The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List
Credit: averieclaire
Road trip essentials - What to pack for road trips
Ready to hit the open road? Planning the perfect road trip takes more than just deciding where and when you want to go. Whether it’s family road trips, a solo road trip, quick day trip, or a usa road trip across national parks, no matter your road trip style, you have to make sure you’re prepared for any situation that might arise during your journey. That’s why it’s important to create a road trip essentials list before you hit the road.
Worried you’ll leave something important behind? From emergency items, to snacks and supplies, entertainment and more, a road trip packing list ensures that you’re ready for any road tripping adventure. Wondering what to pack for your road trip? Don’t stress! This ultimate road trip packing list will guide you through all of the road trip must haves, the best tips, plus a road trip checklist that will have you fully prepared for any adventure that awaits you on the open roads.
Never forget a road trip essential! Keep reading for your ultimate road trip packing list guide!
Credit: leio
Road trip car essentials
Having the proper road trip essentials for your car makes all the difference! Whether you’re taking a cross country road trip or a quick day trip, car troubles can happen at any time so it’s best to be prepared! Here’s some road trip car essentials you absolutely must have:
Driver’s license
Vehicle registration
Car insurance
Car manual
First aid kit (This kit from First Aid Only gives you all the basics and then some. For a more in depth first aid kit check out this one from Besst Survivor.)
Roadside emergency kit (This car emergency kit includes an air compressor, tire pressure gauge, tire repair kit, jumper cables, and more!)
Spare tire - A flat tire on a road trip is no fun, but as long as you have a spare tire you won’t have to worry about canceling or pushing your road trip back!
Sun shade/windshield cover (A summer road trip must have)
Protective floor mats (There are lots of floor mats on Amazon to choose from, and you can even search for styles that specifically fit your vehicle.)
Spare cash
Heading on a winter road trip? Prepare yourself with a snow shovel, ice scraper, and tire chains. (Tip: Run your defrosters for a few minutes before you start to scrape the ice from your windows.)
Navigation and road trip apps
Here are some apps and things to help you navigate your road trip:
Google maps - The Google maps app is one of the most common navigation apps. (Tip: download the offline maps version in case you drive through remote areas that have limited or no cell service.)
Waze - Waze is a navigation app that will help you find the quickest routes and keep you up to date on current traffic times. Definitely a time saver when traveling through high traffic areas!
Paper map - A paper map is a great option to have just in case you lose cell service and don’t have an offline map to fall back on, plus they make for a fun travel photo prop!
GasBuddy - The GasBuddy app finds you the cheapest gas stations near you.
Freecampsites.net is a simple website where you can plug in your location or where you’ll be traveling to in order to find free sites to camp at located all over the world.
Tech and electronics to pack for a road trip
Phone mount - If you’re navigating your road trip using your phone, the safest way to do so is to mount your phone. This keeps your hands free but keeps your phone within eyesight so you never miss a turn along your route. (This phone mount attaches to any car vent, it features 2 mounting options and can be extended above or below air flow)
Car charger - Newer cars have USB charging ports throughout the vehicle. If that’s not the case for you, get a USB car adapter that converts the cigarette lighter outlet into a charging port for your phone.
Phone charger
Chargers for all of your devices
Portable charger (This portable charger can charge mobile devices, tablets, and laptops. It’s waterproof, has a solar panel for emergency charging, and also features a flashlight.)
Digital camera, polaroid camera (This Fujifilm camera has a fun vintage design), or GoPro
Food and drink to pack for a road trip
Water (A road trip essential) and other cold drinks
Cooler (Shop all coolers on Amazon)
Road trip snacks like trail mix, nuts, nutrition/granola bars, pretzels, chex mix, and jerky
Reusable water bottle (Stanley makes great reusable water bottles for travel. Popular sizes include 17oz, 22oz, 40oz, and 64oz)
Travel mug (This travel mug keeps drinks hot for up to 4 hours and you can even make french press with it too!)
Hydration packets (I highly recommend LMNT! Their electrolyte hydration packets are sugar free and contain no artificial ingredients.)
Cleaning supplies to pack for a road trip
Messes can happen anywhere, even on the road. Here’s some cleaning essentials you should pack for your road trip:
Trash can (This mini trash bin fits in your car’s cup holder – perfect to dispose of small trash items on short day trips. For longer road trips and larger trash items, this trash can attaches to the back of any headrest!)
Garbage bags or plastic bags
Cleaning solution
Paper towels
Disinfecting wipes
Tide to Go pen
Toiletries to pack for a road trip
Taking care of your personal hygiene on the road doesn’t have to be complicated or non-existent. Here’s what toiletries you should have on your road trip packing list:
Shower essentials - Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
Haircare - Dry shampoo, hairspray, hair brushhair straightener, curling iron
Dental care - Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, mouth wash
Skincare
Deodorant
Towel
Toilet paper
Wet wipes / baby wipes (These wipes are plant-based, plastic-free, flushable, biodegradable, and unscented.)
Hand sanitizer (This is my favorite travel hand sanitizer. It’s organic and smells like lavender!)
