Top 10 Road Trip Essentials
So, are you planning a road trip and are unsure about whether or not you have all the essentials?
I thought of writing this packing list because my family is coming to road trip for the first time and I want to make sure that everyone is well prepared.
Read on for my top 10 essentials, each defined as a category of things that you have to consider when packing.
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1. Clothes
This is what my basic clothes stash looked like. The temperature was around 0-25 C (30-75F) when I was road tripping California in March. Just choose gear that is most suitable for your expected climate. If it’s going to be cold, check out my detailed winter hiking gear article.
Day Time
Regardless of whether we will be hiking or just taking a scenic stroll, a 3-layer approach is always useful.
Base Layer
Sweat wicking tops are great for hiking. Thermals are also great as a base layer. I brought 3 of these.
Mid Layer
A warm layer helps to trap heat, such as a hoodie or a fleece jacket. Honestly, I only used 1 mid layer throughout my 10 day trip, it was really all I needed.
Outer Layer + Waterproof Jacket
This is usually the down jacket for when it gets colder. Higher fill power is better as it lightens the weight of your jacket, without compromising on the warmth. One with a hood also helps to keep the wind out. I would recommend bringing a waterproof/water resistant jacket too if you have one, and they can serve as a windbreaker too. Otherwise, a poncho/umbrella is a cheaper option.
My experience with rain: I don’t think I prepared for the rain well enough. I wish I had a fully waterproof jacket instead of a water resistant one, especially since it rained 2 days while we were hiking, and each time it lasted a few hours. I then gave up on it and bought a poncho to wear over my down jacket. My waterproof hiking shoes got soaked through both days, but it was alright as I had my sports shoes to change into after the hike.
Bottoms
We could pack pants, shorts, or leggings depending on what the weather will be like. Whatever is comfortable is best, especially if we are hiking. I brought 1 pair of leggings, track pants, and shorts each. Do bring more if necessary, I just didn’t mind re-wearing my clothes since I did not perspire much.
Others
- Underwear – That is hard to forget
- Swim wear – If planning to visit the beach or use the pool in a hotel
- Nice outfits – To look extra nice for the photos/going to cities
Night Time
A clean set of clothes would make sleeping so much better, bring thermals if preparing for cold weather/camping. This is especially important during rainy days, I can’t tell you how comforting it was to have a clean and dry set of clothes to change into as I tucked into my sleeping bag. I brought 1 set of thermals, and for nights spent in cabins/houses I brought 1 set of tshirt and shorts.
2. Shoes
Hiking BootsFor rocky/slippery/icy terrain, hiking boots give the best stability. Waterproof boots are great for hiking through forests and potentially muddy terrain as they are easier to clean, and they keep the mud out.
Sports/Running Shoes
These weigh the least and are great for trails. If we are not expecting very difficult hikes, sports shoes are sufficient.
Slippers/Sandals
These are the most convenient to put on, especially for going to the shower or when we want to rest our feet.
Sneakers
Or other nice shoes to match outfits. I ignored this part and stuck with sports shoes because #athleisure (haha #justkidding, I wanted to pack light).
Socks
Thick socks are good for cushioning our feet and preventing blisters. Wool ones are best because they 1) keep us warm, 2) are thick, 3) repel moisture naturally so our feet stay dry longer. I brought 3 wool socks and 3 thick sport socks for 10 days, and yes I did re-wear some. I also wore socks to sleep, so I kept those clean.
3. Toiletries
A regular towel is fine, but there are some camping towels out there that are lighter weight.
Travel Sized Toiletries
Toothbrush, toothpaste, contact lens solution, facial wash, mouth wash, etc. You know the drill.
4. Bags
This will be used on our day hikes, and we just need a small bag to keep water, some snacks, camera, portable charger, etc. A waterproof day bag gives you peace of mind if you are expecting rain.
Extra Plastic Bags
These will be where we store our dirty clothes and shoes. We don’t realize how important they are until we really need them. For example, we had to keep our shoes in the tent while it was raining, and using plastic bags was an easy way to keep the tent clean.
5. Camera/Electronics
If we are camping for consecutive days, we should try to have more than 1 portable charger for the trip. A car charger adapter is also very important to have because we will use our phones for GPS navigation, which does require a substantial amount of battery usage.
Camera + Charger + Spare Batteries
This could very well be your iPhone. When choosing a travel camera, mirrorless cameras are compact and are most suitable for learning, since you can change the lens. I wanted the Sony a6000 and my dad very graciously bought it for my birthday present 🙂 I am currently using the kit lens for landscapes (Sony 16-50mm f3.5-5.6) and a prime lens for portraits (Sony 35mm f1.8), both E-mount.
Travel Adapter + Multi Plug
For family travel or when traveling with a large group, multi plugs help to maximize the charging outlets whenever we stop by at airbnb/hotels.
6. Food/Water
#SaveThePlanet Nalgene bottles are great, Hydro Flasks are popular too because they keep drinks hot/cool for a long time. For the group, just buy a huge water tank from the supermarket before you set off. According to Authority Nutrition, each person should have >2L of water per day.
Snacks
Anything to keep you going – energy bars, chips, chocolate, etc. Marshmallows, chocolate and biscuits are great for campfire smores.
7. Navigation
For hands-free GPS navigation in the car. Remember to download the maps beforehand so that it’s accessible offline in places with no service, such as inside national parks.
8. Entertainment
Chill with some music by the campfire, or during a picnic.
Music Playlist
Put together a playlist before the trip and ask for songs that people want. This also helps to keep the driver awake during long drives, and keeps everyone entertained.
9. Sun Protection
Makes the driving and hiking much easier when you don’t have sun in your eyes.
Moisturizer, Sunscreen, Lip Balm, etc.
After a long day in the sun, we might get chapped lips and dry skin. Fix them with some moisturizer and lip balm and we are good to go again. I kept forgetting to put on sunscreen though, don’t learn that from me. A cloudy day does not take away the sun’s UV rays (does that rhyme?).
10. Camping Equipment
Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow, headlamp/torch, etc.
Cooking Equipment
Portable camping stove, pots for cooking, soap for washing, utensils, cups, etc.
That’s all the essentials we need, grab some travel buddies and let’s go!
If you’re looking for gift ideas to help your significant other or friends road trip more, check out this article.
