Ready for a summer road trip?

We like the sound of that!

But, before you hop in your car and head off to your next destination, make sure you’re completely prepared first. There are a few road trip essentials that you’ll need to make sure you get the most out of your journey. 

In this post, we’re going to share some of the essentials for a summer road trip that you won’t want to leave home without. 

Let’s take a look.

1. Cooler

Many road trips start with the windows rolled down and the radio turned up as you hit the main streets and back roads of the US. While that may cool you down, the car itself can still stay pretty warm — especially if you get out for a while to check out a museum or take a hike.

Keep your drinks and snacks cool with a good soft-sided cooler that you can collapse and store. Keep it in your backseat, toss in a few reusable ice packs and feel confident your food and drinks are good to go.

2. Car Saftey Kit

In reality, you should probably have this in your car all the time. But when you head out on a road trip, make sure you have safety items stored in a bag in your trunk so you’re ready in case of emergency. 

Some of the items you’ll want to have include jumper cables, a car battery charger, flares, a flashlight, a tire jack, and first aid kit. Hopefully, you won’t have to use them but it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

3. Toiletries

Nature calls. And sometimes that happens when you aren’t near a hotel or other useful restroom. So it never hurts to keep an extra roll of toilet paper, baby and disinfecting wipes, and sanitizing liquid at the ready.

It’s also important to include items like sunscreen and bug spray too. You might find a few destinations are sunnier or buggier than others. If you’re prone to burns or bites, pack aloe and some pain relievers too. 

4. Prepare Your Phone

It’s really important to make sure you’re phone is set and ready to go before you head out on a trip. Grab your car charger and extra battery pack. Load it up with all the right apps and maps that you’ll need for practical use. Remember, you might not always have service or WiFi in some spots.

Also, don’t forget the fun side of things too. Add in your favorite playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks too for entertainment along the way. 

5. Extra clothes

One of the best parts of a road trip is often the spontaneity of it all. If you didn’t bring any towels because you’ll get them at your hotel, you might miss out on some awesome swimming hole you’ve discovered.

Since you can leave your extra gear in the car, you can pack more ‘just in case’ clothing like swimsuits, towels, rain gear, and underwear to cover unexpected adventures.

Ready to head out on your summer road trip? With these essentials, you’re going to be set and ready to go. Have fun!