10 Road Trip Essentials You Shouldn’t Travel Without

I have a lot of road trip cred, if you will, if I do say so myself. I’ve driven across the United States four times, all around Canada, and in Europe. I LOVE A ROAD TRIP! Therefore, I feel very qualified to present you with this list of road trip essentials.

Now, to be clear, if you’re flying somewhere and then renting a car, some of these aren’t gonna be in your suitcase. But, if you’re venturing from home out on the road, I’d highly recommend you pack them. 

A few might seem random, but I promise you, those unique packing list essentials are gonna be the ones you think, “gosh, I’m so glad I brought this” time and again. 

First Aid Kit

This one’s a no-brainer (though I think many don’t pack, thinking it’s “dramatic”). The number of times I’ve had a friend in my car in need of a Band-Aid, cleaning wipe, or even some Advil… many. Meaning that having a complete first aid kit – from something more compact to the whole kit and kaboodle – always comes in handy.

Sharpie

This one is going to seem so random, but there will come a time when something needs to be labeled. Whether you’re staying at hostels, packing snacks, or storing your bag somewhere, having a permanent marker on hand just makes sense. Oh, and takes up no space.

Reusable Grocery Bags

So many places don’t supply grocery bags, especially not for free. As it should be. Having one or two reusable bags in your car will make a shopping trip easier. Plus, you can always use a bag. Store your souvenirs in one, take fewer trips to/from the car to wherever you’re sleeping by throwing those odds and ends into one, etc., etc.. It’s the pack that keeps on… packing.

Car Organizer

Sometimes marketed as a trunk organizer. Whatever you want to call it, this is your road trip bestie. Bonus points if it has side pockets or any type of extra storage.

There is something about a road trip that can make your car look like an explosion went off inside of it. Having a bin with compartments to keep a lot of things organized? Game-changing. I like to keep mine on the backseat and fill it with snacks and items you want to be able to easily grab. 

Reusable Containers + Bag Clips

Depending on the length of your trip, you’re probably going to be making some food. This might also be true if you’re going to parks or planning picnics, where you will prep a meal and take it with you. Don’t forget that you need a vessel to carry your food. An obvious, that’s often forgotten.

Bag clips are the unsung heroes of stale chip prevention on a trip. You pop into Trader Joe’s, grab some plantain chips, have a few, and then realize you have no way to close them? Ugh. Enter the bag clip stash you brought with you (and clipped to your car organizer for easy access).

Coolers 

You might think that the plural there is an accident, it’s not. Well, again, depending on the length of your trip. If I’m going to be traveling anywhere from a week or more (like say 3 weeks in Utah), I want two coolers.

One cooler is soft. It’s gonna collapse, be virtually weightless, and can fit just about anywhere. This is the one you’ll take out of the car and into your stay, to your picnic spot, or wherever you’re headed. 

The second cooler, if you’re feeling snazzy, is a plug-in cooler. If you like a little cheese and cracker snack on the road, but aren’t into sweaty cheese, this one is for you. It’s also just practical for long-haul trips. If you have leftovers and you don’t want to waste them, pop them in the cooler to have at your next destination!

Seat Hooks

My mom got me on these (and I did think they seemed a bit odd when she first mentioned them). These absolutely SING to my germaphobic nature, because they keep loads of stuff off the floor. Hook them to the back of your driver and passenger seats and be prepared to be impressed.

This is another handy way to keep your car organized. Don’t just throw everything on the ground (ew), hang what you can! Purse? Check. Grocery bag? Check. Car trash? You betcha.

Gallon Water Bottle

First and foremost, we’re always packing a reusable water bottle and using it. Unless you are traveling somewhere where the water is not safe to drink (or you are really sensitive to different waters), you have no excuse to be buying plastic water bottles. 

Now, having a gallon jug really comes in handy for my hiking crowd. If you’re exploring national parks, you’re gonna need a refill. Yes, there are water fountains in some areas (and often they look less than desirable). 

Having extra water is also just… smart. Depending on where you’re traveling, there are likely to be a lot of dead zones or areas where there isn’t a place to stop for milesss. Thinking ahead, it’s a good plan to have some water in the car.

Also, I hate buying water.

Audiobooks + Podcasts

Long drives are the perfect time to catch up on your to-be-read list, and educate yourself. I love a good memoir or self-development audiobook. Even better if it’s read by the author. 

For podcasts, there is such an array of listens to be had nowadays. Anything from an industry expert in your field, to health & wellness, to pure entertainment. Some of my favorites are The Liz Moody Podcast and Good Hang with Amy Poehler. I also love Dish, but that’s one I enjoy watching on YouTube, so… not really a driving listen.

Pro-tip: Download a few before you leave! Speaking of dead zones, nothing is sadder than when you forget to download your podcast or book, hit a dead zone, and it’s radio silence for ages. It also saves you from a data hit by downloading on wifi. Don’t go too wild with downloads, though, or you’ll use up all your phone storage.

Tire Kit

This is practical and another obvious one. Your tires and your wipers are probably two of the most important things to keep an eye on ahead of, and during, a road trip. 

Just buy a tire kit, pop it in your trunk, and pull it out as needed. Most come with an automatic pressure gauge (and your car might be fancy and tell you those numbers on your dash). Regardless, I also like to have a manual pressure gauge in the car, to double check, plus I find it faster. 

BONUS for those driving beloved “old beaters”

At this point, I don’t think anything beats an old beater. They’re a delight to drive (unless it’s got problems, then… no) and I worry less about doing so. I’m not afraid of parallel parking on a busy street or squeezing between cars illegally parked on the road. The beater can handle it! 

New cars are also a waste of money, let’s be honest. 

Anywho, my two must-packs if you’re driving a car that doesn’t have all the fancy tech are a Bluetooth speaker and a phone mount. The first is so you can listen to all your sweet tunes, podcasts, and books, clear as day. It also makes it easy, if you have multiple drivers, to connect them to the speaker so they can switch listens as you switch drivers.

The second makes the drive safer and watching the map easier. Don’t be trying to balance your phone on your leg or in your hand, trying to get from one spot to the next. You can find a simple phone mount that secures in your air vent or one that suctions to your dash! It’s also helpful to your co-pilot when you need help with directions.

I hope this list helps you pack smart for your next adventure! Tag @accentgolden in your posts on social and follow for more travel tips, packing lists, and unique itineraries! 

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