Every year, more than 40% of American households plan road trips. Taking a road trip to a particular destination is often cheaper than catching a flight there. It’s also a fantastic way to see the world while en route to a new place. Do you plan to take a road trip in 2024? Here are 10 must-have essentials that will keep you safe and ensure you enjoy a stress-free adventure.
Well-Maintained Vehicle
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Nothing will ruin a road trip quicker than an unreliable vehicle. So before you even think about heading out on a road trip, ask a mechanic to inspect your car to see what kind of condition it’s in. Have a mechanic help you get your vehicle ready for a road trip, too. They can change your oil, rotate your tires, and take other proactive steps to reduce the chances of your vehicle breaking down.
Important Documents
Hopefully, you already have most of your important documents somewhere in your car on a daily basis. But it would still be worth checking to see that you have your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance. If you forget any of these documents at home, your road trip may get derailed.
Emergency Car Kit
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As long as you take a reliable vehicle on a road trip, you shouldn’t need to worry about a breakdown. You should, however, still bring an emergency car kit, just in case. It should include:
- Jack
- Jumper cables
- Tire pressure gauge
- Road flares
- Flashlight with batteries
- Fire extinguisher
If your car starts acting up during your road trip, having these items available may help you quickly get on your way again and help other drivers see you and avoid a collision, especially if you find yourself stranded on or near the road. It’ll also provide peace of mind by eliminating stress associated with not being properly prepared for emergencies.
Auto Repair Tools and Parts
Many Americans don’t know the first thing about fixing cars. Surveys have suggested that more than one-third of people aren’t sure how to change a tire. If you fall into this category, you might not be able to make auto repairs when necessary during a road trip.
If you’re handy when it comes to cars, though, it would be wise to pack a few basic auto repair tools and parts you might need while out on the road. Bringing along spare spark plugs and strut connectors can put you in a position to tackle quick auto repairs.
Take the same approach if you’ll be hitting the road on a motorcycle. You won’t have to be concerned about a problem with your bike tanking your trip when you have the right aftermarket motorcycle parts on hand.
First-Aid Kit
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Generally speaking, road-tripping won’t prove to be all that dangerous. You’ll spend most of your time either sitting behind the wheel of your car or relaxing in the passenger’s seat. But there is always a small chance you or one of your fellow road-trippers might get hurt during one of your many stops. Investing in a new first-aid kit would be a great idea. You might even want to go as far as to pick up a mini survival kit to cover all your bases, especially if you run into bad weather on your journey.
State-of-the-Art GPS
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Yes, you can technically rely on your smartphone to get you to wherever you’re going during a road trip. But outside of draining your battery, using your phone as a GPS might cause a distraction if you receive notifications or messages. Most road trips include a few dead spots where cell service disappears, so don’t get caught without a clear path to your destination. A dedicated GPS can keep your eyes off your phone and the directions uninterrupted.
High-Quality Chargers for Devices
The average American household has about 17 connected devices in it. If you plan to bring even a few of them on a road trip, be sure to pack quality chargers to go along with each one. Work out how you’ll charge these devices efficiently in your vehicle as well, and consider bringing power banks along that you can use to charge devices without draining your car’s battery.
Blankets and Pillows
You’ll want to spend the bulk of your road trip staring out your car’s windows and seeing a new side of America. You’ll also want to kill time at certain points by napping and maybe even getting a good night’s sleep if you plan to keep driving overnight. Fill at least part of your trunk with blankets and pillows. Stay safe and take turns driving (or get adequate rest between stops!).
Snacks and Water
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If you’re not careful about how often you stop for snacks and drinks during a road trip, you might end up blowing a significant portion of your travel budget before you get anywhere close to being back home. Pack snacks and water instead and try to stay out of convenience stores to keep your travel costs low.
Music Playlists
No road trip will be complete without a series of incredible music playlists. Find the perfect road trip songs and use them to create playlists to keep you and your passengers entertained.
Even spontaneous road trips require a certain amount of preparation for a safe and stress-free journey. Keep this list on hand and stock up on supplies to make your next road trip smooth and memorable!
