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Road tripping is synonymous with quintessential family vacations and fun times with friends. While flying is a faster way to reach a given destination, road trips allow you to see things you\u2019d miss out on if you traveled by air. Before you pull out to hit the open highway, it\u2019s important to consult our list of road trip essentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While road-tripping with your favorite people, don’t forget to pack Adventures From Scratch<\/em><\/a>! The date edition<\/a> is full of intimate conversation prompts and creative activities that can be done wherever you and your partner roam. The family edition<\/a> will help you and your brood make any day and any location an experience to remember. With over 50 challenges, each book will keep you busy for the next year (or more). Get your copy today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n By using our list of road trip essentials, you can reduce or eliminate the possibility that you\u2019ll forget something at home. Both new and serial road trippers can benefit from a road trip checklist. That\u2019s particularly so if you\u2019re packing for other people in addition to yourself. While you may be intimately familiar with the things you need to pack for yourself, the things you need to bring for your traveling companions may change as they age and develop new needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if you\u2019re hitting the road with your growing children, you may need to bring some games when they\u2019re school-aged that you wouldn\u2019t have had to bring when they were infants. Similarly, if you\u2019re breaking up your Golden Years with intermittent road trips, you may have to pack medicine for your partner that you\u2019ve never had to bring along before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To keep your personal checklist up to date, it\u2019s advisable to make notes as your circumstances change. If, for instance, you have recently started to need glasses when you read, add \u201creading glasses\u201d to your list as a reminder to grab your glasses before you walk out the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the things you might need for your next road trip may vary depending on the season, your planned route, and your final destination. Although that\u2019s true, there are some items that you should pack regardless of those factors. This list accounts for those must-haves, which is why we\u2019re focusing on essentials for every road trip, not just seasonal getaways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re planning a long road trip or just a quick car ride to a friend\u2019s place, you should never leave home without a roadside emergency kit. Of course, your kit will only help you avoid getting stranded on the side of the road if you fill it with the things you\u2019ll need in case you run into a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some of the items you should put in your kit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whenever you\u2019re planning a road trip, you should make sure you have a fully stocked first aid kit in your vehicle. Band-aids, tweezers, two packages of 81 mg aspirin, two pairs of non-latex gloves, one instant cold compress, and five one-gram packets of antibiotic ointment are just some of the items the American Red Cross recommends people put in a portable first aid kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t want to take the chance that you may forget to put a critical item in your kit, you can buy a complete kit from Amazon. First aid kits on Amazon run from under $25 to over $200, and you have hundreds to choose from, so you\u2019re sure to find one that suits your needs by visiting that website. If you don\u2019t have time to wait for a kit to be delivered, you can probably find a pre-packed kit at your local drug store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you get a pre-stocked kit, you should still add a few things to your kit if you or your traveling buddies have special medical needs. If, for example, someone in your group has severe allergies, make sure you stow an extra epi-pen in your kit. Similarly, you should pack extras of any prescriptions you\u2019re currently taking in case your trip ends up being longer than originally planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As much as we all rely on travel apps<\/a> and digital tools like Google Maps, and features like built-in navigation to find our way around, you shouldn\u2019t rely on them exclusively if you\u2019re headed into unfamiliar territory. Even if your car has an onboard Wi-Fi connection, it\u2019s still possible for you to wind up in an area where you\u2019ll be cut off from the outside world in the context of your electronics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To avoid getting lost when your in-car technology and cell phone fail in a remote location, you should stow some paper maps in luggage you can access easily. Your collection of maps should include regional and local ones for the areas where you plan to stay en route to your destination. If you simply can\u2019t bear the thought of using paper maps to navigate your course, you can download offline maps using maps.com before you leave home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your smartphone is like a lifeline that you might need at any moment during a long drive on the open road. If your car breaks down, for instance, and you don\u2019t have the appropriate tools or skills to fix the issue, you\u2019ll need to use your phone to call for help. What will you do if a member of your group is injured and needs medical attention? You\u2019d use your phone to call for help, naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With your smartphone being a must-have in emergency situations rather than a daily luxury, it\u2019s crucial for you to keep your phone charged and ready for immediate use. To make sure you can keep your phone charged, you need to remember to pack a car charger for your phone. You should also pack a phone charger you can use at the hotels, Airbnb\u2019s, or rest stops where you plan to spend the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A power bank is like a portable charger you can use to keep your cell phone and mobile devices all charged up. Depending on the particular bank you use, you may be able to charge several devices at once. Some power banks can accommodate different types of wires while others are only able to handle USB cords exclusively. How long a power bank lasts between charges depends on various factors, such as how often and long you use it and how many gadgets are plugged into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Power banks are reusable tools you can use to keep peace among your fellow travelers. If your vehicle only has charging ports upfront, you can share your power bank with passengers in the back to avoid infighting over who gets to use the built-in charging ports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Did you forget to pack an outlet adapter and realize that your charging cords aren\u2019t compatible with the outlets in a given accommodation during a road trip abroad? Don\u2019t panic! You can use your power bank to keep your devices charged. Just remember to pick up an outlet adapter when you head out so you can recharge your power bank during your next layover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Packing cubes are collapsible pieces of luggage you can use to pack your gear. Even if you don\u2019t pack your things in cubes before you leave home, you should still bring one along for the ride. That\u2019s because you can use the packing cube to stow your dirty clothes and keep them separate from your clean things. You can find affordable cubes on many websites, including Amazon.com.