Road Trip Essentials and Tips

Road trips are the best, but they can quickly go sideways if you don’t have everything you need. Luckily for you, I’ve learned from my many mistakes in the past and I’m now able to share with you all of the best road trip essentials and tips so that you can plan for the perfect road trip yourself. This is a list of all the most important road trip essentials, mistakes to avoid, apps to download, and road trip travel tips for your next road trip to make sure everything goes smoothly!

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Road Trip Essentials

First things first, don’t hit the road without first making sure you have all of these important items for your car (whether it’s a car you own or a rental).

1. License, registration, and insurance information. You never know when you’ll get pulled over, unfortunately. You definitely don’t want to be caught without these documents if you do!
2. Spare tire and tools to change a flat. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve ended up stranded out in the middle of nowhere because I didn’t have these things. I have the worst luck when it comes to getting flat tires! This one might quite possibly be one of the most important road trip essentials.
3. Fix-a-Flat. You know, that magical little can that instantly fixes almost any flat tire. This is great to have if you’re not able to change your tire right away. Keep in mind it’s a temporary fix.
4. Recent oil change. This may not be a physical item, but it’s definitely important. If you’re about to put a ton of miles on your car, make sure you get this done beforehand!
5. Extra car key. But keep it separate from the one you’re using! I feel like it’s much less common to lock yourself out of your car these days, but it definitely still happens!

Bonus: head to the car wash before you hit the road. It might not really make a difference (and might not stay clean for long) but you’ll definitely feel better driving around in a sparkly clean car for a while. 😉

Travel Emergency Kit

The last thing you want is to be stranded on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere with a dead car battery or flat tire (been there, done that). While a travel emergency kit may not completely save you from situations like this, it can at least help you be a little more prepared. At the very least, make sure you always have jumper cables!

Blanket

One of the first things my dad ever taught me when I started driving was to always keep a blanket in the car. Not only is it practical for if you end up stranded out in the cold, but it can help keep you cozy while riding in the car as well. They even make great portable ones that you can store in the carrying bag in your trunk until it’s needed!

Road Trip Snacks

I mean.. obviously, right? I always try to stick to healthier snacks but usually end up grabbing whatever junk food I can find the first time we stop for gas. Whoops! Make a quick trip to the grocery store before you hit the road and stock up on the perfect snacks for you. You can even bring a small cooler and a bag of ice for drinks and foods that need to be chilled!

The Perfect Road Trip Companion

Nothing will ruin your trip quicker than realizing you’re stuck in a car with someone who gets on your nerves constantly. Make sure you’re road tripping with someone you already know you can have great conversation with, someone who will take turns driving, someone who is interested in stopping at the same places as you along the way, and (most importantly) someone you know will be a great DJ. 😉

Neck Pillow

Whenever it’s not your turn to drive, you’re going to want to get as comfy as possible which isn’t always easy in a car. A cozy neck pillow can at least make it a little more comfortable. Get this one for a pair of earplugs and an eye mask as well! Who’s ready for a road trip nap!?

Road Trip Games

Long drives can get pretty boring at times. A great road trip game can help keep the drive more interesting and help pass the time. Especially when you’re stuck in traffic! This is one of my favorites and it’s great if you’re driving with kids in the car.

Phone Charger

Trust me, you will use your phone a lot and your battery will run down quick. I used to have an iPod for music, a Navigation System for GPS, etc. Now, I use my phone for everything. Playing music and using the GPS on your phone will kill the battery quick. You don’t want a dead phone in case you end up needing to call for help!

Bonus: you can get a dual charger like the one above so you and whoever’s in the passenger seat aren’t fighting over who gets to charge their phone!

Hands-Free Phone Mount

So you’re not having to constantly pick up your phone to check the GPS, change the song, etc. It helps keep your eyes on the road! They make magnetic ones, windshield mounted, vent mounted, and even cup holder mounts! This one is essential for keeping everyone in the car safe. There’s nothing I hate more than seeing people on their phone while driving. It’s so careless and unsafe!

Cash and Coins

Doesn’t have to be a huge amount but at least enough for tolls, parking meters, air pumps, etc. There will always be certain small stores and restaurants that still accept cash only as well so it’s always good to be prepared. I always keep a small stash of coins in the center console!

Umbrella

This one should be obvious but it’s super easy to forget something like an umbrella! You never know when you’ll get caught in a rainstorm. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve left home without an umbrella and ended up needing it.

Slippers

You definitely want to be comfy when you’ll be driving for hours on end, and this means not wearing your uncomfortable shoes the whole time! I like to slip my shoes off and put on a nice, comfy pair of slippers when I’m driving long distances. Just don’t forget to put your actual shoes back on before you walk into a gas station or restaurant (I’ve accidentally done that too)!

Napkins / Cleansing Wipes

Someone always makes a mess. Whether it’s from leaving their unwrapped chocolate bar sitting in the sun or spilling their drink when the driver hits a bump in the road, it’s bound to happen at one point or another. Always keep some napkins handy, or even better, cleansing/sanitizing wipes!

Car Trash Bag / Can

Trust me when I say that all the wrappers from your many road trip snacks, gas receipts, and napkins will add up quick. Having a designated bag for trash or even a small car trash can will make all the difference. This one is great because you can hook it over the headrest for easy access and it has small pockets on the side!

