How to Pack Your Car for the Perfect Road Trip

Summer’s finally here which means perfect road trip weather. The only problem with that is no one really thinks about the planning aspect of a road trip, but we’ve got you covered! We’ve assembled a guide of what to pack the car with so you don’t have to. 

Here is the best way to pack your car for your perfect road trip.

 

Pack The Essentials

It seems obvious, but our list starts with the essentials. First, your license and registration. Don’t leave home without them, they are a necessity. Another important packing item is a roadside emergency kit. Hopefully you don’t have to use it, but if you do you’ll regret not throwing it in the trunk when you had a chance. With that comes a spare tire. If you plan on traveling long distance, it’s always a good idea to have a spare tire handy or a tire inflation kit. Lastly, a copy of your insurance policy. Just like the emergency kit, you don’t want to have to use it but you might be grateful you brought it along.

 

Small Lifesaving Items

Next up are the items you don’t really think about needing until you need one. First up is a paper map. Everything is digital now, but service might fail you. You need a back up plan and paper maps could just save you an hour of wandering around an unknown city. Another important item would be a flashlight. If your car battery dies in the after dark, you’re going to be glad you brought one. You can put it in your first aid kit which is item number three we’re suggesting. Who has ever been angry about the fact that they packed a first aid kit? No one. 

 

Another obvious tip for the list would be spare money. Tolls start to get expensive and you never know when you might need some extra cash.  Water bottles are always a good idea to pack. If you get stranded anywhere, staying hydrated is crucial, especially in the summer months. With water bottles may come toilet paper rolls. Drinking water is important but also leads to bathroom breaks so toilet paper seems pretty important in the situation.

 

Entertainment On The Road

There are items that must be packed on a road trip and then there are items that may not be as important, but are still essential for a good time. A phone charger or USB cord is one of them. No one wants to go hours on end with no phone, it’s just not a good time and also isn’t safe in case of emergency. With that in mind, you should also bring a bluetooth or wireless hands-free speaker. It is illegal to use your phone while driving in many states so it’s safer to use a hands-free device to focus on the road. 

 

You should also have an awesome road trip playlist on that phone, that will last you for the duration of the ride. Any song that you can sing along to and raise your spirits will do. If you’re having trouble thinking of what music might work, check out this blog post on Offline Music Options while Driving. You should also try and get a portable wifi device to make sure no matter where you are you won’t be in a dead zone.

 

Don’t forget a camera. Whether it’s sightseeing or just you and some friends in a car you’ll want to document the memories being made. When you’re not taking pictures and have some quiet time, you might want to read a book. As long as you don’t get carsick, a book is a great way to pass the time. If you do get car sick, maybe convince your friends into bringing some travel games to keep everyone happy while they’re trapped in the car for a few hours.

 

Comforts On The Road

After a few hours of driving, it can get a little uncomfortable being squished in a car with people, even your loved ones. There are some small comfort items that will definitely make the trip a lot easier to bare. One of these would be sunglasses because, whether you’re the driver or the passenger, no one wants a headache from squinting at the sun all day. This brings us to our next item: medications. If you unfortunately do get a headache, it’s important to have the proper medication. 

 

Sometimes car naps are the best naps. Bringing a pillow can make a huge difference in comfort. On that same topic, no nap is complete without a blanket. You can use it as a picnic blanket as well as extra warmth so it seems like a luxury item to bring on the perfect road trip. If the blanket is not cutting it, make sure you have an extra sweatshirt. Warm people are usually also happy people.

 

Luggage and Shopping Bags 

A not so obvious item may be a reusable shopping bag. It won’t break on you, and it can hold a lot of souvenirs and gifts you bring home. You can also use it for shopping throughout the trip so you don’t have to keep getting plastic bags from the stores. In that reusable bag it might be smart to carry some hand sanitizer. You’re going to be traveling to a lot of different places and not everything around you will be hygienic. It’ll help keep germs out of the car.

 

If you don’t use a reusable bag, then a backpack is a must. It’ll carry all of the items you don’t want to have to carry around for you. It’s also good to use when you’re planning on being out of the car for a day walking around. In that maybe put some flip flops. The perfect slip on shoes when you’re just running to get gas or road snacks. Lastly, a towel can fit into the backpack easily. In case where you’re staying doesn’t provide towels or you get caught in the rain somewhere. Better safe than sorry. 

 

We hope your road trips are successful this summer and filled with memories to last a lifetime and adventures everyday. We hope this list has helped remind you of what to bring on a road trip, so make sure you have everything you need before you drive off!

 

Sources

 https://maketimetoseetheworld.com/road-trip-packing-list/

https://thetrustedtraveller.com/pack-your-car-for-a-long-road-trip/

Tags: essentials for road trip, packing for road trip, road trip
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