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The last thing you want to do during a family road trip or an outing with friends is fumble around for your cell phone while you\u2019re behind the wheel. Placing a phone mount on your dashboard will ensure you\u2019ll know exactly where your phone is at all times. The mount can keep your phone within easy view, which is important for motorists who rely on their smartphones for navigation purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to ensure you\u2019ll have access to the internet during an upcoming road trip, it\u2019s wise to invest in a portable Wi-Fi hotspot if your vehicle doesn\u2019t have similar technology. Hotspots like Skyroam typically allow subscribers to connect multiple gadgets to the internet at once, but they usually have a maximum limit for simultaneous users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on your cell phone carrier, you might be able to use your smartphone as a hotspot. Companies like Verizon charge an additional fee for this service, but they generally tack on additional amenities in exchange, such as complimentary access to Disney+ or Netflix for a limited time at least.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While hitting the open road with friends or family members is meant to be fun, things can get stressful from time to time. If the kids are fighting, you\u2019re stuck in traffic, or you\u2019re covering a tricky stretch of road, you may find your blood pressure rising quickly. You may also discover that you\u2019re simply mentally weary after spending hours and hours on the road day after day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter what\u2019s stressing you out, having a list of 20 short and effective mediations<\/a> you can do at work or anywhere, including a rest stop, can help restore your usual peace of mind. Engaging in a quick mediation can also re-energize you so that you\u2019re physically and emotionally ready for the next leg of your trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although it\u2019s wise to leave plenty of unplanned time built into your schedule, you should still create a loose itinerary for your upcoming adventure and bring it with you. Your itinerary should include the locations where you plan to pull off the road for the night and a flexible arrival time for each stop. Your travel plan should also include things you want to see and do and the approximate dates and times you plan to cross them off your to-do list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In general, it\u2019s wise to include some activities you can do at any time in your plan, such as an app-led scavenger hunt. Let\u2019s Roam has scavenger hunts<\/a> planned in more than 400 cities around the world<\/a>, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you sign up for an app-led scavenger hunt by Let\u2019s Roam, you\u2019re scheduling a future event without having to commit to a firm start date or time. That means you and your travel mates can participate in the fun-filled hunt whenever you reach the relevant destination location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like you can complete a digital scavenger hunt at any time, you can do some Adventures from Scratch whenever you want. The \u201cAdventures from Scratch: Family Adventure Book<\/a>\u201d includes more than 55 scratch-off adventures you and your family can do on the fly throughout your road trip. Simply find an adventure that intrigues everyone, scratch off the challenge, and start making lasting memories with your loved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you and your significant other are the only participants in your getaway, consider spicing things up with our \u201cAdventures from Scratch: Couples Adventure Book<\/a>.\u201d Like our other tome, this book has many scratch-off adventures that you can enjoy with your partner. Some of them are romantic in nature while others are ready-made dates, but all of them are fun, enjoyable, and interactive. If you know where you\u2019re going to stay, consider mailing individual adventures to each location before you leave home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unless you\u2019re going to do all the driving, a travel pillow is one of the road trip essentials you should pack for your journey. When you\u2019re a passenger instead of your group\u2019s chauffeur, you may want to knock off for a while. Your upright sitting position isn\u2019t a natural position that\u2019s conducive with sleep, however. Because of that, your head may list to the side or fall forward, which may jolt you awake or result in a sore neck and less efficient breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel pillows provide support for your head and neck while you sleep as they combat the challenges of upright sleep. A typical pillow is lightweight, portable, reusable, and ergonomically designed. These specialized pillows are widely available in a range of sizes and styles, with some having neat amenities like temperature control. Here are some models you may want to consider if you don\u2019t already have one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the best travel tips you\u2019ll ever get is to bring noise-canceling headphones on every long road trip you take. No matter how much you love your travel companions and enjoy their company, it\u2019s likely you\u2019ll want some quiet time every so often, including when you try to take a nap. Noise-canceling headphones will allow you to tune out the noise in your immediate surroundings without you having to ask everyone to shush or keep things down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you don\u2019t use them in the car, you may find that noise-canceling headphones are useful when you stop for the night. If you\u2019re going to take an RV on your next journey, you may find that your fellow road warriors pull into and out of a given RV campground at all hours of the day and night. By using your headphones, you won\u2019t have to worry about the related noise interrupting your sleep or your thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re traveling with kids, adults, or a mix of both, you should prepare road trip games<\/a> everyone will enjoy playing. \u201cTravel Bingo,\u201d \u201cRestaurant Race,\u201d \u201cFirst One to See It,\u201d and \u201cDid You Hear That,\u201d are some entertaining car games that are engaging for kids of all ages and that don\u2019t require anything other than some imagination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re traveling with children, you may want to download some gaming apps before you leave home. Here are some of the apps you may want to consider depending on your kids\u2019 ages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, the games you choose to download for your children depend on more than just your kids\u2019 ages. They also depend on the devices your kids will use to play them as some games are made specifically for certain types of devices while others aren\u2019t. Whether your children will use an