Road trips are a fun and exciting way to travel- you feel free as a bird as you follow your own schedules, stop whenever you want to see the sights and best of all, hit all of the local restaurants from California to Boston if you wanted to. But what separates an awesome road trip from one that is just mediocre is how prepared you are - so check out our road trip checklist to make sure it's the trip of a lifetime! Packing for any holiday can be hard, you want to strike that balance between bringing way too much or not enough. Make the most of your time on the road with our guide to the essentials!
Being well-prepared makes for an awesome road trip!Courtesy of Flickr
CHECK LIST:
1. Sun Protection and Sunglasses
A road trip on the open road without proper sun protection and sunglasses is definitely a recipe for disaster. Keep the sunglasses in a case so they don't get sat on and bring enough of your favorite sunblock to last you the entire trip. Make sure the sunglasses protect your eyes enough!
2. Rolling Suitcase and Cross-body bag
On a road trip you'll be checking into hotels and generally schlepping your stuff everywhere so you want to be comfortable. A giant overnight bag will be a pain to carry around (and very heavy). Go for something with wheels so checking in and out is a breeze. Bring a compact cross-body bag that zips up to keep your personal belongings safe. Cross-body bags are also easier to keep an eye on and are perfect for when you want to go hands-free!
3. Kleenex and wet wipes
Stock up on Kleenex and some wet wipes - driving for long periods of time in a car, someone is bound to spill something!
4. First Aid supplies and spare toiletries
Bring along a First Aid supplies kit with basics like ibuprofen, bug repellent spray, bandages, antihistamine allergy medication for hay fever, cortisone for bug bites, an ointment for cuts and scrapes like Neosporin and hand sanitizer. Motion sickness medication is also a must-have in case someone starts to feel car sick. Put them all in a see through case if possible so everything is easy to find when you need.
5. Aloe Vera lotion
Perfect for soothing skin after bug bites or sun burn, this gel is great for calming down any skin irritations or stings.
6. Healthy snacks
We totally agree that a road trip is the time to eat delicious food and things like burgers and fries at cute little diners along the way. However, if that's all you eat you'll end up feeling sick and probably not that great. Have them in moderation but balance it out with fresh fruit, pretzels, sugar-free granola bars and nuts. On the first day, why not pack some delicious sandwiches or a fun picnic!
7. Music
Have everyone make a mix CD or iPod mix before the trip so you can all take turns listening to your favorite tunes
The best thing about road trips is that dogs love them too!Courtesy of Flickr
8. Portable battery phone charger
A big external battery charger for your phone can be a lifesaver if your phone runs out of battery on the road. Just charge the battery every time you stay in a hotel and make sure it stays fully charged.
9. Camera
Don't rely on a phone to take photos - bring a proper camera so you can develop the photos later on when you get home!
10. Clothing layers and blanket
Wear comfortable clothes in the car and bring along layers like a light hoodie or cardigan. Pack a blanket in case the air-conditioning gets to be too much! The best shoes to wear are the ones that slip on and off rather than have to constantly tie and untie your laces! Bring ponchos or umbrellas too so you're prepared for any rainy weather.
11. Pocket City Guides/Travel Books
This might sound obvious but keep them mini - the last thing anyone wants to do on a road trip is read a thick book about one single place! Check around on Amazon.com to find the best travel books for the area you'll be visiting.
12. Games and Books
It's a good idea to pack games that you can play in parks like a ball or frisbee so you can have an impromptu game when you take a break. A small portable laptop is great for watching DVDs in the backseat. Bring a couple of books to read as well as a pack of cards.
The beautiful scenery makes roadtripping worth it!Courtesy of Flickr
Remember to take a lot of photos and have fun!
Have your say
Are you into going on roadtrips? Share your best and worst experiences below!
