Not sure what to bring on a road trip? This road trip packing list covers essential tips and the best things to pack on your next road trip!

Road Trip Packing List: What to Bring on a Road Trip

Best Bags for a Road Trip

• The ultimate road trip across Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Updated May 20, 2019; Posted Jul 12, 2018. Ishpeming is a must-stop on any U.P. Road trip for great food and drinks.
• The Ultimate USA Road Trip Is Right Here And You’ll Definitely Want To Do It. Are you ready for the best road trip of your entire life? I know you’ve dreamed of traveling the country to see all the famous landmarks and cities. After all, freedom is the foundation of the United States, and what’s more freeing than the open.

Assuming no traffic, this road trip will take about 224 hours (9.33 days) of driving in total, so it’s truly an epic undertaking that will take at least 2-3 months to complete. The best part is that this road trip is designed so that you can start anywhere on the route as long as you follow it from then on.

Use duffle bags for most of your luggage — it’s easier to stack and squeeze soft bags into any car arrangement that you need. If you’re stopping overnight, pack one bag with sleep essentials and next-day clothes so it’s compact and ready to go.

You can use a soft, wheeled suitcase for this if you have a lot of people. Finally, each person can keep a small bag — like a tote or backpack — next to their own seats for easily-accessible snacks and activities.

• We use this duffle bag on our road trips–it’s compact, has several pockets for easy organization, and it’s even slash-proof. This duffle bag is great for longer trips or two people who like to keep it simple and share one bag.
• This insulated tote bag doubles as an ice chest and it folds up nicely when not in use.
• Daypacks are a must if you want to get out and hike during your journey. We use this small daypack which has an internal padded sleeve for a 3L hydration bladder.

What Clothing to Bring on a Road Trip

Wear clothes that are loose and breathable, and that you’re comfortable being seen in at stops. Dark colors hide dirt, stains, and wrinkles better. Even for long trips, you only need two bottoms and a few tops, especially if you can do laundry at hotels or your destination.

• A drawstring laundry bag works if you do need to store dirty garments.
• This portable laundry system wash bag is perfect for doing laundry on the road!
• Make sure to take weather into account—if it’s often rainy, keep some waterproof items — like travel umbrellas and backpack rain covers — in easy reach, and light layers if it might get cold. (In Norway, be prepared for anything–even snow in the summer!!)

Best Snacks for a Road Trip

It’s cheaper to bring snacks from home than buying them at a gas station, and you have healthier options. Freeze-dried fruit and veggies are nicely crunchy and lightweight, while nuts and seeds can satisfy you with salts and protein.

Mix your items together in ziplock bags to create your own trail mix if you want (add a handful of chocolate chips for something sweet), and keep personal portions on-hand with bulk bags in the trunk so you can refill at stops. Less individually-wrapped items cut down on trash, but if you have favorite snack bars, bring a few anyway.

• Stock up on nature bars for a quick snack on the road or throw in your daypack for hiking.
• Bulk bags of trail mix will save time with less trash to pick up, plus it’s better for the environment.
• Wet wipes make for convenient cleanup. These wipes are even biodegradable!
• If you have food items that you absolutely need to keep cool and you don’t want to deal with melting ice, this iceless cooler plugs into your cigarette lighter!
• These stainless steel tupperware containers are awesome for road trips because they are completely leak proof — plus they are non-toxic and eco-friendly!

Best Road Trip Games

Handheld devices are nice diversions, but it can also be fun to get everyone in the car in on a game. Consider bringing creative games like Mad Libs to keep things lively. Mad Libs prompts you to make up funny stories together, and they even have a road trip themed book. Plus, non-electronic games are great backup if your gadgets run out of juice.

Music

A playlist with catchy, upbeat tunes that the whole car can sing to keeps things fun (and keeps you awake!), while a separate playlist for mellower songs gives your brain and body a breather. Just don’t pick anything too soft and repetitive so the driver doesn’t get sleepy.

