Road Trip Packing List for Expert Travelers: 60 Road Trip Essentials + More Tips!

Planning a road trip is exhilarating! You’ll get to pass through small towns, stop at charming roadside attractions, taste food across the nation, and more! However, any successful road trip starts with your planning at home, including having a top notch road trip packing list full of all of the road trip essentials you’ll need along the way. After all, you don’t want to get stuck at the side of the road unprepared for whatever life throws at you!

Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

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Road Trip Packing List

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After spending more than a year road tripping across the United States, plus hundreds of smaller road trips, I’ve learned a thing or two about packing for a road trip. Prepare for your epic adventure with this essential road trip packing list. You’ll be ready to take on the world.

Car Essentials for a Road Trip

Whether you’re driving across the country or just an hour away, there are certain road trip essentials you need to have on hand. These car items start with having everything you need to drive safely.

• License and Registration: These are a given. You need your license and registration anytime you drive, particularly if you get pulled over. Keep them handy in the car.

• Passport: Are you crossing international borders during your road trip? If so, pack your passport!

• Car Insurance: When driving long distances, there is a chance things could go wrong. Make sure you are insured before you hit the road!

• Car Manual: What happens if something goes wrong in your car? Even things as minor as a new light showing up on the dash can be unnerving. Verify the car manual still lives in the glove compartment, or see if you can find it online.

• Spare Tire: Most cars have a spare tire or donut in the trunk, but it’s worth double checking before you set off. You definitely don’t want to find out you forgot to replace it after your last car emergency when you’re sitting at the side of the road with no cell reception. Additionally, learn how to change a flat tire before you set out, just in case!

• Car Jack: Along with the spare tire, make sure the car jack is in the car waiting for its call to duty. Check current price.

• Roadside Emergency Kit: While you hope not to need it, an emergency kit can potentially save your life, or at least minimize inconveniences if something goes wrong. Check current price.

• AAA (or other Roadside Assistance): Run into trouble at the side of the road? No problem, with AAA you can call and get assistance almost immediately.

• Spare Keys: If you’re road tripping with friends, give your spare set of keys to a friend. That way if you lose one or get locked out the car, you have a backup handy! If you’re road tripping alone, just make sure someone back home knows where your spare keys are, just in case you end up needing them! (One of my friends once accidentally kicked her car keys into the Grand Canyon…. no joke!)

• Travel Insurance: If you’re traveling in your home country, chances are your medical insurance and car insurance will cover you. However, if you’re either not insured, or road tripping through a foreign country, take out travel insurance. It’s an inexpensive way to have peace of mind. World Nomad’s is my go to option. Check World Nomad’s travel insurance options.

Read more: Is Travel Insurance Worth It? An Inside Look from an Avid Traveler

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Road Trip Navigation Essentials

One of the top must-haves on your packing list for a road trip is getting your route down pat and being able to navigate it. This means having your maps handy and visible throughout your entire drive and accounting for the fact that you will likely lose cell service at some point during your road trip.

• Car Charger: Chances are you’re going to be using your phone a lot. Music, maps, phone calls… they all drain your battery. Make sure to pack a car charger for your phone. Check current price.

• Power Bank: Another great option for charging your phone on the go is an external battery pack or power bank. Check current price.

• Car Phone Mount: Not a necessity but a huge help when trying to watch directions on your phone for dozens of hours on unknown roads. Phone mounts keep your phone close to road height helping you keep your eyes on the road while knowing where you’re going. Check current price.

• Downloaded Maps / Maps.me: In case you hit an area with no cell reception, you’ll want to have your maps downloaded. It’s actually amazing how often you’ll lose reception as you cross the United States. Maps.me is a lifesaver! Download it before you go. You can even map your route on it!

• Paper Road Atlas: In case your downloaded maps aren’t working, your phone is dead, or you just find yourself lost, it doesn’t hurt to have a paper map in the car. It’s a fool proof way for finding your route! Check current price.

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Health Care Items for a Road Trip

No packing list for a road trip would be complete without self-care items! Hopefully you’re healthy and happy the entire road trip, but its best to plan for the unlikely. After all, Murphy’s Law often proves to be true, and if you plan for the worst, you will be better off!

