Road trip essentials can save you from many hassles especially if you are embarking on a long journey for the first time. It’s important that you have everything you need, but sometimes you might forget. 

Here is a list of 23 road trip essentials that can help! Plus the road trip ideas can keep you and your little ones entertained if you are going with the kids. 

 

 

22 Road Trips Essentials And Great Things to Bring :

 

You can bring the following for the road trip:

 

#1. Cell Phone With Apps

Don’t forget your cell phone, but make sure you are taking advantage of different apps. Some apps can help you with navigation. Get an internet package so that you need not to worry about the wifi signals. It’s important that you have everything in check before you embark on the long road trip. Your smartphone is a must! 

 

#2. Snacks

A road trip can be quite boring if you are not bringing the snacks of your choice. It can be something healthy or just chips, chocolates, and cookies! After all, the purpose of the road trip is to enjoy your time while you are on the road. If you are traveling with kids, it’s even more important to pack your snacks as per the choice of your kids. 

 

#3. Tissues or Paper Towel

When you are embarking on a long journey don’t forget to pack tissues or paper towels. If you are planning a long route where you would be driving for several hours then it’s best if you keep the tissues handy. When you stop for eating or when coffee spills, you can rely on paper towels for cleaning up your car. Tissues are a must when you are traveling with kids. 

 

#4. Books for Kids

Kids are glued to the iPad and computer screens. You don’t want your kids to be attached to the virtual world so it’s better to take them on a road trip and introduce some great books. Your kids can read the books and discuss the story with you. Introducing books to your kids can be great! It can help in improving the vocabulary and they would learn new information. 

 

#6. Games to Keep Kids Busy

 

When kids are with you during the long journey, it’s important that you invest in the right games. Get the games that kids can enjoy especially if there are two kids. They can play board games together or maybe tic-tac-toe or puzzle games.  

Can also bring like cards for games or yahtzee, uno, zingo, battleship board game.  Can be a great time for kids and adults to play some fun games while going out on a road trip!

 

 

#7. Medications for Headache or Pain

When you are embarking on a long journey, you might feel tired and get a headache. It’s also possible to experience backache because of constant driving. It would be best if you are keeping over-the-counter medications for you. It can help with fever also. Plus, if you are allergic to something and need medications then it would be best to bring the relevant medicines too. 

 

#8. Chargers for Your Electronic Devices

Don’t forget to bring the chargers for your electronic devices. Though you would be enjoying the road trip, it’s important that you keep your electronic devices charged in case you need them for an emergency especially your cell phone should be fully charged. You can bring the chargers that you can easily use in the cars. 

 

#9. Comfortable Slippers

It’s a good idea to bring comfortable slippers for your road trip. When you decide to rest, you don’t want to wear your shoes. A pair of comfortable slippers would be so relaxing. Your feet would be tired with the long journey. Wearing comfortable slippers can help. 

 

#10. Comfortable Clothes

It’s best to wear comfortable clothes during the journey. If it’s a hot summer day then you can wear something light. Plus, it’s best to pack weather-appropriate clothes for the road trip. Your clothes for the trip should be comfortable.

 

#11. Water And Juices

Don’t forget to bring water. You can also bring juices, but water is a must. You are going to be thirsty by driving all day long. Pack separate water bottles for your kids and remind them to drink water, again and again, to stay hydrated. 

 

#12. Hats, Sunglasses, And Sunscreen

It’s important that you get hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen for the road trip. If it’s a sunny day then you have to protect yourself and your kids from the sun rays. Make sure you get the children sunscreen for the kids. The purpose of the road trip is to enjoy and have some fun time with the family, but don’t forget to protect yourself and the kids.  

 

#13. A Pillow for Sleeping

You can bring a pillow for your road trip. If you feel tired and you want your partner to drive the car so that you can sleep, a pillow can help. Your kids can also sleep peacefully on the pillow. So bringing a pillow for the road trip can be a good idea. You don’t have to bring your home pillows, you can get a separate pillow for the car that provides great support for your head and neck when you rest.

 

#14. Chewing Gum

Chewing gum can help you stay alert. When you are constantly chewing gum, you would not need the feel to get snacks again and again. You need not go through the hassle of feeling the need to drink coffee or have cravings to eat something. 

 

#15. Warm Blanket

It can be a little chilly at night so a warm blanket for kids is a must.  Plus, a cozy blanket can help your kids sleep better. Your kids are enjoying the road trip, but don’t forget they are still young and need your protection and care. A warm blanket for kids can help your kids feel warm, cozy, and comfortable. 

 

#16. First Aid Kit

Don’t forget the first aid kit for the road trip. Anyone can get hurt during the road trip and that’s where a first aid kit can help. Make sure you are packing the first aid kit for your long road trip. Make a note of all the things you would be carrying along and add the first aid kit on the top. 

 

#17. Extra Bags for Trash

While the kids are enjoying snacks during the road trip and you are having coffee now and then, it’s easy to gather tons of trash. It’s good to keep extra bags for trash. You can collect the trash in the garbage bags and just throw it where you see a dustbin. That way your car won’t get dirty. The extra bags can help in collecting the trash and you would enjoy a clean car. Keeping your car clean is important. 

 

#18. Identification Cards

Don’t forget to take your identification cards while going on a road trip. You never know when you would need it. If you are traveling across the country, your identification cards and relevant documents would be a must. So you have to check in advance what type of documents or proof of identification would be a must. Make sure you are keeping your identification cards safe in the car. If you are staying in a hotel to take some rest then make sure the identification cards are with you. You don’t want to go through the hassle of losing your stuff. It’s better to make a list in advance and follow it accordingly. 

 

#19. Money

Don’t forget to take your money! You can also keep in cash if you are traveling within your country. If you are visiting a different country, you can get the currency of that country. For example, if you are doing on a road trip from Canada to America then you can carry American dollars as it would be easy for you. You would also be carrying your debit or credit card. Don’t forget the money, it’s a must! You are going to buy food, fill up gas, and a lot more. 

 

#20. Baby Wipes And Diapers

When you are traveling with a baby then you would need to change diapers. Thus, it would be a must to carry the baby wipes and diapers. Make sure you take the required quantity as you don’t want to fall short of diapers during the long road trip. The baby wipes can come in handy if something spills and you want to clean. When you change the diaper of your baby, use the garbage bag to throw away the dirty diaper. 

 

#21. Hand Lotion And Hand Soap

When you are changing the diapers of your baby and there is no washroom in the nearby location or anything to wash your hands then a hand soap can come in handy. You can use the water bottle and hand soap to easily wash your hands. It’s best to put hand lotion on if you don’t want your hands to get dry during the road trip. 

 

#22. Toys for Kids

Your kids would be bored during the road trip especially when there is no means of entertainment. You would constantly try to play, but it’s better if you are bringing some toys and keeping them away from the eyes of your kids. When the kids get cranky or start to cry that’s where a toy can help. Don’t get the annoying noisy toys. Search for the toys that would be suitable for a road trip and your kids would be happy. 

 

Wrapping It Up 

A road trip can be so much fun, but you have to plan for it. You have to make sure that you are keeping all the essentials. Sometimes it’s easy to forget the basic items especially when there are small kids with you. It can be quite hectic. You can make a list of important things to carry along. A list can make it easier to remember and pack your things. Make sure you are keeping all the essential items so that you can enjoy a wonderful road trip with your family.