35 Essentials For The Perfect Road Trip Packing List

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When I think of the word “road trip”, I see myself taking in the insane views with the windows down. Some sweet music is playing in the background, and I’m happy. With that said, planning a trip with kids, family, or friends can be exciting but also very stressful. If you’re not prepared with the right commodities, that dream road trip can quickly turn into your biggest nightmare! With this amazing road trip packing list, you will never encounter another mishap while driving again!

Keep reading to see the essentials you must always bring with you, whether you’re traveling to Arizona or across the country.

The Roadtrip Basics

I used to be the type of traveler that had to pack her whole house in one suitcase. “What if I actually need it later on” or “it’ll definitely come in handy, and I’ll save money too!”. I learned to stop that, thank god, and road trips are now much easier to manage. 

Now, this bulleted list is super basic. Like the most basic out of the basic. But, while we’re busy stressing out about what’s going in the suitcase, it’s easy for us to forget even the simplest things like these: 

• Driver’s license. No one wants to get pulled over and find out they left their I.D. at home 4 hours away. Or you might go out and want a drink only to realize it is nowhere to be found. Bring the license! P.S. This includes anyone traveling with you.
• Cash. Lots of it. Dollar bills. Many states across the country have different electronic toll systems. For example, Oklahoma’s toll system is called PikePass. When I was driving down south, I thought my EZPass was valid everywhere. (Turns out it wasn’t!) and I had to pull over and find some spare change that saved my life! Don’t be like me and bring enough cash.
• Download the offline version of any map on your phone. It’s all fun and games until you’re driving down a road with limited/no service, and your ‘Maps’ app won’t reload. Lucky for us, technology is way more advanced than it used to. Here is my current go-to offline GPS map: Maps.me. It displays a comprehensive map view of anywhere in the world, making travel a lot easier.
• Car Registration & Insurance. This is a pretty obvious one. 

Car Essentials

It is vital to keep your car stocked with these necessities. There is always the chance of an accident, or maybe you thought you’d have enough gas to make it from Point A to Point B., Or perhaps you hit a pothole while eating, and now the car is a mess. Take a look below!

• Emergency Roadside Kit. Flat tires happen. Dead batteries happen. But why stress if you have an emergency roadside kit in the trunk stocked with everything you need for situations like this? 
• Spare tire. Apart from having a spare tire, make sure it is in good condition. Bring a tire iron and jack, too!
• Hand sanitizer. You have no idea how dirty those public bathrooms are. Or maybe you took one of those old fashioned “potty breaks” if you know what I mean. Hand sanitizer is a necessity, and please don’t forget this.
• Reusable water bottles. Not only are you saving the planet, you’ll never have to worry about being dehydrated on the road! These bottles are leak-proof and insulated. No more worrying about your drinks getting hot! 
• Baby wipes. This is much more efficient for liquid messes but can be used literally for anything. I never leave the house without them. These are also much better than toilet paper for when you have to make an … emergency stop.
• First Aid kit. If you’re accident-prone like me, it’s better to be safe than sorry. You never know what might happen!
• Tissues. My allergies exist year-round, so I’m always needing tissues. If that sounds like you, bring these!
• Portable charger. It’s a huge relief to know there’s an extra battery when your phone dies, and you don’t know how to get home!
• Cooler. Buying drinks and food adds up! Store leftovers, water jugs, and more!

Alright now, that the car basics are covered, let’s step into this thing a little deeper!

Feeling Comfortable While Road Tripping

• Blanket. Your road trip buddies might be cold, but you might be freezing. A cozy throw will prevent some air conditioner disagreements!
• Thick, warm socks. Let’s face it. The shoes are coming off after a couple of hours (or minutes).

