20 Road Trip Essentials: Everything You Need to Pack
I’m a planner. Before I go on any trip, I write myself to-do lists, checklists, packing lists, shopping lists and so on. The same applies for a road trip. Road Trips are a great way to get out and explore. But what the hell do you need to bring? Tony and I are planning a trip to Palm Springs, which got me thinking about creating a Road Trip Essentials list. Whether you’re driving for 5 hours or 5 days, there are a few things that you should definitely bring with you to minimize stops and save money along the way.
Road Trip Essentials
phone apps
- WAZE – MUST HAVE FOR NAVIGATION & TRAFFIC UPDATES
- GAS BUDDY – COMPARES GAS PRICES FOR YOU
- SPOTIFY – MUSIC
- GUIDES BY LONELY PLANET – GREAT FOR FINDING TIPS ON MULTIPLE CITIES
- ALLTRAILS – NEARBY HIKING LOCATIONS, RATINGS, DESCRIPTINS & DIRECTIONS
- NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
- Roadside America – SHOWS RANDOM ATTRACTIONS
- THE DYRT – ALL CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS
- ROADTRIPPERS – ENTER YOUR ROUTE AND FIND HOTELS, ATTRACTIONS, RECREATION, LANDMARKS, ETC TO CREATE AN ITINERARY. OR USE A PRE MADE ROAD TRIP GUIDE.
- AAA – JUST IN CASE YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY
- HOTEL TONIGHT – LAST MINUTE HOTEL BOOKINGS
- HEARHERE – AUTOMATICALLY PLAY STORIES WHILE YOU DRIVE, RELATED TO NEARBY LOCATIONS
- GOOGLE MAPS – GREAT FOR FINDING YOUR DESTINATION, NEARBY STORES, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, ETC.
- GROUPON – GET DEALS ON LOCAL ATTRACTIONS, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, EXCURSIONS, OIL CHANGES, ETC.
- TRIPIT – GREAT FOR ORGANIZING AND PLANNING A TRIP, YOU JUST FORWARD CONFIRMATION EMAILS TO TRIPIT AND THEY ARE AUTOMATICALLY ADDED TO YOUR ITINERARY.
- STAR WALK – EASY TO USE ASTRONOMY GUIDE
stay clean
- kleenex
- wet wipes
- hand sanitizer
- car garbage can
- extra garbage bags
- travel vacuum
- travel diffuser & humidifier
- air freshener
- travel uv light
hydration
- liquid iv
- portable cup
- travel water pump
- travel kettle
- yeti
- travel Nespresso maker
tech accessories
- phone charger
- charging extension
- phone stand
- camera
- solar powered light
- mobile wi-fi hotspot
- tripod
- bluetooth remote
snacks
- portable freezer / refrigerator
- cooler
- snack assortment from amazon
- snackle box
comfort
- heated blanket
- travel pillow
- seat pads
toiletries
- sunscreen
- bug spray
- sleeping aid
- nausea relief
Whether the Elements
travel umbrella
duct tape
snow supplies
road atlas
safety
roadside emergency
first aid
jumper cables
spare tire
jack
first aid kit
pepper spray / tazer
glass break
flashlight
fire starter
knife
portable generator
door jammer / alarm
convenience
travel towel
pop off tent or awning
games
tablet headrest mount
book or kindle
car window shades
car organization
car ceiling cargo net
travel desk
purse & bag holder
roof cargo bag
car bed
packing cubes
hitch mount cargo carrier
travel chairs
hitch grill
