100+ Road Trip Packing List Items You Need in 2024

Are you planning a road trip but don’t know where to pack? Are you worried you’ll leave something important behind?

The absolute best way to see the United States is on a road trip. America is filled with scenic road trips that take you to national parks, stunning coastline, and isolated backcountry.

But road trips take a lot of preparation.

A solid itinerary and detailed road trip packing list can go a long way towards making your trip smooth and fun. This guide covers everything you’ll need on the road, from safety essentials to cozy must-haves.

Looking for more road trip planning tips? Check out these road trip planning tools to get started planning your next trip!

This post may contain affiliate links, where I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read more in this disclosure policy.

Ultimate Road Trip Packing List Essentials

Out of all the items on this list, these 10 items are essential for any road trip. It’s important to stay safe and be prepared, particularly if you’re road tripping in a more remote area.

Before you hit the road, double-check that you’ve packed these items!

• Driver’s License
  In the US, you’ll need a valid driver’s license to operate a vehicle, even a rental car. It’s also illegal to drive if you don’t have your license with you, so don’t forget it!

• Vehicle Registration
  If you’re driving your own car, bring your vehicle registration. If you’re renting a car, the registration and rental documents should be in the car, but check before leaving!

• Car Manual
  Breakdowns happen, especially if you’re driving long distances. To make sure you can handle any issue, keep the manual in the car. This is particularly important if you’re traveling to remote areas and can’t rely on Googling the answer. Most rental car companies will keep the manual in the car, but check before you drive off!

• Car Insurance
  It is illegal to drive without car insurance in the United States, so always bring your insurance card. If you’re renting a car, you’re most likely covered under your personal insurance policy. If you need it, extra coverage is always available from rental companies.

• Travel Insurance
  Travel insurance policies cover everything from trip cancellation to stolen property. If you’re taking expensive gear, like cameras and lenses, a travel insurance policy will cover you if it were to get stolen. I recommend World Nomads for travel insurance, as they can cover you both in the US and internationally.

• First Aid Kit
  Injuries happen, especially if you’re accident-prone like me… A simple first aid kit can be a lifesaver. Since I do a lot of hiking on road trips, I bring my Adventure Medical Kit (made for hiking-related injuries).

• Emergency Roadside Assistance Kit
  Roadside assistance kits can help you change a flat tire or jump-start your car in an emergency. I keep this roadside assistance kit from AAA in my car at all times.

• Spare Tire
  If you do end up with a flat tire, you’ll want a good condition spare tire stowed away. Before leaving, check the condition of the spare tire in your trunk.

• Spare Cash
  You can use credit cards nearly everywhere these days, it’s always a good idea to carry spare cash. You never know when machines may be down or you’ll need to pay for cash-only parking. I recommend keeping this in a separate bag in case you lose your wallet.

• Headlamp
  Headlamps are the sporty sibling to flashlights and so much more practical for road trips. Whether you’re changing a tire or repacking the trunk at night, headlamps keep your hands free. I have the Black Diamond Storm 400 and to say I’m obsessed is an understatement…

Road Trip Essentials for Your Car

To stay safe and comfy on the road, stock your car with these essentials. I recommend using a small storage bin to pack some of these items neatly in your trunk.

• AAA Subscription
  AAA has saved me many times, from locking my keys in the car to getting a flat tire. They’ll even tow your vehicle if needed. Plus, a subscription to AAA gets you more than just roadside assistance. You can also use your AAA membership to get special rates on hotels and events!

• Extra Car Key
  Remember when I said AAA has helped me after I locked my keys in my car? Well the easiest way to avoid the call to AAA is to pack an extra set of car keys. Just don’t keep them in the same bag as your main set of keys. Better yet, stow your extra keys with your trusty co-pilot!

• Duct Tape
  Duct tape is a miracle worker. From ripped gear to repairs, duct tape can help in a pinch. Keep a roll of duct tape in your trunk just in case you need to make a quick fix.

• Tire Pressure Gauge
  You should always check your tire pressure before a road trip. It’s also a great idea to bring a tire pressure gauge with you if your car doesn’t automatically track tire pressure. This will help you keep the right amount of pressure in your tires and avoid expensive wear and tear.

• Protective Floor Mats
  The best way to protect your floors from muddy footprints, spills, and stains is with protective floor mats. I have WeatherTech mats for my entire Mazda CX-5. They make mats customized to the shape of every car model. While pricey, they are a game-changer, especially the trunk liner. It has a curved lip to capture any spilled liquids or leaks.

• Trash Can
  Bags, wrappers, bottles – snacks are an important part of any road trip and you’ll need a way to dispose of all your trash. I recommend keeping an extra grocery bag in your car to collect trash and dump it out at gas stations.

• Umbrella
  Rain is inevitable, so it never hurts to be prepared. A compact umbrella can easily store in your trunk for surprise rainstorms.

• Reusable Water Bottle
  Hydration is key for long car rides. To stay hydrated and be more eco-friendly, bring along a lightweight reusable water bottle, like a Nalgene. These water bottles are also great for short hikes!

