Summer Road Trip Essentials: Planning and Preparation

It’s finally that time of year that we were all waiting for, warm weather, meaning you’re just itching to head outside, pack up the car, and get ready for the road trip of your life! Thankfully, unlike flying, there’s no 50-pound weight limit on your bags and luggage, so pack everything you think you’ll need and then some! Of course, still be smart about how you pack, since there isn’t unlimited space in your family minivan. Below are some of the best road trip essentials to ensure a smooth road trip for you and your family!  

SOFT COOLER

Everyone knows what a regular cooler is, but ever heard of a soft cooler? This is a cooler that’s shaped and stuffed similar to a regular bag or duffel bag, but is insulated inside to stay cool and keep all of your food and drinks cold and icy. It stores pounds of ice while also being narrow enough to shove between other luggage and bags in your trunk.

SLEEPING EYE MASK

An eye mask sounds like a silly thing to invest on for just a simple road trip, but depending on how long you’ll be in the car for, it might be a good thing to purchase! Traveling long distances means tons of naps in the car. Naps are almost impossible for most people with the sun shining directly in your eyes. Solution? Invest in a soft, cushioned eye mask that will sit comfortably on your face, not leave any marks, and give you the pitch black you need to sleep well. 

FIRST AID KIT

Regardless of how old the members of your family are, a first aid kit is always a must. Keep a fully stocked kit in your car to prepare for any emergency that might occur. You can buy a previously stocked kit online or even at places such as Walmart or CVS. You can also make your own kit and tailor it to your family’s needs. Pack the medicines and vitamins your family takes often and add some bandaids, wipes, and anything else you’ll need to keep you and your family safe. 

CAR PHONE MOUNT

A car phone mount is a must if you have an older car with no bluetooth or a car without a GPS system. If you’re traveling far, chances are you won’t be using the old fashioned folding out map, and you’ll just be using your phone to get to your destination. So instead of having to hold your phone for the next 10 hours, invest in a solid phone mount that will stick to your dashboard, hold your phone in place without falling off, and won’t cause any disruptions. 

WIRELESS PHONE CHARGER  

A wireless phone charger is also a must when traveling. This can easily be passed around to any corner of the car in comparison to a charger with a short, two-foot wire. You can buy wireless chargers that are like blocks, which simply need to be plugged in before the trip to fully charge and will hold hours of battery life. Any time your phone batteries are running low, just slap your phone on the block!

CAR SEAT HOOKS  

Adding some car seat hooks on the back of the driver and passenger seats is a great way to maximize the amount of space in your already cramped car full of luggage. Add some hooks under the headrests of both seats and use them to hold any backpacks, tote bags, or even a mini trash bag.  

HEADPHONES

Headphones are an absolute must for any trip. Though spending quality time with your family is always great fun, it can get to be too much sometimes. Whenever your little sibling is bothering you just a little too much or when your dad is belting out his road trip songs, pop on your noise cancellation headphones and listen away. 

WIPES

Wipes are also another necessity for the trip. You’ll be spending hours in the car, meaning it’ll be covered in sand, food crumbs, and all sorts of other icky and grimy things. Wipe down the seats and all other parts of the car whenever you exit so you’re not continuously living in germs. 

SUNSCREEN

You might think to pack sunscreen to slather on before heading to the beach or on that nature hike, but it’s a necessity in the car, too! The sunlight that comes in through the car windows is enough to cause a small amount of damage to your skin barrier. Protect your skin from those UV rays (especially because you’ll be in the car for hours) by applying sunscreen before you leave and reapplying it every two to three hours, as well.