They needed our road trip packing list!
Top 17 Items You Need for your Road Trip Packing List
We’ve all been there! You have probably looked up “What To Pack On a Road Trip” long before you read this article. But no matter how much you try to make sure you have that road trip essentials list completely checked off, the inevitable happens. Long road trips, full days of hiking, and full nights of camping leaves us at some point saying, “Dang it! I should have brought that!” These are the infamous “things you forgot to pack.”
Now, there are hiking checklists, fun road trip essentials lists, and other road trip checklists that exist. This is NOT that list. This list is going to tell you the road trip packing list essentials that you forgot to pack, that aren’t included in those other run-of-the-mill checklists! Don’t believe me? Just read on, and I guarantee you will be shaking your head saying – heeeyyyyy, yah, thats a good idea! Here we go!
1. First Aid Kit
I know, I know. Everyone is thinking to pack band-aids and neosporin and aspirin. You need more than that. Its all fun and games, until, well, it isn’t.
You need to pack moleskin for those blisters everyone is going to get. Tweezers for ticks!!!, or splinters. Hand sanitizer, painkillers, small iodine wipes, large bandages, gauze, alcohol, poison ivy wash, emergency eye wash, q-tips, and a tick remover (Don’t ever suffocate them! They spit the poison into you! In fact, just stop right now and read my article about ticks. Don’t worry, we’ll wait.). Also, a thermometer, allergy medicine for hives or reactions, motion sickness medicine, waterproof bandaids, strips that help heal a wound and close it, etc. These things don’t take up a lot of space, but if you need them, they will be the difference between suffering and relief.
For really great First Aid Kit that is super inexpensive and has a lot of these items, you can see the Pac-Kit by First Aid.
And if you are interested in grabbing our FREE First Aid Checklist, just subscribe below!
FREE FIRST AID CHECKLIST
Download our FREE First Aid Checklist and be prepared!
Subscribe and get INSTANT FREE ACCESS to our resource library, the Van Adieu Vault, full of even more free helpful checklists, downloads, tutorials and goodies!
2. Address Labels
You know those free address labels you get in the mail? Pack ’em. That way when you are writing your postcards, you can just slap these on, saving you tons of time. Don’t get any in the mail free? No worries! You can pick up some customizable address labels (500 to be exact!) for super crazy cheap!
3. Address book and stamps
People still love receiving postcards. It’s easy to pack, fun, and inexpensive. Use one of these address books, because you never know when the internet will go down, or you just won’t have everyone’s physical address with you. It’s old fashioned, but you know what? Address books have been around a long time because they are reliable! (and super cute!)
Need something else to help you remember all those important numbers and dates? Download our worksheet below, and have it all in one place!
FREE IMPORTANT INFO CHECKSHEET
Make sure you have all of your information in one place on your next hiking/camping/road trip adventure with this FREE download!
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4. Phone Charger for iPhone (or three) or for Samsung, and Extra Memory Card (or three)
Bring extras. More than you think. These phone chargers always get left behind, or stop working at the worst possible times. Again, pack more memory cards than you think you need. You never know when one will be full, or one somehow stops working, or who knows what.
5. Laundry Bag
This can be as simple as black garbage bag, or as fancy as a canvas bag. This 2 pack from Amazon is a great deal and extra large!!!
The point is that if you are out doing adventures, you are going to stink it up and this keeps the stink contained. Everyone in your group will thank you if you pack this!
6. Dryer Sheets
First off, please for the love of all that is good and holy throw one of these in that Laundry Bag. Next, you can use these around just to freshen up the place.
7. Dr. Brommer’s Castille Soap
I love this soap. Love, love, love. First off, its totally hypoallergenic, and natural. It can be used as a body wash, shampoo, a cleaner of dishes, laundry, even food! Its non-toxic and we use it to literally clean EVERYTHING. You can find it on Amazon, and I highly recommend getting the baby soap that is fragrance free. That way, you can put any essential oil you’d like in it and voila! unique, handmade, and safe soap that you can use to clean anything! (Don’t use the one with essential oil to wash food though, you don’t want to eat that stuff haha!)