• National Park Pass
  Road tripping to a national park? Then you need a national park pass! For only $80 per year, the America the Beautiful pass gets you into all 62 national parks plus tons more national sites.

Are you visiting multiple national parks in the next year? The America the Beautiful National Park Pass gets you into 400+ national park sites, including all 63 national parks, for 12 months!

Get your national park pass ahead of time for only $80.

Winter Road Trip Essentials

Taking a road trip through wintry destinations comes with its own set of challenges. To combat the snow, be sure to pack these winter road trip essentials.

If you aren’t planning to adventure in the snow, feel free to skip ahead!

• Tire Chains
  Chains wrap around your tires to give you extra traction when driving on snow or ice. In the Winter, many snowy places, like Lake Tahoe, require visitors to have chains. This is often enforced with roadblock checks, so read up on your route ahead of time to see if chains are required.

• Snow Shovel
  Snow can pile up quickly and you may have to shovel your car, parking spot, or driveway before you can hit the road. Keep a small snow shovel in your trunk for quick shoveling on the go.

• Ice scraper
  Scraping the windshield is my least favorite part of traveling to a cold destination. Keep a durable ice scraper with a brush in the trunk of your car.
  
  Pro tip: Run the defrosters for a few minutes before starting to scrape the ice off.

Are you planning a national park trip but don’t know where to start? Get my free 28-page national park ebook where I break down everything you need to know to visit all 63 USA national parks.

Download your free ebook here.

Best Navigation & Road Trip Apps

While you won’t have to physically pack these game-changing apps, you should make sure you have them downloaded before hitting the road!

I use each of these apps to plan my road trip routes and find free places to stay along the way.

• Google Maps
  I use Google Maps to plan my road trip route and determine the best places to stay overnight. I also use Google Maps to navigate along the way and avoid traffic. Just don’t forget to download the map offline in the mobile app before hitting the road!

• GasBuddy
  GasBuddy helps you find gas stations along your route and compares prices. This is an essential app if you’re road tripping in a more remote location where gas stations can be 100 miles apart.

• Freecampsites.net
  Freecampsites.net is the best tool to find free campsites in national forests and BLM lands. The website is crowd-sourced, giving you access to camping spots and reviews from other users.

Read More: 12 Best Road Trip Planning Tools & Apps

Technology Road Trip Checklist

If you’re like me, you travel with a phone, smartwatch, Bluetooth headphones, camera… the list goes on. All these things need to charge! Keep your gadgets charged and accessible for your road trip.

• Car Phone Mount
  Many US states require hands-free phone use while driving. One of the best ways to use your phone for navigating is to get a car phone mount. These are cheap, lightweight, and easily packable.

• Car Power Adapter
  Many newer cars have USB charging ports throughout the vehicle. If you’re not that lucky, buy a cheap car power adapter to turn the old-school cigarette lighter into a charger!

More handy electronics to keep your devices powered up on your road trip are:

• Power cords for each device you’re bringing along.
• A portable charger for power on the go like this one from Anker.
• Extra Batteries are always a good idea. Be sure to check what kind of batteries your headlamps and other electronics need!

Best Luggage for Packing for a Road Trip

Luggage is an ever-important part of packing for a road trip. To conserve space, you’ll want compact, organized bags.

But you don’t want to sacrifice quality and durability! After all, luggage is a big investment and you want it to last.

I know a thing or two about picking quality, durable luggage after years of adventures.

Here are a few of my favorite bags for road trip travel:

• Lo & Sons Weekender Bag
• Samsonite Carry-On Size Suitcase
• Osprey Fairview Travel Backpack
• Osprey Aura Outdoor Backpacking Pack

After you’ve picked your perfect travel bag, make sure it’s organized. Packing cubes are the absolute best way to keep your luggage tidy on a road trip and store away dirty clothes.

If you’ll be hiking on your road trip, bring along a hiking backpack to carry your 10 essentials and extra water!

Running short on space in the trunk? A rooftop cargo bin is a great investment for family or group road trips!

Clothing Road Trip List

Road trips mean driving. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to spend your hours in the car in comfort.

That’s why all the items I recommend are cozy, breathable, and odor-resistant!

Don’t forget these wardrobe essentials on your road trip packing list:

• Breathable Shirts
  Breathable, quick-drying shirts are key for longer road trips where you’ll want to re-wear shirts. I love the Patagonia Capilene tees for women.

• Comfortable Bottoms
  Stretchy, comfy pants are perfect for long rides in the car. Since you’ll likely be active and exploring, I recommend something functional like Athleta’s Elation Leggings or Nike shorts.

• Rain Jacket
  You never know when it will rain, so always keep a waterproof rain jacket handy. I always have my REI XeroDry rain jacket on road trips. Plus it’s a great pick for budget travelers!

• Fleece Pullover
  No matter the time of year, you’ll want a jacket to keep you warm. The Patagonia Better Sweater is a great option for road trips because it’s so versatile. It’s great for hiking, lounging, and even out around town.

• Breathable Undergarments
  If you’ll be washing clothes on the go, you’ll want quick-drying undergarments that are easy to hand wash. The underwear and bras from Excofficio are made from breathable, quick-dry material, perfect for long road trips.

