Road Trip Essentials: What to Pack for the Perfect Journey
Are you planning a road trip too? With the company of family or friends, you can set off to wherever you want to go! Just roll down the windows and feel the welcome breeze and the magnificent scenery.
To make the journey easier and more comfortable, it is crucial to prepare before you leave. In addition to planning a good route, the most important thing is to bring all the necessary items, to ensure that you can always replenish energy, and to deal with various emergencies.
This article will introduce 20 road trip essentials. If you are packing your bags, this list is definitely worth collecting for reference!
20 Must-Have Road Trip Essentials
Let's get straight to the point of what to pack for a road trip. This road trip essentials list will help you clear your mind and avoid fumbling while packing.
1. Lip Balm
Air conditioning, wind from open windows, and long hours of sun exposure can all dry out your lips during a road trip. To prevent discomfort or cracking, it’s a good idea to pack a few sticks of deeply moisturizing lip balm.
2. Blanket & Pillow
Don’t forget to take breaks when you’re on the road. A small pillow and a soft blanket can make resting in the car a lot more comfortable. A quick nap can help you feel refreshed and ready to keep going.
3. First Aid
You don't know what unexpected situations may arise during your journey. A first aid kit with basic medications is definitely included in things to bring for road trip.
A first aid kit can include: bandages, gauze, band-aids, alcohol, antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen, tweezers, and more.
4. Sunglasses & Sunscreen
With few buildings or trees shading the highway, the sun can easily shine directly on your skin and eyes, which not only affects your driving vision but may even cause sunburn.
Therefore, be sure to apply sunscreen before you leave and wear sunglasses when the sun is strong.
5. Tissues, Napkins, & Wipes
Your road trip packing list should never be without tissues, napkins, and wipes. You can never have too many of these, especially after eating food with sauces or powders.
You may also need to use the restroom at any time during your trip, so be sure to have plenty of paper towels.
Also, don't forget to pack some sanitizing wipes to clean your face and hands.
6. Jumper Cables
A sudden dead car battery is a common but headache-inducing malfunction, especially when you are traveling on remote roads, as it can be very difficult to contact help in time.
If you are prepared with jumper cables, you can quickly hitch up the power and restore the vehicle to operation, as long as you have another car to help.
7. Tire Inflator
Highway conditions can be unpredictable, and even a small puncture can lead to a slow tire leak. That’s where a portable tire inflator comes in handy. It’s compact, budget-friendly, and simple to operate, making it a must-have for quick fixes before things get worse.
8. Car Chargers
For the ultimate road-trip power solution, pair the EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger with the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station to create a truly integrated dual-battery system.
This 3-in-1 alternator charger not only delivers an ultra-fast 66A (800W) charging rate—enough to add 33A to your 4×4’s battery in just 30 minutes of parking—but also functions as a maintainer and jump starter, all managed through the EcoFlow App. When you’re on the move, it charges your power station up to eight times faster than standard cigarette-lighter adapters, ensuring your DELTA 2 Max stays topped up without long waits.
With Reverse Charge Mode, you can even tap into your DELTA 2 Max’s stored energy to quickly boost your vehicle or camper battery, and real-time monitoring and smart settings let you control voltage and current straight from your phone. By combining inverter, battery, battery box, and battery panel into one portable package, this pairing simplifies installation and frees up space in your rig—so you can focus on the journey, not on juggling multiple power components.
EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger
9. Power Station
Even when used solo, the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station remains indispensable: it can charge smartphones, laptops, cameras, and run small appliances like a mini fridge or electric cooker, giving you reliable off-grid power whenever campsite outlets aren’t available.
10. Offline Google Maps
Many areas on the highway have unstable signals or even no internet at all. To avoid navigational failures, it is recommended to download an offline Google Maps before you go.
11. Headlamp & Flashlight
Always keep a flashlight and headlamp in your car, in case you need to get out of your car at night to check on your vehicle, hike around, or set up a campsite. A headlamp frees up your hands and is easy to use, while a flashlight provides more focused and precise illumination.
12. Snacks
Snacks help keep your energy up and make long drives more enjoyable. Go for options like mixed nuts, dried fruit, chips, beef jerky, crackers, or sour gummies. They are easy to pack and don’t spoil quickly. For a healthier balance, bring along some fresh fruits and veggies like apples, bananas, oranges, or carrots.
13. Water Bottle
Water is one of the most important long road trip essentials, but it’s time to move away from single-use plastic bottles. They’re wasteful and not ideal for temperature control. Instead, go for a reusable water bottle, preferably an insulated one, to keep your drink cold and reduce environmental impact.
14. Drinks Like Coffee or Tea
In addition to water, you can also prepare some coffee, tea, or functional beverages to help refresh your mind and relieve fatigue from long hours of driving.
15. Cooler
A cooler can definitely greatly enhance your road trip experience. With it, you can enjoy cold drinks, fresh fruits, snacks, sauces, etc. anytime on the road.
16. Tote Bag
When you're on the road, it's hard to find the time to organize your bits and pieces. If you have dirty shoes, snacks, groceries, blankets, etc., and don't know where to put them, just put them in a tote bag.
17. Camera
If you want to document all the sights you see on your trip, be sure to bring a camera. While smartphones can also take pictures, cameras still have the edge when it comes to things like image quality and zoom.
18. Book & E-Reader
How do you pass the time when the drive is too long? Take a good book with you. If you want to save space, opt for an e-reader like the Kindle or Paperwhite. These devices have a long battery life and can hold thousands of books.
19. Games & Card
If you're traveling in multiples, bring some games or cards for entertainment. Things like Monopoly, I Spy, Uno, etc. are good choices.
20. Portable Speakers
One of the best entertainment things to carry on a road trip is portable speakers. It is not like the car speakers, which can only be used in the car. You can continue to enjoy your music anywhere you are camping, picnicking, at the beach, and so on.
Conclusion
Packing the right road trip essentials helps you stay prepared and enjoy the ride with fewer surprises. From snacks to lighting and power, each item makes things smoother on the road. Having reliable outdoor power is especially useful when you're away from plugs or spending the night outdoors. It keeps your devices charged and your plans moving. For a simple and dependable power solution, EcoFlow offers options that fit well into any road trip setup.
FAQs
What do I need for a long road trip?
For a long drive, your road trip travel checklist should include snacks, water, a first aid kit, car chargers, navigation tools, a flashlight, and a power station. Add items like blankets, entertainment, and toiletries to stay comfortable and prepared for anything that comes up on the road.
What to pack for a family road trip?
In addition to essential personal care items like tissues, wipes, and blankets, be sure to pack child-friendly extras such as snacks, game cards, books, and stuffed animals. Don't forget to bring enough food, medication, and power banks.
What food should I pack for a road trip?
You can bring some nut snacks, energy bars, cookies, dried fruits, chips, etc. To get your vitamins on the go, you can also bring some fresh vegetables or fruits such as carrots, cucumbers, apples, bananas, and oranges.