There’s nothing quite like taking a road trip with family or friends. Making sure you’re well prepared will make the trip run smoothly and will avoid any crises. 

We’ve put together a complete packing list to keep your road trip as pain free and as enjoyable as possible.  

Prepare your car for a road trip 

First things first, before you start packing, it’s important to check that your car is kitted out with everything you need. This will prevent any mishaps on the road.

1. Spare tyre 

Keeping a spare tyre in your trunk is always a good idea, but it is especially important when spending long periods of time on the road. If one of your tyres becomes punctured or goes completely flat, knowing how to change a tyre will come in handy – as well as having the spare in the back.

2. Manual 

Cars can experience a lot of issues, but when you rely on them to get you from A to B – and you’re thousands of miles away from home – everything needs to run smoothly. Keeping your manual in the glove box, or in a safe place, will help to fix anything that potentially goes wrong. 

3. Documents 

Insurance documents and breakdown cover are among the many documents you should have in your car. If the police pull you over, you get into an accident or your car breaks down, you won’t get very far without them. 

4. Prepare for any weather 

The weather is unpredictable, and although it is unlikely to snow in July, preparing your car for all conditions is vital. Stock up on blankets, buy an ice scraper and some antifreeze, keep an umbrella under your seat and you’re ready for anything. Keep these items in your car all year round for extra protection. Equally to prepare for extra hot weather, keep spare water bottles and long-life snacks in your boot, along with a change of clothes, just in case.

5. Keep your car healthy 

If you’re venturing off into the sticks it’s likely that the distance between petrol stations will get longer and longer. We suggest packing items like oil, coolant, extra petrol and wiper fluid so you don’t get caught short in the wilderness. 

6. First aid kit 

An absolute essential item to pack for a road trip is a first aid kit. Make sure your kit is fully stocked with bandages, alcohol wipes, plasters, gauze dressings and safety pins. Even if you only get a small cut you’ll be thankful for this kit.

Essential items to bring on a road trip

Now we’ve explained exactly how to keep your car in tip top condition on a road trip, what else should you pack?

1. Paper maps 

Not every road on your travels will have mobile phone service, and if you have directions solely connected to an app, you could be in danger of getting lost. Paper maps may seem old fashioned but trust us, they’ll be your best friend when your phone’s 5G has disappeared and you’re in the middle of nowhere.

2. Water and snacks

Keeping hydrated and well-fed between destinations is the key to a non-hangry road trip. Try packing large bottles of water and a mixture of snacks to keep you fed and watered. 

3. Spare cash 

In the event that your wallet, bag or purse gets stolen or you lose your card, having spare cash in the car can be really useful. Don’t keep this cash in plain sight, as it could tempt people to break into your car when unoccupied. Instead, keep it in the glove box or another sealed compartment. 

4. Toilet roll and baby wipes

Prepare for the disappointment that is service station toilets and pack your own toilet roll. Baby wipes are also another great item to pack, and will clean up any spillages in no time. 

5. Chargers 

Most of us can’t live without our phones in day-to-day life, but keeping them charged whilst on the road is actually vital for safety too. If something goes wrong, and you need to call for help, having a flat phone is not going to do much good. So, make sure to pack all of the wires you need and a few fully charged power banks for good measure. 

6. Medication 

Do you have any prescribed medications that you need to take daily? Don’t forget these, and if you’re away for a long period of time talk to your doctor about getting a longer supply.

7. Something to listen to 

This essential is not exactly something you pack, but it is a must-have for a road trip. Creating the perfect playlist for everyone in the car to enjoy is an art form, and will make those long journeys ten times better. If music isn’t your thing, or you get sick of the same songs playing over and over again, podcasts and audiobooks are a great alternative. 

Extras to pack for a road trip 

1. Entertainment 

Travelling for hours on end can get boring, and if you have kids in the car you might need something to keep them entertained. We suggest bringing a bag of books, games and anything else that will help the hours pass by quicker, such as puzzles or colouring books. 

2. Pillows and throws 

Make your car as comfortable as possible by adding some blankets and pillows to your seats. This will make having a quick snooze on the go a lot easier. 

3. Plastic bags for rubbish

If you’re anticipating a lot of snacking, keeping a few spare plastic bags handy in the car will ensure that you’re not living in clutter whilst travelling, or tempt you to litter.

5. Roof rack 

Sometimes a boot just isn’t big enough, and this is when a roof rack will come in handy. If you’re in need of bungee straps to secure your roof rack, we can help. Unsure what sort of bungee cord would be best for your cargo? Contact us today to find the perfect road trip solution.