• Eye mask. This came in clutch when I was trying to sleep but couldn’t because the sun was blinding me! Boom. Eye mask.
• Travel pillow. Another obvious one!
• Medication. Headaches and pains come randomly, but it won’t be so bad if you bring the right medicine!
• Sunglasses. Sometimes, you just wanna look out the window, but it’s too sunny. Cue the sunglasses 🙂

Entertainment While On The Road

• Ipad. Download some Netflix shows, and they’ll be available to you when boredom hits (and it will!)
• Journal/Notebook: Write about all the cool sights you see on the road, how you’re feeling, etc. Options are endless!
• Book: Depending on the length of your vacation, bring a book or two! Time flies when you’re reading something interesting. 
• Headphones. Sometimes your companions might not want to listen to the same things as you. Pop some headphones and enjoy some tunes.

Snacks On The Road

Try to avoid messy snacks and pack these in simple containers instead. If simple containers aren’t an option, plastic Ziploc bags can be used for storage.

• Fruit such as bananas, strawberries, apples, oranges, any other non-messy fruit I can’t think of.
• Protein bars. Healthy alternative with a spike of energy!
• Cheese sticks. I swear by these. They are easy to eat. Filling. No mess. No problem.
• Pretzels.
• Granola bars. There are many different varieties in stores, so check this out!
• Nuts. Any nuts will give you an energy boost, and they’re not messy. Just keep those wipes I mentioned earlier closeby.

What’s Inside Your Bag The Day You Leave (Mentioned A Few Already)

No packing list is complete without the last minute items! I’ve made it easy by listing them here for you.

• Keys. Where are you going without your car keys? Also, when you come back from your road trip, how are you getting inside your house? Don’t forget all of your keys!
• Cellphone. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY FORGET THIS. It’s going to be a BORING trip without it. Many people choose not to bring those professional cameras and opt for their cellphone. So don’t forget this one!
• Sunscreen. Protect your skin from those harmful rays! The one linked is a clean, organic one!
• Bug Spray. If you’re planning on being outdoors for a long time, this is a must.
• Toiletry Bag. You will stink and sweat by the end of that 8-hour drive. However, with your convenient toiletry bag, it can be manageable! What should you bring in this bag, you ask? Deodorant, chapstick, toilettes, toothbrush, lotion, dry shampoo!
• Garbage bags. You’re going to be eating a lot while on the road, so make sure to keep a bag to throw garbage in. No one wants to sit in a dirty, cramped up space, so keep it clean people!
• Wallet.
• Chargers. You are going to be using your phone A LOT while on the road. I mean, it has everything you could ever need within arms reach. But how are you going to continue using it when the battery dies? This is super important! 
• Glasses/Contacts. If you wear them, bring them! If you’re more of a contact lens person, bring extra contact lenses and a travel-sized bottle of solution!

Pre-Trip Must Do’s:

It’s easy for certain things to go over our heads. But, before you think of pulling out of your driveway, don’t forget these essentials! Do these things right, and that road trip of a lifetime will go smoother than ever. 

• Prepare The Car You Are Taking. Check the tire pressures, oil, brakes, etc. Just make sure the car is in a good enough condition to be driving for long periods. 
• Take care of everything in your home. Arrange mail holding, take out the trash, arrange pet care, make the house look occupied, etc.
• Notify your credit card company about your travels. This will prevent awkward encounters while trying to shop! 

How and what you pack for your road trip is going to determine how well your trip goes. Over the years, road tripping has become more and more popular. I know I never get tired of seeing the beautiful scenery as I’m driving. I love discovering new towns and talking with the locals about their favorite food spots. There is so much to be explored in the world, and road trips are a fun way to travel! 

Honestly, they’re my preferred method of traveling. I’ve always had a fear of planes. Something about being 30,000+ feet up in the air did not sit right with me. But after flying to Thailand last year, I realized it was all in my head and I needed to chill. Sometimes facing that fear is what you need to overcome it. But that is a whole other blog post!

There you have it! You have read the ultimate packing list you definitely need for your next vacation! With this list, you will be able to travel the USA comfortably with no worries 🙂

What do you like to pack for a road trip? Let me know in the comments below!

If you liked this post, check this one out about my favorite national parks! 🙂

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