Preparing for a Road Trip: 39+ Must-Pack Items & Checklist

Preparing for a road trip

Are you preparing for a road trip? Then you’ve come to the right place to make sure you have all the necessary supplies and your vehicle is prepped for the journey!

One of our favorite types of adventures is road trips! We have done cross-country adventures, full-year road trips, one-week trips, and everything in between.

Our favorite road trip so far was across the United States from Atlanta, Georgia to White Salmon, Washington and back over 8 months.

During our travels, we have fine-tuned exactly what is needed for a great road trip.

This ultimate guide will provide all the information and tips necessary to make sure your journey is successful.

Planning ahead is key when it comes to ensuring that your adventure runs smoothly, so here are some important considerations before hitting the open road.

What are Good Ways to Prepare for a Road Trip?

With a few simple preparations, you can be all set and ready to go for an epic road trip! There are a few things we would recommend starting with when preparing for a road trip:

Plan Your Route

Having a clear plan for your route can be key to preparations.

This is the perfect first step when preparing for a road trip! A few things we strongly recommend looking for right away are:

Will you be going through the mountains or rough terrain?

Google Maps terrain view can help you see this!

Knowing in advance can help you mentally prepare as well as make sure you have the right items (4WD, Chains, extra gas, etc.) in your car to take on the road ahead.

Are there any long stretches without towns with food/gas?

If there are, make a list! You do not want to run out of gas.

We prefer to use Costco and Sam’s Club gas stations whenever possible, so we will map out where they are along our route. This way, filling up our car is easy-peasy!

Do you see any detours or stops you would like to make along the way?

What fun is a road trip if you don’t make any cool stops along the way?! They are the perfect way to add excitement to a long drive and make some great memories.

We have a few road trip itineraries you should check out here.

Additionally, we love to use Roadtrippers! It is a fantastic tool that will show you super awesome stops along your route to make planning your detours super easy.

Roadtrippers has a free version that includes some ads, or you can pay $30 for a full year’s membership.

We always recommend learning about your destination before you go, especially when driving internationally.

A good trip calculator helps you plan your route when preparing for a road trip

Check the Weather Conditions

Weather conditions can have a major impact on your road trip.

When planning for a road trip, it is important to research the weather conditions you may encounter along the way. This includes temperature and precipitation as well as warnings or alerts in different regions.

Typically, we check a few weeks out from the trip to see what the conditions were like the year before. This allows us to begin preparing our packing. Then, we check every day for the few days before the trip to make any last-minute adjustments. 

Knowing the temperature beforehand can help you plan clothing and other items for your car that you might need. For example, you may need tire chains or a window scraper in some regions.

If you are passing through areas with large elevation changes or traveling a long distance in a single day, you may need to check the weather in multiple spots to get an accurate plan for what to expect.

We have had road trips where we have experienced 90+ degree weather and then snowy conditions in the span of a few hours.

Roadside Assistance Plan

Ideally, your road trip will go swimmingly, and you will never need roadside assistance. The best way to manifest this into existence is to be fully prepared for anything.

Do you have roadside assistance with your credit card, insurance, employer, or even your cell phone provider? Nowadays, roadside assistance is bundled into many other services.

If you do have roadside assistance, be sure to read what is and isn’t covered. Some policies do not cover your car in remote areas or outside of a certain range of your home – so be sure to check!

Don’t have roadside assistance? If you’d like to add it, we recommend starting by looking at the programs offered by your current insurance provider. Typically, adding it on will be the cheapest option.

Alternatively, there are many places you can buy roadside assistance without another policy. These plans can be more inclusive but will be more expensive. 

Road Trip Packing Essentials

Packing correctly for a road trip will help to make the trip itself stress-free.

Below we have outlined all the essential items for an enjoyable road trip by category: safety, comfort, and fun. With these items in arm’s reach, you will be ready to conquer any road trip adventure! 

Road Trip Packing Essentials – Safety 

• Portable Car Jumper – We love this small, portable car jump starter. The device is battery-powered – you charge it ahead of time, so if you need it, it is ready to jump your car! It is small and very easy to use. Definitely don’t skip this item!

• First Aid Kit – Every car should have a first aid kit, especially on road trips. Hopefully, it will never be used! Pick a first aid kit that includes trauma care and has the items clearly marked like the one linked here.

• Car Tool Kit – Another piece of mind item that you will hopefully not have to use. The kit includes tools you may need if your car is having trouble.

• Spare Tire – Most cars have a spare tire and kit in the car. Double-checking it is there and in good condition is important to do before you leave!

• Flashlight – keep a flashlight in your glove box to help if you break down at night.

• Offline Maps – There are still large sections of the USA (and the world!) where your 5G or LTE will not work, so it is very important to have an offline map. We use Maps.me and always have a physical map option in case of emergency!

• Phone Holder and/or Phone Plug – Stay safe and keep your hands free from your phone! Keeping an extra phone plug is always smart!

• Snow Brush and Ice Scraper – traveling to places that may drop below freezing? Be sure to keep one of these handy to keep your windshield clear of snow and ice!

Road Trip Packing Essentials – Comfort

• Cooler – It is important to have cold drinks and snacks easily available during a road trip for a comfortable journey. Personally, we keep a larger cooler (the RTICs are our absolute favorite) in the trunk with food and drink supplies as well as a small, soft cooler within arm’s reach at the front of the car. This allows us to keep the front of the car decluttered but also have a solid stock of refreshments.

• Thermal Cup and Reusable Water Bottle – staying hydrated is key on a road trip. Using reusable cups will help keep your drinks hot/cold.