Navigation

This is definitely the most important thing to bring on a road trip. Investing in a GPS unit will help you navigate in unfamiliar territory. Don’t count on Google Maps or Waze on your phone because you might not always have service. Get one that plugs into your cigarette lighter and make sure it works with your device beforehand. Some of these chargers even come with multiple USB ports if you’re bringing more electronics.

• The Garmin Nuvi is affordable and has all the features you’ll need on a road trip including Smartphone Link, Bluetooth, and lifetime maps.
• Since electronics can fail, though, bring some directions printed out ahead of time, and even get as “old-fashioned” as a thorough road map (this one is perfect for USA road trips).

Road Trip Safety Tips

Bring a first aid kit and an emergency road assistance kit–and have a portable charger on hand in case you need to make an emergency call on low batteries.

• This emergency road assistance kit by AAA is only $25 and it comes with a compact storage bag with handles.
• This portable charger doubles as a lantern and a portable charger for all of your devices that connect with a USB. We’ve been using this on all of our camping and road trip adventures and it’s held up extremely well!

What do I Need to Know Before Going on a Road Trip?

A General Route

There’s something to be said for taking a spontaneous road-trip without a set itinerary, but in the name of self-preservation and avoiding a later headache, it’s best to at least plan out a bit of your route. If you’re not a steadfast planner, then look up a few hotel options that will be in your vicinity and if you’ll be encountering any cell-service dead zones.

That Your Car Is Road-Ready

Renting a car generally ensures that your car will be in tip-top condition for the road, but if you’re bringing a personal car then the onus is on you. If you think your car is in pretty good condition, then at least do some quick tire-pressure and oil checks before you go.

Also, make sure that the spare tire in your car is properly inflated, and that you have a jack on hand.

Locate Important Documents

On the day-to-day, we generally just assume our license and registration documents are in our cars or wallets without a second thought. However, going on a road-trip means you definitely do not want to leave them at home, so do a quick check to make sure they’re with you.

Where the Tolls Are Located

Many major cities have highways with toll-booths on them to help with the highway upkeep. To prepare for this, either make sure you are carrying cash with you, or do some research to find an alternate route.

Don’t forget to bookmark this road trip packing list to make sure your next road adventure is a breeze.

For more travel packing tips, visit these resources:

The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List 2019

The worst part of any road trip is when your plans begin to fall apart. Without proper planning, any road trip has the potential of turning into a disaster. Because of this, you should read this ultimate guide to road tripping.

Road tripping can be a fantastic experience for you, your family, or a group of friends. Whoever you are going with, you have to worry about the preparation phase and the pre-vehicle checklist. There are also a couple of things to be aware of while you are on the road. We will be discussing this in the below article.

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Step One: Preparing For Your Road Trip

If you have ever been on a road trip, one of the most tedious parts is the preparation phase. After picking your destination, all of the other parts drag on, as new things always seem to pop up repeatedly. Below, we will provide you with a checklist that should help in making things easier.

Choosing Your Destination

The most exciting part of any road trip is the destination. In this case, this guide will be focusing on longer road trips. While shorter trips require a bit of preparation, an afternoon’s drive is much easier to manage than multiple days or weeks.

Your chosen destination should be attainable. Don’t pick a location that is clearly out of your budget. For longer road trips, try and see if you can find some attractions along the way.

“It’s not the destination. It’s the journey” is a statement that you have probably heard before. The same can be said about road trips, as the stops along the way might be just as memorable as the destination.

Plan Out Your Driving Time

One of the most important aspects of a road trip is the amount of time you spend behind the wheel. If you are spending six hours driving, that will not give you much time to enjoy anything.

Because of this, it is incredibly important to limit your driving time and plan for multiple stops along the way. Ask yourself how long you can tolerate concentrating on driving. If you can’t think of a limit, try and keep it below four hours.

Four hours gives you and your family ample time during the day to enjoy stops on the way. Also, don’t be afraid to ask your friends to take a shift or two. Concentrating on driving for multiple days at a time is stressful.

Utilize Google Maps or a similar navigation app to plan out your trip. Always overestimate these numbers, as those applications don’t account for changing conditions.