• Hand Sanitizer: Keep hand sanitizer handy for any time you want to eat, after you pump gas, or even just after touching some of the gas station door handles (yuck!). It will help you stay healthy on the road.

• First Aid Kit: Better to have it and not need it… right? Throw a first aid kit into your trunk. It could save your life, and worst case, it can exist as a “just in case” item for years to come! Check current price.

• Toilet Paper: You never know when an emergency might strike! Throw some toilet paper in the car for any roadside pit stops you might need.

• Tissues: Sure you can use toilet paper if you are in a bind, but tissues tend to be thicker and much gentler on the nose! They’re particularly helpful when you run into allergies or get a cold on the road!

• Painkillers: A road trip essential for all travelers, painkillers like Advil, Tylenol, and Ibuprofen can come in handy. Whether you’re sore from long distance hikes or climbs, stiff from sitting in the car too long, maybe drank a bit too much the night before, or simply get a headache, you don’t want to struggle to enjoy your road trip!

• Allergy Meds: If you have allergies that may attack, or even an allergy to something that might attack you (hello bees, wasps, cats…) pack some Benadryl. It could be a lifesaver!

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Miscellaneous Road Trip Packing List Items

Calling your car home for a while makes keeping your car neat and tidy very important. Additionally, having important items that prepare you for anything that could happen during your adventure just lets you breath easier and minimizes stress. These miscellaneous items will help keep you out of a bind.

• Cash for Tolls: Ever wondered what happens when you hit a toll and don’t have cash available? Don’t find out on your road trip, it could really put a damper on your trip. Pack some cash, just in case!

• Trash Bag or Trash Can: It’s amazing how fast trash can add up. Gas receipts, empty water bottles, snack wrappers… give them a home in a car trash can. Check current price.

• Car Air Freshener: If you’re driving for days on end, car camping, eating in the car, taking off your shoes, or any combination of the above, you may want to spend a few bucks on keeping your car smelling fresh. Your nose will thank you. Check current price.

• Flashlight or Headlamp: In case you run into trouble after dark, it’s helpful to have a flashlight handy – even if its just from your phone. The easiest option is a headlamp as they’ll always point exactly where you’re looking! Check current price.

• Umbrella: While you always hope for good road trip weather, sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. Pack a windproof umbrella just in case. Check current price.

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Entertainment Options for a Road Trip

Driving long distances can be a bit boring and exhausting. Keep your energy and excitement up with some entertainment while you drive! There are plenty of options, so pick what excites you most.

• Road Trip Playlist: Definitely don’t hit the road without your music ready to go. As you may drive through areas where cell reception is sparse, try to download some music to keep you going!

• Audiobooks: Sometimes you need a break from music. Pack along some audiobooks to keep your eyes on the road and your mind sharp! It’s also worth pre-downloading some in case you have no reception on the road.

• Podcasts: Road trips are the perfect time to catch up on your favorite podcasts! Similarly to music and audiobooks, if this is your go to form of entertainment, make sure to download some while you have wifi.

• Mini Speaker: Road trips mean lots of stops. Whether you’re stopping to eat in the car, headed out for a short hike, planning to camp out or stay overnight in a hotel, having a mini speaker keeps you prepared to jam you at any time. Check current price.

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Food and Drink during a Road Trip

Having food and drink handy during your drive will help keep you alert and ward off any hanger that might try to creep in. Here are some essential food related items to add to your packing list for your road trip.

• Refillable Water Bottle: Minimize the number of single-use bottles you use by keeping a refillable water bottle handy. Check current price.

• Travel Mug: For coffee and tea lovers alike, a travel mug will keep your beverages warm, even on the road! Not to mention they can help minimize the trash you have in the car. Check current price.

• Road Trip Snacks: Keep some healthy (and unhealthy) snacks handy for when hunger hits. It will keep you from hitting fast food joints every time you need something in your stomach. Try out protein bars, dried fruit, mixed nuts, etc. Here are 80+ awesome snack ideas for the road!

• Cooler: Keep your food and drink together and cold by having a cooler in the car. It’s ideal when you’re driving through hot locations as your car will heat up quickly anytime you turn off the AC. Check current price.

