There’s nothing quite like the thrill of hitting the open road—windows down, music up, and
endless adventure ahead. But let’s be real, a road trip can quickly go from epic to exhausting
if you don’t have the right essentials. Whether you’re cruising with friends or family or flying
solo, a little preparation can make all the difference between a smooth ride and a stressful
journey.
We’ve put together 6 essentials so you are better prepared for the adventure ahead. Happy
road-tripping!
A Great Playlist
Having a banger of a playlist ready for my next road trip is possibly the biggest essential
to me (besides Google Maps because otherwise I’d never make it there). The whole car ride
would be miserable without my playlist, especially if I’m the driver. Whether you use Spotify,
Apple Music, Amazon Music, or Pandora, you must have some good songs queued before you
pull out of the driveway. I tend to suggest Spotify because that’s what I have, and I love it, but
it’s really up to you. If you’re not a music person, Spotify also provides podcasts and
audiobooks. If you’re feeling lost in the music department, here are a few of my favorite
artists: Fleetwood Mac, Drake, Zach Bryan, ABBA, Mac DeMarco, Frank Sinatra, Bob Marley,
and 21 Savage. That’s just to get you started, then you can start exploring which of those you
like, and Spotify will recommend more songs for you to discover and enjoy. Once you get your
playlist finished, make sure you can connect your phone to your car. If your car does not have
CarPlay like mine, you can use a Bluetooth converter (check this out on our Amazon
storefront).
Snacks
This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Snacks are a must-have on any road trip. How could
you survive without them? As a kid, my mom would always have a giant bag packed full of
snacks and water bottles for my brother and me. My favorite snacks for the car were fruit
snacks, cookies, chips, and crackers. Recently, I have been looking into some healthier
options. My current favorites are popcorn and dark chocolate. I also like to pick out a snack
when we stop for gas. My mom often buys a Coke at the gas station when she has to drive so
that she doesn’t feel too tired. If you’re more of a coffee person like me, Google Maps has the
option to add a stop before you arrive at your destination, so you can plug in directions to a
coffee shop on your way for a little pick-me-up.
Charging Cord
This is crucial and so easy to forget. Make sure you have your phone charger packed
somewhere you can easily grab it. Maybe even have it plugged into your car before you leave.
If you don’t bring a charging cord and you are using Google Maps, it is very likely your phone
will die before you get to your destination, which could result in you getting lost or having to
turn around. You want to make sure you have a surplus of phone battery throughout the car
ride so you can use Maps, listen to music, and keep your kids entertained.
Car Games
No one in the car wants to rely completely on technology for entertainment, especially if
they get easily carsick or if the car ride is very long. Car games don’t require any sort of
material or cost anything—all you have to do is talk. I enjoy the games “Would You Rather?”,
“Never Have I Ever”, “I Spy With my Little Eye”, and “Two Truths and a Lie”. These are all very
simple games and easy to get the hang of. I’m sure everyone has heard of these games, but if
you don’t know how to play, all instructions can be found online.
Snuggly Blanket
On a road trip, passengers tend to have different temperature preferences. This is why it’s
important to bring a blanket in case the car becomes cold. A blanket is also perfect for naps.
You can roll them up and use them as a pillow, or curl up and fall asleep underneath them. If
you’re looking to buy one, I have a few linked in my Amazon Storefront, as well as a snuggly
blanket that has arm holes so your arms are still covered if you want to hold your phone or
eat snacks or something.
Google Maps and an Old-fashioned Map
Google Maps or Waze is important to use on road trips. If your phone does not have a
navigation app, be sure to download one before you leave. Also, make sure you plug in the
directions before you leave and do not turn them off, especially if you are going somewhere
that you know could have dead spots in service along the way. If you turn your directions off
and there is no service, you may not be able to get them to turn back on since it won’t load.
This is why it’s good to have a physical map as a backup, because you never know what could
happen.
Road trips are so fun and such a good opportunity to hang out with your friends or family.
Road trips provide lasting memories and traditions without even realizing it in the moment. If
you are looking for a spot for a road trip, we have plenty of great ones! Feel free to reach out
through our website!