8. Maps (REAL ones)
Remember those crazy things made out of PAPER? Well, guess what? When the wi-fi signal in the middle of nowhere goes out, you will actually have something to reference. Pretty handy, right? Those old timers knew where it was at.
CAMPER MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST
Taking your Camper/RV/Van on a Road Trip? Download this FREE maintenance printable!
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9. Maps 3D App
Ok, you don’t want a paper map? Fine. At least get this app which will allow you to download maps to your phone so that when you do get out of wi-fi distance, you will still be able to Sacagaweah your way out. You can find out how amazing this app is, and why you need it in my review here.
10. Cold Hard Cash
Mostly quarters, dimes and dollars. Life happens. Toll booths happen. Usually when you least expect it. Plus, its just a good thing to have in case of an emergency. (Laundromat emergency…..)
11. Ziploc bags.
Lordy, lordy. I use these for EVERYTHING. For trash bags, for lunches, for storage. I can’t think of enough ways that I use these all the time.
12. Flashlight
Because …who knows. Make sure this guy has fresh batteries. You may never need him, but if you do, you will REALLY need him. This one is super bright with an LED zoomable, focusable light, and has a regargeable battery and a USB charging cable for an awesome price.
13. Spare keys
You heard me. You don’t want to be that person that is at the Grand Canyon now locked out of their car somehow. Get a couple and pack one in your backpack you always take, or in your wallet.
14. Sunscreen and Bug Spray
Do you know how much I hate ticks? If not, read about it here. The point is that everyone knows you need this stuff, so if you forget to pack it, you can still find it (we’re not in Uzbekistan here) but it will cost you an arm and a leg. My preference for bug spray (specifically for ticks and mosquitoes is Sawyer products for your clothes and body!)
15. Prescriptions and Vitamins
Sure, you may remember to bring your prescriptions, but what about extra vitamins? Long days, hot sun, hiking trips can leave the body worn out. Make sure to bring supplements that will help boost the immune system and strengthen your body. Don’t forget the electrolytes!
16. Basic Tool Kit.
You absolutely need to pack a Screwdriver, Duct Tape, Hammer, Nails, Screws, Nuts, Bolts, etc. You will likely never need this things. It’s a great thing to have on hand though, and won’t take up much space.
This amazing tool kit is crazy cheap, and includes the following:
- 65-piece tool set; carrying case included
- Includes 8 piece SAE and 8 piece metric hex keys (Allen Wrenches)
- 13-ounce fiberglass hammer; 16-foot tape measure with auto locking mechanism; 9-inch torpedo level; retractable 6-3/4-inch utility knife with 8 snap-off blade sections
- Includes both standard slip joint pliers with two locking positions as well as needle nose pliers with 1-inch jaw
- Chrome-Vanadium Phillips and flat head screwdrivers; 5 inch long ¼-inch ratchet with 8 SAE sockets (1/32, 3/16, 7/32, ¼, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8)
- 30 piece bit set containing various flat, Philips, square, star and hex bits
Honestly, it’s worth every penny (and seriously, it doesn’t cost much!)
17. Car Emergency Kit
Not just your extra tire, and jack. Pack other items such as Gloves, Blankets, Candles, Flares, Engine Oil, jumper cables. On top of that you need to pack this Car Emergency Kit from Amazon. It includes a Includes First Aid Kit, Jumper Cables, Ice Snow Scraper, Tow Strap, Mylar Emergency Blanket, Compass, MultiTools, 12v Tire Inflator Pump, LED Headlamp, Emergency Flashlight, Paracord, Fire Starter, Roadside Emergency Tools, Emergency Food Rations, Emergency Water, Survival Guide and an Auto Emergency Hammer Window Breaker. This is life-saving stuff people.
FREE FIRST AID CHECKLIST
Download our FREE First Aid Checklist and be prepared!
Subscribe and get INSTANT FREE ACCESS to our resource library, the Van Adieu Vault, full of even more free helpful checklists, downloads, tutorials and goodies!
Always make sure to pack necessary items, and keep a running checklist that way nothing gets left behind.
Van Adieu is here for you! If you have any questions about packing items or hiking, please contact us at [email protected], or visit our website at www.VanAdieu.com. We would LOVE to hear from you!
Adieu for now!
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