Are you planning on hitting the road on your next RV road trip or heading to your next camping destination? It is fun researching and planning road trips and scouting for those road side restaurants and new hidden gem camping and backpacking spots. Before you go, it is important to have some road trip essentials in your vehicle.
I’m a planner and over thinker and always like to be prepared. (Does this make me a worrier???) I’ve created this handy guide to be sure you have everything thing you need for your road trip. Consider it your road trip essentials packing list.
Don’t Leave Home Before Doing This
Whether you are driving your car, your RV, or towing a camper, it is super important to do a vehicle inspection before you go on your road trip. Especially if you are driving an RV or towing a camper as those can be even harder to handle with break downs!
Vehicle Inspection Checklist:
- Check all your fluids – oil, radiator, transmission, windshield wiper.
- Top off any low fluids.
- Is your vehicle due for an oil change?
- Check the condition of your tires and tire tread.
- Check your tire pressure and add air if needed.
- Are your brakes working properly?
- Check your battery post terminals. Are the cables tight and free from gunk and grime?
- Be sure all exterior head lights and tail lights are working properly.
- Do our windshield wipers need to be replaced?
- Clean your car inside and out. I know it may seem pointless to clean the exterior if you are heading to a backcountry trail head or campsite.
If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, take your vehicle to a local shop to get this done. Peace of mind as you head out on your road trip is worth it!
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Road Trip Must Haves
There are some items that are pretty much road trip must haves, and some things are purely for entertainment, convenience, and comfort. I’ve included both in this post. The following road trip essentials will have you more than prepared for your adventure.
Navigation
Sure, I guess you could just hit the road in the direction you plan on traveling and follow road signs along the way, but most people want and need some kind of navigation. We have become dependent on our phone’s GPS and other navigation apps, but it is important to have backup paper maps too.
I have such fond memories of tracing my finger along the road lines on a map and looking for the next town. It was so fun to spot the mileage road signs and city signs as we entered the town.
Download a Google map, use an offline map like maps.me, or use your I Phone Maps offline for your trip. Purchase a road atlas and be sure to stop at the state welcome centers for their maps and brochures along your journey.
Drivers License
I know the is super obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t carry their drivers license. Be sure it hasn’t expired or won’t expire while on your trip.
Vehicle Registration and Proof of Insurance
Are your tags current and do have up to date proof of insurance? If your insurance company doesn’t issue cards, you should be able to go online and print proof of insurance. Keep this handy in the glove box. If you are driving your RV or towing a camper, include important documents and insurance for them too.
Medical Insurance Cards
Hopefully nobody will get sick or have a medical emergency on your road trip, but having access to your medical insurance contacts and proof of insurance will make it easier if you do.
Emergency Contacts
Most people have a list of contacts in their phones, but it doesn’t hurt to have a list jotted down on paper.
My Ultimate Camping Journal includes all the forms needed to record your important information (insurance, vehicle maintenance, emergency and medical info etc.) when traveling. Check it out here!
Spare Tire and Jack
A flat tire doesn’t have to leave you stranded. The spare tire won’t do you any good if you don’t have a jack and lug wrench so double check they are under that spare tire. Be sure you have a spare tire for your RV camper too.
We also keep a tire gauge in our vehicles. I know many vehicles will give you tire pressure readings, but ours don’t have that option and I’m old school – I have a hard time trusting it! My low tire light freaks me out if it comes on – it is so sensitive.
Tire Patch Kit
Tire patch kits are inexpensive and make it fairly easy to plug a puncture in a tire yourself, saving some money and headache.
Tire Pump
A 12V tire pump maybe a temporary fix to a slow leaking tire. It would be easier to air the tire up until you could get it replaced. Some emergency roadside kits include them.
Tool Box and Tools
We always travel with an assortment of hand tools to make minor car repairs or equipment repairs. My hubby’s truck tool box has everything you can image in it, but a tool box or tool bag works fine for the basics too.
Jumper Cables
Leave your hotel room to discover you left the lights on overnight? Make it back to the trail head parking lot to realize in your excitement to hit the trail, you left your lights on when you arrived there in the dark morning hours? Faced with a dead battery and no jumper cables? If you plan on traveling backcountry roads you may also want a battery booster in case no other explorers are nearby to jump your car off.
Flashlight
Take a flashlight, headlamp, and/or a lantern. Don’t just depend on the flashlight on your phone. A headlamp frees your hands and these lanterns are great for lighting up larger areas.
Emergency roadside kits often include the items previously mentioned along with tire inflators, gloves, reflectors and more.
First Aid Kit
Handle small scrapes and boo boos with a first aid kit. We include common medicines like Tylenol, Advil, Benedryl, and Immodium. You can put together you own first aid kit or buy one ready to go.
Extra Car Key
If someone is traveling with you, give them an extra car key or key fob. It would be a pain to have to pay a lock smith to get in your car or try to replace a lost key/key fob on a road trip.
Cash
Carry cash for an emergency or roadside attraction that doesn’t accept cards. I’ve discovered some small shops, food trucks, and local restaurants are cash only. Some state park entrances, national forest campgrounds, and trailhead parking require fees paid by cash placed in a secured drop box. Bring quarters for public or campground showers that require payment.
Water
Consider carrying some extra bottles or a jug of water on your trip, especially if you’ll be traveling long stretches without any stores. I can only imagine how thankful you’d be to have some extra water if your car broke down and you were stranded for hours on the side of the road.
