cream separate in small leak-proof containers

Sides to Add to Lunch Ideas

• Cut up veggie sticks and hummus
• Fruit – apple, berries, melon, grapes
• Homemade cookies or energy balls
• Cucumber, cherry tomatos & peppers salad

Road Trip Sandwiches

What’s a road trip, without a sandwich or two. In fact sandwiches are so iconic, portable, easy to make and ideal for lunch and family vacation dinners they deserve a section, all on its own.

For easy,  awesome sandwiches we’ve found you will only need a few things to mix and match:

• Bread: First you’ll need some kind of hearty bread (kaiser bun, wraps, pita, baguette, ciabatta)
• Protein: Pair with protein such as deli meat, sliced chicken or beef, bacon, eggs, tofu, nut butters
• Extras: Add on the extras such as cheese, lettuce, pickles, fruit 
• Condiments: mayo, mustard, olive tapenade, other sauces

Tasty Sandwich Ideas for Traveling:

• Cheddar and Jam
• Egg Salad 
• Cream cheese and cucumber
• Spicy Tuna and Cucumber – leave out the spice if it’s not your thing
• Pesto Egg Salad Baguette
• Ham & Cheese Baguette or Wrap
• Turkey and Cheese Baguette or Wrap
• Turkey Club Sandwich
• Turkey, Pear, Feta Wrap
• Apple, Cheddar and Mustard Sandwich
• Roasted Red Pepper & Hummus Sandwich
• Curry Chicken or Curried Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Tips for Packing Sandwiches on Road Trips

• Start with heartier bread or toast it first . Put a layer of mayo, or mustard on each side. It actually helps prevent soggy sandwiches.
• I often toast the bread, and then wait until it’s completely cooled before making and storing the sandwiches.
• Keep wet sandwich ingredients separate like tomatoes. We add them right before eating.
• Pack each ingredient separately . Then everyone can assemble their sandwich how they like, on-the-go. We’ve found this helpful with our pickiest eater.
• Pack sandwiches in a hard sided container . Either use reusable individual sandwich containers or larger leak-proof containers for multiple sandwiches. We also love silicone sandwich bags to cut down on plastic.
• Keep the sandwiches on top of the cooler for easy to grab meals on the road.

You may also like 50+ Easy to make, healthy road trip snack recipes

Easy Road Trip Meals Dinner Ideas

Dinner is the one meal we often splurge on, and choose to eat out at a local restaurant, instead of on the road when possible. 

I like to do a bit of research and see what the area is known for, or if there are special meals we can’t get at home. Also after a few days of packed road trip meals, it’s nice to sit down at a restaurant and have someone else clean up and organize.

However, there are times I find when you need a few dinner in the car ideas on hand. You can always re-use the lunch or even breakfast ideas, because they are all tasty anytime of day. 

Check out our favourite easy vacation dinner recipes .

Cold Road Trip Dinner Ideas

• Pasta Salad & Greek Salad
• Cobb Salad 
• Other Cold salads – Potato, bean, egg, chickpea, salmon, tofu, quinoa, rice and bean
• Sandwiches – check out ideas in sandwich section
• Chicken salad / caesar wrap
• Falafel Wrap
• Rice Paper Rolls & Peanut Sauce
• Chicken wings & pre roasted veggies
• Grilled or roast chicken, rice and veggies
• Tortilla Chips, Bean Dip and Salsa
• Egg roll pinwheels with spinach, and cheese 
• Mason Jar grain + protein + roast veggies (pre-made)

Salad Tips – Keep the ingredients & dressing separate. That way each person can assemble to their liking, and the lettuce doesn’t get soggy from swimming in the dressing all day.  

KOA has 10 fun on-the go recipes to try.

Mason Jar Meal tips

Mason Jars are a fun and easy way to store pre-made meals.

They are fairly sturdy (I’ve dropped them many times without breaking them) and come in different sizes. The 500ml and 250 ml are perfect for individual meals.

Choose a grain + a protein + roasted, steamed or stir fried veggies and you have a delicious meal to go.

