Planning a road trip? Not sure what to pack? You’re in the right place! Keep reading for a complete road trip packing list so you know exactly what to bring! Plus, don’t forget to download the free road trip packing list PDF to keep yourself organized as you pack.
As I’m writing this post, I’m actually planning my own road trip to Philadelphia! Even though I grew up in Pennsylvania, I have actually never been to Philly. Since I had some time off between jobs, I figured I’d plan a trip out there and cross it off my bucket list!
I love making lists to keep myself organized, so I created a road trip packing checklist to make sure I didn’t forget anything. This road trip packing guide covers all the must-have road trip essentials including roadside car emergency supplies, important car documents, toiletries, snacks, entertainment, and more. If you’re traveling with kids or pets, I’ve also got you covered!
Plus, don’t forget to download the free printable road trip packing list so you can cross off things as you pack!
Ready to get packing? Let’s dive in!
Download a complete 7-page checklist of everything you will need for your road trip!
This PDF is a part of my travel freebie library, which contains FREE travel checklists, resources, guides, & more!
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#1: Getting Your Car Ready For A Road Trip
Car Maintenance Checklist
Before you hit the road, make sure your car is in tip-top shape. You don’t want to unexpectedly have your car break down in the middle of your trip! I recommend running through this part of the checklist a few weeks before your road trip, in case you have to do some repairs or need to take your car in to the mechanic.
I’ve included a video below if you need a visual demonstration of this checklist. You can also take your car in to an automative shop that does multi-point vehicle inspections if you rather have a professional inspect your car.
Tires & Alignment
- Check tire tread depth and look for any signs of wear or damage
- Make sure you had a recent tire rotation & alignment
- Ensure proper tire pressure (including the spare tire) – I highly recommend having a portable air compressor in your car. This has saved me multiple times on long road trips, especially in the winter!
Brakes
- Inspect brake pads and rotors for wear – make sure the brakes aren’t making any squeaky or strange sounds
- Check brake fluid levels and top off if necessary
Fluids & Oil
- Ensure that the car has had an oil change in the last 6 months at minimum
- Change the engine oil and filter if it’s due
- Check and top off transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid
- Inspect windshield washer fluid levels and refill if needed
Car Battery & Electrical System
- Test battery charge and look for corrosion on terminals
- Ensure headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and interior lights are functioning properly
- Check fuses and replace any that are blown
Air Filters
- Replace the engine air filter if dirty
- Check and replace the cabin air filter if needed
Cooling & Heating System
- Flush and replace coolant if necessary
- Test the air conditioning and heating system for efficiency
Wipers & Windshield
- Replace windshield wipers if they streak or are worn out
- Check for windshield cracks or chips that may need repair
- Clean the windshield glass using glass cleaning wipes
If you’re more of a visual learner, here’s an easy to follow video on how to tune up your car for a road trip!
Roadside Emergency Kit
You want to be prepared for any car emergencies that may happen along your road trip! It’s very important to make sure you have some basic items stashed in the trunk for car, weather, or roadside emergencies. It’s also helpful to have emergency roadside assistance coverage through AAA or your car insurance plan.
- Basic car toolkit — this is a good toolkit that will double for home repairs as well!
- Pair of work gloves
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Spare tire, jack, and tire iron
- Duct tape + scissors
- Cards + contact information for emergency roadside assistance services
- Extra motor oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid
- Snow brush + ice scraper
- Tire pressure gauge
- Portable air compressor for tires – this is the one I use and it’s been great so far!
- Spare headlight and tail light bulbs
- Tire repair kit
- Tire chains – for winter weather if needed
- Medical first aid kit (see below)
- Hand warmers
- Glow sticks or emergency road flares
- Waterproof matches
- Emergency whistle
- Non-perishable snacks and water bottles (more on snacks below)
- Spare car key – keep this in your purse or bag in case you get locked out!
Car Cleaning Supplies
Keeping your car clean during long road trips is crucial since you’ll be spending a good chunk of the day in your vehicle. I usually vacuum the inside of my car, clean the windows, wipe down the dash & all interior surfaces, and run my car through the car wash before starting my road trip. Here are some cleaning essentials to add to your road trip packing list:
- Trash bags and small car garbage can
- Car cleaning wipes – I personally use the Armor cleaning wipes which don’t leave streaks and work well
- Glass cleaning wipes to clean the windows & windshield
- Portable car vacuum
- Air freshener
- Microfiber cleaning cloths
Important Car Documents
Before you head out, make sure you have all necessary documents with you. I like to keep physical copies just in case I don’t have signal or my phone battery is low. I keep my documents organized in envelopes within my glove compartment, so they’re easily accessible in case of an emergency.
- Driver’s license – keep a photo copy in your glove compartment as well
- Passport or visa (if crossing borders)
- Car registration
- Vehicle title
- Car insurance documentation
- Roadside assistance membership card
- Printed copies of your travel itinerary, hotel reservations, etc.
- Car manual & warranty information
- Copy of medical insurance card
- Card for emergency roadside services
- Toll pass/transponder
- Parking permits & tags (if necessary)
- Map or road atlas – old school, but comes in handy!
#2: Road Trip Personal Care Items
Toiletries & Personal Care Items
Even though the majority of your toiletries and personal care items will be packed in your suitcase, there are a few staples you should keep in your car. Opt for travel-size items so they fit into your car compartments easily without taking up too much space.
- Hand cream
- Hand sanitizer or wet wipes
- Lip balm
- Hairbrush and/or comb
- Extra hair ties and clips
- Dry shampoo
- Roll-on perfume or body spray
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant spray
- Female hygiene products
- A few makeup products
- Makeup removing wipes
- Compact mirror
- Packet of tissues
- Gum or mints
- Roll of toilet paper – for true emergencies!
