10 Items You Need for a Road Trip

Are you planning an old-school road trip soon? There’s no better way to see the world than behind the wheel. Before you head off, you’ll want to equip your car with all the necessary road trip necessities. Whether it's practical gadgets to keep your vehicle in check or personal essentials to ensure your journey is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Packing for a road trip can be a little trickier than you might imagine. Not only do you need to consider all the usual necessities for any getaway, but you'll also need to think about safety gear for your car and accessories to make your on-the-road experience more comfortable.

Before you head off on your adventure, take a look through our reliable and tested line-up of road trip must-haves. This will make sure that you’re fully prepared for any situation that may arise on your journey.

Relevant Documentation

It may seem obvious, but it's easy to forget the documents you might need for a road trip. Of course, passports and driving licenses should be at the top of your list, but you'll also need to have your car registration and insurance policy on hand. 

You won't require too much paperwork if you're taking your own car out on the road. However, those opting for a rental must keep the car hire contract and any other files from the rental company within arm's reach.

Jumper Cables

You won't need these with any luck, but it's essential to kit your car out with jumper cables should you fall victim to a drained battery. Pick up a set of heavy-duty jump-start cables that you can easily pack into your trunk. That way, you'll be able to reboot your car on the road, so long as you find another road-trippers car to hook them up to!

First Aid Kit

A well-stocked first aid kit is worth packing for any kind of trip, but it's more important than ever when you're on the road. Depending on where you're headed, you might fall ill or get injured while miles from a pharmacy or medical center. Some basics for any first aid kit include pain relief medication, band-aids, antiseptic wipes, gauze, a thermometer, tape, and gloves.

Sunshades

Whether you'll need sunshades depends on where you'll be driving, but they are a must for journeys through hot destinations. As most of us know all too well, cars can trap heat remarkably quickly. 

Rather than face getting into an uncomfortably warm car and patiently waiting for the air conditioning to cool it down, fit your whip with some sunshades. These accessories are multi-functional, as they also provide you with privacy if you're in a busy area.

Flashlight or Headlamp

A simple item likely to come in handy more often than you might think is a flashlight or headlamp, which are excellent additions to any packing list. 

If you plan to go wild camping, a flashlight will be your saving grace if you need to pitch a tent in darkness or find a secluded bathroom spot. It's also a useful accessory in case your car breaks down or needs a tire change after dark.

Physical or Downloadable Digital Map

Most of us are well acquainted with satnav systems and navigation apps like Google Maps, but if you're venturing to remote destinations, you'll need to prepare for a potential signal loss. 

Before you hit the road, download maps for wherever you're headed to avoid getting lost if you go a little off the grid. Those of you who are more old-school might prefer to stick to a physical map, but be sure you're confident in your navigation skills before going for this option!

Insulated Bottle

Keep your coffee piping hot and your drinking water chilled with an insulated bottle. There are a ton of different thermos flasks on the market, but it's best to do some research first, as some can retain the temperature of your drink much longer than others. 

In general, stainless steel bottles are more effective than aluminum alternatives, as they keep liquids hot for up to 12 hours and cold for approximately 24 hours.

Hand Sanitizer and Wet Wipes

One of the downsides to embarking on a road trip to off-the-beaten-path destinations is how few and far between quality washing facilities can be. Hand sanitizer and wet wipes are easy to pack up and take up very little room, yet they are often all you have to keep you feeling fresh on long stretches of isolated roads. While they're no replacement for a proper shower or soap, they're lifesavers when it comes to gas station bathrooms or after a sweaty hike.

Non-Perishable Snacks

No great road trip is complete without some tasty on-the-go snacks. Some of you may be planning on cooking your own meals at campsites or dining out at local eateries along the way, but either way, it's always worth loading up the car with snacks for when you feel peckish getting from place to place. 

Products with a long shelf life, like nuts, cereal bars, crackers, and dried fruit, are reliable options to satisfy you between meals.

Power Bank

Running out of phone battery is one situation you want to avoid finding yourself in on a road trip, especially if you've ventured out into the wilderness. Between helping us stay connected and serving as navigation tools, we depend on our phones a lot, especially in unfamiliar territory. 

For this reason, a power bank is something you can't set off without. These battery packs come with different charging capabilities, but it's best to pick one that will give you multiple charges. 

Good-quality power banks usually also work with smartwatches, earphones, and tablets, provided they have the correct input and output ports.

Set off on Your Road Trip With an Easy Mind

Now that you're well-versed in the prerequisites of a hassle-free road trip, you're ready to take on the expansive highways and winding streets that lie ahead.

All that's left to do is create a killer playlist, and you've got yourself a rocking road trip to look forward to!