Are you trying to embark on a successful car road trip? A long road trip can be a fantastic experience but without the proper tools, it can be uncomfortable.
Car road trips have been on the rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic, knowing how to pack for a road trip is vital.
Before you jump in the car and head off on your next adventure, you need to ensure you have the right things in your bag. The last thing you would ever want is to get stuck in the middle of nowhere then realize that you forgot something essential.
What Car Will I Drive?
In addition to where you are heading and who is coming with you, your car size determines what to pack on a road trip.
Smaller cars get better gas mileage, are suitable for solo travelers or couples, and can be best for shorter trips.
But if you are taking a family road trip and plan on driving, you might consider renting a larger vehicle than what you usually drive from honda dealership tampa florida. You will love the extra cargo space and legroom.
The gas mileage of a medium SUV can be better than you expect, so you might decide to rent that. You may even want to take it further and rent remodeling cars from your local Honda dealership.
Services like car dealerships have various options to choose from, including new cars or used cars to travel in.
Checklist of Essential Stuff to Bring on a Road Trip
1. Health and Hygiene
Packing these health and hygiene items can prevent you from running into various discount stores or pharmacies, hoping the shelves are not empty.
- Shampoo and soap
- Hand sanitizer
- Mask
- Latex gloves
- Wet wipes or baby wipes
- Toilet paper (one roll may be okay)
- Travel toothbrush and toothpaste
- Sunscreen
- Chapstick
You may decide to swap body wash if you do not want to pack soap and shampoo. Baby wipes or antibacterial wet wipes can be very helpful if you must clean your hands or a mess and don’t have enough spare water.
Your toiletry packing list may look slightly different when taking a road trip during coronavirus. For example, having extra latex gloves and face masks is good as most stores and hotels now require personal protective equipment in all public areas. You may also want to bring extra cleaning supplies and disinfectants, just in case.
2. Gadgets
A road trip in 2022 can look different than the ones you took as a child. For example, streaming content on tablets or smartphones is still a relatively new phenomenon. And you will enjoy having these gadgets with you on your trip.
- Travel phone charger
- Power inverter
- Standalone GPS unit
- Portable travel speakers
A phone charger is very essential to keep your phone’s battery charged if you rely on it for navigation or streaming.
If you want to stream movies on a tablet or laptop, bringing a power inverter is a good idea. Digital entertainment can be a welcomed partner on a road trip.
The inverter lets you listen to music or watch your favorite show for hours beyond your device’s normal battery range.
3. Snacks and Drinks
Food is another road trip essential. Bringing snacks, foods, and drinks from home gives you more flexibility, saves money, and reduces your exposure in public spaces. Also, in some places, you may drive for many hours before seeing a legit or good restaurant.
- Small cooler (hard-sided or collapsible)
- Food containers
- Ice packs
- Disposable eating utensils
- Paper napkins or paper towel
- Reusable water bottles
- Portable drinking water filter
Bottled water and protein-rich snacks with little or no sugar can be a good bet. Healthier foods can keep your energy levels high and are less likely to cause a hard-to-clean mess.
4. Safety Tools
Getting prepared for any road emergencies is vital. The right tools can help prevent you from being stranded in the middle of nowhere or a strange town. Also, essential tools are good to have in case of urgent first aid.
- Travel first aid kit
- Roadside emergency kit
- Battery jumper cables
- Portable tire inflator
- Paper maps
- Pocket knife or essential hand tools
- Ice scraper and snow brush (if you are traveling in cold weather)
- Extra gloves, jackets, hats, and warm clothing (if traveling in rainy or cold weather)
- Umbrella
These basic safety items can help you with emergencies and minimize delays. It is important to bring extra warm clothing or other winter essentials if traveling during winter or in a cold climate.
Check your brake, windshield washer, engine oil, and power steering before leaving. You may ask your mechanic for a quick inspection.
5. Random Road Trip Essentials
You might bring these items too if you have any remaining space in your travel car. These items can be useful in one way or another.
- Cash (not every merchant accepts digital payment or credit cards)
- Portable garbage bins or trash bags
- Electronic toll pass
- Your child’s favorite toys and books
- Travel pillow
- Travel blanket
- Laundry bag
- Pet foods and other essential pet items (if you are traveling with a pet)
Also, you may decide to bring a spare box to keep your souvenirs safe. Anything else you bring will depend on your travel plans and interests.
You may also bring extra bags or containers to store clothes, shoes, or any other items that may be contaminated if someone becomes ill.
Conclusion
While you may decide to add a few other personal items for your car road trip experience, do not forget these road trip essentials. This checklist takes into account what to take on a car road trip by category for quick reference.
It would be best if you tried to pack as lightly as possible while bringing items that are very important to you to prevent needless shopping trips during the pandemic.
Not stuffing your car gives you and your passengers extra room to spread out on long trips. You also have more room in case you want to shop for souvenirs.
