This is something that I wish I’d included in my own road trip essentials list many, many years before I did. Getting it wrong can be a real jolt to the system! Me with a flat tire on the Fishlake National Forest | Road Trip Packing List 9. Be sure to watch a video or read instructions prior to trying for your first time. You can find them a bunch of places these days whether it be a local car parts store or online. Jumper CablesĪ good set of jumper cables are one of those road trip essentials you hope to never have to use but don’t want to be without. Perhaps my methods are a bit dated here but I keep one of these in the back of my car at all times just in case. I always find myself needing to plug in a laptop, charge camera batteries, or something that requires (or is best) with a regular A/C power outlet while on a road trip. Link: Car Outlet | Battery Clamps (for serious power).If you’ve got a big enough road trip vehicle with extra space then a hard cooler is even better as it keeps items more secure and colder longer. If you’re looking to really class-up your travels and go the extra mile to make it more enjoyable (and healthier), I highly recommend a cooler as a road essential.Īll of a sudden cold drinks, cut-fruits, cheese, veggies, sandwich meats, spreads like hummus, and more are on the table.įor myself, I like a soft cooler because I can more easily wedge it into a convenient nook and squish it down when not using it. Having a cooler opens the door to packing for better meals on a road trip 6. There’s two routes to go here – either something sturdy and outdoors capable if you’re going hiking (like this) etc OR something soft & plush that stays in the car (like this). Whether it’s folks in the back or the co-pilot getting some shut-eye, a blanket is a nice touch that brings your home into the car. Cozy BlanketĪ cozy blanket is a must-have for any real road trip. You never know when your phone might act up etc and there’s just something about holding a genuine map that completes the road trip aesthetic. Just about every single time I go on a road trip I bring a physical map, whether it’s just a quicky I printed myself or a fancy weatherproof one like the NatGeo series etc. Physical MapĬall me old-school, but one of my all time favorite road trip essentials is an actual map that you can hold in your hands and write on with a sharpy. Pack some chapstick! I’m not too picky but if you want to go for something earth-friendly then this is a great choice. Don’t be like me every single time I head out on the open road for a nice long trip. I don’t know what about road trips causes this phenomenon but it happens every time, the dreaded crusty, dried lips. *Cheese (individually packaged is best).Fresh Fruit (Apples, bananas, avocados, oranges).Personally I tend toward the healthier side but with some guilty pleasures. I’m lucky enough to live near a Trader Joe’s where I do nearly all my road trip snack shopping but the basics can be found at most grocery stores. When it comes to the essentials you can forget flat tires or car troubles, if there’s one thing above all else you want to avoid on a road trip – it’s hanger. Otherwise you’ll need a USB car adapter for your car like this one. If you’ve got a fancy newer model car or a rental car then you’ll likely have a USB or even USB-C outlet built-in. Car ChargersĪ dead phone equals a dead road trip these days which is why packing a car charger (or 6) is a top road trip essential to pack. Over the years I’ve become an expert on road trip planning and efficiency.īison on the road at Theodore Roosevelt National Park | Road Trip Essentials 1. I’ve traveled on nearly every interstate in the country and have been to 47 states (& counting). That includes an incredible amount of time on the road trying to hone down road trip essentials. I (along with my brother, Jim) have spent practically my entire adult life out in the national parks and on public lands. Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: The BEST National Park in America (2021) () WATCH: I appear frequently on The Weather Channel as a “National Parks expert”
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