• Pre-cook a grain: brown rice, basmati rice, white rice, quinoa,
• Choose a protein : roast chicken or beef, curried chickpeas, tofu
• Cooked veggies: stir fries, steamed broccoli, curries, stew,

Hot Road Trip Dinner Ideas

One pan or pot dinner ideas are perfect for travel, camping and road trips. Especially if you ‘ve been entertaining the kids with road trip conversations all day.

As long as you remember the hot plate, or cook stove. I’ve been there, done that, forgetting the stove. Another option is to choose motels, or places to stay that have basic kitchen facilities. 

I’ve also gone the route of meal prepping ahead of time and putting individual meals in separate containers that are easy to reheat and clean up. 

If you are a camping family, what you plan for pre-made camping meals is similar.

Think easy camping type meals:

• Baked Beans
• Cup of Soup or Canned Soup
• Frozen Homemade Soup (use the first day or two after it defrosts. Bonus it helps keep the cooler cold)
• Bacon or Sausages and Eggs
• Quesadillas
• Rice and beans or ground beef for tacos or wraps
• Chickpea Curry and Rice (pre-make and heat up)
• Spaghetti 

ROAD TRIP SNACK & DRINKS LIST

We have a full article on our favorite road trip snacks to bring that both adults and kids will love. Good food for long journeys.

Here are a few snack ideas to get you started:

• Energy Balls
• Baby Carrots, Cherry Tomatoes, Snap Peas, Celery Sticks & Dip 
• Cheese and Crackers
• Apple Pear Muffins
• Jerky, Beef Sticks
• Potato Chips
• Plantain Chips
• Moon Cheese
• Cheese Crisps
• Seaweed Snacks
• String cheese
• Sunflower seeds
• Gluten-Free Bars –  We like these mini Gluten-Free Bars  

Who doesn’t drink too much on the road because they are avoiding using restrooms at pull-outs or gas stations?  

I’m guilty of this too, but this often leads me to crankiness and wicked headaches, sooo…… Do as I say, not as I do (said Parents everywhere).

Staying hydrated is super important. While water should be the number one choice, sometimes you need a little something different like:

• Coconut water
• Water with crushed berries, or cucumber slices, or lemon
• No sugar added fruit juices 
• Flavoured Sparkling water 
• Almond / Oat / Soy Milk

🚙 More road trip ideas 7 day Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon itinerary

Road Trip Food & Meal Planning Tips

Meal Planning Tips

When meal planning healthy road trip foods, I think it’s important to consider a few key important things:

• What road trip meals you want to bring, and which one’s you’d like to buy.
• If travelling with kids, which foods do they already like. They aren’t going to magically start liking raw broccoli and raisins on your long trip. Adapt your food for road trips with kids.
• Road trip meal ideas – Make a list of food ideas for breakfast , lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks. Make sure they’re easy food to travel with.
• Creating a road trip grocery list is a good idea, so important items don’t get forgotten. But don’t stress, as usually you’ll be able to pick up ingredients along the way if needed.
• How to pack food for your road trip, so it doesn’t get squished, and stays cool longer.

With so much to do when planning a road trip, it’s sometimes hard to be prepared when it comes to traveling food.

Road Trip Food Tips

Beyond throwing a bunch of items into the cooler and food bag and hoping for the best. Let’s give you a few of my top tips to make packing a bit easier:

• Bread: Bring wraps, pitas and flatbreads – we find they take up less room, and won’t get squished like bread loaves
• Perishables: Eat your perishables and more fragile fruits first (bananas, raspberries, pre-cut fruit like melons, pineapple, mango etc.)
• Freeze Water bottles: When hot out, freeze a couple of the water bottles the night before. They’ll keep your cooler cold, and we love that they give us cold water to drink as they melt.
• Pre-Make Meals & Portion Out: Pre-make meals, and portion them out in mason jars or reusable plastic or glass containers.
• Place your cooler somewhere cool the night before, or pre-chill the cooler for up to 12 hours with ice / ice packs you won’t be using on your trip. 
• Lay solid blocks of ice or reusable ice packs on the bottom, plus put a layer of ice on the top
• Pack the cooler full – too much space helps the inside heat up faster
• Freeze food you won’t need for a couple of days, and use frozen water bottles to help keep the inside colder, longer
• Try to limit the number of times you open the cooler in the day.
• Pack your food in order of when you want to eat it, leaving the next day or two’s meals on top. 
• Garbage Bag for the car: We always have a designated garbage bag for the car. It helps to keep the garbage contained, and the car organized.
• Clean-Up Kit :  Bring a clean up kit. Kids, adults, toddlers all on occasion make messes. Having a clean-up kit handy just in case is good practice. Include wipes, paper towel, extra water, and an easily accessible change of clothes.
• Storage: To keep things organized, we usually use small stackable Rubbermaid containers to pack our non-perishables.

🚙 More Road Trip Ideas: 4 Day family friendly itinerary in Acadia National Park

Road Trip Essentials

Now that we’ve got the meals all planned out, and the best road trip SNACKS organized  let’s move on to the non-food items you’ll need to add to your road trip packing list. 

Reusable Items

Our goal is to reduce our impact on the earth whatever mode of travel. Bringing reusable items on our trips to cut down on waste is one simple way to do this. If you make it part of your routine, you will be pleasantly surprised how easy it becomes.

Here are some other reusable items to pack for your road trip:

• Plastic, glass or stainless steel containers – Can be used for leftovers, as dishes, hold snack packs, or even small toys, art supplies
• Cutlery – knives, forks, spoons, 
• Dishes – Cups, plates, bowls
• Coffee Mugs – Our favs are Yeti Mugs or the Klean Kanteen  
• Reusable Straws
• Water bottles for the kids
• Water bottles for the adults
• Cloth fruit bags 
• Bento Boxes
• Garbage bags – reuse grocery bags

Storage & Cleaning Supplies

• Reusable Ice Packs 
• Hand sanitizer
• Paper Towels & Wet Wipes 
• Biodegradable Soap

Travel Backpacks

You will definitely want to make sure you and your kids have their own travel backpack for the trip.

A good travel backpack can be multipurpose, for hiking, storing road trip activities and entertainment, plus give easy access to a couple of snacks, and a handy change of clothes.

There’s been numerous times my “safety first” approach & extra clothes has saved us on long trips. From puking children, to epic diaper blow outs, and unexpected spills, with kids it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Best Road Trip Coolers

Coolers provide more flexibility with the types of meals and snacks  you can bring on your trips. We think they are a road trip essential, without a doubt. Before choosing one, there are a few things to consider:

• How long is your trip?
• Which meals will you be packing from home?
• How often will you have access to a grocery store?
• How much space do you have in your vehicle? Where do you want to put the cooler?

Answers to these questions will give you an idea of the size and cooling ability needed from your cooler. We’ve put together a list of the best coolers to try, that are easily available on Amazon.

Best Overall Cooler – Yeti Roadi 24 Cooler

The Yeti Roadi 24 Cooler is narrow, so it easily fits behind the seat, is well insulated, which holds the cold, and is lighter than previous versions.

It can also be transformed into a stool if you buy the cushion. It’s a bit of an invesment, so a good buy if you are planning on using it a lot.

Best Afforable Family Cooler – Coleman 316

The Coleman 316 Cooler is a top pick for size, flexibility and price. It can hold a lot of food and ice, which can be kept cool at higher temps for 2-3 days.

Perfect for shorter trips, or if you plan on replenishing your food / ice every few days.

Best Soft Sided Cooler – TOURIT Leak-Proof Backpack

The Tourit Leak Proof soft-sided backpack is an excellent option for shorter road trips or if you are planning a picnic or day at the beach. This leak-proof high-density insulated backpack can keep food cold for up to 3 days. It also has side pockets for extra storage.

Tips to Prepare For Your Next Road Trip

Anything you can do the day or two beforehand to prep your food, and pack your non-perishables, do it. This will save rushing around at the last minute, and forgetting important things like your water bottles.