- Travel pillow – just in case you need a nap in the car!
- Phone charger & portable power bank
- Headphones or earbuds
- Small notebook & pen
- Foldable tote bag
- Small plastic or recyclable disposal bags
- Umbrella
Clothing Items
The majority of your clothing is also going to be in your suitcase, but it’s helpful to keep the items below handy & easy to reach. You never know when you’ll get caught in a rainstorm or unexpected chilly weather!
- Lightweight jacket or sweater
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Hat or cap
- Gloves
- Extra pair of shoes
- Scarf
- Sunglasses
- Blanket
- Small to medium sized towel for drying off if needed
- Small laundry bag
- Lint roller
- Coin pouch or small purse for change
Road Trip First-Aid Kit
Since I got my horrific ankle injury during hiking in Upstate New York, I refuse to travel anywhere without a first aid kit! It’s essential to have one in case of medical emergencies, especially on a road trip where you may not have easy access to a drugstore. Here are some important items to add to your road trip packing list:
- Band-aids in various shapes & sizes
- Pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
- Motion sickness pills
- Allergy medication
- Anti-diarrheal medications
- Antiseptic ointment (Neosporin)
- Anti-inflammatory ointment (hydrocortisone)
- Aloe vera gel for sunburns
- Prescription medications – make sure you get refills ahead of time!
- Pedialyte or other electrolyte packets
- Tweezers and scissors
- Thermometer
- Gauze pads and adhesive tape
- Cough drops
- Lubricating eyedrops
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant spray
#3: Road Trip Food & Fun
Road Trip Snacks & Drinks
My favorite part of packing for a road trip: the snacks! You can save money on food when traveling and buy snacks ahead of time for your road trip. This will also save you time, since you won’t have to stop as frequently to buy food along your journey. It’s best to pack non-perishable snacks for your road trip, unless you have a cooler that you can bring with you.
Here are some snack ideas for your road trip:
- Granola bars/protein bars
- Trail mix
- Nuts
- Dried fruit
- Crackers or baked chips
- Popcorn
- Rice cakes
- Peanut butter packs
- Sandwiches – opt for ones that don’t need refrigeration like peanut butter & jelly!
- Case of water bottles
- Bottled coffee or a thermos of coffee – hot chocolate is a great alternative & option for kids!
- Tea bags
- Your favorite bottled beverages/drinks
- Reusable water bottle
- Disposable plates & utensils
- Chip clips – those little clips to close food bags
- Ziploc bags
Games & Recreation
If you’re traveling with kids, you know how important it is to keep them entertained during long road trips! While tablets may be helpful temporarily, prolonged use may cause eye strain and can even lead to motion sickness. Try adding these activities to your road trip packing checklist to keep kids (and adults!) entertained.
- Playing cards
- Portable board games
- Coloring books and crayons
- Puzzle books & activity books
- Magnetic travel games
- Audiobooks and music playlists
- Road trip bingo
- Trivia games
- Mad Libs
- Car karaoke microphone
Electronics & Technology
In today’s world, you cannot travel without technology (hello, Google Maps!). While some of these are covered elsewhere on this road trip packing list, I wanted to include them in a separate section to make sure you don’t forget anything!
- Phone charger
- Power bank
- Car mount for holding your phone
- Camera or GoPro
- Spare batteries (if needed)
- Apple Air Tag
- Download these 10 Free Travel Apps that will come in handy for any trip!
#4: Road Trip Packing List for Kids
Traveling with kids means that you need to take a few extra steps when preparing & packing for your road trip. You should also factor in frequent breaks during your road trip to allow for diaper changes, feeding, and just some time to run around! Here are some kid-friendly items to add to your road trip packing checklist:
- Baby bottles and formula
- Sippy cups
- Diapers and wipes
- Changing pad
- Portable diaper changing station
- Snacks and baby food
- Blankets & extra clothing items
- Child’s favorite toys
- Pacifiers & teething toys
- Stroller
- Car seat
- Car seat mirror
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Travel potty
- Activities to keep kids busy! (see the list above)
#5: Road Trip Packing List for Pets
Pets also require a special mention in this post! Make sure you have everything you need for your furry friend with the checklist below. It’s also worth a trip to the vet before your trip to make sure your pet is healthy and up to date on all immunizations and preventative care.
- Pet food and water bowls
- Leash and collar – make sure to pack extra leashes as well!
- Pet bed or blanket
- Travel crate
- Waste bags
- Litter box (for cats)
- Treats
- Pet ID tags
- Flea and tick prevention
- Medications
- Toys and chew bones
- First-aid kit for pets
- Grooming brush
- Emergency vet contact info
Download the FREE Road Trip Packing Checklist PDF!
Download a complete 7-page checklist of everything you will need for your road trip!
This PDF is a part of my travel freebie library, which contains FREE travel checklists, resources, guides, & more!
You will also be added to my monthly email list to stay notified about the latest free content & travel tips!
Click here to subscribe & get access to the travel freebie library
I hope you found this road trip packing checklist helpful for your next road trip!
Got any more road trip packing hacks, tips, or essentials? I’d love to hear from you – share your favorites in the comments below!
Need more packing help? Check out my ultimate packing list for all your travel needs!
Want even more inspiration for your next road trip? Here are some of my favorite summer road trip destinations (that are also budget-friendly!) You can also check out my list of itineraries to help you plan an epic vacation!
Don’t forget to download these 10 FREE travel apps before you head out on your next trip!
Happy road trippin’!
