If you’re planning on taking your first road trip any time soon, then a little preparation is going to be essential. You are going to be away from home and on the road, for quite a while so it’s important to plan ahead and ensure that you have everything that you need to enjoy your road trip. With this in mind, let’s discuss the essentials you should be packing for your road trip.
Be Able to Get Up and Running Again
For starters, if you are taking your own car, it’s important that you’ve had it checked so that it is ready to handle the road. Because when we sit and think about it, having car troubles is usually the main problem with a road trip, if any problems arise.
As such, you want to make sure that you’re equipped so as to be able to get back on the road as soon as possible. Keeping a spare tire and the tools to change it is vital.
In addition to having a spare tire, you want a jump starter as shown at thespruce.com so that if you’re able to get anyone over to stop, you can get the jump that you need to get the car up and running again.
Have a Way to Keep the Lights On
One of the scarier problems that can occur while on a road trip is losing power in the dark. For example, if your car battery dies, you could be left in the dark, perhaps in an unsafe position.
If this were to happen to you, it’s important that you have a reflective vest or two in the trunk which will help you stay visible and safe.
Aside from a reflective vest, consider additional lighting sources such as flashlights, as well. Additionally, it would be helpful to pack some backup battery and charger kits from providers like ecogearfx.com. This way you can at least make sure you’re able to charge a phone and call for some help.
Prepare Ahead to Keep Your Family Safe
Aside from securing the vehicle if it’s stuck out on the road, somewhere, you must also secure fitted accessories such as car mats and liners for added protection against slips and spills, and you need to make sure that everyone can be looked after in the case of an injury, as well.
There are several fully outfitted first aid kits you can buy and put in the car, providing all the resources you need to clean, treat, and dress light wounds.
If you have some of the resources lying at home, you can make your own just as easily as you can buy one, too.
Be Prepared for Nature
Even if you’re driving from hotel to hotel, you’re going to be spending a lot of time under direct or near-direct contact with the sun. Knowing that sunlight can be dangerous, it’s important to make sure you pack some UV window shades, some sunglasses, and, of course, some sunscreen. Sometimes, we overlook this piece, but it is important, especially if you are traveling in the summer months.
Final Thoughts
While these are some of the main essentials to keep in your car while traveling, there are plenty of others such as water, snacks, blankets, and cash. While we of course don’t want anything to go wrong while on a road trip, we understand that things do happen, and if they do, you want to be prepared.
So, it may be worth your while to take these essentials and build them into your own emergency car kit, so that if you ever need it, you’ll have it.
Ideas for Emergency Car Kits can be found on my Pinterest board, Emergency Hacks.
