Road Trip Packing List To Make It A Great Experience
Want to know what to include on your road trip packing list?
I’m a planner. My husband, Frank, is spontaneous. I always check my road trip packing list to make sure it’s a great experience.
Whether they are short one-day excursions or weekend getaways, there are a few essentials that we always find we need.
We could live without them, but they do make the drive more pleasant. No matter the season – Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter, there are a few essentials that you should always take with you on any road trip you take.
To make sure that your trip is comfortable, here’s our must-pack list of top items for a road trip.
The Key Items: Road Trip Packing List
While you can pack a whole car full of items you may deem essential, in truth, there are only a few key items to ensure you have a fun and safe trip.
In no particular order, our top things to take on a road trip!
1 // iPhone and/or iPad
If you don’t have navigation in your car and suck at reading maps, a smartphone is a must. We love using Google Maps to track our progress and to find side-trips when we are doing a spontaneous road trip without any specific destination in mind.
I have my iPhone as the primary source for navigation. Alternatively, we’re using an iPad with a Telus data plan so that we can get coverage anywhere in Canada. The iPhone is better as it has a larger data plan so I don’t feel to guilty about using it to navigate. It’s also is a means of communication, just in case we get stuck somewhere. Not to mention, my iPhone has a pretty good playlist!
And the iPhone makes for a fantastic pocket camera. There’s much to see when driving. You can take decent photos from a moving car. And anybody who’s a fellow Ontarian knows that there’s much to see when doing a day trip.
PRO TIP: Don’t forget the charger!
2 // Healthy Snacks And Water
I can’t leave home without something to munch on, particularly as I can get hungry about two hours after a meal. Frank has learned that I need food. So this is one of the key things to take on a road trip in my opinion, no matter if it’s a short day trip or a longer one.
If he’s not willing to stop somewhere, it’s best to pack something for the trip. We try to go for healthier options like berries, mandarin oranges, granola bars and apples (however we sometimes sneak in a bit of candy). We top up our water bottles, chill them the night before in the fridge and grab them just before we leave the door.
| Related: Reviewing The First-Ever Self-Cleaning Water Bottle – LARQ Bottles
3 // Comfortable Shoes Or Sandals
During summer road trips, it can get very hot at your feet if you’re forcing the car’s air conditioner to cool only your face and upper body. Something that I always bring on a road trip is an extra pair of shoes, aside from our hiking shoes/boots. A trick that we use is to wear light sandals or shoes that offer lots of ventilation for sweat-prone feet.
While passengers can get away with flip flops, it’s best to have a sandal that fits securely on your foot if you are the driver. Accidents have happened when your loose flip flop or slip-on sandal falls off and gets jammed by the brake or gas pedal.
4 // Sunscreen, Hats and Sunglasses
Never leave home without them. With UV forecasts reaching into the high digits during the summer period, it’s very easy to get a burn even while sitting in the car.
Factor in the light streaming in through windows and sunroofs as well. We always pack baseball hats and sunscreen with us. I always put on a light face moisturizer with UV protection before I leave the home. Sunglasses are a must as UV rays can damage your eyes, even on a semi-cloudy day.
5 // Maps
A good old-fashioned paper map is often a blessing when driving into areas with poor cell phone reception.
They also act as a great way to partially cover your front windshield when you step out of the car, keeping the hot sunshine off the main dash.
This means you don’t burn your hands gripping the steering wheel for the first few minutes of driving.
6 // A Great Attitude
Leave arguments and problems at home. Nothing makes for a lousy drive when you bring up grievances or discuss tough issues. The driver needs to be relaxed and focused on the road. Know your end goal and enjoy the exploration along the way.
7 // Emergency Kit Is Always A Must
One of the key things to take on a road trip is an emergency kit. This a no-brainer. Always carry an emergency kit with medical supplies, a flashlight (best is wind-up), whistle, energy bars, water, and a whistle. If it’s a fall/winter road trip, add a blanket, extra clothes and boots, a shovel, and handwarmer packs as well.
There are always more things to add to the Road Trip Packing List – a pillow, small foldable chairs for a pit stop at a park, a cooler with a full lunch and drinks. A camera so that you can take photos at stops, or even as a passenger out of a moving car (yes, it’s doable!). Just in case you want to do an al fresco lunch at a small park. But sometimes, less is best.
QUESTION: What’s on your road trip packing list?
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Great list! For me, I always have my phone, cameras, water and protein bars.
The iPhone is important. The map feature has come in handy when I’ve lost my way which isn’t often. I still love my Rand McNally Ontario road book which is pretty detailed, all the side roads and concession. Sadly GPS devices are making those hard to find.
Two cooler bags, one small one with water and a larger one for sandwiches. We don’t leave without some food in there, I’m with someone who gets a bit antsy going without food for over 2 hours. :)
A portable air compressor if a tire is running low. Especially if we’re off the beaten path. An audiobook is great on a long drive. Our two folding Canada chairs, always with us.
Your plus one is like me… I need to have food with me otherwise Frank has a grumpy Margaret in his passenger seat! I have to get the air compressor – good idea. Frank has one in his car, but I don’t have one in mine. Hmm.. might make for a good Xmas gift.
A great attitude and shoes are a must! Your posts makes me wanna pack up everything right now and just go explore – how fun!
I would go back in a heart beat. So much to see in London and the UK. Now if only I could win the lottery….