• Chapstick and Gum or Mints – a great way to keep feeling fresh and alert!

• Nutritious Snacks – road trips lend themselves to far less nutrient-dense foods at meal times. For this reason, it is important to bring nutrient-rich snacks for the car. We always have some small oranges and apples ready, as well as nut and dried fruit mixes, chickpea chips, and fig bars. Additionally, we always keep some hydration packs available.

• Clothing Layers – having layers to take on and off is vital to staying comfortable, especially if there is more than 1 person in the car. Make sure you bring your jacket, no matter what the weather is on the road!

• Hand Sanitizer and Wipes – no germs, please! We started keeping a full-sized hand sanitizer in our car door, and it was a total game changer.

• Reusable Shopping Bags – going to be grabbing groceries on your trip? Don’t forget your reusable shopping bags!

• Paper Towels and Tissues – spills will happen and you will need to blow your nose. Don’t forget these!

• XL Ziplock Bags – We started bringing ziplock bags with us on road trips for 2 reasons: to store stuff (obvious) and to put our trash in… putting car trash in a bag you can seal is the ultimate move. Why? It helps contain any smells, and it is super simple to throw away!

• Sunglasses – 1,000,000% necessary!

• Rain Gear – you’ll never know when you need to jump out of the car in the rain to pump gas or go to a rest area. Make sure you have your umbrella and/or rain jacket within arm’s reach.

• Neck Pillow – this is definitely a personal preference item but many people really enjoy having them on road trips. Kelsea is a big fan of this one.

• Mini Battery Powered Vacuum – some may consider this a luxury item but we have found this to be a game-changing road trip item. Why? A clean space is a happy space. This small, USB charging vacuum is the best tool for keeping your car space neat.

Road Trip Packing Essentials – Fun

• Car Game – we love a car game! “Shotgun!” is a great game for the whole family and is sure to bring big laughs during your drives. Plus it is small and easy to travel with!

• Audio Book – listening to a book is a fantastic way to pass the time on a car trip. We get our audiobooks from the library via Libby or using Audible.

• Road Trip Playlist – there is nothing quite like jamming to music while driving on a road trip! We recommend having some music downloaded for when you hit dead zones

• Brain Teasers – challenge your mind to solve a puzzle to make the time pass by quickly!

• Conversation Starters – enjoy chatting? Use this game to spark conversation and learn more about the person(s) you are with!

How to Prepare the Car for a Road Trip

Right before your road trip, there are several steps you should take to prepare your car for smooth driving.

Vehicle Maintenance

Ensuring your vehicle is in top condition before heading out on a road trip is key to having a safe and enjoyable journey. 

Make sure you take your car by a trusted shop to check for the following items: oil, brakes, tires, lights, wiper blades, wiper fluid, coolant, antifreeze, and battery.

Most car shops will offer a vehicle check – sometimes they are free while the more comprehensive ones will be in the $50-$100 range.

As tempting as it may be to skip this part or half-do it, this is an essential step in preparing for a road trip!

Clean Out and Wash Your Car

Starting out a road trip with a fresh, clean car sets the right tone and atmosphere for your trip!

We highly recommend doing a deep clean of your car. Vacuum, wipe down all surfaces, and remove any trash or other items that you don’t need in the car.

If you’re going on a longer journey, you may even want to do a quick wax job as well so that your car is protected from the elements during your trip.

Additionally, it will help with organization since you will know where everything is, which is super important once you begin your adventure.

Documentation Check

Once your car is clean, make sure you check that all your documentation is in an easy-to-find and reach place. 

Key car documentation to make sure you have with you is:

• Vehicle Registration
• Proof of Insurance
• Car Manual
• Roadside Assistance Information
• Driver’s License

Good Habits and Car Tips for a Long Road Trip

Now that you have prepared your car and have your items ready to pack, what are some good habits to follow during the trip?

1. Get out and walk – it can be tempting to power through driving and make as few stops as possible, but this can make you more tired! Stop every few hours and take 5-10 minutes to walk. This can be at a rest stop, around the gas station, or find a park. Stretch those legs! Your body will thank you for it.

2. Keep your space tidy – a messy space can negatively impact your mood without you consciously realizing it. Take every stop as an opportunity to clear out any trash and clean up your space.

3. Rotate activities – switch up what you are doing! It will pass the time faster and keep you from burning out from any 1 activity. Music, audiobooks, car games, etc.

4. Look for rest areas – these are great places to walk and use the facilities for free! At each rest area, there should be a sign that tells you how far the next one is.

5. Create goals and celebrate reaching them – A long drive can be daunting, so break it into smaller chunks. Celebrate when you pass into a new state or new region! It makes the drive more fun. You can also do this step while preparing for a road trip – break it down into smaller goals! Reading this guide can be goal #1!

Preparing for a Road Trip Checklist – Free Download!

To make sure you don’t forget anything, we created a free Preparing for a Road Trip Checklist that includes all the items mentioned in this article. You can get your copy below!

Preparing for a Road Trip: Ready to Go on Your Road Trip?

With these tips in mind, we hope you find preparing for a road trip to be a breeze!

Don’t forget to be mindful of yourself while driving by taking regular breaks, staying hydrated and energized with snacks, rotating activities for entertainment, and setting goals along the way.

The most important thing is to remember that no matter how long or short your trip may be – make sure you take some time to appreciate the whole experience!

We wish you the best travels, and don’t forget to set your “Out of Office!” 

Check out our Southwest Road Trip and New England Road Trip itineraries!