Road Trip Checklist - Emergency Kit

With Covid-19 keeping us mostly at home for the past year, we are definitely missing road trips. There’s nothing better than getting in your car and hitting the open road to get a little adventure in your life. To help you be prepared for your next road trip, we’ve put together a road trip checklist so you don’t forget the essentials!

What to Pack

If you’re like me, you probably enjoy a little spontaneity when you travel, and over packing or overthinking the trip can feel like it’s taking that way. However, there are a few necessary things that you should always be sure to add to your road trip checklist, because, chances are, you’ll need them every time.

Flashlight
Hands free phone mount
Car charger
Cooler
Plenty of water and snacks
Reusable garbage bags
Compact travel dish set
Travel mug
Travel pillow and throw
A paper map – just in case your GPS stops working

Emergency Kit

While you should try to always have an emergency kit in your vehicle, it is crucial for a road trip where you might be in remote areas without access to help if something goes wrong with your car or you get hurt.

Be sure to pack:

Jumper Cables
First Aid Kit – don’t forget the anti-nausea medication!
Duct Tape
Batteries
Tire Jack
Tire patches

Special Considerations

The reason road trips are so much fun is because you can take your time and don’t need to follow a specific route. You’re able to explore more things and see sites that you otherwise wouldn’t if you planned and stuck to a point-by-point path.

However, that means that sometimes you might not have the luxuries of a restaurant to eat at, or even a hotel. When you make your initial road trip plan, get a general idea of the area you’ll be driving through and the weather you’ll encounter. This will help you add a few extra vital items to your road trip check list.

For example, if you’re planning a route through very remote areas, make sure to bring extra fluids for your car and a gas can if possible. If you have the space in your vehicle and weather permits, packing some simple camping gear such as a tent or hammock and sleeping bag can also make your sleeping arrangement a little more comfortable when you’re in the middle of nowhere.

Additionally, for trips through extra snowy and mountainous areas, snow tires and chains for your tires are a good idea. Be sure you have your winter emergency kit in your vehicle, too, just in case you run into problems.

Take some time to think about where you’ll be going, and if there’s any special equipment or supplies you’ll need to keep you and your passengers safe and comfortable so you can enjoy your trip!

Don’t Forget the Entertainment

Road trips are meant to be fun but spending hours in the car can get old quick! Don’t forget to add some entertainment for you and your passengers to your road trip checklist. Downloading some music playlists, audiobooks, or podcast episodes will help take some of the tedium out of driving and give you something to focus on to keep you alert.

Most importantly, don’t forget to stop and take brakes. If you have a destination in mind, it can be easy to want to rush through the drive to get there, but that takes the fun out of the road trip. Finding cool places to stop at is a huge part of the entertainment, so make sure you fit some extra stops in. Bring some extra cash so you can stop at state or national parks, look out for oddities like the World’s Largest Ball of Paint, or simply keep your eyes peeled for that perfect sunset picture.

Road trips can be a great, cost effective way to add a little adventure to your life. So, pack a bag, get on the road, and drive safe!

Disclaimer:

This article is meant for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If you are experiencing anxiety or other mental health symptoms, you should speak to a medical professional.