The road trip is one of those essential journeys that every traveler should experience. You are completely in control of the itinerary and freedom to do and see what you want.
However, road trips can be draining. At the end of the day, everyone is shattered despite sitting in a car all day.
Why? Unhealthy food, driving stress, and lack of exercise all contribute to road trip exhaustion. But, with effective planning and packing, you can conquer the dark side of road trips and enjoy the open road!
Before you take off:
Service Your Car
Get the oil changed, brakes checked, tires filled, and wipers working.
Nothing is worse than having your road trip interrupted with an expensive visit to auto shop in an unknown town.
If you are taking a road trip in the winter, be sure that your snow tires are not worn down and that you have a snow brush to scrape the frost and snow off your vehicle. The road trip is one of those essential journeys that every traveler should experience. You are completely in control of the itinerary and freedom to do and see what you want.
However, road trips can be draining. At the end of the day, everyone is shattered despite sitting in a car all day.
Why? Unhealthy food, driving stress, and lack of exercise all contribute to road trip exhaustion. With effective planning and packing, you can conquer the dark side of road trips.
Plan Your Route
Before you go, have a general idea of how you will reach your destination.
Spontaneity is great, but sometimes it can cause stress if you find yourself low on gas with no idea where the next station may be. My last road trip was with a GPS system and I loved how accessible and adaptable it was.
If you want to kick it old school with paper maps, make sure they are updated versions. If you don’t want to drive at all and happen to be in Texas, you might also consider renting an Amarillo party bus for your next trip.
Have Your Official Papers Organized
If you plan on crossing a border or two, it is wise to check the driving regulations in each country and buy any necessary car accessories to make your car legal for international roads.
Make sure that your insurance has the proper amount of coverage, pick up some travelers’ insurance, and grab your passport.
Pack Emergency Kits
Bring two, one for passengers and one for the car.
It’s always a good idea to have a well-equipped first aid kit with products such as band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and tensor bandages.
As for the car kit, make sure there are jumper cables, a spare tire, and extra windshield fluid.
About to hit the road:
Make Your Car Cozy
Make sure to pack a couple of pillows and blankets for those long stretches of road to make it comfortable for all your passengers. For those who like to take a midday nap, considering bringing eye masks.
Pack a Healthy Picnic Basket and Cooler
Many people fall into the fast food trap when on a road trip but don’t let this happen to you!
Pack a mini-cooler full of fresh veggies, granola, nuts, fruit, and dark chocolate for easy access in the backseat. Be sure to have a lot of water on hand and some juice boxes for those moments that need a sugar pick-me-up.
In a bigger trunk cooler, have refills available as well as ice packs to keep your food cold and fresh.
Bring Outdoor Equipment and Toys
Be sure to find some time to explore the great outdoors during your road trip. Pack your long boards or Frisbees for some fun in the sun. In the winter, pack your skis, snowboards, and snowshoes for a memorable winter activities.
Don’t Forget the Handy Essentials
Chances are you will encounter sun, rain, snow, and fog on your trip.
Make sure you have sunglasses on hand, rain gear for wet days, and mittens and hats for snow. It’s also wise to have a flashlight, trash bags, and toilet paper kicking around in the car for any situation that may arise.
2 Comments
I am planning to to next road trip. It is first road trip for me. Thus, I was looking checklist. Love this list.
Hey there!
I am thinking about the road trip! And this list is awesome!