Hopping in the car for hours on end, road-trip style, can be one of the most fun and relaxing ways to travel. Great music, good conversation, and if you’re not driving you can take a nap at any time, guilt-free, what a bonus.
The problem with road-tripping, or any kind of travel really, is that someone always forgets something important. This can naturally lead to unnecessary stops and shopping trips or a whole lot of complaining (usually from the backseat). Planning your trip ahead and making sure that you have a list of everything you want and need to take with can help make your road trip safer, more manageable, and more fun. Here are some essential things you should be taking with you in the car.
A Power Bank
There can only be one person in the driver’s seat, which means that everyone else in the car is going to be reaching for some form of entertainment at some point. Keeping in touch with friends and family when you travel can be important for your safety too, which is why you’re going to want to bring some fuelless power along. Keep your phones, EarPods, watches and everything else charged up on your trip to avoid any drama.
Hands-Free Phone Clip
Unless you know the way off by heart, you’re going to be using some navigation on your trip. Driving with your phone in your hand is a big no-no since it’s incredibly dangerous and could land you in trouble with the law too.
Stick a magnetised phone holder into the air vent in your car, so you can check your GPS app hands-free and without taking your eyes off the road for too long.
Water
For this one, we recommend water in an insulated bottle. Warm water that’s been sitting in a plastic bottle in the heat of the car isn’t super good for you and isn’t very refreshing either. An insulated bottle will keep your water cold and fresh for hours.
Snacks
Having a snack pack in the car is going to be a lifesaver, especially if you’re travelling with kids in the car.
You might want to pack things like energy bars and nuts that are quick and easy to consume, rather than the messier and crumblier snacks like cookies and crisps. However, another great idea for a long road trip is to actually pack a picnic lunch (complete with a blanket) and find somewhere cool and calm to sit and eat a proper meal when everyone has had enough of being in the car.
The break can give new life to your trip and a full, nourishing meal is a far better option than mindless snacking every few hours. Who needs hangry passengers?
A Pillow (Or Two)
This is a no-brainer if you’re going camping, but it’s a good idea to bring along even if you’re not. Anyone who isn’t driving for hours on end might want to take a nap, and sleeping in the backseat is always better when a little neck support.
Plus, who knows what the bed situation might look like at your destination? Avoid poor quality sleep and stiff necks by bringing your own pillow that you know is comfy.
A Cooler
There have been countless road-trippers who have stopped at quaint markets and seen fresh farmers goods and been completely put out that they couldn’t purchase anything since they knew it wouldn’t last the trip.
Bringing a cooler with some ice will allow you to bring foods and drinks along with you on your trip, as well as leave you with the option to do a little shopping if you stumble upon something interesting.
Hand Sanitiser and Masks
Travelling in the time of Corona – you just know you’re going to need backup hand sanitiser and masks for when you quickly want to jump out of the car for gas, a snack or to run to a restroom. Keeping spares in the car is always a good idea, even when you’re not road tripping.
Tissues or Baby Wipes
You don’t even need a baby to know how valuable baby wipes are to have around – in the house, in the car, or your handbag when you’re just out to the shops.
Especially if you’re going to be stopping for a picnic or snacking in the car, having something to wipe sticky hands and faces or clean up a mess is always a good idea. Plus, we all know that public restrooms can be a hit or miss when it comes to toilet paper availability.
Sunglasses
Driving off into the sunset sounds cute… Until you’re blind. On a serious note, driving with the sun in your eyes can be really uncomfortable and dangerous too. Make sure you pack a pair of sunnies for when the sun visor just isn’t cutting it.
Coffee Cup
Long hours behind the wheel can be exhausting. For those of us that don’t have a driving partner to swap turns with, caffeine becomes a staple for any trip.
However, we’re all about sustainability, so multiple plastic cups over a trip is a big no-no. Bring along a reusable coffee cup for your caffeine fix to make sure that your road trip is that much kinder to the planet.
First Aid Kit
This is another essential. You never know what might happen on the road, and it’s always important to be prepared for an emergency. A basic first aid kit with disinfectant, bandages, burn gel, painkillers and some stomach medication is always good to keep on hand. Anything more serious might require a doctor’s visit.
Entertainment
Not everyone is a fan of long drives, so it’s a good idea to be prepped for a few hours of entertainment.
Downloading a few podcasts or an audiobook to listen to is a great idea, and you could plan a few road trip games for everyone to play together (like 20 Questions or I Spy). If all else fails, there’s nothing like a Throwback Thursday playlist to get everyone in a good mood.
