You have a road trip soon and you just can’t wait for the departure date. Sorry to startle you but the difference between you having a good time or a bad time during the trip may squarely fall on the road trip packing list.
You don’t want to forget your phone charger or your nausea medication and you are reduced to throwing up the entire trip. This is where a road trip packing list will come in handy.
This article outlines the important things to bring for travel when going on a road trip, to ensure you concentrate on having fun and fun alone.
Navigation equipment
To find your way around unfamiliar territories you will need navigation equipment. You can either use GPS or your mobile phone. Physical maps can also be of great help as a backup plan.
Communication
To ensure you can constantly communicate, ensure you carry mobile phone chargers including car chargers and adapters, hands-free phone mount, portable wifi hotspot, and portable power bank.
Vehicle essentials
If you are renting a car, most car rentals come with the essentials you will need during a trip. This may, however, not be the case and may vary from one rental company to the other. Use Rental24h to compare the different car rental companies in terms of cost and policies like car rental for under 25 if you are under 25, since some companies may have tough conditions to be fulfilled to rent a car for a young driver. Don’t forget to also inquire about what essentials their cars come with and settle on one that comes with the most vital essentials you will require on a road trip.
Below are the important things you can’t afford to leave behind.
- A valid driving license for the drivers and vehicle registration.
This will help you avoid trouble with the sheriff and his deputies. Make sure you carry them at all times you will be driving.
- Vehicle insurance and information like phone numbers for road assistance or AAA membership.
- Jumper cables to help jumpstart your car in case the battery runs low.
- Spare tire and all the tools you will require to change a tire in case of a puncture.
- Coolant
- Bottle of oil
- Gas container
Clothing
You have to bring along appropriate clothing which has to suit the weather. You can pack:
- Swimsuits and beach blankets if you intend to go to the beach
- Raincoats if you expect rainy weather
- Hiking shoes if you intend to go hiking
- Hats
- Scarfs
- Flip flops
- Sun Glasses
Entertainment and comfort
You will require entertainment while on the road. For entertainment, it is important to have:
- A playlist, podcast, or Audiobooks
- Headphones
- Portable speakers
- Games including card games
For your comfort consider packing:
- Pillows including travel pillows
- Blankets
- Eye Mask
- Towels
- mints/gum
Safety and emergency
For safety and emergency carry along:
- First aid kit
- Pain killers
- Bandage
- Antibiotics
- Ointment
- Reflector jackets
- Flashlight
- Bug spray
- Nausea medication
- Sunscreen
- Prescriptions
Food and snacks
You can carry some food, snacks, and drinks for the trip. Other items in this category include:
- Cooler box for perishables and to keep drinks cool
- Portable grill
- Basic utensils like plates, cups, and spoon
- Thermos
- Corkscrew
- Reusable water bottles
- Nuts
- Juices
- Energy bars
Personal items
Some personal items that you should forget include:
- Toiletries
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Hairbrush
- Shampoo
- Camera
- Lotion
- Umbrella
- Tissues
- Hand sanitizer
Conclusion
A road trip should be a time to have a good time and not a situation to make you miserable. To have the intended fun you have to plan everything carefully and make sure you bring all that you will require during the trip. The essentials include important car things and personal effects that you can’t afford to leave behind. The next time you plan to go for a road trip, go through this list and ensure you don’t forget to carry along anything.