Body lotion
Sunscreen
Chapstick / lip balm
Makeup
Tweezers
Nail clippers
Earplugs
Medications and/or vitamins (This travel pill organizer has clear days of the week marked on each pod that all stack together into one.)
In order to save space and keep your toiletries organized while on the road, store your toiletries in reusable travel bottles (For short road trips, these small clear pods offer just enough space and can be stacked together. For longer road trips, these travel bottles expand and contract to meet your sizing needs) and pack everything in a toiletry bag (this one is hangable). Tip: Minimize your routine when traveling to make sure to only bring what you need for the duration of your trip.
Credit: averieclaire
Entertainment for your road trip
Let’s face it, driving can get pretty boring. Here’s some fun ways to entertain yourself on a road trip:
Playlist (Check out Spotify’s Fun Road Trip Road Mix playlist or Classic Road Trip Songs playlist), podcast (Check out The Quiz Queen’s Road Trip Trivia on Spotify), audiobook, or book(s)
Laptop, kindle, or tablet
Headphones (Just in case you want to listen to your own entertainment) (These are my favorite affordable wireless earbuds.)
Portable speaker (This OontZ travel speaker is waterproof, connects to any device via bluetooth, can play for up to 12 hours, and attaches to anything with its built-in carabiner clip.)
Cards or board games (Check out this fun road trip card game from WHAT DO YOU MEME?)
More road trip entertainment - Fun road trip games
Road trip entertainment doesn’t have to just be all music and reading, if you’re looking to pass the time with friends while road tripping, check out some of these fun road trip games you can play verbally:
I Spy: This is a classic game that involves one person choosing an object within sight and saying "I spy with my little eye, something [color or feature]." The other players then take turns guessing the object until someone correctly identifies it.
20 Questions: One player thinks of a person, place, or thing, and the other players take turns asking yes or no questions to try to guess what it is. The goal is to guess the answer within 20 questions.
The Alphabet Game: Starting with the letter "A," players take turns finding letters of the alphabet in order on road signs, billboards, and license plates.
Name That Tune: One player hums or sings a few bars of a song, and the others try to guess the name of the song.
License Plate Game: Players try to spot license plates from as many different states or provinces as possible.
Would You Rather: One player poses a hypothetical question with two choices, and the others take turns choosing which option they would prefer and explaining why.
Word Association: One player says a word, and the others take turns saying words that are associated with it until someone can't come up with a word.
Storytelling: One person starts a story, and each player takes turns adding a sentence or two to continue the narrative.
Bingo: Create bingo cards with road trip-related items like "cow," "mountain," or "billboard for a fast-food chain." The first player to cross off all the items on their card wins.
Mad Libs: Fill in the blanks in a pre-written story with random nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs to create a hilarious and often nonsensical tale.
Safety essentials for a road trip
Bad things can happen anywhere, even while traveling. Here’s some ways to stay safe while road tripping:
Personal alarm - A personal alarm device emits a high pitched siren to help you to scare off any potential danger so you can get away safely. (This personal alarm from She’s Birdie clips right to your keychain.)
Safety tracking device (This one from AngelSense has tons of 5 star reviews but they do have a monthly fee. Need a device without fees? Check out this one from Silent Beacon.)
Pepper spray or pepper gel - You can never be too careful. Pepper spray/gel is a great way to protect yourself against wild animals or potential attackers that get too close. (This pepper gel clips onto your keyring for easy access, it has UV marking dye, plus a more targeted stream vs. a spray, which means it travels further with less wind blowback.)
Steering wheel lock - Car break-ins are not uncommon. A steering wheel lock will ensure that no one can drive off with your car. (This steering wheel lock is slim, super easy to install, and uses a combination lock instead of a key.)
Flashlight or headlamp (This flashlight is waterproof, recharges via solar or USB, can be used as a powerbank for your phone, and can illuminate as far as 2600ft in high mode for up to 10 hours.)
Sleep essentials and comfort items to pack for a road trip
Pillow
Blanket
Neck pillow
This 4-in-1 travel set features a neck pillow, eye mask, ear plugs, and the carry bag transforms into a blanket! (Bonus idea: when everything is folded up into it the carry bag you can use it as a regular pillow)
Picnic blanket (Perfect for if you want to stop for a break to take a nap or eat a meal outside)
Tent (if applicable)
Sleeping bag (if applicable)
Air mattress (Perfect for if you’re sleeping in your car!)
Clothing and other road trip accessories
When it comes to road tripping, comfort is key – especially since you’ll be in the car for long periods of time. Pack clothing that matches your comfort level, destination, activities, and the weather. The clothing you bring for your road trip should feel good to wear, be versatile enough to wear a few times, and easy enough to wash in the sink if necessary.
Breathable, moisture-wicking shirts
Comfortable bottoms (Some of the best places to shop for women’s travel pants and shorts are Athleta, Madewell, Abercrombie, Target, and Amazon Fashion.)
