Are you planning a road trip? Make sure these road trip essentials are on your checklist!
Get ready to hit the open road confidently by ensuring you pack all your road trip essentials in your vehicle. Adventure In America is here to ensure your journey is as easy as pie.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or this is your first road trip, these tips will help you easily navigate the open road. From packing the right clothes to checking your vehicle is up to date, we’ve got you covered.
So, buckle up and join us as we explore some factors that can make or break your next getaway. With these 9 road trip essentials at your fingertips, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle any twists and turns that come your way!
Road trip essential item: Personal necessities
Safety and comfort are equally important when you’re heading out on a road trip. Keeping certain necessities close at hand will make your adventures on the road feel more like a vacation and less like a chore. Here’s what you should have on hand:
-Water bottle
-First aid kit
-Face masks
-Sunglasses
-Travel mug
-Hand sanitizer
-Cooler
-Grab-and-go snacks
-Travel-size toiletries
-Sunscreen
-Bug repellant
Road trip essential item: Car items
According to a survey, about one in three Americans plan to hit the road as soon as the weather turns. First things first, though. You can’t go on a road trip without your license and registration. So make sure they’re in a safe, easy-to-reach place.
Then, get your car serviced before you leave and fix any minor problems. This can include broken windshield wipers, tire rotation, and an oil change. Also, read up on how to save gas on your trip so you don’t blow your entire budget on fuel.
And ensure you’re covered for any fun things you want to see and do along your journey. Travel insurance is vital if you’re traveling abroad because you’ll most likely not be covered for any medical expenses in other countries without it.
Then, add these handy road trip essentials to your dashboard, trunk, or glove compartment for a worry-free drive.
-Hands-free phone mount
-Spare tire and jack
-JUDY Emergency Kit
-Paper maps (for when you’re out of Wi-Fi range)
-Portable charger
-Air freshener
-Trunk organizer
-Audiobooks: Amazon has a TON you can choose from
Road trip essential item: Entertainment
Even though getting there is considered half the fun, the rest of the road trip excitement is when you finally get to your destination and can enjoy the great outdoors, whether at the mountains, the beach, or in a quiet rural area.
Be sure to pack some special gear to keep you entertained indoors and outdoors so you can also be ready for stormy weather.
-Games
-Books
-Bluetooth speaker
-Playing cards
-Frisbee
-Fishing gear
-Sports equipment
Note: If you need to purchase any of these, include them in your road trip expense list so you can keep track of your budget.
Road trip essential item: Clothing
We get it: With an entire car or RV to pack with your personal items, it might seem like you can just throw half your closet in the car and burn rubber. But trust us.
You’ll be happier if you have a packing road trip checklist that limits how much you take to keep your traveling space neat and make packing back up easier…yes, you do have to consider this tedious part as well.
The clothing plan we’ve made for you below is for a week on the road in nice weather. Pro Tip: Bring a few small packets of detergent for quick sink washing, and plan to stop at a laundromat if you’re planning to be on the road longer.
The packing list for a road trip will depend on the season and your destination. But in general, here’s what it should look like:
-A pair of pants
-5 short sleeve shirts
-A couple of long sleeve shirts
-3 pairs of shorts
-Loungewear and pajamas
-7 pairs of socks
-7 pairs of underwear
-Hat
-Bathing suit
-Sneakers
-Raingear
-Hiking boots
-Flip-flops or sandals
Road trip essential item: If traveling by RV
According to research, searches for RVs have increased by over 350% in recent years. So there’s a better-than-average chance that if you’re going on a road trip, you’ll travel across the country with the comforts of home at your fingertips.
To make it feel even more relaxing, you can bring some camping and entertainment necessities and add these additional RV essentials.
-Bedding
-Easy cooking ingredients
-Travel pillow
-Snack containers
-Folding table and chairs
-Bikes and locks
-Outdoor adventure blanket
-Sunshade
-Seat cushions
Pro Tip: There are also ways you can find free overnight parking for your RV. Simply do a bit of research when driving in a specific area you wish to spend a few days in.
Road trip essential item: If camping
Pitching a tent in the middle of the woods sounds like a leisurely vacation. But we highly recommend familiarizing yourself with your camping gear first.
Make a checklist and pack your own water bottles, cutlery, and anything else you might need to be self-sufficient in the woods. Here’s what we would take on a camping road trip:
-Tent
-Sleeping bag
-Inflatable lounge
-Flashlights and headlamps
-Matches (or something to start a fire with)
-Easy to cook food
-Camping chairs
-Packable hammock
-Campfire S’more kit
-Animal-proof food storage bags
