7 Road Trip Essentials That You Won’t Want to Leave Home Without

Spring is in the air, and we are already looking forward to adventures to be had on the road!  Here is our list of road trip essentials that you won’t want to leave home without!  Some of these items may seem like no-brainers, but I’ve made the mistake of taking off without some of them before… trust me, they make a difference!  Happy Exploring!

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#1 Water:

Yes, we know that we all need it, but it is imperative to have on the road!  Not only to drink, but also as a backup for your car (i.e. if you run into an overheating issue or the like), taking a couple of gallons will undoubtedly come in handy.  We also suggest carrying refillable Nalgene water bottles with you so that you have a reliable and durable supply at your fingertips.

#2 First aid kit / mini drug store:

I always make fun on Jason (my husband and travel partner) for packing EVERYTHING in his toiletry bag, but it does come in handy.  At a minimum, we have learned to not leave home without the following supplies:

1. Advil / Asprin (over the counter pain killer)
2. Benadryl / Mucinex (over the counter allergy medicine)
3. Tums / GasX (over the counter antacid)
4. First aid kit – we always have this in the car.  If you carry one too, make sure it’s stocked before you leave!

#3 Cell phone, chargers, and cell back ups:

Most folks probably feel pretty naked without their cell phones in tote, but make sure you have it (and a way to keep it charged) while on the road.  Cell phones can be great for communicating in emergencies, navigating your route, and storing your reservations and confirmation numbers.  Depending on where you are going; however, your reception and battery life might be impacted, so be prepared with the following “just in case”.

1. Emergency numbers – written down.  I know that most folks don’t carry “little black books” these days.  Still, it is worth it to jot down your emergency phone numbers so that you have them in the event that you can’t access your cell phone’s phone book.
2. GPS – Phone navigation is great, but you won’t want to use data for extended road trips.  (Also, I’ve been caught midway through a new city and my phone navigation just wouldn’t work!) Take a GPS with you (with updated maps) so that you have a dedicated travel assistant while on the road!  We recently bought a Garmin DriveSmart 61 and love how much the little devices have come since we bought our last ones!
3. Road Atlas – Call me old school, but I still carry a paper map on the road.  They come in handy when you are feeling adventurous and want to deviate from your pre-planned route to enjoy a side excursion.  They are also useful when unanticipated traffic backups cause slowdowns.  Try this atlas from Rand McNally when traveling in the US.  It’s the brand that my mom always used to carry and has served me well for years as well.
4. A printed copy of your itinerary / trip plan – Having a printed copy makes your plan, addresses and other important logistics quick and easy to access.  Before you leave the house, you will also want to send / email this to someone (or a couple of folks) that you trust so that they will be aware of your whereabouts while you are traveling.  This is a safety tip that you don’t want to overlook.

#4 Travel Pillow and Blanket:

You never know if you will be stranded on the road, and if you are traveling solo, you may need to pull over at a rest stop to catch some zzzzz’s.  It’s great to prepare for such a necessity as basic as sleep while on the road.  We often exercise a strategy of switching drivers on long hauls as well, so one person sleeps while the other drives.  You don’t have to break the bank, but take a comfortable blanket that is large enough to bundle up in while sitting / leaning in the passenger seat of the car.  Jason takes his travel pillow, but I typically just grab mine from the bed 😉

FYI – This is a seriously HUGE blanket, and oh so comfortable!

#5 A good cooler:

If you are spending any significant time on the road, you will also want to plan for food.  Packing non-perishable food items is a must, but having a good cooler can be a life-saver as well.  Not only will you be able to keep your beverages cold, packing fruit and other items that keep best when cool can provide quick access to energy without having to stop for fast food.

We have learned that refrigerating canned / bottled beverages before putting them in the cooler preserves the ice well, but there is ultimately no substitution for having a good cooler!  Here is the brand that we carry that serves us well.  It’s not top of the line, but it does a good job at keeping us chilled on the road.

#6 Roadside assistance (AAA, spare tire, etc):

We are proud AAA members which gives us peace of mind when we travel because we know that if we run into a snare, AAA will be there 🙂 That being said, it is also good to make sure that you have the following items and self-serve car care supplies… just in case.

1. Have a spare tire – You can patch a tire or tow your car, but putting on a spare is usually gives you more options and time.  Better yet, carry an extra tire with you if you are able to.
2. Carry windshield wiper fluid – You never know when you will run out and / or need more (we’ll have to share our experience driving home in a “bug storm” through South Dakota sometime).  Visibility on a road trip is definitely a safety consideration.
3. Oil – This is a just in case item.  You should be good if your car is in good working order, but if you know you have a leak or that your car runs through oil, long road trips can put a strain on your engine that you will want to prepare for.

#7 A Few Grab and Go Items:

These miscellaneous items will keep you safe and clean on the road.  Make sure that you throw them into your bad before you dash out the door.

1. Wipes – you certainly won’t regret having wipes with you in a sticky situation.  Also, depending on where you go, these can help you to feel refreshed after hours in the sun or car.
2. Sunscreen – protecting your skin in the sun is a must!  We carry Aveeno’s spray sunscreen for good (SPF 60+) coverage and a comfortable feel.
3. Ziploc bags – I typically use the Ziploc gallon-sized bags when I pack.  They hold a lot, and have not failed to keep my items dry and orderly.  They are also great at packing out waste when you take a detour off the roadway.
4. Hands free phone holder – This is my newest must-have travel item.  I went for years without having one of these, and now I cannot imagine driving long distances without one.  I listen to a lot of podcasts, and not having to manipulate my phone to transition through the episodes has made me a safer driver.
5. Hand Sanitizer – another essential!  I typically will keep my hand sanitizer in one of the ziploc bags to make sure that I don’t have any leaks.

Ultimately, there are a lot of items to pack when you hit the road.  Make sure that you don’t overlook the essentials!  What else do you make sure not to leave home without?  Happy exploring!