Hey everyone, hope you’re all alright. I wish I could say I’m starting to get better, but I’m now into week eight of my crash, and still not anywhere near close to recovering, I’m still having problems with my speech and mobility, and the doctor I’m seeing is on holiday for the next few weeks, which means until he comes back nothing else is going to happen, so, I’ve been reading (as mentioned last week) more about my condition and on relapses/crashes and unfortunately and annoyingly it can sometimes take a while depending on the severity of it, to getting back to some normalcy and this is one of my worse crashes to date. But moving on from that little moan, did you all have a nice week? We did, as on Sunday we took a road trip and met up with my sister at this little farm that’s in between where we both live, it wasn’t huge, but we spent a good couple of hours there, although we spent most of the time in the play area letting Isaac play on the slide, which he must’ve slid down on at least 75 times (no exaggeration) but none of us minded as we just had a nice chat and enjoyed spending some time together! Now speaking of road trips, that actually brings me nicely to this weeks post…
You just can’t beat hitting the open road with friends and family to explore the outdoors and towns and cities along the way. Although the most popular time to do so, planning a road trip doesn’t have to be confined to the summer months if you are correctly equipped! Whether you are going out for the day, heading abroad, or taking a staycation this ultimate road trip packing guide will have your cruising covered in comfort. You want to be prepared for your adventure and not stopping off for things all the time so here’s a list of things to make sure you have packed up and ready to go.
When it comes to packing for a road trip, it’s all about striking the right balance between being prepared and packing light. There are a few key road trip essentials that you simply can’t hit the road without. Make sure you pack these essentials for a road trip whether you’re taking a short road trip or looking for a road trip pack list for a long journey.
For The Car:
Important Documents
Make sure you have your license and that your car insurance and registration are up to date and you have that information with you in case you run into any issues on the road. Also, consider if a travel insurance plan would be useful for your trip.
*Tip: Before taking a road trip, remember to do an overall audit of the car. Check the oil and water levels, the tire pressure, functioning spare wheels and brake action.*
Spare money/Debit Card
While credit/debit cards are widely accepted these days (so don’t forget them), it’s also always a good idea to carry spare cash on your road trip. You never know when you may need to pay for parking with coins, or when you’ll drive past a cute fruit stall that only takes cash.
First aid kit
Accidents can happen so it’s important to bring a first aid kit on your road trip. Basic supplies such a band-aids, bandages, antiseptic and safety pins can be invaluable when the closest town is 100km away! You can either purchase a pre-made first aid kit or create your own using the essentials from your at-home first aid kit.
First aid essential checklist:
- Bandages / Gauze
- Plasters
- Antibiotic cream (cuts & scrapes)
- Ibuprofen (inflammation)
- Paracetamol (headaches)
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Tick removal tool
- Alcohol Wipes
- Hand sanitizer
Phone Holder & Phone charger
A portable charger / car charger is essential. Even when you are not going on a road trip! And over the past decade, laws on phone use while driving have increased and penalties have become harsher and rightfully so. This has pushed the importance of hands-free phone kits. All you need to do is clip the base to your air vent, pop a magnet in between your phone and case and ta-da, the phone sticks to the base! Ideal for car hire as you can remove the clip without damaging the car. Handy for using maps and playing tunes, two essential road trip items.
Sat-nav and/or A Road Map
As well as giving you directions, a sat-nav can remind you of the speed limit and help you find nearby service stations. And while GPS on your phone is a useful tool, it’s not always reliable, especially in remote areas with spotty cell reception. Furthermore, It might be a little old-school but still take a road atlas with you as back-up in case your sat-nav fails!
Emergency Roadside Assistance Kit
No matter how well-prepared you are, unexpected emergencies can still happen on the road. That’s why it’s important to have an emergency roadside assistance kit in your car. These kits can help you change a flat tire or jump-start your car in an emergency.
*Tip: Make sure you have Roadside membership (my family use AA in the UK)*
Flashlight/Headlamp
Whether you’re changing a tire, the car battery dies in the dead of the night, your setting up camp in the dark, or just trying to locate something in your car, a flashlight is handy to keep in your vehicle at all times. Alternatively, a headlamp keeps your hands free and provides optimal visibility.
Windscreen Covers
When packing for a road trip, windscreen covers are important. Not only do they keep your car or van cool and comfortable, but they also provide an added layer of privacy. And if you’re parked at a rest stop or a campground, having a shield between you and prying eyes can make all the difference.
An Umbrella
There’s a chance it could rain at some point during your trip. Make sure you’re prepared and keep a small umbrella in your car for when you need it.
Duct tape
Duct tape is a versatile tool that can help in a variety of situations on the road. From ripped gear to quick repairs, duct tape can be a lifesaver in a pinch. Keep a roll of duct tape in your boot/trunk just in case you need to make a quick fix.
