What are the essentials to take on a Road Trip? - Coastal Motor Advisory

The biggest factor in having a great time on the road is to be ready, whether you are jetting off on a weekend getaway or traveling across the country on a cross country adventure. It will also ensure the trip becomes more comfortable, safer and fun if you should pack the right essentials. Coastal Motor Advisory have put together the top 20 road trip essentials, to help you get on your way and give you time to get ready for your next adventure.

1. Navigation Tools
   Google Maps and Waze, GPS apps, are great, but it’s always good to have a back up plan. As a must have keep a paper map or an offline version of your route in case you ever loose the signal or worse your device physically dies.
2. Phone Charger and Power Bank
   Your car charger and a full charged power bank will probably be your lifeline for navigation, the music and communication, and bring it (or them) for you to avoid finding yourself out in the woods due to a dead phone.
3. Snacks and Drinks
   You don’t want to fall asleep while driving. You can pack healthy snacks – like nuts, fruit, and protein bars and a ton of water – in a cooler for fare throughout the day. You save time and money just by the chance of avoiding frequent stops.
4. First Aid Kit
   You never know when you are going to need basic medical supplies. When for example I go on a road trip to a remote area I always bring a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes and some pain relievers.
5. Reusable Water Bottle
   And reusable water bottle ensures you won’t throw one plastic bottle away and the water will keep you hydrated in the process. Make sure that you find one that’s insulated so that when the sun heats up during the day, your water doesn’t heat up as well.
6. Car Emergency Kit
   One essential thing is to make sure you always have jumper cables, a spare tire, a tire jack and flashlight handy. If something goes wrong while you’re out on the road, taking time to prepare for car trouble now will save you hours of stress.
7. Sunglasses
   Sunlight aside, long hours driving puts real strain on your eyes. Having a good pair of sunglasses will protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce glare while you are behind the wheel, which will make for a safer, easier drive.
8. Comfortable Clothing
   Number 8 on the Road trip essentials list comfortable clothing. Being in the car a long time you want to be comfortable. Soft, breathable fabrics and slip on, slip shoes are best for comfort.
9. Blanket and Pillow
   Toss a soft blanket and pillow in too if you are going on long drives or will be stopping over night, as the car rests will be very comfortable. Not only are they handy for impromptu naps, they’re also great for being warm on a cooler night.
10. Entertainment
    Road trip games, playlists and podcasts are in place to combat boredom. Make sure you’ve got a few things to keep everybody in the car busy, particularly if you’re taking the kids.
11. Wet Wipes and Hand Sanitizer
    Road trips can get messy. The only downfall is that with long stretches between rest stops you don’t always have the chance to get a washroom. That’s why it’s brilliant to have some wet wipes or hand sanitizer, ready to clean up spills or sticky hands.
12. Cash and Coins
    Cards are accepted in most places, but it’s always a good idea to have a small amount of cash and change for the toll, parking meters, and other purchases in far flung areas where card payments might not be possible.
13. Trash Bags
    All you really need to keep your car clean for the trip is a simple trash bag or reusable container. Collect them, so your car doesn’t fill up with clutter, wrappers, and empty bottles.
14. Camera
    While your phone is probably the one you’re going to turn to for picture taking on your trip, having an awesome camera might provide you an opening to snap huge shots of the fabulous occasions you’ll see.
15. Roadside Assistance is provided by the Membership.
    Before you go make sure you update your roadside assistance membership. It doesn’t matter whether you have insurance coverage or not, or if you are part of the car club or paying for the third party service, the fact is that there is peace of mind if you experience a breakdown on the road.
16. Insect Repellent and Sunscreen: This one we just added because this one has both insect repellent properties and sunscreen properties.
    If you are visiting parks, beaches or other outdoor places to protect yourself from the bugs and sun, just leave. Bring a good insect repellent and good sunburn protection.
17. Travel Apps
    Put travel apps to use that can tell you the lowest fuel prices, where to rest your head and what to do around you. As good as the road trip is, there are some good apps to make good companions, Gasbuddy, Roadtrippers and Yelp.
18. Reusable Grocery Bags
    They come with us for those unexpected bathroom or market stops or for a few extras. Plus they’re good for the environment: unlike disposable plastic bags.
19. Multi-Port USB Charger
    A multi port USB charger allows for several devices to be charged simultaneously on multiple devices or when travelling with others; nobody needs to fight over the car’s power port.
20. A Good Playlist
    Last but not least, are you prepared for a killer road trip playlist!? It can also set the mood for your day and keep everyone’s energy positive. And if that happens, download your playlist before you hit the road.

Conclusion

That way, you’re road trip will be well prepared which makes it safer, smoother, and just more pleasant in the end. From car essentials like a chargers and emergency kits, to comfort items like snacks and pillows, these 20 road trip essentials go beyond the basics. This is the perfect list for Road trip essentials! If you’re hitting the road, Coastal Motor Advisory can help make sure your car’s at its best. Happy travels!

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