8 Road Trip Essentials to Bring on Your Next Adventure

Must-Have Accessories

Navigation Tools

Nothing could be more important than getting to and from your destination, so make sure you’re prepared when it comes to navigating the road. Most of us use GPS navigation tools like Google Maps to get around. You may want to use more than one app or program to compare different routes. However, these tools have a time and place.

If you plan on exploring off-road destinations or those not easily found on digital maps, bring along paper copies of the cities, states and parks that you plan to visit. Research them ahead of time to learn about parking, admission and other travel requirements. Store your paper maps in a dry, safe location to keep them intact. Cell phone reception can cut out at a moment’s notice, so bring along an alternative for more peace of mind. 

Car Phone Holder

From listening to music to looking up directions, so many of us have gotten used to using our phones behind the wheel, but this can be a hazard–especially when you have a car full of passengers all competing for your attention. Designate someone to navigate or DJ while you focus on the road. However, many of us like to look at the map as we drive.

That’s why it’s best to invest in a car phone holder so you can easily access your digital device as you drive. The mount keeps the phone in your line of sight so you don’t have to look away from the road. The holder won’t obstruct your view and you can easily adjust the position of the screen based on your preferences. It’s the safest way to select a new song or follow guided instructions as you drive. 

Smart Snacks

We tend to spend a lot of time eating and drinking in the car during road trips. If you’re on a budget, it usually makes more sense to bring along snacks and beverages instead of stopping at restaurants every few hours. As many of you know, finding a good place to eat on the highway isn’t always easy.

Simplify the trip and bring along plenty of healthy snacks. Even though you’re sitting down, driving can be taxing in its own way, so it’s best to keep your energy up. Depending on their size and weight, the average person will burn 150-250 calories per hour driving a car and 80-130 calories per hour as a passenger. You have to pay attention to the road, control the steering wheel and ease your foot on and off the gas, all of which require energy and precision.

Avoid overly sweet beverages and fatty treats that will slow you down. These snacks may sound appealing, especially on vacation, but they won’t keep you and your companions full very long. Your body needs lean protein, complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables to perform at peak efficiency. Think dried fruit, jerky, apples, bananas, baby carrots, granola bars and celery sticks. Wrap up your snacks to keep them fresh as long as possible. Look for a healthy grocery store on your journey instead of hitting a drive-thru or greasy diner.

It’s also easy to get dehydrated behind the wheel, as you may forget to drink water throughout the day. Dehydration can lead to headaches, nausea, diarrhea and other inconvenient health problems that will pop up when you’re trying to enjoy yourself. Pack plenty of water and keep it close by as a reminder to drink up. This is for sanitation purposes as well. You may need extra water for washing your hands, hair, face or skin.

Rubber Floor Mats

Now that we’re on the subject of food and drink, it’s important to keep your vehicle clean throughout your trip. A small spill or leak may not seem like that big of a deal, but, during a road trip, this could be a recipe for disaster. Spilled food and beverages can lead to nasty, potent smells, mold and dust. This won’t only aggravate the senses, but can also lead to respiratory infection and poor air quality. Leaks and spills can also damage your vehicle if they get out of control, leading to corrosion and electrical damage.

If you plan on calling your car home for days, or weeks, at a time, bring along a set of rubber floor mats. Spills happen. They’re just a part of life. But these mats make it easy to clean up the mess. They are made with high-quality rubber with deep grooves that collect excess fluid so it doesn’t spread to the rest of your vehicle. In the event of a spill, just slide out the mats and let the fluid run off into the grass. Use a little water to rinse them off and you’ll be back on the road before you know it. 

You can also order custom floor mats that fit the exact dimensions of your vehicle. Manufacturers will create the floor mats based on the make and model so that every inch of the floor stays protected.

Seat Covers 

The same is true of your car seats. You shouldn’t have to worry about ruining the interior of your car on your trip. Spilled beverages and food can easily tarnish the upholstery, including fabric and leather. Again, deep stains can be a hazard to the health of your passengers. No one wants to sit on a wet seat for days or weeks on end. Once a beverage gets into the fabric, it’s nearly impossible to get all of it out–at least when you’re in the middle of a long road trip.

Instead of trying to soak up the spill yourself or visiting a car detailing shop, use seat covers to stop the fluid from going into the fabric in the first place. Today’s covers are made with durable fabric to prevent these kinds of incidents. If someone spills, just unwrap the seat cover and run it through the wash as soon as you can. You can hit a local motel or laundromat or, if you’re camping, try washing it out in the sink. The interior of your car will be as good as new so you and your loved ones can mosey onward in comfort and style.

First-Aid Kit

Accidents and injuries are just a part of traveling. These hazards all depend on the nature of your trip. If you’re camping or doing some serious hiking, you’ll need to take extra precautions. But driving comes with its own dangers, as well. 

Bring along a first-aid kit to treat everyday aches and pains along the way, including minor burns, cuts and bruises. Headaches, muscle cramps and nausea tend to be common on road trips, but some over-the-counter medications come with serious side effects that can ruin your trip. Some medicines can lead to drowsiness, fatigue and lightheadedness, which isn’t ideal when you’re behind the wheel. You also don’t want to sleep through your trip if you’re in the back seat. Look for those with minimal side effects to stay clear-headed while driving. 

When faced with the dreaded car sickness, open the windows for more fresh air and pull over if it gets too intense. Motion sickness happens when our bodies are sitting still, but our brains think we’re moving. Doctors also say it’s best to look from your screen and focus on the horizon line so your body doesn’t feel like it’s in motion. OTC medications can be effective, but try more natural remedies as well, such as sugar-free carbonated beverages like soda water, ginger chews and saltine crackers. Limit your intake of spicy food to mellow out your stomach.

For more serious accidents, bring along emergency contact information and research local medical centers and rescue teams before departing on your trip. Keep a flashlight, flare gun, compass, hunting knife and other survival tools on hand when exploring remote, off-road areas. 

Traction Pads

It’s best to be prepared for all types of weather when you’re hitting the road. Research your destination to make sure your vehicle is prepared for the local climate. Even if you plan on clear skies the whole way through, things can easily take a turn for the worse. Snow, ice and mud can easily wreak havoc on your trip, especially if you plan on taking the road less traveled. You may even want to consider upgrading your tires when taking rocky, unpaved streets. This will give you more stability and control.

Get a couple of traction mats to give yourself some more peace of mind when driving off-road. These durable, rubber pads give your tires extra traction when moving through tough territory so you don’t have to call for help. Hopefully, you won’t have to use them, but they will bring you some much-needed comfort.

Car Maintenance 

For the complete package, have your car inspected and serviced before departing. A small issue could turn into a major problem when you’re putting hundreds of additional miles on your vehicle. Most of us are used to running errands and driving to and from work, so a long road trip could easily bring out the worst in your car or truck. 

Regardless of whether you have your car inspected, bring along everything you may need to fix common issues on the road, including extra oil, antifreeze and engine and windshield fluids. You may want to bring along an extra can of gasoline if stations tend to be few and far between. It helps to have an extra tire as well as a jack and tool kit in case of a flat. Don’t forget the jumper cables if you run into a dead battery. Keep these items secure so they don’t leak or spill over during your trip. 

Use this list to plan the ultimate road trip. Once you have everything crossed off your list, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the experience. We all need to get away–especially in 2020. This is one of the best ways to explore the U.S. and all its wonders. Stay safe and make the most of your next getaway.