#PACKING LIST FOR LONG ROAD TRIP DRIVERS#
#PACKING LIST FOR LONG ROAD TRIP FULL#
#PACKING LIST FOR LONG ROAD TRIP REGISTRATION#
#PACKING LIST FOR LONG ROAD TRIP DOWNLOAD#

#PACKING LIST FOR LONG ROAD TRIP REGISTRATION#

Vehicle registration – make sure your vehicle registration does not expire while you’re on your journey! And that a copy of your registration documents/card is kept with the vehicle.Ĭlean your car inside and out – yeah, we know it’s gonna get filthy regardless, but let’s start with a clean car, like a clean slate!

#PACKING LIST FOR LONG ROAD TRIP FULL#

Vehicle maintenance – Check your breaks, wipers, lights, oil and air filter change, water and wiper fluid levels, coolant, battery and, of course, a full tank of fuel. Wheels – have your tires got enough tread, wheel balancing and enough air? Make sure your spare tire is inspected too! Always keep a jack in your car, and perhaps consider installing run-flat tires. Some are simple checks, but you may want to see a mechanic before a long drive to make sure everything on your vehicle is in good shape.

Road trip essentials babies and toddlersīefore hitting the open road, there are some essential maintenance issues you need to be sure you’ve taken care of.

Road trip essentials for roadside stops, picnics & outings.

Road trip essentials for entertainment & comfort.

If you’re going to more remote places, you’ll likely lose service.

#PACKING LIST FOR LONG ROAD TRIP DOWNLOAD#

Download lots of music, audiobooks, and podcasts.Consider getting an America the Beautiful National Park Pass if you plan on going to a lot of national parks.Camping instead of booking hotels or Airbnbs.(There’s usually a pretty big mark-up in resort towns!) Shopping outside of towns that service national parks or big attractions.Gas is expensive, food is expensive, everything is expensive! Keep your wallet happy by: That’ll help you avoid situations like camping in Joshua Tree in 110˚F weather, not that I would know from personal experience or anything…

When roughly planning out your itinerary, check the weather in all of your proposed destinations for around the time you’re taking the trip. It keeps everyone feeling fresh and less moody!

#PACKING LIST FOR LONG ROAD TRIP DRIVERS#

Avoid accidents by switching drivers every two hours. And driving while you’re drowsy is really dangerous. Driving for hours on hours is exhausting. Of course, for busy spots like Yosemite in the summer, it’s a good idea to reserve campsites ahead of time and then work your schedule around that. If you get somewhere and you’re not feeling it, you can leave without having to forfeit non-refundable fees. If you really dig a spot, you can stay a few days more than maybe you thought you would. You won’t miss anything important to you, but you’ll also have flexibility. Instead, I urge you to plan out a rough idea of the things you want to see and a rough route to get there. You might be tempted to plan out each night’s exact location, where you’ll stop for gas, what time you need to leave to get to the next destination, etc. As a type-A planner myself, I know how fun spreadsheets can be to make. You’ll feel so much better and experience so much more. Spend a few days (at least) in each place to really get a feel for it. Just like the people who go to Europe for a week and spend every night in a new country: you’re not really going to experience anything but being on the go! Take your time. After all, if you’re already driving across the country, why not drive another 5 hours to get to another bucket-list destination? It’s pretty common to overstuff your road trip itinerary with amazing places you’ve always wanted to see. Organization kit: don’t treat your car like a suitcase! Keep everything organized with hard tubs, so you know exactly where you can find your sundress, soy sauce, and shampoo when you need them (in three different containers of course). Bring tidy snacks like granola bars, trail mix, dried fruits, popcorn, cheese, jerky, or veggies like carrots.ģ3.

Mess-free snack bag: avoid having to eat fast food or gas station finds every time you get hungry while driving. First aid kit: fill it with road trip essentials like band-aids, antibiotic ointment, face masks, blister cream, aloe vera, tweezers, and any medications you need.ģ2. Cash: many smaller stores in rural areas don’t take cards, so withdraw cash to have on hand.ģ1. Plus, it can double as napkins or tissues if the need arises.ģ0. Toilet paper: not every rest-stop or port-a-potty has toilet paper. Car essentials: before taking off, stock up on long road trip essentials like a spare car key, jump cables, a spare tire, a tool kit for changing a tire, flares, and a flashlight.

Packing list for long road trip