Road trips are an incredible way to see a whole bunch of sights at your own pace. The amount of flexibility and freedom you have on a road trip just lends itself to discovering beautiful places off the beaten path. However, if you are unprepared, they can also turn into a long and dull journey where everyone spends the whole trip snapping at each other. Make the most of your next road trip by packing these essentials!
Music and/or an audiobook:
Download your favourite road trip music onto your phone before you go, so you aren’t stuck listening to the same 3 songs over and over again because you have no connectivity. Personally, the boy and I prefer listening to audiobooks on road trips. There is nothing like a good murder mystery to keep you alert on long boring stretches of road!
Drinks and Snacks:
While stopping for meals can be a welcome break to stretch out your legs, you can’t beat having snacks on a road trip. Personally, I also like to overstock on snacks in case I can’t find any decent vegetarian food, or if we arrive in a town after most restaurants have closed. Don’t forget a reusable water bottle to keep you hydrated and reduce waste.
Some of my favourite snacks include popcorn, salted almonds or cashew nuts and Cliff bars (the white chocolate one is my favourite!). Remember to pack a bag or two for any rubbish!
Comfortable clothing:
Since you’re going to be sitting down for long periods of time, wear stretchy non-constricting clothing like leggings, t-shirts or cotton dresses. I also recommend having a soft cardigan or blanket with you, in case your travel companions like having the air conditioning on high.
If you’re going on some very long drives, consider bringing a small pillow with you too. Not only can you use it to rest your head, you can also use it for back support.
Satellite Navigation:
For the most part you can probably get away with using Google maps on your phone. However, on longer road trips, especially in the stretches between cities, cellphone coverage may not be very reliable. Make sure you don’t get lost by having one of these with you.
Get a car charger that can charge multiple devices like this one, so you can keep your sat nav and phone charged at all times.
Camera:
While on the road, there are often picturesque view points or even just cool signs that catch your eye. Have your camera ready so you can easily get that perfect shot without rummaging in your bag.
Want to know more about my travel essentials? Check out my resources page!
Sunglasses and sunscreen:
You don’t want to get a headache 30 minutes into a 3 hour drive because you were squinting the whole time. Similarly, getting sunburnt on your first jaunt can really ruin your entire road trip, so bring a good (reef safe!) sunscreen like this one and reapply regularly.
Handy essentials:
Having a small pouch in the glove compartment with things like lip balm, hand cream, painkillers, mints, wipes and tissues can make your trip that little bit smoother.
Roadside Assistance & Insurance:
Better safe than sorry! If you are renting a car, make sure to check if your current car insurance or credit card will also cover the rental car insurance, as this can end up saving you quite a bit of money. Along with your ID, carry some cash for emergencies too.
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