• Hat
  A hat can protect you from the sun or keep you warm, depending on the season. In the summer, you’ll want something to protect your face like a baseball cap. In the winter, a beanie like this one from REI is a great budget option.

• Wool Socks
  Good socks are a major key! Merino wool is warm, yet breathable and quick-drying (sensing a theme here?). REI makes some of the best affordable wool socks. These are perfect for under your hiking boots too!

• Slip-On Shoes or Flip Flops
  For long driving days, you’ll want slip-on shoes or sandals. Easy to take off and easy to slip on for a quick run into the gas station.

• Hiking Boots
  If you’re an adventurous road tripper, hiking boots are a must. I highly recommend the Columbia Newton Ridge boots for women (I’ve had mine for 3+ years)!

• Swimwear
  Don’t forget a bathing suit and towel if you’re traveling in the summer or visiting hot springs in the winter!

• Sunglasses
  Sunglasses are a must for long days of driving. I always bring along my Rayban Aviators for the car but keep a cheap pair from Amazon in my hiking backpack.

Toiletries Packing List for a Road Trip

Hygiene on the road doesn’t have to be complicated. But you don’t have to skip it all together either!

Here’s the exact road trip packing list I use for toiletries:

• Shower essentials (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc.)
• Dental care (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mini mouthwash)
• Haircare (hairbrush, dry shampoo, hair ties, etc.)
• Deodorant
• Makeup and skincare (moisturizer, chapstick, sunscreen)
• Tide to Go pen and a small amount of laundry detergent
• Tweezers
• Nail clippers
• Medications, including a Vitamin C supplement like Emergen-C
• A quick-dry microfiber towel like the Pack Towel
• Hand sanitizer

I use a toiletry bag and reusable travel bottles to store all my toiletries when I travel. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to minimize your routine when traveling and bring fewer products.

If you’ll be traveling to remote places, don’t forget to pack a wilderness bathroom kit.

All you need are 3 things to go in the outdoors:

• A small shovel (called a trowel) to dig a small hole and bury your waste
• Toilet paper or baby wipes for after you go
• And a Ziploc bag to pack out the paper or wipes!

Things to Take on a Road Trip for Cooking

One of the best ways to save money while traveling is by cooking your own meals. A road trip cooking setup is pretty similar to a camping setup.

Here are the basics you’ll need to cook on the road:

• Camp stove and a small propane tank
• Reusable dishes and eating utensils
• Camp sink and quick-drying dish towels to wash dishes
• Cooler to keep food cold for days
• 5-gallon water container for cooking and drinking
• Knife and cutting board
• Cooking utensils (Wooden Spoon, Spatula, Tongs)
• Cookset with pots and/or skillets
• Potholders or oven mitts
• Aluminum foil
• Paper towels

The best way to store your camping gear is in clear bins, like these from Sterilite. It will keep everything packed away, but you’ll be able to see what is in the bin without needing to unpack it!

Want to make your road trip kitchen set up a bit more eco-friendly? Here are a few ideas!

• Reusable travel mug for coffee and tea
• Stainless steel straws
• Reusable shopping bags for groceries
• Chip clips to keep bagged food fresh
• Silicone bags to replace Ziploc bags and Tupperware

Last but not least, don’t forget the camp table and foldable chairs for a comfy meal at a campsite!

What to Bring on a Road Trip for Essentials

The best way to pass time on the road? Pack the right things to keep you entertained the whole ride!

Whether it’s listening, reading, or sightseeing, this road trip packing list has you covered:

• Kindle or tablet for reading or browsing
• Headphones (for when you and the driver don’t share musical taste)
• Portable speaker for picnics and exploring
• Cards or board games for rainy days and evenings
• Your favorite playlist, books, audiobook, or podcast
• Camera or GoPro for capturing every epic moment
• A travel journal or national park passport to document your adventures

Comforting Things to Bring on a Road Trip

Taking comfort from home on the road is one of the best ways to have an enjoyable road trip.

Don’t forget these essentials for long drives:

• Neck pillow
• Blanket
• Snacks (my favorites are pretzel crisps, Chex mix, and gummy bears!)

And don’t forget to pack your sleep essentials:

• If you’re camping, bring a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad
• For those sleeping their car, bring a full-size air mattress and sleeping bag
• If you’re sleeping in a hotel, bring your favorite pillow from home

What Not to Take on a Road Trip

Now that you know what you should bring on a road trip, here are a few things to leave at home:

• Fancy meals with lots of prep
• Complex makeup, skincare, or hair products – keep it simple!
• Nice jewelry and other valuables

Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Pack for a Road Trip

Final Thoughts on Your Road Trip Packing List

If you’re heading out for a road trip soon, there are a lot of items you need to pack. Hopefully, this post helped you brainstorm what you’d need to take along. But at the end of the day, just don’t forget your phone, wallet, insurance, and keys!

Looking for more road trip planning tips? Check out these road trip planning tools to get started planning your next trip!

Are you planning a national park trip but don’t know where to start? Get my free 28-page national park ebook where I break down everything you need to know to visit all 63 USA national parks.

Download your free ebook here.

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