Your Complete Guide for Road Trip Essentials | KAT TELLS ALL (2024)

As a local travel blogger I take A LOT of road trips. My niche is travel in North Dakota and Minnesota primarily- but I do dabble with travel in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, and beyond! With the amount of time I spend on the road I’ve refined my travel packing. I created Your Complete Guide for Road Trip Essentials to help you get ready for your next trip!

If you’re familiar with my area of the Midwest, you understand that we get all 4 seasons. Summers are HOT and winters are COLD, so I modify my travel packing depending on the season. I have created this list for a variety of circ*mstance, but tailored this guide to help you travel anywhere!

I’ve included a FREE PDF Template Road Trip packing list at the bottom of this post!

Your Complete Guide for Road Trip Essentials: Electronics/Technology

1. Chargers and Portable Batteries

We’re past the days of needing adaptors to plug your cords into the cigarette lighter, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need a cord to charge your devices. Make a list of the devices you’re bringing (cell phone, tablet, laptop computer) and ensure that you have at least one cord for each.

Portable battery packs are also a handy thing to have on the road. It’s always good to have extra power if you’re in a pinch. HERE is my favorite portable battery pack.

2. Headphones

If you aren’t making the solo, you might not have the same taste in music or podcasts as the rest of your crew. I like to have a pair of headphones handy to listen to my own music, or to drown out sound while taking a nap.

I’m partial to AirPods; I have them linked HERE!

3. Travel Apps

Travel Apps are an awesome resource to have prior and during a road trip. A few of my favorites include: Google Maps, AllTrails, Roadtrippers, and Wanderlog.

Google Maps is my go-to for saving locations, reading reviews, and getting directions.

AllTrails is a great resource for finding hiking trails. Oftentimes, I will scout out my destination ahead of time and check out trail lengths and search photos.

Roadtrippers is an awesome app that ensures you never miss a road-side attraction. Simply put in your start and end points and the app will display the awesome attractions along the way.

Road trips are an awesome way to maximize time off! For more tips, check out my related post:

How to Travel with Limited Time Off

Your Complete Guide for Road Trip Essentials: Comfort Items

4. Snacks

Need I say more? A road trip isn’t complete without snacks. A few of my “healthy” favorites include:

• Raw vegetables and dip (chop it before leaving)
• Fresh Fruit- apples and bananas are easy for grab and go, but if you think ahead, berries can be a great option too.
• Dried Fruit- I love dried mango (I try to find options with no added sugar).
• Trail Mix- This Mega Omega Trail Mix is my absolute favorite. (I liked an Amazon one, but I normally get it at Costco)

My not-so heathy favorites:

• Hershey Cookies and Cream Drops.
• Nacho Bugles- Jake always bugs me for getting these!
• Sour Patch Kids.

5. Sunglasses

If you’re traveling any distance, be sure to pack your sunglasses. Sunglasses not only make driving more comfortable but they also protect your eyes from ultraviolet light and can minimize glare.

This pair from Rayban are my current favorites!

6. Blankets and Pillows

Packing blankets and pillows is essential for longer drives. If you’re traveling with a buddy and have an opportunity to switch off or take a nap, being able to snuggle up and bolster yourself can make the experience a lot more comfortable. I bring a real pillow if I can, but this neck pillow is a total game changer!

This is the travel blanket I keep in my car!

7. Water Bottles and Hydration

Properly hydrating during a road trip is a difficult task. There’s a delicate balance between making sure you have enough water, but not annoying your road trip buddies with a stop every hour. I bring my Hydroflask or my Stanley water bottle on every trip.

Oftentimes, I will usually add a liquid IV to my water bottle when I fill it up for a travel day. I find that I can drink a little less than I normally would without sacrificing the level of hydration I’m accustomed to.

8. Lip Ointment

Bringing something for your lips goes hand-in-hand with staying hydrated. There’s something about being in the car all day that can be so drying. I like to have some sort of lip treatment on hand.

This Vanilla Lip Mask from Laniege is a personal favorite!

Your Complete Guide for Road Trip Essentials: Personal Items and Emergency Gear

9. Cash

We’re securely in the digital age, most things can be done via card, phone, or email. There have been several situations where I need cash and I find myself scrambling for the $5 bill I remember dropping under the seat 6 months ago. When road tripping it can be responsible to have at least a little cash on hand should you need it for whatever reason.

10. Important Documents

If you’re lucky enough to be traveling internationally you’re going to want your passport, other personal identification, or paperwork. Be sure to triple check that you have any important documents with you BEFORE you hit the road.

11. Medications

Even if you don’t have a prescription to remember, be sure to throw some extra meds in your bag. You never know when motion sickness or a headache is going to hit.

HERE is my favorite travel pill organizer. I keep my daily vitamins plus some Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, and Dramamine with me.

12. First Aid Kit/Emergency Blanket

Unfortunately we never know when emergency is going to strike so it’s important to ALWAYS be prepared. Throw a first aid kit and an emergency blanket in your trunk just in case. HERE is one that has tons of great items.

13. Jumper Cables

This should go without saying: you should have a set of jumper cables in your car even if you aren’t road tripping! HERE is a reasonably priced set on Amazon.

CLICK BELOW to download your FREE Road Trip Packing List!

Now to plan your next Road Trip! Check out these awesome USA destinations!

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