Last updated on October 24th, 2022
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Searching for road trip essentials for adults? Here are the most important road trip essentials you will need for your journey.
We all know that road trips can go one of two ways: REALLY good or REALLY bad. There is rarely an in-between. As someone who loves to get the most out of these rides, I’m giving you the top road trip essentials for adults that will make your trip much more enjoyable.
You will learn all about what to include on your road trip packing list, from the little things 〈although no less important〉 like snacks and entertainment to the more technical items like jumper cables and a first aid kit.
After learning all about what to pack for a road trip, you’ll be well prepared to take on the road!
This post is all about the road trip essentials for adults.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.
Best Road Trip Essentials for Adults
Car Chargers
Car changers are first on the list – an absolute must on a road trip! We use our phones for everything, maps, music, TV, etc. So a charged phone is necessary, and you can find them at just about any gas station or department stores like Walmart or Target.
Although I try not to make a habit of it, I am guilty of sometimes working while traveling on the road. This means I need to be able to charge my laptop, and the typical car chargers don’t cut it. So, I like to travel with a special three-pronged charger compatible with my laptop charger.
Shop Here for The Three-Pronged Car Charger From Amazon
Virtual Private Network 〈VPN〉 or Hotspot
If you are the type to catch up on work during the drive, a virtual private network 〈VPN〉 or hotspot is crucial. When you don’t have Wi-Fi access, a VPN or hotspot will allow you to use the internet while on the road.
As mentioned in the name, these networks are private, so you can search the web without others stealing your information or seeing what you’re doing, which is a huge plus!
A Blanket
Nine times out of ten, you’ll be traveling with someone who gets quickly hot or easily cold. I, however, always manage to ride with people who love to play freeze out for whatever reason. If you’re not familiar, this is when all the windows are rolled down or the AC is on full blast. Or otherwise known as torture.
Too much cold air and I’m very uncomfortable. So, if this sounds like you, I would highly suggest bringing a blanket.
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Jumper Cables
Jumper cables are simply wise to have in your car at all times. You never know when your battery might act up, and you need to have it jumped. This will help you until you’re able to purchase a new battery.
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Offline Google Maps
As you are more likely to be traveling through small towns, it’s possible to lose cell service somewhere along the journey. This can put you in quite a predicament if you don’t know where you’re going.
So, I highly suggest downloading the offline version of Google Maps before you start the trip. Doing this will ensure you won’t get lost on the way if you lose service.
First Aid Kit
Another essential to have in the car is a first aid kit. Accidents happen all the time, and you’ll want to be as prepared as possible. All you need is a small, compact kit to fit in the car, and you’ll be covered if you ever have any scraps or scars.
Shop for a First Aid Kit on Amazon Here
Water / Drinks
A road trip calls for beverages because you will need something to drink along your journey. Therefore, I would suggest packing your favorite drinks AND some water bottles.
Hopefully, nothing crazy happens, but that water will be your best friend in emergencies.
Cooler
Cooler I don’t know about you, but I prefer to drink my beverages cold. And when you’re away from a refrigerator, the next best thing is a cooler.
Luckily, there are some lightweight coolers that don’t take up too much space, making them perfect for road trips.
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Snacks
Snacks might be the most essential item on this list. If you are anything like me, you turn into an absolute MONSTER when you go too long without food. Hangry is putting it lightly.
So, to ensure you keep calm and composed throughout the trip, make sure you bring a bunch of your favorite snacks to last you for the duration of the trip.
Bonus tip: Because I can be super forgetful sometimes, I like to create a list of every item 〈food or otherwise〉, so I make sure to get everything. I even write a final checklist to double-check check I grabbed the bag of snacks! Ha!
Flashlight
A flashlight is another item that is great in case of an emergency. For instance, you might need to change a flat tire in the middle of the night. And a flashlight will come in handy.
Bonus tip: Most flashlights are battery-operated, so I’d highly recommend purchasing some extra batteries as well.
Cash
Although we live in the twenty-first century, and it seems like everyone only uses cards to pay for things, cash is still vital. Especially when traveling through smaller towns.
Whether domestic or international, I also carry extra cash whenever I travel. You don’t want to be in a situation where you really need something and can’t get it because the vendor doesn’t accept card payments.
It happens more than you think, and it’s a miserable situation to find yourself in. So, make sure to include some extra cash on your road trip checklist.
Headphones
During the trip, there may be some moments. I will usually listen to an audiobook, watch some TV on my phone, or just listen to music when this happens. And the headphones are a great way to do that without disturbing others in the car.
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A Road Trip Playlist
The next item you need on your road trip essentials list is a road trip playlist. You will thank me later; life is always much better with music!
Needless to say, the creation of the playlist should be left up to the one with the best music taste. The music sets the tone for the trip, and you want someone who can curate the right atmosphere. So, a critical role; don’t take it lightly!
Entertainment
When you aren’t busy jamming or talking with your friends, you’ll want some other things to keep your mind occupied. I always love to bring some backup entertainment. Bring what you like best, whether a book, audiobooks, TV, word puzzles or whatever fits your fancy.
Tissues & Wipes
As someone who suffers from seasonal allergies, having tissues on board is necessary. I’m constantly sneezing at the worst possible times. It tends to cause a headache when I have none in the car. Trust me, it’s not a pretty sight.
But you may need to clean up any spills or clean up after eating. This makes sure you and your car keep clean. So, it’s best to have them handy.
Click Here to Buy on AmzaonHand Sanitizer
Due to the pandemic, I’ve become hyper-aware of keeping clean hands. And the best way to do that is to have hand sanitizer on deck at all times. Whenever I’m on a road trip, I like to use it before eating or simply to clean my hands ever so often.
Remember, for the hand sanitizer to be effective, it must contain at least 60 percent alcohol. The travel-size hand sanitizer pictured above is one of the most efficient because it is small, lightweight, and can easily clip to your travel backpack.
If you take nothing else for this post, remember to travel safely! Bringing products like this is the best way to do so!
Camera
And last on the list is a camera. You will want memories of your experience, road trip or not, and photos are a great way to capture those.
I prefer to bring my digital camera while traveling, mainly for better quality. And that way, I don’t take up more storage on my phone. But the great thing about living in the twenty-first century is the technology! Nowadays, most phones have excellent cameras and will work fine if you don’t want to purchase a digital camera.
So you get great shots of the memories you made while traveling on the road.
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Here is a super affordable camera option that takes great quality photos.
So, there you have it, the most important travel essentials for a long drive. To summarize, here is a list of each item:
- Car chargers
- VPN
- A blanket
- Jumper cables
- Offline Google Maps
- First Aid Kit
- Drinks / Water
- A cooler
- Snacks
- A flashlight
- Cash
- Headphones
- A road trip playlist
- Entertainment
- Tissues & wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- A camera
This post is all about the road trip essentials for adults.
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