Hey there, fellow travelers! We’re in Madera Canyon outside of Tucson, Arizona. We’re on a family road trip and we came out here on Route 66, and now we’re in Southern Arizona. As much fun as it is to just jump in the car and go, having a road trip checklist can make your trip go a lot smoother. These are our top ten road trip essentials for a family road trip.
#1 GPS or Smartphone
GPS or a map app on your phone will be a lifesaver on your road trip. It’s inevitable that you will get lost and need to find your way back to your route. You can also use it to find restaurants, hotels, and attractions.
Watch: Ten Stops on US Route 66
#2 Car Chargers
While your GPS and Smartphones are invaluable tools for your road trip, they won’t be of much use if you only have a wall charger. Make sure you have a car charger for any of your electronic devices. Most cars now have USB ports, or you can buy a USB adapter that plugs into your cigarette lighter.
#3 Paper Maps
Technology is great, but if you are getting off the beaten path, there’s a good chance you’ll lose your cell signal at some point. And this is most likely to happen when you need it most, so make sure you have an actual map with you as well just in case you need it as a backup. A AAA membership is a good investment because you can get maps before your trip. If nothing else, you can always print out the maps and directions you need before you leave for your trip.
#4 Guidebooks
Guidebooks are great for telling you about things along the way that you might otherwise miss. We would have missed Meteor Crater on Route 66 if we hadn’t looked at the guidebook for Arizona. We already know about the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam, but what about all the cool places in between? Guidebooks are great for helping you discover new places on your road trip.
Read: How to Choose a Guidebook
#5 Water
Water has a lot of uses on a road trip, so it’s always good to have some bottled water along the way. Not only is it good for drinking, but if anyone gets overheated, you can pour water on them, or wet a towel to cool them down. For kids with sticky hands, water makes an easy clean-up on the go. And of course, you should always stay hydrated so you can stay healthy on your trip!
#6 Dry Snacks
Part of the fun of a road trip is all the fun snacks you can bring. It’s not just fun, it’s convenient. You don’t want to pull off the road and stop at a gas station every time someone in the car gets hungry. It’s best to bring dry snacks like granola or nuts because you don’t want something that’s going to melt in the car.
#7 Blankets
Blankets have several purposes on a road trip. They can be used for naps in the car, or to help regulate the temperature, because inevitably one person is hot while another person is cold. Plus, if you decide to stop for a picnic lunch somewhere along the way, you’ve got a picnic blanket.
#8 First Aid Kit
Some countries (not the US) even require you to have a First Aid kit in your car. You never know what’s going to happen on a road trip and if you get a cut or injury, the last thing you want to do is try to figure out where the nearest drug store is. You can buy pre-made First Aid kits that come with all of the basics, or you can build your own. Keep it all contained in one bag or Tupperware-type box and have it readily accessible.
#9 Car Emergency Kit
In addition to personal First Aid, you should also carry a car emergency kit. This includes jumper cables, tools, tire repair kit, and an inflated spare tire. Choose your level of preparedness based on how far off the beaten path you will be traveling. (If you’re driving your own car, it’s not a bad idea to take it in for a checkup before your road trip.)
#10 Sunglasses
Driving into the sun without sunglasses is no fun! Don’t forget your shades, and even a backup pair in the glovebox, just in case!
So, hopefully, this road trip packing list helps you start planning your own road trip. Do you have other items on your road trip checklist? Tell us about it in the comments! For more travel tips and destination advice, check out these blog posts and videos: