Road Trip Essentials for Every Season

It's hard to find a more American activity than road tripping. In the U.S. and Canada, families and friends love to get together for a long drive to a scenic destination. There are some things to have on hand, though, which is why we're listing the road trip essentials.

While we won't cover everything to pack, we will cover six important things. These are the items to keep your drive safe, comfortable, and fun. Feel free to bring more items as you see fit and best of luck on your road trip!

6 Road Trip Essentials for Your Vacation

1. Duffle Bags

You might be used to using hard suitcases. These are great for protecting valuables, especially on flights. When it comes to road trips though, try duffle bags.

Duffle bags are a great alternative to suitcases. They're soft, durable, and can be easily placed around other items in the car. This makes them easier to pack than hard, square suitcases. And as anyone who's been in a crowded car on a road trip knows, space is essential.

2. Cooler(s)

Road trips can be time consuming. Most take a full day, sometimes two. What that means is that you need to plan your time wisely, including stops. Frequently pulling off for food and drinks really lengthens the trip.

As an alternative, pack a cooler with food. You can make sandwiches, pack fruits and veggies, and even bring ingredients for meals while camping. In addition to saving time, you'll save money by only eating out on special occasions.

Don't forget to bring drinks too. While a cold soda sounds great on a road trip, water is better at keeping you hydrated. But don't be afraid to pack something with caffeine if you're driving. Iced tea and coffee are great choices.

Need some ideas for road trip foods? Check out the posts below:

• Healthy RV Meals
• Vegan Camping Meals for Your Next Trip
• 35 Easy-to-Pack Road Trip Snacks

3. GPS or Navigation Apps

Don't be the person who wanders about without asking for directions. Modern technology has made it much easier to stay on track with GPS navigation.

A GPS navigation system should be a part of your road trip essentials. This could be a Garmin unit in your car. Or, more common now, you can use Google Maps or Apple Maps. We especially recommend Google Maps because of its info on road closures, accidents, and speed traps. It'll even find faster routes in the event of a delay.

4. Playlists

A road trip without music doesn't deserve to be called a road trip. Music is a vital part of the experience and a dedicated playlist is one of the road trip essentials.

Think about the theme of the road trip and where you're going. Then, encapsulate that spirit in the music you choose. Alternatively, create a collaborative playlist on Spotify where everyone can add music. You could also take turns playing one of each person's playlists. Whatever you choose, have fun with it.

5. Clothing and Laundry Supplies

What you pack for clothing depends where you're going. If you're going fall camping, your apparel is going to be very different than clothing for a trip in July. Think this through and pack clothing that is flexible and adaptable for the weather. Additionally, pack comfortable clothing for the drive.

You may also want to pack laundry supplies among your road trip essentials. Detergent, dryer sheets, stain remover, and a laundry bag are the basics. By washing your clothes while traveling, you can really save space in your suitcase. Remember that most Sun RV resorts have laundry facilities. Check with the resort beforehand and bring quarters if needed.

6. Emergency Kit

Emergencies are never a convenient occurrence. That's why it's so important to be prepared on the road. As part of the road trip essentials, you should have two kinds of emergency kits, a road maintenance kit and a first aid kit.

For road maintenance, make sure you pack essential fluids, like oil, transmission fluid, and wiper fluid. You may also want to pack jumper cables in case of a dead battery. Additionally, make sure you have a tire jack, spare tire, and air pump. Some other good things to have include a flashlight or two, emergency flares, and bottled water.

For starters, a first aid kit should have band-aids, antibiotic ointment, and pain relievers. You may also want to include an instant ice pack, allergy medication, gauze, anti-nausea medication, and a thermometer. Pack extra items based on health conditions that group members may have.  

With the road trip essentials in hand, you're ready to embark on your great American road trip. So where will you go? To the Canadian shores of Lake Erie at Sherkston Shores Beach Resort? Or maybe to the vineyards of California at Cava Robles RV Resort? From coast to coast, our RV resorts are ready to welcome you on your road trip!  

Love these road trip essentials? Pass this post along to your fellow campers!  

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