Create A Budget

If you have planned out far enough ahead, you can start to save for your vacation destination today. You can set aside a couple of hundred dollars of $20 per month. Whatever you choose, have your money ready by the time your vacation starts.

Much like with trip times, it is better to overestimate the amount you need. If you don’t have an emergency fund set aside for breaking down, you may wish to save up for that instead of your vacation.

When you create a budget for food, gas, and entertainment, you don’t have to worry about having enough. With joy, research the cost of any potential stops you make along the way.

With gas, take that “four hours a day” requirement and multiply the number of days. Apply that to your MPG and use Google Maps to determine how many miles it typically takes for you to go four hours.

With food, try and diet yourself in such a way where you are only eating snacks when you need it. Purchase enough to replace at least one to two meals a day. Try to avoid junk if you can, but that can be difficult for long trips.

Bring Snacks

You may want to stop at a restaurant each time you reach your next destination. However, doing so will deplete any budget you created.

Unless you are going on a restaurant tour of the surrounding towns, you will want to bring along some snacks that will last with you throughout the days. It prevents you from spending needless money.

Getting A Rental Car? Check With Your Insurance

If you plan on flying to a destination to trip from, you will not be bringing your car with you. Instead, you will want to shop around for rental agencies at your first stop.

After finding the most reasonable rate, many people have a series of questions on whether they are covered. They may also have questions about their friends behind covered.

Call your insurance company with this list of questions for them:

• Am I covered if I drive a rental car?
• Is my friend covered if he drives the same rental car?
• What happens if I get into an accident in the rental car?
• Is there anything that is not covered while driving the rental car?

Typically speaking, insurance companies have a statement that allows for temporary coverage for non-owned vehicles. However, your friends will likely have to seek that same amount of coverage from their insurance company.

Also, most auto policies do not include coverage for diminished value, loss of use, and administrative fees needed during an accident. Even if the auto policy says your covered, you may wish to purchase coverage from the rental agency.

While it seems like overkill, doing so can prevent a long legal battle. If you have rental coverage, they typically send you off with a new vehicle or no legal issues.

Download Applications For Your Phone

Road tripping today is undoubtedly different from road tripping a couple of decades ago. As a result, you are going to want to download a few applications for entertainment and usefulness.

Check out these suggestions below:

All of the apps and websites above are different options to make your trip easier. You don’t have to use all of them, just some of them to help you on your way.

Create An Actual Checklist

People are always underestimating the ability to have good organizational skills. In this case, making a checklist ensures that you have done everything you can do done.

It doesn’t matter if you use an application or otherwise, but be sure that you check off everything you have thoroughly checked on your list. Don’t be afraid to leave room for notes, as something can always come up.

Step Two: Checking Your Car

Because checking your car can be a very involved process, it deserves a separate section. Follow these tips to check your vehicle before your road trip.

• Check your oil
• Check your fluids
• Verify that your electrical components are working
• Check your brakes
• Check your tires
• Clean your car
• Have a trusted professional check things
• Check your insurance
• Have an emergency roadside kit

While it should seem obvious, none of these are necessary if you don’t plan on using your vehicle.

Below, we will get into the details.

Oil Check

If your oil is darker and is not the typical golden, brown color, it may be time to replace it. Long trips can be demanding on a car, so ensuring that you have high-quality oil is paramount to extending the life of your vehicle.

I’m always a fan of keeping an extra quart of your oil in the trunk should something occur. If you need a guide on what you should expect from your oil, check out the video below:

Check your fluids

Check all of your fluid containers. Be sure that they are all topped off before you go. Check your car’s suggested maintenance schedule on fluid flushes. Most vehicles do not acquire them.

Check Your Lights And Other Electrical Components

Check to see that all of your lights are functioning. If any of them seem dim, clean the headlight, or replace the bulb inside.

Don’t be afraid to purchase a spare set of fuses should you need to make a replacement on the road.

Check Your Breaks

Check your breaks to see if they are making any unusual noises. If they are squealing, have them checked by a professional before taking any trips.

