Little Road Trip Accessories That Can Make a Big Difference

• Paper maps/Maps.Me App
  Paper Maps – because there isn’t cell service everywhere (if there was you could easily rely on Google Maps).
  Maps.me is a free app allows you to download detailed maps which can be used offline and without cell service and acts as GPS. It helped us drive across South Africa and I tell everyone I know about it!
• Spare money
  Because cash is still king in some places – and in particular for parking meters and road tolls!
• A notebook or travel journal, pen, and pencil
  For either jotting down your thoughts or leaving a note of the car you accidentally ‘bumped’.
• First aid kit
  Basic supplies such a band-aids, bandages, antiseptic and safety pins can be invaluable when the closest town is 100km away!
• Flashlight
  In case the car battery dies in the dead of the night. Buy two. It means you’ll have a spare.
• Bug Spray
  Because bugs in the car are not fun and essential on a summer road trip.
• Large Water Bottles
  If you get stranded, staying hydrated is crucial. Keep a couple of large bottles in the car in case of emergencies. And on warm days on a summer road trip.
• Toilet Roll
  Don’t get caught short in an un-stocked rest stop!
• Duct Tape
  Almost everything can be fixed with a bit of duct tape, right?!

 

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And if traveling in winter/road tripping to cold locations

• Snow Shovel
• Ice Scraper
• Umbrella
  To be honest. Having one of these in the car – regardless of destination – can only be a good thing! And especially this one that collapses inside out specifically to keep your car dry after use and has a looped handle which rests on your arm to keep your hands free! It also comes in a variety of double layer designs and colors to suit your mood (mine is red on the top with navy blue and white spots inside) It’s Perfect for both a summer road trip, a family road trip and for adding some colour to wintery shots!

Stay connected & Entertained on your Road Trip

• Phone charger with USB cord
  A portable charger / car charger is essential. Even when you are not going on a road trip!
• Bluetooth/Wireless hands free kit for your mobile phone
  It is illegal to operate a mobile whilst driving in some parts of the world. Play it safe and use a hands-free kit to keep you focused on the road.
• Phone Mount / Car Mount
  Use a phone mount to secure your phone to the window or the dash to use Google Maps hands-free. (It also satisfies many international laws and so is one of the truly essential road trip travel accessories!)
• An epic road trip playlist or road trip podcasts
  Think rock and roll classics and sing-a-longs and belt out your favorites at the top of your voice! A playlist full of epic road trip songs is one of my top musthave essentials for a long car ride and you can even throw in some audio books or road trip related podcasts for a bit of variety!
• Your favorite camera + USB chargers
  My go-to travel camera is the Panasonic Lumix Fz70. It should be yours too – click the link to find out why! (and if you want to know which are the best cameras for travel + the best drones for travel)
• Instant Camera
  Instant Cameras are so much fun and can capture some unusual and quirky shots along the road
• Portable Wifi
  For those that don’t have great roaming plans/options in the destination you are in, a portable wifi device is a great travel gadget and one that is a necessity if you need to stay connected to the outside world.
  
• A good book or two
  Depending on how long your journey is. But not good for those who are susceptible to car sickness.
• Road Trip Games and/or Road Trip Activities
  Travel games are perfect for family road trips to keep the kids entertained when there is a lot of time in the car!
  
• Portable Power bank with USB ports
  To keep multiple devices charged on the go where the in-car USB ports are in use.

Road Trip Packing List – The Comfort Kit

• Sunglasses
  Driver or Passenger, nobody likes to squint when they’re in the car.
• Blanket
  For cosying up during a daytime nap, using as a picnic blanket or for extra warmth should you get stranded somewhere after the sun goes down. Warm people = Happy people. And if you’re planning on sleeping in the car, sleeping bags wouldn’t go amiss!
• Travel Pillow
  On the basis of the above. Comfortable people = Happy people
  
