Whether you’re hitting the road for a quick weekend getaway or the cross-country trip of a lifetime, there a few things you’ll want to have in your car. I recently took a trip to Philadelphia, and what should have been a two-hour drive ended up being nearly five, so needless to say I was glad to have some of these things on hand. Check out my list of road trip essentials and be sure to stock up before you hit the road!
A S’well Water Bottle
My S’well water bottle completely changed road trips for me. As an avid water drinker, I was always getting stuck with lukewarm or plastic tasting water after the first few hours of the trip passed me by. Also, since I’m kind of lazy, I’d end up collecting dozens of half-empty water bottles in my car, something that inspired the next item on my list as well. S’well water bottles keep my water ice cold for days. I’ll literally keep it in my car and it’ll still be good to drink after a weekend away. Also, reusable water bottles save the planet and such, so you’ll also have that reassurance that you’re doing something positive for the earth.
A Car Garbage
If you’re anything like me, you spend most of the time on car trips sucking down coffees and munching on snacks that you’ve given yourself a free pass to devour because being stuck in the car can be torturous. The worst part of any trip is having to deal with all the garbage that tends to accumulate rather quickly. Your car can start to smell pretty gnarly if you leave even a single half-eaten sandwich in there too long, especially over the summer. Something I’ve experienced on several occasions. That’s why I have a car garbage can. It keeps the stench under control and encourages me to toss the garbage out regularly since it’s already collected in one neat little bag. I’m telling you, it’s a life changer.
A Black Leather Backpack
My black leather backpack is my lifeline. I keep everything in there from my wallet to my Chapstick. Carry a purse around while I’m on the go has become a hassle, especially when I’m exploring a new city and find myself carrying around practically everything I own. Keeping that weight on my back rather than on one shoulder has alleviated the pain I often get from carrying around heavy purses. Plus it’s super cute!
Dog Luggage Bag
I don’t go anywhere without my dog, Chelsea, so when I’m on a road trip she’s always in the seat next to me. Packing for her often takes me longer than packing for myself, or at least it did. After investing in a dog luggage travel bag for her I can now designate which toys and dog bowls are for home and which are for taking on the road. It makes life easier when I only have to add fresh food and water to the bag.
Tire Air Compressor
Having some sort of safety kit is always recommended, whether you’re hitting the road or not. I’ll admit, I’m not the best at parking on the street, and will hit the curb approximately 97 percent of the time. Occasionally, this will lead to a flat tire or a small leak. Having a tire air compressor in the trunk is the difference between having to get my car towed or being able to fill it up with enough air so that I can drive it to the nearest mechanic. It’s a small price to pay for some peace of mind and it comes in handy when the air in my tires is low.
