Road Trip Packing Essentials
Packing for the ultimate road trip can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be with a simple and efficient checklist! I’ve been on MANY road trips and, every time, I always seem to leave something behind. Hence, the need for a checklist. I’ve included links to some of my favorite products as well.
Of course, this list is going to be different for each individual and family. For example, if you don’t plan to visit parks or hiking you’ll want to eliminate things like hiking boots and portable hammocks.
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Road Trip Car Essentials:
- Car documents & insurance info
- Road Atlas (yes, I know it’s 2020 but a road atlas has proven essential in places where I have no signal for GPS)
- Reusable insulated bottle (reduces plastic bottle waste and keeps your beverage cool, or warm, for longer)
- Cell phone mount (for hands-free driving)
- Charging cables (for phones, tablets, etc.)
- Bluetooth charger/transmitter (for hands-free calling and AUX output)
- Face masks
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
- A gallon of water, hand soap & paper towels (for those time times when handwashing stations are not available)
- Sunglasses
- Neck pillow
- Extra blankets
- Cooler with drinks
- Snacks
- Roadside emergency kit (jumper cables, flares, reflective vest, tire pressure gauge, window breaker, flashlight etc.)
- Tire iron and jack
- First aid kit
- Rain jacket or ponchos
- Umbrella
- Folding camp chairs or hammock (for stops at parks, outdoors, rest breaks, etc.)
- Window screen covers (should you need for sleeping/privacy or heat protection)
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Road trip playlist (music, podcasts, etc. in a playlist or downloaded for your trip)
- Cash and change (some tolls still take coins and it’s always good to have a few extra bills on you for emergencies)
- Ice scraper (if traveling in the winter or to colder climates)
- Reusable shopping bags (to collect trash, or store dirty clothes, shoes, sickness bags, etc.)
- Travel journal
- Motion sickness meds (and other medications)
- Passport (if you are planning to cross borders)
- Translator (if you are planning to cross borders)
- Picnic blanket
- Car battery charger (charge in advance to a road trip)
- Camera and accessories (bag, tripod, batteries, etc.)
- Toilet paper (hey, ya never know!) and tissues
- Binoculars (I wished we would have had these to spot elk on our last road trip!)
- Daypack (to store items in for hiking and outings)
- Gallon-sized bag with disposable plates/utensils (I throw a handful of disposable plates, napkins, utensils, etc. in a gallon-sized bag for as-needed convenience)
Personal Packing Essentials:
- Duffle bag
- Slippers, flip flops or slip-on shoes (ones that are easy to slip in and out of while in the car)
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Swimsuit
- Cosmetic bag with essentials (for him and her)
- Laundry bag (for dirty clothes)
- Shoe bags
- Portable lighted mirror
- Hat or baseball cap
- Temperature appropriate clothing
- Travel packing cubes or bags
Kid’s Road Trip Essentials:
- Over the seat organizer
- Collapsible snack containers
- Travel games
- Headphones
- Handheld game consoles/tablets
- Books
- Coloring book and crayons
- Baby wipes (for sticky hands and cleanups)
Pet Road Trip Essentials:
What Not to Pack:
- Hardshell suitcases
- Tons of toys
- Containers
Free Printable!
Click here: Road Trip Essentials Checklist
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