We recommend doing the following ahead of time:

• Make a Shopping list and meal plan.
• Check off the items as you pack them. 
• Wash and cut veggies and fruit
• Prepare sandwiches, meat slices, cheese slices
• Freeze meals and water bottles the night or two before
• Prepare the snack bags or snack tote 
• Prepare your Clean up kit
• Pack non-perishable foods in small totes or bags
• Pack your perishable foods in the cooler, & an airtight container, right before you leave.

PRO TIP: Pack your car the night before you leave, to make sure everything fits. Make sure your cooler and essential road trip snacks are easily accessible. 

Conclusion: Ultimate Easy Road Trip Meals & Snacks List

With over 100 delicious and easy road trip meal ideas, you will find a party in your cooler for all taste buds or your next long journey.

 Plus don’t forget that a little pre-trip planning can go a long way towards a stress free vacation.

Grab a great road trip snack or two and head on out on the open road. I hope this helps you have an epic road trip.

Related travel tips and destination articles:

• Easy ways to take a frugal road trip
• Epic RV Gift Ideas: Gifts RV Owners will love and use
• Epic Gifts for Beach Lovers – prep for your beach vacation
• Best Walkie Talkies For Road Trips
• Complete Road Trip Packing List For Families

Donna Garrison is the founder of Packed for Life, an ever curious traveler with a passion for making memories with her family. With a unique perspective on travelling on a budget gathered over 30 years, 20 countries and 5 continents she gives families the tools & resources they need to experience the joys of travelling more for less through practical solutions. She helps over 20,000 families a month plan & take the family travel, camping and road trip adventures of their dreams in Canada, the USA and around the world. Contact her at: Donna [at] packedforlife.com

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Don’t Hit the Road Without This RV Setup Checklist

A re you preparing to hit the road in your RV? Are you looking for a way to prepare your rig so it will perform like new all throughout your road trip?

The road trip preparation or RV setup checklist for taking your RV on the road is extensive and covers a variety of topics. Don’t leave out important steps because you didn’t realize they were necessary. To help you get ready and ensure you have everything covered, continue reading to learn about common RV safety checks.

Check Your RV’s Exterior

Before you embark on your next adventure, take a moment to conduct a thorough inspection of your RV’s exterior. Look for any signs of wear and tear, such as cracks or rust, that might cause problems down the line.

Don’t overlook the condition of your tires, either; ensure they’re properly inflated to the correct PSI and have ample tread depth. Remember, no road trip should start without ensuring your vehicle is road-worthy.

Inspect the Interior

Next, take a tour inside your RV. Check all the appliances to ensure they’re working correctly.

Don’t forget the small details, like testing all the lights and ensuring the windows and doors open and close properly. If you’re planning on using a camper trailer and RV rental , these items will likely be checked for you, but it’s always good to double-check.

Plumb the Depths

Plumbing is critical in an RV, so make sure every faucet and drain is functioning as it should. Check for leaks and make sure the water heater is working. If you’re going somewhere with freezing temperatures, ensure your pipes are appropriately insulated to prevent freezing.

Essential Utilities

Your RV’s electrical system is the lifeblood of your home-on-wheels. Check your batteries, test the generator, and ensure all outlets are working. It’s also a good idea to make sure your propane system is functioning properly, as it powers many critical appliances.

Safe and Sound

Safety is paramount when RVing. Check your fire extinguisher, smoke detector, and carbon monoxide detector to ensure they’re all in working order. Also, ensure your first-aid kit is stocked with up-to-date supplies.

Stock the Kitchen

Whether you’re a gourmet chef or a microwave meal maestro, you’ll want to make sure your RV’s kitchen is stocked for your road trip. Remember to bring along any necessary utensils, cookware, and foodstuffs.

Comforts of Home

Don’t forget about your living space! Make sure your sleeping arrangements are comfortable and that you have enough blankets for cooler nights. Also, make sure your entertainment system is working properly for those rainy days.

