The only road trip checklist you’ll ever need! Packing for an upcoming holiday? Exciting! Here are 43 essential items you need to take with you for a safe and perfect road trip.
Oh, packing..Loved by some, hated by others. Which one are you? 😉
I’ve personally always LOVED packing! The anticipation and excitement for a new adventure, thinking of all the beautiful places I’m going to visit, what clothes I’m going to wear, what shoes I’m going to need are what make packing super fun for me!
Ever since I was a kid, one of my favorite things to do (when getting ready for a holiday) was preparing the packing list – I know, organization nerd over here. 😉
I also like to be prepared for every situation and make sure I do not forget anything, so these lists always come in handy.
Whether you love packing just as much as I do, or simply can’t stand it, I thought I’d make this super easy for you and put together a simple road trip checklist so you can remember every essential item you need to bring on your awesome holiday.
But just before we get into that, as you’ll be traveling during the pandemic, you might want to check out these tips on how to travel safely during COVID-19.
Your Ultimate Road Trip Checklist
Wondering what you should pack for a 7 day, 10 day, or ever a 3 weeks road trip?
Here are 43 must-have items to take with you on the road, no matter how long your trip will be. For some of them, I have added extra tips and mini-packing lists below.
- Passort/ ID
- Drivers license
- Car keys
- Phone
- Phone charger
- Car documents (rental papers or own car documents)
- Insurance (car + your own travel insurance)
- Documents/stickers for the road fees (eg. vignettes, stickers on the windshield)
- Phone holder
- Car first aid kit
- Car sickness pills (if needed)
- Medicine kit for your luggage (see what to pack below)
- Face mask
- Reusable water bottle
- Reusable coffee mug
- Sandwiches & snacks for the road
- Car-friendly fruits and veggies (bananas, apples, nothing too messy)
- Mints or chewing gum
- Portable fridge (life-saver in summer!)
- Small trash bag (for waste inside the car)
- Big size water bottle (see what for below 😉 )
- Liquid hand soap
- Oral Care Kit (if wearing aligners or braces – see what to pack below)
- Hand sanitizer
- Antibacterial wipes
- Paper tissues
- Travel cosmetics kit (to keep in the car – see what to pack below)
- Sunglasses
- Umbrella
- Insect repellent spray
- Power bank
- Flashlight
- Life-saver hammer
- Blanket (for a picnic or to stay warm)
- Picnic set (plates, cups, utensils)
- Car fragrance set
- Printed out itinerary
- Car winter gear (ice scratcher, defrost liquid, tires chains) if traveling in winter
- Quick-dry towel
- Swiss army knife
- Road trip playlists
- Head pillow for the passenger(s)
- Pen & paper
Now, as promised, let’s get into more details on several of those items above:
Medicine kit for your luggage
I always like to be prepared for small medical needs, like catching a cold during a holiday or having an upset stomach.
Therefore, depending on where you’re traveling, or where you might find yourself when the situation arises, it’s good to have something at hand and not have to look for a pharmacy.
This is what I always pack:
- paracetamol
- ibuprofen
- aspirin
- thermometer
- soar throat pills
- Imodium
- blister plasters
- bandaids
Cosmetics car kit
Ladies, this is a really good one and can be a “life-saver” in certain situations. 😉 Here’s what to keep in your car vanity kit:
- tampons
- sunblock
- lip balm
- hand lotion
- hand sanitizer
- insect repellent
- few sheets of toilet paper
Oral Care kit
If you (or your kids) are wearing braces or aligners, good oral hygiene is essential. Therefore, you might need to brush your teeth on the road so you have to be prepared.
I speak from experience, as we went on a road trip right after placing my Invisalign. Have a look here for some Funny tips you need to know or, if you’re interested, check out my full Invisalign experience and results.
Oral care road trip checklist:
- toothbrush
- mini toothpaste
- floss
- Invisalign retainer
- ortho wax (if needed)
- elastic bands (if you wear them)
- paper tissues or a small towel (not always available in public restrooms)
Also, this is where no.21 Big size water bottle comes into play. You might not always find a restroom along the way to brush your teeth, so having a big bottle of water in the trunk is such a great trick!
Printed out itinerary
You never know what could happen on a road trip. Especially if you travel in remote areas. For instance, your phone could get lost or there might be no internet connection.
Therefore, we always print out our itinerary containing our hotel addresses, contact details, and booking confirmations.
So that’s my 43 items checklist with everything you need for a great road trip. If you’re looking for inspiration on where to travel this summer, check out some ideas below:
10 Best Places to Travel In California
10 Insanely Beautiful Places To Travel In The USA
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