What is a road trip? A road trip can be spontaneous or well planned, it can be a short distance or a lengthy one. Road trips are simply a trip on the road. To make your road trip a smooth one, consider taking some essentials with you. What items are considered essentials? Ask yourself this: if I were to break down on the road, what would I need to keep moving forward?
Whether we’re going to Florida for Spring Break, heading to a campground across multiple states, or simply hopping in the car en route to the nearest metropolis, I’ve got a list you’re going to want to check…literally, check.
If you’re a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of cat, this post is not for you. But if you enjoy being prepared, but not overly so, this is the post you’ll want to pin, or better yet, download my Independent Road Trip Checklist. For more great free downloads, sign up for my Freebies!
Road Trip Essentials
1. Car Insurance and Registration
Check to make sure your car insurance and registration are current. There is nothing worse than getting pulled over in another State and you can’t find your registration, or it has expired. This happened to us. Ouch.
2. Sunglasses
Sunglasses! Make sure you have a pair of sunglasses for everybody in the vehicle. Not sure your dog needs them, but everyone else should have their pair. Simple yet essential!
3. Phone charger or USB Cord
Phone Charger/USB Cord. Now that paper maps are on the way out, and GPS on our phones is an essential app, make sure you don’t run out of phone battery. Need a USB cord? Check out this one from Amazon.
4. Umbrella
Umbrella. Super important for your comfort and concentration, especially if you’re changing a tire in the rain. Been there, done that.
5. Blanket, but not just any blanket
Blanket. I always have a blanket in my car, specifically a Mexican blanket, because they are super warm and durable. Not only is it there for emergency slide-offs, but the dog can sit on it, the kid and use it, or you can sit on it for extra cushion. One of my favorites of the top road trip essentials.
6. Water
Water. Do not get dehydrated. I know, you don’t want to stop and pee. But you also don’t want a splitting headache, dizziness, or brain fog from not drinking enough fluid. Fill your water bottle up and plan your potty stops.
7. Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer. I have three words for you: Rest Stop bathrooms. And if you really want extra comfort, bring a face mask into the bathroom; it helps block the smell. On my last road trip, I forgot the face mask and tried holding my breath in the bathroom stall… not a good idea.
8. Emergency Kit
Roadside Emergency Kit that includes Jumper cables and a First Aid Kit. There is nothing worse than feeling helpless in a strange area, especially if it is dark. Be safe and get an emergency roadside kit; this is definitely one of the best road trip essentials. We have one in every vehicle. Here is a kit that is easy to use. Check it out here on Amazon.
9. Portable Air Compressor
Portable air compressor. I love this thing. Not only does it help with tire pressure, but if you’re camping it’s great for basketballs, air mattresses, and beach floats. This has been so handy on the road and off! A portable air compressor is the way to go. No more searching for air!
10. Towel. Don’t use your blanket.
Towel. Unlike the blanket, the towel is great for unexpected spills or a quick dry-off running through the rain…when you don’t want to bother with your umbrella. It’s also great for Fido to sit on.
11. Tissue.
Tissue. I can’t count the number of times I’m using a tissue to blow my nose. Make sure you get some before you leave the house. Napkins or even a roll of toilet paper work well. Another good one to add here is butt wipes, need I say more?
12. Snacks.
Snacks. This is essential. Snacks save you money, and they save you from gorging on your next meal. Some great road trip snacks include trail mix, grapes, cereal mix, popcorn, meat sticks, protein bars, pretzels, or celery sticks.
13. Paper and Pen.
Paper and pencil/pen. As a passenger, I’m always thinking of my to-do list or my next great idea. Have paper and pen ready to jot down your thoughts.
14. Games!
Road Trip games. If you have kiddos and don’t want them to get tech-neck, grab a few games. Of course, the Alphabet game is super fun for everyone. There are three versions. The classic version is to find the letter of the alphabet in any form. The second is more challenging: find a word that starts with each letter of the alphabet…good luck on Q and Z. And the last version is to find an object that starts with the letter…this is super hard. Don’t forget to add the Corn on Cob Song Fun to the trip!
15. Snow Scraper and Mini Shovel (weather dependent).
Depending on where you are going, you better throw in a snow scraper, a mini snow shovel, and a small bag of kitty litter. When I was in college and traveling out to Colorado, I always had my portable mini snow shovel in my trunk, and I used it! You never know when you’re going to hit black ice and end up in a snowbank or ditch. Mini snow shovels work a lot better than your hands!
16. Weapons!
Weapons. Yep. I said it. At least carry a pocketknife or pepper spray, heck, get a taser. A pocket knife is good to have on hand for lots of reasons. Pepper spray buys you some time, as does a taser. As for handguns, it depends on your opinion of them, where you’re going, knowing what States allow them, having your permit, and understanding the safety of them. Be smart, not stupid.
Wrapping up road trip essentials
That does it! It sounds like a lot, but it isn’t. Most of the stuff is already in your vehicle. It’s always best to be prepared, rather than getting stuck and depending on some creepy person. The best advice I have to offer any road tripper is to simply be aware of what’s going on around you. Pay attention to the road, know what’s happening around you when you make a rest stop, and be safe. Use that head of yours at all times!
Be sure to download my free Independent Road Trip Checklist, for more great (and free) downloads join my e-mail list and you’ll have access to all my freebies! Get access to my Freebies here.
Before you go, check out these other great posts:
How to Make Camping Comfortable
The BEST Homemade Granola Bars EVER!
The Ultimate Scavenger Hunt (kids 8-13 yrs. old)
By CT Copyright © 2021 Simplify Firefly. All Rights Reserved.