Adventure Gear

If your road trip includes outdoor adventures like hiking or fishing, make sure you pack all the necessary gear. Bring rain gear for unexpected weather, sunblock for sunny days, and bug spray for those pesky mosquitoes.

Hit the Road Confidently With an RV Setup Checklist

Having an RV setup checklist can save you time, money, and stress while on the road. With proper preparation and organization, your RV campsite adventure can be a smooth and enjoyable experience. So don’t hit the road without this essential checklist – download it now and make your next trip a success!

If you’re eager to dive deeper into other interesting topics, we have plenty more to share! Visit our website for a wealth of articles, guides, and discussions on this topic and more.

This article is published by NYTech in collaboration with Syndication Cloud.

Sydney gets a drenching as heavy rain, severe weather forecast for NSW today and tomorrow

It has been a wet and wild day across New South Wales with more extreme weather expected over the weekend.

In Sydney more than 160 millimetres of rain has fallen since 9am on Thursday, its heaviest in 4 years.

More than 45 flood alerts remain active across New South Wales on Friday night after intense rainfall saturated the state with the worst to come overnight.

• 7:13 AM 7:13 AM Fri 5 Apr 2024 at 7:13am Sydney cops heaviest rainfall in 4 years
• 7:01 AM 7:01 AM Fri 5 Apr 2024 at 7:01am Six injured in wet-weather crash
• 6:24 AM 6:24 AM Fri 5 Apr 2024 at 6:24am BOM issues flood warning for Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers

Live updates

Where to find emergency assistance and information.

By Luke Royes

For emergency assistance, contact SES in NSW or QLD on 132 500

If your life is at risk, call Triple-0 (000) immediately

For the latest weather updates visit the   Bureau of Meteorology   in   NSW here

ABC Emergency   contains planning and advice, an incident map and more

If you're not sure what to do when there's a flood,   here's the best way to plan

Tune in to your local ABC Radio Station

Sydney cops heaviest rainfall in 4 years

By David Hirst

Here's a few facts and figures from our weather boffin Tom Saunders:

• Sydney has already received its heaviest rain total in 4 years with more than 160mm since 9am yesterday (highest 48-hour total)
• The heaviest rain today has been on the Mid North Coast. Taree with more than 100mm since 9am
• A deluge will arrive overnight across parts of Sydney and the Illawarra, Blue Mountains and Hunter leading to severe flash flooding and rapid river rises, including up to 220mm in 6 hours on the Illawarra Escarpment
• The torrential falls are part of a broader rain event which is soaking eastern Australia, and has triggered flood watches and warnings from southern Queensland to the NSW South Coast
• More than 40 flood watches are current for NSW
• The band of torrential rain is moving south and will clear from Sydney by about 8am, clear the Illawarra by late morning and clear from the South Coast by the evening

Six injured in wet-weather crash

Reporting by Adriane Reardon from the ABC South East NSW newsroom.

Six people, including two children, have been taken to hospital with injuries following a crash in wet weather south of Mudgee in the NSW central west.

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash on the Castlereagh Highway, about 2pm today, where a ute and four-wheel drive had collided.

The male passenger in the ute, believed to be in his 60s, was flown to hospital with serious injuries, while the male driver, 55 was taken to Mudgee Hospital.

The driver of the four-wheel drive, a 34-year-old man, was also flown to hospital with serious injuries, while his 32-year-old female passenger was flown to hospital with critical injuries.

Two children in the back-seat, aged two and six, sustained minor injuries and taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead for observation.

A crime scene has been established and an investigation is underway.

Flooding at Parramatta River in Sydney's west

ABC photographer Timothy Ailwood is at Parramatta River. He's just filed this pic.

Storm damage to create 'significant work' for SES

NSW SES chief superintendent Dallas Burnes has this afternoon given an update on ABC News 24.

Mr Burnes said storm damage was going to "create more significant work for us".

He said the majority of call-outs had been for leaking roofs and fallen trees and there had been about half a dozen rescues.

Mr Burnes urged people to stay indoors tonight.