Fleece pullover (This Amazon Essentials fleece pullover is an affordable fave!) or sweatshirt
Jacket
Undergarments that are lightweight, breathable, and odor-resistant
Socks (Tip: For a winter road trip opt for wool socks to keep your feet warm)
Slip on shoes or flip flops
Sunglasses (These Quay sunglasses are my favorite go-to sunnies. Want something more affordable? Check out this dupe from Amazon!)
Swimwear (if applicable)
Hiking boots (if applicable) (These are my favorite hiking shoes – there’s also a boot version too!)
Rain jacket (This rain coat features a slim silhouette, longer design for more coverage, and easily folds into its own carry pouch.) or umbrella (This mini travel umbrella is 5.5 inches when closed and comes with its own carry case.)
Day pack (This daypack is slim, lightweight, water resistant, plus it has a water bottle sleeve and even folds up its own packable pouch. My favorite alternative is the Water Buffalo backpack because it has a built-in water bag and straw so you don’t need to bring a water bottle, plus there’s ample storage for other items.)
Road trip packing list checklist
Never worry about forgetting what to bring on a road trip again! I’ve created the ultimate road trip packing list checklist to make sure you pack all of the road trip supplies that you need for a successful road trip adventure! Feel free to download, print, or pin it to Pinterest for future road trip packing and planning!
What not to bring on a road trip
Now that you know what you should bring on a road trip, here’s what you should leave at home:
Non-essential items
Jewelry
Anything of value
Food that requires lots of meal prep
Road trip tips
Packing road trip necessities is one thing, but there are some other ways you can prepare yourself for your road trip adventure. Check out these road trip tips to help you stay smart, safe, and savvy while on the road:
Always double check your road trip checklist before you leave! ;)
Let family and friends know where you’re going. Share your road trip itinerary and make sure to check in with them so they know you’re safe. This could save your life in an emergency situation!
Make sure you have your driver’s license in your wallet, and that your car registration, insurance policy, and car manual are in your glove box. If you’re driving a rental car, make sure your rental agreement is in your glove box as well!
Plan your route in advance and mark off gas stations, rest stop areas, hotels, and cell service areas along the way. There are lots of road trip apps that are super helpful when it comes to these things like: Google maps, Roadtrippers, and GasBuddy.
Check the weather of the locations you’ll be driving to so you can best prepare your trip packing list.
It’s a great idea to bring an extra car key! Make sure to keep it on you (pocket, wallet, purse, etc.) in case you lock your main key inside the car.
Keep your daily essentials packed in the back seat for easy access, this way you don’t have to stop and open your trunk every time you need something.
To save space inside your car or trunk, opt for a roof cargo box. (Shop rooftop cargo boxes on Amazon)
Whether you’re stopping at a gas station or a national park, always remember to lock your doors and keep any valuable items out of sight!
To save money, pack your own meals for the duration of your trip, and instead of a rental car, opt to take your own car if you can!
Don’t forget to take breaks! Whether that means stopping to stretch your legs or switching up the driver so you can get some rest.
Place an Airtag in your car so you can track it down in the event that it gets stolen.
Get your car serviced prior to your trip - A full work up including things like tire rotation and oil change will help to prevent any issues from arising during your road trip.
Fill up on gas, windshield wiper fluid, and tire air before leaving for your road trip.
Get travel insurance!
Road Trip FAQ - Packing for a road trip
How long before a trip should you start packing?
You should start planning your road trip packing list about 2 weeks prior to your road trip. This gives you enough time to shop for all of your road trip necessities. You can start organizing and packing your travel gear 3-4 days in advance.
What should you not forget to pack for a road trip?
This road trip packing list is full of road trip supplies that you should bring on a road trip so I wouldn’t recommend omitting anything unless it’s non-essential to your trip. But as far as the absolute essentials go, don’t forget your wallet, license, registration, insurance, roadside assistance kit, or first aid kit.
What should you have in your car for a road trip?
Road trip or not, you should always have these essentials in your car: car registration, car insurance policy, car manual, roadside assistance kit, jumper cables, and a spare tire. For a winter road trip bring an ice scraper, snow shovel, and tire chains.
How should I pack my car for a road trip?
Store the biggest, non-essential items in the trunk. For smaller, essential items that you’ll need more frequently, keep them in the back seat so you can access them easily. Need more space? A roof cargo box is a great way to add some extra storage to your car!
How do you pack clothes for a road trip?
Rolling your clothes instead of folding them helps to save space and prevents your clothing from wrinkling. After rolling your clothes, place them into packing cubes to keep them organized.
How do you pass the time on a road trip?
Music, podcasts, books, and games are all great things to keep you entertained on a road trip. Before you leave, create your own playlist, or download a road trip playlist or podcast so you can listen even in areas that lack cell service.
Cheers to never worrying about what to bring on a road trip again!
I hope this road trip packing list guide helped you figure out what road trip essentials to add to your trip packing list. Whether you’re planning a day trip, 3 day road trip, a 7 day road trip or more, you can rest easy knowing you’ll never forget what to pack as long as you have this road trip checklist handy. Now grab your keys, round up your friends, turn on your favorite road trip podcast or playlist, because it’s time to hit the road!
Happy road tripping!