• Plenty of Water: Throw a case of water in the trunk or a few gallon jugs. It doesn’t need to be your go-to drink on the road, but it will keep you hydrated in case of an emergency.

• Paper Towels or Wet Wipes: Eating and drinking in your car can get messy. Keep paper towels or wet wipes handy in case you spill anything or eat anything with residue.

• Sugar-Free Gum: Stick a canister of gum chicklets in the center console of your car. (These won’t melt like stick gum!) Then, whenever you just need a little refresh after you eat or even to help you stay awake, it’s there when you need it! Check current price.

• Utensils: Packing a set of utensils from home is a road trip essential. They open up the possibilities of what you can eat on the road. Pick up a yogurt at a gas station or make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. You’ll be able to think outside the box now!

Check out this post on 80+ great ideas for road trip snacks!

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Items for Happy Road Trip Companions

If you’re fortunate enough to be road tripping with friends or family, they may want to pack a few more things to be comfortable in the car.

• Travel Pillow: Take turns driving and napping, or sleep to avoid your friend’s terrifying driving – whatever floats your boat, or rather, drives your car. Check current price.

• Blanket: Get cozy while you nap by bringing your favorite blanket in the car!

• Book: Take the book you’re in the middle of to pass the time reading.

• Car Games: If there are multiple passengers, you may be able to take physical games or even Mad Libs to stay engaged and have some fun. Otherwise, play car games that even the driver can play! Search car games.

• Bluetooth Headphones: Want to take a phone call and not bother everyone in the car? Or maybe your road trip companion doesn’t share your taste in music. Some bluetooth headphones will quickly fix that! Note these should be for the passengers vs. the driver so that the driver can hear any emergency vehicles or other cars honking! Check current price.

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Clothing and Personal Items

Obviously, you’ll also need to pack daily outfits, toiletries, and anything you need for your road trip activities. You have the best idea of what you’ll be doing along the way. Are you a hiker? A museum goer? Headed to the mountains? Visiting the beach? Make sure to pack the appropriate clothing and shoes for your planned route and the weather you’ll encounter.

• Sunglasses: Chances are you’ll encounter some sun along the way. Protect your eyes and make it easier to keep your eyes on the road with some sunglasses.

• Body Cleansing Wipes: Sometimes its hard to stay fresh and clean on the road! Particularly if you’re car camping, hiking throughout your road trip, or driving long distances. Take some body cleansing wipes (or baby wipes) to refresh yourself along the way! Check current price.

• Sunscreen: Whether you’re driving with the windows down or taking frequent breaks throughout your trip, chances are you’re going to be spending some time in the sun. Protect your skin with some SPF. Check current price.

• Rain Gear: If you’re taking a long adventure, you’ll likely hit a variety of weather. Pack a rain jack, poncho, or some other kind of waterproof layers to keep you comfortable along the way.

• Hiking Boots: The key to any good road trip is having fun along the way! If hiking is included in your fun, pack your hiking boots. They may be bulky, but one of the perks of a road trip is you don’t have to pack extremely light. My go-to hiking boots are the Salomon Women’s X Ultra 3 MID GTX.

Learn how to do laundry on the road to minimize your packing needs.

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Optional Add-Ons for a Road Trip Packing List

Depending on what your adventure holds, you may want to throw a few more things onto your road trip packing checklist! This way you’ll be ready for anything!

• Daypack: Planning some stops along the way? Take a day pack with you. You can easily throw in an extra layer of clothes, some snacks, water, even another pair of shoes if you need them, and head out for a day of fun! Check current price.

• Trunk Organizer: Road trips range from a weekend to over a year long. If you’re going to be gone a long time, you may be bringing a lot of stuff. Make your life easier by keeping your trunk organized. You’ll thank yourself later! Check current price.

• Towel or Sarong: Did you get stuck in the rain? Maybe go for a swim? Shower at a hostel? There are endless reasons you may end up a little damp. Pack a towel or sarong to dry yourself off before getting into the car. There’s nothing worse than having to sit on a wet car seat for days. Check current price.

• Camera: You’ll want to capture your road trip memories, so consider taking a camera with you! Mirrorless cameras are great for travel due to their compact size and light weight. I personally use a Panasonic Lumix GX85, but the Sony A6000 is another popular option!