• Travel Mug
  Great for hot and cold drinks, and with a seal-able lid, with a travel mug there is less chance of an unnecessary spillage.
• Reusable Water Bottle
  Sealable vessels stop spillages! And re-using your water bottle is better fro the environment.
• UV Window Shade
  Driving down the highway with the sun on one side
• Extra Jumper/Wrap
  Back on the warm and comfortable thing again, but I do hate being cold. And an extra layer doesn’t take up that much room.
• Hand sanitizer
  Because not everything you touch will be all that hygienic. Keep those germs outta the car.
• Painkiller/Anti-Inflammatory Medication
  Being in the car with a headache and/or muscle strain/injury is neither fun nor comfortable.
• Reusable Shopping Bag
  For popping to the shop whilst on the road – avoid using unnecessary plastic bags and pack a reusable one. They fold up small and can be thrown in your handbag after your road trip for everyday use.
  
• Mints
  There’s nothing like fresh minty breath for a quick pick me up.
  
• Travel Towels
  In case your motel doesn’t provide them, to dry you from the unexpected downpour that you got caught in. The possibilities are endless.
  
• Flip Flops
  The perfect slip on shoe.
• Day pack
  For the times you want to go on a spontaneous walk/hike and need day bags to store your water bottle/sunscreen/extra jumper etc.
• Rain Jacket
  In case it is throwing it down at gas stations or rest-stops when you need to get out of the car.

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Road Trip Packing List – Your Personal Care Kit

• Toiletry Bag
  A wash bag is essential to put all the below items in and keep everything close to hand in the same place.
  
• Sun Screen
  The sun beating through the glass all day can make for some interesting tan lines if you’re not careful.. helllooo truckers arm!
• Body Wipes
  Wet wipes or Baby wipes are essentially a shower in a pack. For emergencies, or a quick re-fresh.
• Lip balm
  Cracked lips are never fun. Pop one in the glove box and one in your bag so you don’t get caught out.
• Mini hairbrush
  The wind in your hair may feel incredible – but the bird nest it creates is not fun to deal with! The Tangle Teezer is great because it comes with it’s own case so you’re not going to end up with stands of hair running loose in your bag after use.
• Hair ties/Grips
  For the day you don’t want to deal with the windswept look.
• The Three Ts: Toiletries, Toothbrush & ToothPaste
• Tissues

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Helpful/Miscellaneous Road Trip Items

These will entirely depend on where you’re headed and for how long: you may need all, or none of them! Don’t forget your personal item and use the following packing checklist for your cross country road trip packing list to help you save money and plan the perfect road trip!

• Plastic/Garbage Bags
  Because you don’t want you car to resemble a trash can. Plastic bags (or garbage bags) are also good to keep wet clothes away from dry ones if you get caught in the rain.
• Road Trip Snacks
  Snacks are always good. If you’re prone to being hangry (that’s angry when you’re hungry) 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!
• Car Cooler
  This would be a must for me, as I have a little Coca-Cola addiction and I like my cans cold. But a cooler could also be used store other drinks, juice boxes, sandwiches and food stuffs that don’t do so well in hot weather.
• Tweezers / Swiss Army Knife
  A multi-tool can be helpful in any number of situations.
• Car Organizer
  To keep the car – and everything in this list – organized. Car trunk organizers, storage containers or even a large tote bag can also help you save space by having everything neat and tidy when you hit the road.

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So there you have it! The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List: Packed full of road trip essentials to pack to keep the car (and you!) safe, comfortable & entertained on your next road trip.
And if you liked this post, please tweet, pin and share – I’d really appreciate it!

And if you liked this packing guide, take a look at the other packing lists, travel resources and travel guides in this series:

• The Ultimate Travel Gear Packing List – everything you need for a long-term adventure trip.
• The Ultimate Ski Trip Packing List – packed full of ski essentials to help you have the best time on the piste
• How to Pack your Carry On Like A Pro – full of travel tips to make the most of those pesky weight and space restrictions!
• The Best Travel Backpacks for Women – because us ladies need a bag that’s built for us and is going to stand up with us for every adventure.
• Best Places to Visit in the USA & Canada featuring Orlando, Miami & Banff
• Best Places to Travel Alone (in USA, Europe, Asia & more!)

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