Road Trip Checklists: Packing and Prep for a Great Trip

Road Trip Packing Checklist

We also have a checklist to use just before you leave to make sure you're road trip ready!

Road trips are quintessential American vacations, and packing for road trips has taken on a mythology of its own. We’re here to add to that mythos with our own set of road trip checklists.

While road trips offer the freedom to travel on your own schedule and bring along more of your life than you would otherwise, they also require you to pack for more eventualities.

What if your car breaks down? What if you have to take an unexpected detour? What if it’s cold out?

Because of all these different scenarios, a road trip packing checklist is more involved. The good news is, you probably have a lot of these things in your car already.

This road trip packing checklist will help you make sure your vehicle is road-ready and none of the essentials get left at home. Except the kids; you’re on your own for that.

Also read: Road Trip Travel Insurance - Why It Makes Sense

You can download our Road Trip Packing Checklist by clicking the button below. The accessible interactive PDF can be digitally checked off using any device or easily printed for your use.

Essentials

First aid kit
Car jack
Jumper cables
Road atlas
Wiper fluid
Basic tool kit (Crescent wrench, Vise-Grips, screwdrivers)
Work gloves
Tire pressure gauge
Tire repair kit
Electrical tape
Flashlight
Snacks
Water bottle
Driver's license
Vehicle registration
Car insurance info
Owner’s manual
Cash
Coins
Roadside assistance contact info
Roadside hazard kit (cones, flares, etc)

Also read: How travel insurance can help when you rent a car

Basics

Sunglasses
Reading glasses
Hand sanitizer
Over-the-counter pain relief
Travel mug
Wipes
Napkins
Tissues
Mints or chewing gum
Umbrella
Cooler
Microfiber towels
Multi-tool
Bug spray
Travel blanket

Tech

Camera
USB cable(s)
Power bank
Car charger
Phone mount
Earbuds
Apps (GasBuddy, Waze, SpotHero, Passport parking, Google Maps, Spotify)

Personal items

Hat
Scarf
Earplugs
Sunscreen
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Toiletries
Hygiene products
Lip balm
Haircare items
Duffel bag
Laundry bag

Extras

Trunk organizer
Tow strap/bungee cords
Extra batteries
Car trash can
UV window shades
Fanny pack or daypack

Driving on Vacation: How Travel Insurance Can Help

Winter Travel Insurance - How it can Help When Trips Get Rough

Winter

For winter road trips, the Canadian Automobile Association recommends the following, in addition to items already mentioned:

Collapsible shovel
Cat litter or sand
Candle
Matches
Gas-line antifreeze
Lock de-icer
Paper towels
Extra fuses for the vehicle’s electrical system
Warm blanket
Hand and foot warmers
Ice scraper/snow brush

Before You Go - Road Trip Checklist

You can download our Road Trip Before You Go Checklist by clicking the button below. The accessible interactive PDF can be digitally checked off using any device or easily printed for your use.

Download checklist

Before you leave, according to the American Automobile Association, you should:

Check tires and tire pressure
Secure and test the battery
Top off engine oil and other fluids
Replace wiper blades and replenish windshield cleaner
Check belts and hoses

To which we’d add:

Give the inside a good cleaning.
Make some road trip playlists. Again, the more content the better.

Right before you leave, we recommend:

Double-checking the security of anything (especially bags) affixed to the outside.
Double-checking the security of car seats.
Double-checking whether suitcases or other items might shift and hurt occupants.
Ensuring sunglasses are handy.
Ensuring that snacks and drinks are easily accessible.

Also read: Where to Travel for the Most Scenic Drives in America

Travel Protection

Road trips can be as fun as they are memorable. You can contribute to the enjoyment of your trip by choosing travel insurance and assistance services from Generali Global Assistance. Our plans can cover all sorts of trips, including road trips more than 100 miles from your home.

Get a quote today or learn more about how travel protection works on a road trip.