Sunglasses

Right when the sun is coming up in the morning and as it’s going down in the evening are the worst when you’re driving. The sun visors don’t seem to help at all! Always make sure you have your favorite pair of shades before you hit the road. You’ll definitely need them!

Polaroid Camera & Film

Road trips are full of great moments and memories. What better way to capture them than with an instant photo keepsake? The Polaroid instant camera is perfect for those quick roadside stops. Polaroids always end up being some of my favorite souvenirs from trips!

Extra Layer of Clothing

If you’re like my husband and I, you can never agree on a temperature. Even in cars with dual climate control I’m always freezing and he’s on fire. Keep a sweater for when your partner decides to blast the AC even though you’re already freezing. This one can save you from many arguments!

Road Trip Playlist

No road trip is complete without the perfect playlist. I always use Spotify (premium, obvs) and I’ll either choose one of the featured road trip playlists or play my own! Sometimes I’ll even listen to different podcasts if it’s a long drive.

Don’t forget to throw in a few of the “typical road trip songs” like the ones above. They’re only appropriate, really! Everyone’s guaranteed to sing along to any great road trip song.

Road Trip Travel Tips

1. Plan your driving route ahead of time. Punch your final destination into GPS before you leave and figure out what you’ll want to see along the way and where you might want to stop for the night.
2. Always be ready for spontaneous unplanned stops and detours. See a sign along the road for something that sounds really cool, but it’s not at all in the direction you’re going? Go anyway! You never know when you’ll get the chance to go again.
3. Truck stops are better than regular gas stations for mid-trip stops. The facilities are typically much cleaner and you’ll have a better variety of choices for food, drinks, and snacks. I always stop at truck stops when I need a break from the road!
4. Stay safe! Follow the rules of the road, don’t wait too long to fill up on gas, don’t continue driving if you’re too tired, don’t plan too much (or too little), and download offline maps (or have a paper map handy) just in case – you never know when you’ll lose phone service!

Must-Have Road Trip Apps

GasBuddy – The GasBuddy app is great for helping you not only find somewhere to stop for gas, but it helps you find the lowest prices as well. This is a must for long trips on the road!

Roadtrippers – This app helps you find lots of cool spots along the way such as scenic viewpoints, local restaurants, and different roadside attractions that you might never find otherwise! This is always my go-to app when planning a road trip.

TripIt – I’ve been using TripIt for years! It’s a travel planning app that helps you easily plan and organize all of the details for your trip.

maps.me – If you’ll be driving anywhere without a working phone (no service, etc.) maps.me allows you to download maps for anywhere in the world and will provide navigation without using cellular data.

Top Road Trip Games – This app includes 11 different road trip games which you can easily play in the car for a little extra fun along the way!

OnMyWay – OnMyWay is an app that allows you to earn money while driving! All you have to do is not use your phone while you drive (ex: no texting and driving!), and you’ll earn cash for every mile that you drive with your phone locked. Use my referral code (1UiGsb7xc1) when you sign up for an extra bonus!

TollGuru – This one helps you calculate the cost of toll routes along the way and even helps you find the cheapest (and fastest!) route. TollGuru also helps estimate the total costs of your trip based on fuel prices!

Road Trip Mistakes to Avoid

• Not checking the weather before you go. On long road trips, the weather can change drastically from one destination to the next. Especially in the US! Always check the weather before heading out and pack accordingly!
• Driving too much in one day. Driving for hours on end can be exhausting and the last thing you want to do is drive while you’re extremely tired. If you find yourself getting sleepy, take a break. Stop for the day. Or, get your road trip partner to take over for a while.
• Waiting to get gas. If you’re starting to get low on gas, don’t pass up a gas station just because “Eh, there will be another one soon”. Unless you’re using an app or GPS that actually tells you where the next gas station will be, you can never be sure. The last thing you want to do is end up stranded on the side of the road because you ran out of gas!
• Being unrealistic with how much time you’ll need. Just because it takes x amount of hours to drive to your destination does not mean that’s how long it’ll actually take. You have to factor in stops, traffic, breaks, etc. It’s very easy to try and pack in too much or too little on your itinerary. Leave a bit of space for spontaneity and random detours.
• Not downloading maps. Always, always, always download maps on your GPS app. This way if your phone loses service (which is very likely!) you’ll still have directions and know where to go.
• Underestimating the cost of a road trip. People often assume that road-tripping is cheap because, well.. you’re just on the road. Well, unless you plan on sleeping in your car you still need to pay for hotels. You also have to factor in the costs of food (road trip snacks are a must!), and of course gasoline which can add up quickly on long trips.
• Not carrying cash. The most important reason for this is toll roads. You can’t pay with card and you don’t want to use the express lane unless you have an actual pass to do so. The fees for doing so are ridiculously high and that’s not something you want to get billed for in the mail after your trip.

What are some of your favorite road trip essentials? What road trip destinations are on your bucket list? Share in a comment below!

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Don’t forget to check out these other posts:

• The Ultimate Guide to Solo Hiking
• Traveling as a Couple
• How to Avoid Looking Like an American Tourist
• Travel Quotes to Fuel Your Wanderlust