Road Trip Ready: The Top 10 Essentials You Can’t Leave Home Without

Road Trips are one of my absolute favorite things to do. If I have had a bad week, need some time away, I just jump in the car and head anywhere I want. A change of scenery can be an amazing antidote to a tired soul. I am a sucker for a day trip. If I hear there is festival, carnival, art show, craft show or even a good flea market, I am ready to hit the road. Sometimes its just for the day, or a long weekend, but either way it’s time with our loved ones and conversations that may have never happened if we weren’t all together in the car.

I put together a list of things that can make a road trip even more fun. From games to snacks, these items are sure to make traveling in the car even better!

Road Trip Survival Items:

1. Games are a must on long car rides! I love to print off license plate games and bring our dinner table topics cube for fun. I also love any road trip books full of fun facts on the places we pass through.
2. Organizer If you have small children, it is essential that each child have their own. In each organizer, should be their books, favorite games or coloring books, and one favorite toy. Maps are also a great fun way for the kids to follow along your route. Many bookstores sell maps especially for kids that can help them feel more involved in the navigation of your trip.
3. Coolers are a must. Water, juice and any other beverages you want, need to be in the cooler and travel size. Don’t buy huge 20-24 oz drinks that no one finishes or they get hot and have to go back in the cooler. This way the drink is finished, its cool the whole time and you wont have to pull back over to put it back in the cooler for any reason. For long trips, we like to keep sandwich essentials in the cooler so we aren’t constantly eating fast food.
4. Snacks will make any road trip easier. Bringing snacks you not only save time by cutting down on stops, but also money! Those gas stations stops add up quick! We always pack “snack” size zip-lock bags with goodies pre-prepared for the journey. This way, you can just grab a snack from the bag and you don’t have to worry about huge chip or cracker bags. We usually pack strawberries, crackers, cookies, bananas, popcorn and granola or trail mix.
5. Wet wipes are something I can’t live without in the car. Even if it’s a day trip, you will need them at some point.
6. Clean Towels in the car are great resources. I can’t tell you the times we have had a spill or need a towel for some reason, a clean towel in the car is always a must.
7. First Aid Kits are another good resource. This one is a must for any trip, especially with kiddos
8. Travel Apps for your phone. Here are few that we use and recommend: Gas Buddy, Project Noah, iExit, Roadtripper, Gas Buddy, Road Ninja, Field Trip or you can click the link to see our post on the best travel apps.
9. Music is such a time eater…we have so many old CD’s that we love bringing with us, we use Sirius XM, and Pandora. Alongside music, podcasts are great for road trips!
10. Patience is a virtue. We have all heard this from our parents, but never has it been more true than on a long ride in the car. Just remember, you may never get this time back with your kids or significant other. Take this time to talk, plan and laugh together and take in all the sights along the way! You wont regret it!

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