What to Keep in Your Car for Road Trips

Being prepared is one of the best ways to set yourself up for an enjoyable road trip. Whether you have taken countless long road trips in your life or will soon be heading out on your first one, it’s always a good idea to review what is going with you. Of course, the list of items you’ll want to pack is going to vary somewhat depending on the trip you have in mind, but there are some basics across the board.

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Start with Practical Supplies

The first thing you want to think about is the practical items that you should have in your vehicle as a responsible traveler. These aren’t things that are meant to make your trip more fun – they are just there in case you need them. You’ll want to customize this list to suit your traveling plans, but here is a good starting point –

• Jumper cables. One of the possibilities you’ll want to prepare for is a dead battery in your vehicle. Whether you happen to leave something on and drain the battery, or maybe it’s just old and doesn’t take a charge well anymore, a battery that is out of juice can leave you stuck. With jumper cables in your vehicle, you’ll have the equipment you need to get started – you’ll just need another vehicle willing to help out. If you will be visiting particularly remote areas where others aren’t likely to be seen, consider also carrying a portable starter that can give your battery enough power to get the engine up and running.
• First aid kit. Of course, you don’t want to find yourself in a position where you need to use a first aid kit on a road trip, but it’s important to have as an insurance policy. And, it should be noted that you don’t need to be badly injured or anything like that to have the first aid kit come in hand. Perhaps you just get a small cut on your hand, or maybe you have a headache and need some medication – in both of those minor cases, the first aid kit could make you more comfortable.
• Water bottles. This is always a good idea to keep in your vehicle. If you happen to get stuck for a period of time – especially on a hot day – you will be glad you packed away a few water bottles to keep everyone hydrated. Having backup water could also come in handy if you find yourself dealing with an overheated vehicle.
• Blanket. Even if you will be traveling during the summer, it’s still a good idea to bring a blanket along for the journey. Nighttime temperatures can drop dramatically in many areas even when daytime highs are up into the 80s or 90s. When folded up neatly, a small blanket won’t take up much room in the vehicle and it will be there if you happen to need it.

Turn Your Attention Toward Comfort

With the practical stuff out of the way and packed for the trip, we can now turn our attention to some other things you might want to bring along to make the trip more enjoyable for everyone. You probably won’t deem the items on the list below as essentials but picking at least one of two of them to include could help you have a great time.

• Charging cords. In the modern world, this one is pretty much a must – and it can contribute both to safety and entertainment. With charging cords for your various devices, you can keep your batteries topped off and not run out of phone power when you need it to use navigation, make a call, or just play some music through your vehicle’s speakers.
• Something to read. If you will be traveling with at least one other person, and if you will be sharing the driving duties, there might be some time to read along the way. Having a good book, or even just a magazine, is a nice way to pass the time and enjoy something that you might not be able to fit into your schedule very often at home.
• Sunglasses. This is one that you don’t want to forget. Technically, you could get through the road trip without sunglasses, but that might make for a long day out on the road on a sunny day. The nice thing here is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to check this one off the list – even rather cheap sunglasses will get the job done effectively.
• Some snacks. For road trips that are going to take you out into rural areas, you don’t want to find yourself hours from the nearest city and without anything to eat. Pack up some shelf-stable snacks as part of your travel kit so you always have something to reach for when hunger strikes.
• Some toiletries. These are items that you are likely taking anyway for your overnights, but it’s nice to keep them close at hand in the car, as well. Things like wipes, sunscreen, a hairbrush, and even your toothbrush can help make time on the road far more comfortable.
• Entertainment for the kids. Finally, if this road trip is going to involve children, be sure to think of them as an important piece of the packing puzzle. Kids are notoriously hard to entertain during a long car ride, so pack some games and other things that will grab their attention and help to pass the time until you reach your destination.

Take a little bit of time in advance of your upcoming road trip to collect what you need for the journey and organize it, so it doesn’t take up too much space in your vehicle. This small step can help you hit the road with confidence when the time comes to head out for your destination. Travel safe!

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