Snacks
It is cheaper to pack your snacks than to stop at convenience stores along the way. A snack can satisfy the munchies plus give you some energy during long driving spells. And just like having extra water, snacks would come in handy if you were stranded.
Cooler
A small cooler for your drinks and snacks is nice to have in the vehicle for road trips. If you a traveling with a family or several friends you may want to keep a larger cooler in the trunk or back of the vehicle if there is room.
Reusable Water Bottle
A good reusable water bottle will keep your drink cold longer and will also cut back on single use plastic bottles. Many national parks still sell plastic single use water bottles but they encourage you to reuse and refill with water stations throughout the parks.
Phone Holder
A hands free phone mount is nice to have if you are using any travel or navigation apps on your phone. You can get ones that slid into your cup holders or mount on your dash or windshield.
Over the Seat Organizer
Over the seat organizers can be convenient to store small toys, electronic cords, snacks, books etc. Keep it packed with kid friendly items for the kiddos in the back seat.
Storage Tote
If you are taking alot of odds and ends or even camping equipment, storage totes and bins can be used to keep everything together and separate from luggage or bags.
Duffel Bag
Often times, our road trips are journeys to our backpacking destination, so we use our backpacks for luggage. If just traveling, duffel bags are easy to stash in the vehicle.
Daypack
I like to keep a daypack with me for day hikes or even just strolls around a park. A prepacked daypack is the best way to have some essentials with you if needed.
Laundry Bag
You may want to take a laundry bag to stash your dirty clothes. Storing them separate will keep your clean clothes fresh and make it easier to sort your clothes when you get home. If you don’t have or want to buy a cute laundry bag, a trash bag works too. Just don’t accidently throw your clothes away if you use a trash bag!
Windshield Sunshade
We use windshield sunshades in our vehicles every day. They not only keep the car cooler when parked, but they also protect your dash from the hot direct sunlight.
Plus if you are literally car camping and sleeping in your vehicle, they provide a little measure of privacy.
Toilet Paper
When you gotta go, you gotta go! I keep a some in the glove compartment or console and in my backpack. You can’t count on all the public bathrooms being stocked. It can also double as tissues if needed on your drive.
Wet Wipes
Wet wipes or baby wipes are perfect for wiping sticky hands after a snack or meal, cleaning up sticky spills, and even as a quick refresher “sponge” bath if you are primitive camping on your road trip.
Trash Can
A small trash can or even a empty grocery bag comes in handy to keep your vehicle neat and clean when traveling.
Utensils
It is frustrating to get ready to eat a good snack or picnic and not have utensils you need. Keep some reusable or disposable utensils in your cooler or snack bag.
Camera
Most people have really good cameras on their phones, but if you are a photography buff or prefer an actual camera, don’t forget to bring it. I love to capture all the fun memories (and road trip bloopers) for our journal.
Phone Charger/USB Cords
Don’t forget the phone charger and and USB cords for your devices. I remember the days of pay phones when traveling, but I do love the convenience and peace of mind of having a phone with me, especially in emergencies.
Inverter
A small inverter to plug into your car cigarette lighter is handy for charging laptops and tablets when traveling. Many people work remotely and it is great to be able to charge your laptop when you are spending long hours in the car.
Sunglasses
I have gotten so used to wearing sunglasses when I drive. I even wear them as a passenger. It is no fun squinting at a windshield! I know alot of people wear them throughout the day too.
Umbrella
I always keep an umbrella in my car. They can be a pain to get in and out of the car with while trying to open and close it, but it beats getting soaked. Of course, it usually only covers one or two people!
Rain Jacket
A rain jacket is great to keep in your daypack for those sudden showers if you are out and about on an adventure. Bring rain jackets for everybody.
Camping Gear
Camping is an great way to save money on your road trip. Find free camping or affordable state park campsites. A tent, sleeping bags, and a few pieces of camping gear are also good to have for any unexpected adventures.
You can also camp and sleep in your car at some sites. Some private campgrounds require a tent or camper to be at each site, but there are tons of other options for car camping.
Blanket/Pillow
Some people sleep in the car and prefer the comfort of a small pillow and blanket. My grandkids love to snuggle under blankets in the car even when they are awake.
Headphones
Headphones and earbuds can make listening to your favorite music, audiobook, or podcast enjoyable for everyone.
Toys
We always take a few small toys when we are traveling with our grandkids. Handheld toys can occupy them in the car and give them something to play with at our destinations.
Books
As a passenger I love to read and ride, although I usually talk or look at the scenery passing by. I always take a book even if it is to read once we reach our destination. Don’t forget books for the kids too!
I also have the Kindle app on my phone and a Kindle. I love my Kindle Unlimited subscription, although I prefer holding a book in my hands.
Audiobooks
Download some audiobooks you’ve been wanting to listen to. Pick a great story to be entertain, a devotional, or even a nonfiction title to learn more and discuss with others.
Conversation Cards
Wondering what you are going to talk about all those hours in the car? Conversation cards can be a fun way to get to know each other better – even if you’ve known each other for years. You can find cards for couples, friends, families, and kids.
Do You Really Need All These Road Trip Essentials?
Some of these road trip “essentials” are truly optional convenience items that will make your road trip easier and more enjoyable. Depending on what kind of vehicle you are driving and how many people are going on your road trip, will also factor in what you can bring. I don’t take everything on this list and I’m sure you will make different choices than me too. I’d love to know what you consider road trip must haves. Any ideas for items I’ve not listed? Do you have an exciting road trip planned? Let us know in the comments below!
