You’re going on a road trip. 

You’ve got the car gassed up, a few of your favorite podcasts downloaded, and are ready to hit the road. 

But, are you sure you have all the essentials that you’ll really need for your road trip? Chances are you might be forgetting one or two essentials that will make your trip way better. 

That’s where we come in. In this post, we’re going to highlight some of our must-have road trip items. Include these on your packing list, and you’ll be covered for all your biggest needs. 

Emergency Car Kit

Before you head off on any road trip, keep safety in mind. That’s why an emergency car kit is always a good idea to have stashed in the trunk. These kits have essentials like flares, jumper cables, tire pressure gauges, and even window breakers to keep you safe and sound. 

Maps

Wait, like paper maps? You got it. Let’s face it there are ‘dead zones’ all over the country where your mobile can struggle to get service. If that happens right when you need to catch a vital exit you’re lost. Grab a simple paper map of the areas where you’ll be as an easy backup just in case. 

Car Charger

One thing you absolutely don’t want to forget on your road trip is a charger for your phone. You can grab one like this that has two USB slots, perfect to keep your phone (and your road trip companion) charged up and ready to go. Or, you can splurge on a solar powered charger if you’re going to spend time camping during your trip.

Snacks

Driving while hangry is not something that makes for a fun road trip. Plus stopping to eat every few hours can get expensive. So, it’s essential to start any road trip with an easy supply of snacks at the ready. Prep a few sandwiches and healthy bites that you can easily grab on the go. 

Travel Cooler

Speaking of all those snacks you’ve prepared, how are you going to keep them cool? That’s where your travel cooler comes in handy. A leakproof and collapsible cooler is perfect for ensuring your food stays fresh and won’t take up a ton of space in the back seat either. 

Reusable Cups

If you want to stay green even while you’re on the road, then investing in a good reusable water bottle is a great idea. You can refill these pretty much anyplace you stop for gas or a break. And if you can’t go too long without a cup of joe, consider bringing along a reusable travel sized coffee maker also.

Wet Wipes

A sticky situation is never far away, and the last thing you want is for your car to be the victim of accidental spillage. That’s one way wet wipes can come in handy. You can also use them for general hygiene in case of emergency, or just to give yourself a quick clean up on a hot or dusty day. 

Dollar Bills

Chances are high on any road trip that you’re going to encounter at least one toll road. If you don’t have an electronic pass and want to avoid having to pull out your credit card at every stop, grab a stack of one dollar bills that you can easily use to pay any tolls that come up.

This list of must-have road trip items can get you started. Feel free to add to this list as you start packing for your trip. But the most important thing to remember? 

Have fun!