iPhone, an Android phone, a Kindle, a laptop, or something else, make sure their devices are compatible with the virtual games that they want to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like road trips are usually more about the journey than the final destination, they\u2019re also all about the music for many travelers. To prevent potential Wi-Fi connectivity problems from interrupting your musical experience, make some playlists before you hit the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re struggling to find motivation to create a Spotify playlist, consider making a few thematic ones. You can base one on a particular artist or group, another around a certain genre of music, and still another on the preferred musical stylings on your ultimate destination. Just do your best to choose songs that will appeal to everyone in your group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Few things can put a damper on a road trip faster than forgetting vital credentials at home. Before you take off, make sure you have the following things together and packed away in a readily accessible place like your center console, glovebox, or wallet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you\u2019re not going to camp your way through a road trip, it\u2019s a good idea to pack some toiletries. Just because you may have booked a stay at a five-star hotel, it doesn\u2019t mean the property will have the kind of toilet paper you prefer or the toothpaste you\u2019re used to, after all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A few of the toiletries you may want to pack just to be on the safe side include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re going to car camp at a campground that has community showers, you\u2019ll also want to bring some flip-flops to guard against foot fungus. In addition to being a protective layer in the shower, flip-flops or comfy slip-on shoes make it a breeze for you to run to the gas station or local grocery store with minimal preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the COVID pandemic continuing, you should also throw the following in your toiletry bag:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since you can\u2019t stream a show while you drive, a podcast is a great alternative. If you\u2019re going on a road trip alone, download a few episodes before you leave home so you can still enjoy the broadcast if your Wi-Fi connection is interrupted. Are you going to travel with your partner? Find a podcast you\u2019ll both like and download the series so you can enjoy the broadcast together as you travel throughout the USA or a foreign location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pre-packing some snacks and light meals is an effective way to save money during a road trip. It\u2019s also a smart thing to do to prevent \u201changer\u201d from bringing everyone down during your travels. In general, it\u2019s advisable to pack complete meals like sandwiches that don\u2019t need any further preparation and that will be consumed early on in your trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Snacks are a different story because you can choose some that don\u2019t need to be kept cold to remain edible. From veggie chips to fruits, nuts, protein and granola bars, chips, pretzels, and more, the list of possible snacks that are perfect for a road trip is nearly endless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If having the best road trip ever is your goal, you\u2019ll need to stay hydrated during your journey. Although that\u2019s true, you don\u2019t need to cram your cooler with water bottles. Instead, you can pack other sorts of drinks in there and bring some reusable travel mugs and water bottles like Nalgenes with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re going to consume water sourced on location, you should bring a SteriPen or portable, handheld water filter with you. That\u2019s particularly wise if you\u2019re going to drink untreated water from a lake, river, or stream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A daypack is an absolute must if your road trip is going to include outdoor activities in a national park or a stroll through a bustling city like Atlanta, GA. A typical daypack is larger than a purse, smaller than a suitcase, and on par with a backpack. When choosing a pack, the key is to select one you\u2019ll be comfy wearing for long stretches of time depending on what you have planned. If you can\u2019t find a comfortable pack, you may want to consider using a tote instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Totes and packs aren\u2019t just great for hikes and in-town tours. They\u2019re also wonderful for shopping sprees. If you love to shop for souvenirs and keepsakes, using an appropriately sized bag is a good idea if your goal is to save money. You can set a rule that you\u2019ll stop buying things once your bag is full.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether an upcoming family road trip will involve a lot of time outside or the bare minimum, you should still pack bug spray and sunscreen. While you may not need the spray if you\u2019re going to take a road trip during the winter, you should still bring some sunscreen along as the sun can burn and damage your skin year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are certain road trip essentials<\/a> that you should never forget, like a roadside emergency kit<\/a>, a first aid kit<\/a>, and vital credentials<\/a>. Portable device chargers and paper maps also come in handy.<\/p> <\/div> An effective roadside emergency kit<\/a> should include road flares, a jack, a lug wrench, a headlamp or flashlight, jumper cables, bottled water, and other items on this list of road trip essentials<\/a>.<\/p> <\/div>
\n\n\n\nWhy You Need a Road Trip Packing List for an Upcoming Getaway<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Specific Things to Bring on Your Next Road Trip<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Roadside Emergency Kit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
First Aid Kit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Paper Maps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Phone and Car Chargers for Your Smartphone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Power Banks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Packing Cubes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Phone Mount<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wi-Fi Hotspot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Meditation List<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Itinerary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Travel Pillow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Noise-Canceling Headphones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Car Games<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Spotify Playlist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Credentials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Toiletries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Podcast Episodes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Snacks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Drinks and Beverage Containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Daypack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sunscreen and Bug Spray<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFrequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n