What To Pack for an Epic Road Trip

Traveling on the open road is fascinating. It has the excitement, freedom, and snacks you're confident will last the entire journey yet somehow vanish in the first hour. But forgetting a crucial item is one way to ruin a road vacation.

Have you ever gone through your trunk at a gas stop after realizing you forgot your charger at home? Even worse, have you ever been stuck in a remote location with a flat tire and no spare?

Being sensible and organized is essential to guaranteeing a hassle-free, fun, and safe trip. So, prepare these necessities for your upcoming road trip.

Packing Tips

Car Essentials: Gear Up Before You Roll 

Start with the basics: jumper cables, a spare tire, a tire inflator, and a roadside emergency kit. If your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, you'll be happy you brought these. A multi-tool, a roll of duct tape, and a flashlight are also good to have.

Hitting the highway in a sports car like a Corvette is an experience worth enhancing with the right accessories and gear. For top-quality travel essentials and car accessories, visit westcoastcorvette.com to ensure your vehicle is road-trip-ready.

Pro tip: For those who love stress-free driving, clean your car before you go. Nobody wants to spend hours trapped in a rolling trash can.

Navigation & Tech: Don't Just Rely on Your Phone 

Google Maps is excellent until your phone loses service in dead spots. Pack a physical road atlas as a backup because, believe it or not, paper doesn't need Wi-Fi.

People also forget to charge their phones. A dead phone means no GPS, music, or emergency calls. Bring a multi-port automobile charger and a power bank to charge your phone.

Speaking of music, no road trip is complete without a solid playlist or some popular podcasts. Plan so you're not stuck flipping through static-filled radio stations.

Pro-tip: When using your phone for navigation, download offline maps before heading out.

Snacks & Hydration: Fuel for You, Not Just Your Car 

There's no way around it—snacks can make or break a road trip. You could rely on gas station food, but do you want to survive on questionable hot dogs and overly salty chips?

Pack a mix of healthy and fun snacks. Trail mix, granola bars, fruit, and jerky keep energy levels up, while some guilty-pleasure treats make the drive more enjoyable. Always bring a refillable water bottle. Dehydration sneaks up on you; gas station sodas don't count as hydration.

Pro-tip: Avoid messy foods. Melted chocolate in the seats? Crushed chips in every crevice? That's a nightmare waiting to happen. Stick to travel-friendly snacks that won't turn your car into a disaster zone.

Comfort & Clothing: Dress for the Drive

Spending hours at a time in a car calls for peak comfort. Opt for loose-fitting clothes, comfy shoes, and layers because car temperatures are never consistent. You're freezing one minute, and the next, you're sweating.

Bring a blanket and travel cushion, especially if your companion likes napping. Additionally, following a pit stop, nothing is more unpleasant than cold, damp feet, so always have an additional pair of socks.

Pro tip: Slip-on shoes make gas station stops easy. Nobody wants to wrestle with laces every time nature calls.

Safety & Hygiene: Stay Fresh and Ready for Anything 

Public restrooms can be sketchy, so come prepared. Pack hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and toilet paper because sometimes, those rest stops don't restock.

A first aid kit is required. Band-aids, pain medication, motion sickness pills, and prescription medications should be readily available, not hidden under bags in the back. If you are going with others, ensure everyone knows where the emergency contacts and medicines are. You never know when they may be needed.

Pro-tip: please bring deodorant. You may overlook your road trip funk, but your passengers can't.

Fun & Entertainment: Because It's Not Just About the Destination

A long road trip without entertainment is a form of torture. Audiobooks and podcasts will help kill time, and car games are necessary if you're traveling with passengers.

Timeless car trip games like "20 Questions" or "Would You Rather" never wear off. Keep a travel journal for solo entertainment since some experiences deserve more than a hasty Instagram story. If you have kids in the car, double your entertainment prep. A bored child on a road trip is a recipe for disaster.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves: The "Thank Goodness I Packed That" List 

Some items seem unnecessary until the exact moment you need them. Here are a few that could save the day:

• Cash – Not every gas station or roadside diner takes cards.
• Trash bags – Because road trip messes are inevitable.
• A small tool kit – A loose screw or a wobbly mirror shouldn't ruin your trip.
• Sunscreen & bug spray – Because sunburn and mosquito bites are road trip mood-killers.
• Tissues – Someone will spill something.

The little things can make a big difference, so don't overlook them!

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This story is brought to you in partnership with West Coast Corvette.