When you’re planning a road trip, you don’t just have to think about the route and schedule. There are numerous elements involved, like what sort of vehicle to take, what weather will you experience, what legalities differ between states, etc. However, the biggest dilemma is what to pack. After all, you’ll be traveling across state lines for weeks on end, and don’t want to be stranded in a situation which could have been easily avoided. Therefore, you need to make sure you pack everything you need, and more.
Of course, you’ll need to pack the necessary amount of clothes and toiletries for your trip, but that’s not all. A cross-country road trip is not something you can do on an impromptu basis. You have to plan it in advance, make arrangements for your home and pets, and gather everything you need to pack. Here’s a basic checklist to help you get started so that you can have an enjoyable trip with few problems in between.
Vehicle Registration
Make sure your vehicle’s registration and health documents are up to date, and keep them with you. You can be pulled over anywhere and should not be caught without these documents.
Identification Documents
Keep your license and other personal identification documents with you for safety purposes. in addition, you’ll also need them for various activities and to get hotel rooms and such.
Dashboard Mount for Phone
You need to get one of these for easy navigation. You don’t want to drive with a phone in your lap and have to keep looking down, or have to be in the passenger seat and holding your phone up constantly. This mount will easily attach to your dashboard for safe and hands-free navigation.
State Guidebooks
Either get these in a digital format or get physical copies. You’ll need these guidebooks to see what attractions you need to visit, and what places you can stay at.
Cash & Cards
This is a pretty obvious thing to pack. You need your credit cards and a decent amount of cash for a convenient trip. Not every place has a card machine, so don’t skimp on the cash. In addition, keep change with you for buying things like snacks and tickets.
Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Kit
You need to keep a flat-tire kit and few basic tools with you to keep your vehicle running fine. You don’t want to break down in the middle of nowhere with no one to help. So, familiarize yourself with a few basic mechanical issues beforehand and learn to take care of things like flat tires and overheated engines yourself.
First Aid Kit & Medicines
Buying medicines or getting first aid can be quite expensive if you have to visit pharmacies or hospitals. Therefore, you should keep a few basic medicines and a well-stocked first aid kit for minor issues. Take care of minor ailments like scratches and headaches yourself using this kit.
Hygiene Kits
Even if things have opened up, it does not mean that the COVID pandemic is completely over. You still need to be cautious. So, keep sanitizers, surface cleaning sprays and other such hygiene items to keep yourself safe.
Sunscreen
No matter what the weather is, you need to use sunscreen before you go out. Some places you travel to may have really strong UV rays, so you don’t want to expose yourself to the risk of skin cancer. Keep ample sunscreen with you, and use it regularly.
Rain Gear
Be prepared for all sorts of weather. Some states you go to could be quite rainy, so you need the right sort of gear to stay dry. Keep an umbrella, raincoat, and rain boots for each person to be on the safe side.
Non-Perishable Food
Sometimes, you may have to travel long stretches without any places to eat in between. For these situations, keep some non-perishable snacks like nuts, dried fruits, and jerky with you.
Cooler With Drinks
Keep a cooler with you and stock it with drinks and water. You don’t want to stop every few miles just to get something to drink, so it’s best to stay stocked yourself.
Tent
If you plan to camp anywhere, then you must keep a tent with you. Before you leave, however, practice setting it up in your backyard, so that you don’t have to figure it out when you’re traveling.
Sleeping Bags
Of course, you’ll need sleeping bags with your tents. Make sure you choose a nice waterproof option which protects you from the elements and keeps you warm.
Folding Chairs
Sometimes, you may find a nice place outdoors to have a picnic or just take in the views. Then, you should have some folding chairs so you can relax and enjoy the scene without any discomfort.
Camping Stove
It can be nice to do a bit of cooking outdoors when camping. Therefore, you should keep a camping stove with all the necessary utensils and fuel with you. This will help you cook up quick meals on the go.
So, there’s a basic checklist for your cross-country road trip. Pack these items and everything else you need for the best experience.
