Car is the best way to discover the US’s various sorts of landscapes, cultures, and pleasures. There’s so much adventure in the country, from the winding coastal highways to the rocky mountain roads. Whether you are an expert traveller or an inexperienced one, a successful road trip is not spontaneous. This ultimate packing list will let you know exactly what to pack, how to pack, and ensure that you experience an unforgettable journey.
1. Choose Your Destination and Route
Deciding where to go is the first step in a road trip. In the U.S., we have the traditional road trip:
- Route 66: The drive takes you from Chicago to Santa Monica on a nostalgia road trip of Americana.
- Pacific Coast Highway (PCH): Driving up the coast of California with mountains and small towns.
- Blue Ridge Parkway: A hushed drive through the Appalachian Highlands with all its beauty and history.
Tips for Choosing Your Route
- Motto: Only visit certain interests like national parks, historic places or restaurants.
- Consider the time of the year: Make sure that your destination is at the right time of the year.
- Route boarding: Visit landmarks, resorts, and restaurants on the way.
2. Plan Your Budget
Road trips can be as cheap or as costly as you want them to be. Don’t be fooled, create a realistic budget that considers things such as:
- Gas and tolls: Use apps like GasBuddy to find out the cost of gas. Essentials
- Guidebooks: GPS, Maps or Google Maps.
- Safety equipment: First aid, torch, jumper cables, multitool.
- Comforts: Neck pillows, blankets and portable toiletries.
- Drinks and snacks: Disposable items including granola bars, nuts, and bottled water.
3. Prepare Your Vehicle
Your car is the spine of an excursion. Keep it in pristine condition before you head out on the road.
Vehicle Checklist
- Maintenance: Make sure that oil and filters are clean.
- Tires: Make sure they are well-inflated, have good tread, and bring a spare.
- Brakes: Check for any strange noises or failures.
- Lights and wipers: Make sure they’re working.
- Seek roadside assistance, such as AAA, for extra security.
4. Pack Strategically
If you pack effectively, your drive will be safer and more comfortable.
Essentials
- Navigation devices: GPS, maps or Google Maps.
- Safety equipment: First aid, flashlight, jumper cables, multitool.
- Comforts: Neck pillows, blankets, and portable toiletries.
- Drinks and snacks: Disposable items such as granola bars, nuts, and bottled water.
Pro Tip
Keep things you need handy, including chargers, cash, and your itinerary.
5. Plan for Entertainment
Hours of driving become repetitive. Create entertainment packages for every passenger in the car.
- Music: Make playlists about your road trip or on a service like Spotify.
- Podcasts/audiobooks: Choose genres that you want your listeners to be interested in.
- Car games: Watch popular shows like “I Spy” or “20 Questions” for passengers.
6. Stay Connected and Informed
Connectivity is the key to navigation, service discovery and security.
Tools and Tips
- Travel Apps: Download Waze, Yelp, Roadtrippers.
- Wi-Fi: Bring along a portable hotspot or signal booster if you are going somewhere in the outback.
- News of the weather: Follow the weather through apps like AccuWeather so you’re never caught off guard.
7. Utilize Flexibility
Even the best road trips are unpredictable. Don’t turn back, don’t go on side trips, and never pass up opportunities.
- Flexible: Leave enough time in your plan for unplanned pauses.
- Local advice: Consult locals for suggestions on where to go, what to eat or do.
- Don’t over-commit your schedule: Take the time to relax and explore.
8. Practice Road Trip Etiquette
Being with your fellow passengers while driving is a crucial part of a successful journey.
- Drive carefully: Keep to the posted speed, use turn signals and take a break when you’re tired.
- Be respectful of nature: Don’t ruin a park or forest by littering it.
- Treat other drivers, walkers and neighbors as equals: Take your time.
9. Capture the Memories
Road trips create unforgettable moments. You can take photographs, videos or write about your travels in a travel diary.
Tips for Capturing Moments
- Golden hour: Shoot photos in the morning or evening to catch the best light.
- Random shots: Take snapshots to capture the essence of your trip.
- Comment on your trip: Post highlights on social media or keep a journal.
10. End on a High Note
Now that you’ve driven off the road, give yourself some time to process what you saw. Reflect on what was a good experience and what could be done better next time. Let’s rejoice in the experiences, the locations, the connections.
It’s one of the most coveted bucket-list experiences: traveling, discovery and friendship. If you think about it and are a little adventurous, you’ll make lasting memories. So stock up, grab a map, and go driving – it’s going to be a great time!
