Road Trip Packing Essentials {free printable}

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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Check out my Amazon Travel page for a list of traveling gift ideas for travelers, families, and adventurists!

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)

--> Luxury Lofts on Main in Cambridge City, Indiana

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