Check Your Tires

Check your tire pressure to be sure it meets the requirements of your owner’s manual. You can also take the opportunity to check the spare tire for the same pressure.

Check the tread on your tires to be sure you do not need to make any replacements. You can do this using the penny method, where you insert it torso-side down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tires.

You may also need a tire rotation, which you can check by speaking with a trusted professional.

Have A Trusted Mechanic Check Your Car

If possible, it might be time to call in a favor for your uncle to check out your car. If your uncle isn’t a mechanic, reach out to another trusted professional that has proven themselves.

Some mechanics may attempt to use this as an opportunity to make an easy buck, but this is why you need to speak to someone you trust.

Check Your Insurance

While we have mentioned this before regarding rentals, it is important to understand the limits of your insurance while taking a long trip. Specifically, check with the limitation of your rental reimbursement and roadside assistance coverage.

Rental reimbursement is the amount of time you have a replacement vehicle while waiting for yours to finish repairs. Many times you have a per day/maximum limit, but this depends upon your state.

Roadside assistance helps you regardless of you being in an accident. If you get a flat tire or your battery dies, this is your backup option. Many roadside assistance plans have mileage limitations.

You may also ask about what happens during an accident. Below is a checklist of remaining coverages to be aware of:

• Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability covers your assets in the event the accident is your fault. It pays out your legal liability for medical payments and damage to the other person’s property.
• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury And Property Damage covers you if the other party does not have adequate insurance to cover your injuries.
• Comprehensive (All But Collision) covers miscellaneous damages, excluding collision with other cars, trees, or stationary objects.
• Collision covers anything but hitting an animal, as the animal is typically under comprehensive.

Both comprehensive and collision are subject to your deductible. If you are wondering what you can do to stay safe during a roadside breakdown, check out the video below:

Have An Emergency Roadside Kit

Having an emergency kit that will help you out during a snowstorm of a flat tire is helpful. You never know when you are going to be in a location without cell service.

Try and include the following:

• Flares
• Flashlight
• Drinking water
• Jack
• Blankets
• First-aid kit
• A tool kit
• Snacks

Step Three: Things To Keep In Mind While On The Road

So you’ve followed through everything on this entire checklist and still feel like your missing something? It’s only natural. Things are always going to be left behind. Check out this “on the road” section for some tips to keep in mind while driving.

Stretch

While it may seem obvious, one thing that you may be forgetting about is stretching out. You may want to focus on getting to the next destination, but you aren’t going to want to walk around if you feel stiff.

If you plan on much longer road trips, don’t be afraid to stop once or twice to remind yourself that you have legs. Being uncomfortable for a couple of days won’t make this an enjoyable experience.

Toll Routes

If you have downloaded Waze or Google Maps, the system will likely avoid toll roads for you. However, technology doesn’t always work with our initial assumptions, so be sure to check in on that.

If you are willing to take toll routes, be sure to have a variety of change ready. Some tolls will only accept exact change, which could charge you with tickets later.

Best American Road Trip Map

Don’t Drink The Water.

Depending on how far away you drive, the local water supply has a unique list of germs and viruses. Because of this, you may want to avoid drinking the water if you have driven away far enough.

If you are driving between towns in your state, this is not going to be an issue for you. Still, bottled water is a good idea to bring with you. Always stay hydrated.

Carry Important Documents

Always have your driver’s license, auto insurance card, health insurance card, medical information, and emergency contact information on hand. If an accident occurs, they will know who to contact should something happen.

Check The Weather

Be sure to pack clothing that is appropriate for the weather you might be approaching. If you download an application, you will be able to check the temperature on the fly.

The Ultimate Road Trip Book

If a severe storm is approaching you, you may consider delaying your plans until the storm passes.

Conclusion

Ultimate Road Trip Map

Road tripping can be a fun experience if you let it, but the amount of stuff you need to do can leave you feeling overwhelmed. By following this guide, it should help you get an excellent start on your list.

You can start by producing your checklist using the items on this list as an example. Be sure to have your car ready and keep in mind that your preparation will make your driving experience much better.

The Ultimate Road Trip Adventures In Odyssey

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