"If it's at nighttime and the road is flooded? Do not cross that roadway. You do not know what is under it. "The flood rescues we've undertaken today, the majority related to cars entering floodwater. That puts our volunteers' lives at risk."

Rain and thunderstorms continue in southern Queensland

A south-west Queensland town has shut its flood levee ahead of major flooding, as the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) forecasts heavy falls for the south-east of the state into the weekend.

Senior forecaster Laura Boekel said rain and thunderstorms would continue today and tomorrow, with possible falls of up to 100 millimetres.

"It's very important to note that in some parts of the south and south-east, we're seeing moisture of the soil and the catchments quite high, so that means catchments, rivers, creeks can respond quite rapidly," she said.

"We could see responses from moderate rainfall this weekend."

Read more here .

BOM issues flood warning for Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers

The people at the Bureau of Meteorology have certainly had a busy day. They've just released another weather update.

• Major flooding possible at Menangle and North Richmond from Saturday morning
• Moderate flooding possible at Windsor and Putty Road from overnight Friday
• Minor flooding likely at Camden Weir, Wallacia Weir, Penrith, Sackville and possible at Lower Portland from Friday evening

Rainfall totals of up to 150mm have been observed in the Hawkesbury Nepean catchment since 9am on Thursday.

Further heavy rainfall is forecast through the catchment for the remainder of Friday and into Saturday.

Minor flooding is likely along the Hawkesbury, Nepean and Colo Rivers from overnight Friday. With the forecast rainfall, further river level rises and moderate to major flooding is possible from Saturday morning along the Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers.

Transport update for commuters

This is the latest from the Transport Management Centre.

Motorists and public transport passengers are advised to plan ahead and allow plenty of extra travel time due to severe weather in Sydney and surrounding areas.

• Wakehurst Parkway is closed in both directions due to flooding between North Narrabeen and Oxford Falls.
• Oxford Falls Road is closed in both directions due to flooding between Wakehurst Parkway and Aroona Road.
• Other roads where motorists are advised to take extra care due to water on the road include: The Pacific Highway at Pymble, Centenary Drive at Strathfield, Pittwater Road at North Manly and Euston Road at St Peters

On public transport:

• Passengers who need to travel on the Sydney Trains network are advised to allow plenty of extra travel time due to severe weather damaging equipment at Redfern, as well as slower boarding times.
• Trains are running on all lines but there are some delays and gaps in service.  
• Plan ahead and avoid travel where possible.
• Buses are supplementing trains between Campbelltown and Macarthur, and between Riverstone and Richmond.
• Passengers are advised to listen to announcements and check information displays for service updates.​
• Buses are replacing ferries between Parramatta and Rydalmere due to the weir overflowing.

Parramatta River overflowing

This is the latest from the ABC's Elinya Chenery.

Heavy rainfall has caused minor flooding in Sydney's west this afternoon.

The Parramatta River is overflowing in low lying areas after the water level raised above 2 metres in height.

Areas affected by the flooding include the Parramatta Ferry Wharf and footbridges across the river.

Authorities say further flooding is expected in the area in the coming hours.

Communities on Mid North Coast without power

Some communities along parts of the Bellingen River on the NSW Mid North Coast are completely isolated by flood water and without power.

Residents in the localities of Thora and Darkwood are affected, and NSW SES crews will be undertaking welfare checks.

"We've got some communities there that are completely isolated by floodwater," NSW SES spokesperson Andrew Edmunds said on the ABC statewide drive program.

"They may find themselves without power, water and other essential services."

Isolated residents in those communities are being urged to contact the NSW SES on 132 500 if they need assistance with supplies.

NSW SES advises people not to go outside

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is advising people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel as significant rainfall impacts much of the NSW east coast.

A severe storm warning is in place for communities from Gosford in the north, to Batemans Bay in the south, across to Goulburn, with damaging winds and very heavy rain possible. Meanwhile, residents on the Bellingen River at Thora and Darkwood have been advised to prepare for isolation.

Residents in these communities may find themselves cut off by flood water and without power, water and other essential services.

NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns said conditions were likely to worsen over the next few hours.

"There's potential for very large downpours of rain between the Blue Mountains and Narooma, which could lead to life-threatening flash flooding," Assistant Commissioner Kearns said.

The NSW SES said it had responded to more than 800 incidents in the last 24 hours.

Prepare to evacuate alert in Chipping Norton

The NSW SES has issued a prepare to evacuate and watch and act notice for people in low lying areas of eastern parts of Chipping Norton.

Those in the following area are being told to prepare to evacuate due to predicted dangerous flooding:

• All properties in the following streets in Chipping Norton:
• Newbridge Road between Riverside Road and east to Georges River
• Riverside Road between Childs Road and Newbridge Road
• Davy Robinson Drive
• Rickard Road
• Arthur Street

You should monitor the situation and prepare to evacuate so that you can safely evacuate when instructed to do so by NSW SES. There's more detail on Facebook here .

More than 100 flights cancelled at Sydney Airport

The wild weather has not surprisingly caused issues at Sydney Airport with more than 100 flights cancelled through domestic arrivals and departures.

A Sydney Airport spokesperson urged passengers to check with their airline regarding the status of their flight.

Is public transport in Sydney affected by the weather?

• Sydney Trains and Ferries   asked commuters to take "extra care"   as surfaces can be slippery when wet
• Transport for NSW is advising to allow for extra travel time on the T1, T2, T3, T8 and T9 train lines due to weather damaging equipment at Redfern
• Transport for NSW says there are no significant delays on Sydney's bus network

Hundreds of sandbags at the ready in Gosford

Hundreds of sandbags are ready and waiting for collection at the NSW SES Gosford depot on the Central Coast in preparation for more rain to come.

Members of the community volunteered their time to help fill the bags today, along with those from the Terrigal Rugby Union Club.

Gosford has received more than 70 millimetres so far today, according to data from the Bureau of Meteorology.

BOM updates flood warning

The Bureau of Meteorology has updated its Flood Watch which now includes major flooding on:

• Myall River
• Lower Hunter River
• Upper Nepean River
• Hawkesbury and Lower Nepean River
• Georges and Woronora River
• Macquarie River to Bathurst

Click here for regular Flood Watch updates from the BOM .

Major delays on state's rail networks

Transport for NSW says there are "major delays" across the Sydney Trains and NSW Trainlink networks because of the heavy rain.

Passengers are advised to avoid non-essential travel.

Buses may supplement some services.

If you do need to travel though, Transport for NSW advises you to allow plenty of extra time.

Flooding impacts Newell Highway

Flooding continues to impact the Newell Highway in the state's north, which remains closed between Boggabilla and Moree.

Motorists travelling north from Moree can take a diversion using the Carnarvon Highway and the Barwon Highway to Goondiwindi.

The southbound diversion is the same in reverse and is also suitable for all vehicles.

The alternate route between the two towns is about 2.5 hours long.

Hawkesbury SES commander says it's a 'waiting game' at the moment

By Millie Roberts

Jessica Kidd from the Sydney newsroom spoke to Kevin Jones from the Hawkesbury SES just then.

He said the volunteers were busily checking equipment and making sure everything was "good to go" as the unit prepared for rain in the Hawkesbury expected tonight.

"We're really at the moment just playing a bit of a waiting game, waiting for the rain to come," he said. "It seems to have not been as bad as they were predicting up on the north coast, but as it comes further south it looks like … there's still a chance that it's going to be a bit more intense."

Mr Jones said the local community is "definitely much more aware" on this occasion after going through "so many floods", which has helped with preparations today.

Power restored to hundreds of buildings in Sydney's CBD

Ausgrid says power has been restored to hundreds of businesses and homes after "significant rainfall" caused a major power outage.

It said 1,300 customers were affected after a substation flooded on Goulburn and Pitt streets.

Power has now been restored to more than 1,250 customers after the water was pumped offsite.  

It said the "bulk" of affected customers have their lights back on, but a small number may still be out at this point in time.