What to pack for a road trip

Wednesday 12th May 2021

Got a long journey coming up, and want to feel prepared? From your essential items – including a sat nav and money – to your comfort items – including games and warm clothes both ensure you’re fully equipped for your road trip.

Road trip checklist

Essential road trip items

Sat nav/maps – whether you’re using a fully-charged sat nav or going ‘old-school’ by testing out your map reading skills, ensuring your route is planned and you have access to directions is essential for a successful road trip.
Emergency equipment – this would include equipment such as jump leads (if you need to jump start your vehicle because the battery is flat), tyre changing equipment (such as a jack, wheel wrench and spare wheel) and a hi-vis vest/triangle reflector for visibility.
Blankets – passengers may get chilly, especially if you’re driving in winter. However, these are also useful if you become stranded or can act as a cushion if you need to inspect the underneath of your vehicle.
Money – it’s not uncommon for you to come across toll roads on your journey, so ensure you have your card or loose change handy. Loose change is also helpful for if you need to park up somewhere.
Phone charger – nowadays, people tend to rely on their phones for a lot, including directions and means of payment – and not to mention providing the road trip tunes! Pack your lead (and an adapter, if necessary) to ensure your phone has enough juice to complete the journey.
Documentation – if you’re leaving the UK, it’s important to remember to pack your driving license, car insurance details and any other important documentation required to make your trip.

Road trip comfort items

There are also items you’ll likely want to pack for your road trip from a comfort perspective. This can include:

Food and drink – ensure the whole car has enough fuel – both drinks and snacks – to power through the journey. Making a packed lunch is always a wise idea, as you could even make a lunch-stop halfway, so the driver is able to leisurely enjoy their lunch, too.
Warm clothes – warm socks, cosy jackets or woolly jumpers may be essential for your road trip, especially if you’re driving through the night to beat the traffic.
Entertainment – as well as ensuring your phone is charged up enough to be nominated DJ of the trip, you may also want to come prepared with more entertainment – such as books, puzzles and games. There are many games you can play which don’t involve a board, or a deck of cards, such as “I spy”.

Car checks before long journey

Of course, as well as ensuring you’ve packed everything you need from a comfort and entertainment point of view, ensuring your vehicle is prepared for a long drive is essential. There are various car maintenance checks you can perform before a road trip, including:

Tyres – checking your tyre pressure, tyre tread depth and ensuring you have a spare tyre or tyre sealant is essential before long journeys.
Lights – are all your lights working correctly? This will include fog lights, as well as full beam and side lights.
Brakes – test your brakes before any long journey to ensure they don’t feel spongey or soft.

Find out more about what to check on your car before a long drive from our detailed guide – which also covers seasonal vehicle preparation, how to combat nerves and more.

However, if you don’t feel confident checking your vehicle yourself, our team of experts are always on hand to help. To feel fully prepared for your upcoming road trip, and have the added reassurance of your vehicle being checked over professionally, book in for a car service at your local Formula One Autocentre.