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Seasonal Additions for a Road Trip Packing List

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Road trips are great travel options year round, but you do need to account for some of the differences you’ll encounter along the way. Here are some seasonal additions to add into your packing list for your road trip.

Summer Road Trip Packing List Necessities

Headed through the heat and sunshine of summer? You’ll want to add a few seasonal items to your packing list for your road trip. They’ll help keep you comfortable throughout your journey.

• Sunshade: If you’re not planning to make cookies on your dashboard or in your glovebox, pack a sunshade. It can help keep your car cool and keep your dashboard from drying out and cracking. Just pop it up when you get out of the car and reap the rewards! Check current price.

• Bug Repellent: Unfortunately, summer brings a few pests, like mosquitos. Pack some mosquito repellent for anytime you stop by a water source, trees, or go for a hike. Check current price.

• Flip Flops: Summer is a key time for driving shoeless, going into water, and more. Pack a pair of flip flops for anytime you stop to get out of the car. They’re easy to slip on. Not to mention they double as beach shoes, shower shoes, or even walking around the city shoes in a pinch! Reef flip flops are my absolute favorite. Check current price.

Winter Road Trip Packing List Essentials

Planning a winter road trip is a whole different adventure! You’ll need to carefully track the weather to ensure you’re not going to hit a blizzard along the way. Other than that, a winter road trip packing list will require just a few additional items in case you hit snow and ice, or happen to get stranded in bad weather.

• Ice Scraper and Brush: Snowy weather can make road trips less than desirable. Be prepared for any snow and ice you might encounter with an ice scraper for your windshield. Select one that has a brush on the opposite end to dust the snow off your car. It’s a winter road trip essential! Check current price.

• Tire Chains: Driving through mountainous regions that receive a lot of winter weather may leave you needing winter tires or tire chains. It never hurts to have them handy for when you encounter those mountain passes that tell you they are required. Of course, like changing a tire, having chains are only helpful if you know how and when to use them! Check current price.

• Hat and Gloves: Keeping your extremities warm is one of the most important things to do during the winter, particularly if you find yourself having car trouble. Pack your favorite hat and gloves for winter road trips.

• Warm Coat: Having a warm, packable coat is a necessity for every traveler. You likely already have your favorite coat to pack, but if not, my favorite travel coat is the Columbia Women’s Mighty Lite III Jacket.

• Sleeping Bag or Blanket: Heaven forbid you get stranded in your car during a snowstorm, you need to be prepared. Pack a heavy blanket or sleeping bag to help you insulate your body heat. It also comes in handy if you’re car camping or even just need a roadside nap! Check current price.

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Road Trip Checklist for Your Car Before You Hit the Road

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Planning your road trip starts long before you’re packing. Most importantly, you need to make sure your vehicle of choice will run smoothly through your entire journey. After all, what is more essential for a road trip than the vehicle that you’re planning to drive long distances? Run through this road trip checklist to ensure your vehicle is ready to go!

• Recalls: Check and fix any recalls on your vehicle. These can be a safety hazard that could have potentially deadly consequences.

• Oil Change: Get your oil changed before you start your road trip. You won’t regret this small investment into your vehicle’s health before driving cross country!

• Lights: Verify your car’s lights, including the emergency flashers, are working.

• Tires: Inspect your tires to ensure they have the proper tread and inflation. Also verify they are aligned correctly so that they wear evenly throughout your road trip. Lastly, make sure you have your spare tire in the trunk!

• Windshield Wipers: Test out your windshield wipers before you hit the road! No really, if you don’t use them regularly where you’re located, they could be showing severe wear and even disintegrate when you turn them on. (Been there… done that. Ugh!)

• Liquids: If you’re going to be driving a lot, you’ll want to run through a road trip checklist just for your liquids: radiator fluids, windshield washer, power steering, brake, transmission… These will help keep your car going strong, including keeping your engine from overheating on that summer road trip!

• Pack the Car Smartly: When packing for a road trip, it’s best to put as much as possible in the trunk of the car. It not only ensures you have a clear line of sight out of every window, but it also deters someone from smashing your windows to grab something visible from the back seat when you’re at one of your many stops. If needed, consider adding a roof rack to store extra items to making packing for your road trip easier!

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What to Wear for a Road Trip

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Let’s be real… you can wear anything for a road trip. You’re mostly in the car, and when you’re out and about, you certainly aren’t going to be running into anyone you know. That being said, there are a few things to take into consideration. For one, you might be making stops which come with photo opportunities. For another, being comfortable is key for driving long distances!

• Loose clothing: You won’t want to wear tight clothing that restricts blood movement. Opt for loose clothing that allows you to be comfortable!

• Layers: As you drive you may encounter different temperatures between locations or times of day. While you can control the temperature in the car, you can’t control the weather! Wear layers to adjust as necessary.

• Slip-on Shoes: With long hours in the car and frequent stops, make your life easier by wearing slip-on shoes. Slip them off to let your feet breathe and stretch, and then simply pop them back on to drive or to get out of the car.

• Sunglasses: Perhaps one of the most important item on this road trip packing list is sunglasses! Protect your eyes from the sun and keep the sun from getting in your eyes or inhibiting your view of the road.

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How to Make Long Car Rides More Comfortable

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Long road trips can be exhausting, mentally and physically. To make road trips more comfortable, make sure to practice self-care. After all, a road trip is not just about the end destination but about the journey. Make it a comfortable one!

• Know when you like to drive. If you’re a night person, maybe you’d rather drive at night. On the other hand, maybe you’re nervous driving at night, get tired quickly in the dark, or have a problem with your night vision. Plan your driving times according to what works best for you.

• Avoid rush hour traffic. I’ve never met anyone who likes driving during rush hour. Plan around rush hours in cities. If you’re going to hit rush hour, consider stopping for another sight along the way or even eating a meal. It will save you time and frustration!

• Schedule regular breaks. Ultimately, road trips are made better with regular breaks. As you plan your road trip, find points of interest every few hours to keep you intrigued and energized on your drive! Whether its the biggest ball of twine in the world or a city you’ve been dying to go to, you’ll get to pop out of the car and explore ultimately bringing more joy to your day!

• Eat “real” food. Living off of fast food will wreak havoc on anyone’s energy level. Make sure to eat balanced meals. Your body will thank you. And feeling terrible in the car is the absolute worst!

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How to Stay Awake on a Solo Road Trip

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Driving tired is just as dangerous as driving drunk. Don’t do it. However, we’ve all been in those situations where we are a bit tired and still not close to our destinations. Here are a few ways to re-energize yourself, particularly if you are on a solo road trip!

• Pull over for a quick nap. Sometimes you just need a nap. Find a safe place to pull over and grab a quick nap. It’s better than potentially falling asleep at the wheel!

• Stretch your legs. Stopping and giving yourself a break will help wake you up. Especially if you get your body moving. Take a quick walk. Do some jumping jacks. Get the heart rate moving!

• Re-up your caffeine intake. Caffeine is not a miracle drug for everyone, but for some it works! Stop and pick up coffee, an energy drink, or even just a pop/soda.

• Eat your road trip snacks. Eating is another great way to engage your body in being awake. Some foods, like apples, are said to even provide more energy than a cup of coffee!

• Phone a friend. Carrying on a conversation helps wake up your brain which will leave you more awake in the long run.

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Continue Planning Your Road Trip

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Having the perfect road trip packing list is critical to your success and enjoyment on the road, but it’s also only one piece of the road trip planning!

Read the Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Road Trip!

One of the most exciting parts of your road trip is determining your destinations and your route. Here are three top road trip routes to get your wheels turning, as well as some tips for planning your road trip route:

• Epic Denver to Moab Road Trip with 9+ Amazing Stops!
• Road Trip from Raleigh to New Orleans: With 8+ Amazing Stops!
• Ultimate Denver to Glacier National Park Road Trip Itinerary: With 10+ Stops!
• Top 6 Considerations for Picking a Travel Destination

From there, you’ll also want to learn the ins and outs of traveling cross country and traveling long term, depending of course on how long your road trip will be. Here are some details that will help set you up for success on the road!

• How to Do Laundry While Traveling: 4 Practical Options
• How to Pack in a Carry On – No Matter the Trip Length
• 35 Critical Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers

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