Rubbish bags/Bin
During your road trip, you’re going to be eating and drinking along the way. Disposing of the rubbish rather than letting it build up will help keep your car a nice place to be in. Keep an extra grocery bag or a small trash can in your car to collect trash and dump it out at petrol stations or rest areas.
Snacks & Drinks:
Snacks are always good. If you’re prone to being hangry it may be best for all parties to keep a stock of energy bars or granola bars in the car for emergencies. Snacks are true car essentials and the perfect road trip food! And If you get stranded, staying hydrated is crucial. So keep a couple of large bottles (as extra) in the car in case of emergencies. And on warm days on a summer road trip.
Reusable water bottle
It’s important to drink as you usually would when doing a road trip. Being hydrated can keep you more awake and alert and it’s just good for you. Instead of buying loads of plastic water bottles everywhere you go, bring a reusable water bottle with you so that you can fill it up when needed and stay hydrated on the road.
A Cool Box
A cool box is perfect for keeping your drinks and snacks cool during the trip. You can get small cool-boxes that’ll keep a couple of cans of drinks, and snacks like cheese, protein bars, fruits and veggies, etc.. cool for the day. A soft cooler bag is great for convenience and portability, especially in a smaller car, while a hard cooler is ideal for longer trips and keeping your items secure and colder for longer.
Common Roadtrip Snacks:
- Crisps
- Sandwiches (buy some bread and whatever you want to go in it, and make it on the go. Much cheaper and nicer than pre-made ones!)
- Fruit (apples and oranges store well)
- Protein and energy bars
- String Cheese
- Cookies
- Nuts & trail mix
- Popcorn
- Carrot Sticks
- Energy Drinks
Other:
Headphones
If you’re hitting the road with a travel companion and have different musical tastes, packing headphones for your road trip is a great idea. Not only does it allow each of you to enjoy your own music, but it can also prevent any arguments over what to listen to.
Road Trip Playlist
Everybody has their own personal music tastes for road trips, If you’ve got the time then creating and downloading your favorite songs for offline use is a great idea for a road trip.
Camera Gear
Capturing memories is essential for any road trip. So, pack your camera gear! For most of us out there, smart phones have far eclipsed the quality and ease of use that most other cameras can offer. If you consider yourself a photographer then a professional camera is a road trip must have!
Kleenex and Toilet Paper
It’s always helpful to keep some tissue in the glove compartment, but on a road trip, it can also be used as toilet paper for an unexpected “emergency”. And if you’re traveling with at least two people odds are that one of you are going to have a use for a tissue (within the first hour) during your road trip.
A Blanket
Packing a blanket as part of your road trip checklist is another useful item. If you are traveling at the crack of dawn or late at night, bring blankets for snuggling and keeping warm. It’s great to have a blanket whatever time of year but especially an essential item for any time you may be stuck in traffic or need warming up. It also might not be a bad idea to add a sleeping bag or travel pillow as well, just in case you have to stop somewhere to sleep overnight.
Toiletry Bag
A less glamorous part of your road trip relates to your and your trip mate’s bodily functions. Again, service stations are not always the most well-stocked for important toiletries. In that case, you may find yourselves caught short in the middle of nowhere. Whether you take an emergency stop or an overnight camp, be sure you have what you need on hand. Keep a toiletries bag well-stocked in the trunk to ensure you can attend to every need at any time.
Essential toiletries for a road trip include:
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Hand sanitizer
- Bug spray
- Sun screen
- Soap
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Bath wipes
- Razor
- Comb/brush
- Lip balm
- Toilet paper
- Prescription and over-the-counter medicine
Warm clothes
If you want to beat the traffic and travel during the night (or first thing in the morning), take a jacket or woolly jumper with you as it could be on the chilly side. An anorak and pair of wellies may also prove useful if it decides to lash it down – we know how unpredictable the Great British weather can be!
Entertainment
The most fun things to take on a road trip are those that keep you entertained and laughing the whole way! Bring along a tablet, a book, card games, your favorite playlist, a GoPro, travel journal, and a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. From iSpy to the License Plate game to high-tech gear and gadgets, take your road trip entertainment as seriously as things to pack for a road trip! It can be an all-out sanity saver, especially for families with kids.
Remember, this list is more of a guideline. Please adapt it to your trip and preferences. When packing for a road trip, it’s important to remember the essentials for a comfortable and enjoyable journey. Your road trip list of things to bring is the key to a successful trip. Being prepared means being able to handle any number of situations without them getting in the way of your road trip travel plans.
Thank you for visiting my blog and reading today’s post, I hope you all have a lovely week, and I shall see yo net Wednesday!
Peytons View 