There are few things as inherent and unique to the North American experience as a road trip — just four wheels, open windows, a cranked stereo, and the wind in your hair. The open road offers a wonderful opportunity to roam and explore the vast beauty and incredible culture from sea to shining sea. Whether you’re taking your first serious drive or you’re an established road tripper, make sure you’ve got your essentials covered!

As Kerouac wrote in his seminal novel, On the Road, “there was nowhere to go but everywhere, keep on rolling under the stars” — the call of the road can be fulfilling, rewarding, and even life-changing. If you’re feeling the itch to get out there, check out these tips to plan your long road trip.

21 road trip essentials

1. Destination in mind

Unless you’ve quit your job, left your obligations behind, and are ready to live as a nomad cruising the American highways, you should begin your road trip planning with a destination in mind. Think about proximity to your geographic location — whether you’re planning to hit the beaches in Coastal Carolina, drive across the Texas desert, or hit Rainier National Park outside of Seattle, you’ll want to pick a destination within your comfort zone. 

2. Travel budget

It’s extremely important to set (and stick to) a budget for your trip. You’ll need to plan to spend money on gas, food, accommodations, and any entertainment expenses along the way. Consider stashing away every paycheck, and add any extra income into your road trip fund. Make sure you plan accordingly — you don’t want to run out of dough on the road! Use a finance app like Quicken Simplifi to create your budget, set savings goals, and track all your transactions.

3. Planned route

The days of printing off directions from MapQuest are long gone. Modern iPhones and Google Maps have made road-tripping a breeze, but still, it’s really important to familiarize yourself with the route you’ll be taking. If you’re driving from Baton Rouge to Buffalo in the thick of winter, you’ll want to anticipate the potential for tons of snowfall, especially north of Kentucky. If you’re journeying from Sante Fe to Houston, you’ll need to prepare for 100-mile stretches through West Texas without any gas stations. With careful planning and knowing what to expect on your route, your road trip will operate much more smoothly!

4. Reliable ride

Look, we’re not here to bash on your ‘03 Pontiac Vibe — whatever gets you from A to B! But if your ride is on the last leg of its second transmission, the odometer is pushing 300,000 miles, and there are more lights on the dashboard than a Pink Floyd laser show at your local planetarium, it might not be ready to take on I-5 from San Ysidro to Vancouver. Whether you’re choosing to road-trip on two or four wheels, make sure your ride is ready for the journey and can take the mileage. If your vehicle isn’t up to the job, you may want to consider a rental car.

5. The perfect playlist

Did you know that the first car radio appeared a decade before World War II? Although we now use Bluetooth, driving and listening to music can range from enjoyable to a downright powerful experience. We strongly recommend having a killer playlist or podcast queued up and ready to rock for your long-haul drive. Whether you use Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon, be sure to download your playlist so it can be played offline — you don’t want to lose your music when you drive through areas with no coverage. Whatever your flavor, don’t forget to make a soundtrack to your journey.

And include “Green Onions” by Booker T. and the MG’s … trust us. 

6. Stylin’ shades 

No matter if you’re rocking trucker-style wrap-arounds while chatting on the CB or wearing haute-couture Gucci sunglasses from the Italian fashion house’s newest collection, proper shades while driving are a non-negotiable. Not only do you look cool (very important), but sunglasses help reduce sun glare, minimize harsh reflections, and help your eyes stay rested and alert throughout the drive. Remember, take care of your eyes and they’ll take care of you. 

7. Road trip snacks

We need to put gasoline in our car and we need to put food and water in our bodies. Skip shelling out $20 every pit stop and pack snacks for the road. Trail mix, beef jerky, dried (or fresh) fruit, and sandwiches are always great car foods. You can also consider packing a lunch in a tote bag and bringing a picnic blanket — tons of rest stops have scenic picnic areas to enjoy some fresh air along the route! Be sure to stay hydrated as well — cold drinks like water, Gatorade, and Pedialyte are your friends. 

Pro tip: bring a reusable water bottle or travel mug to fill up at gas stations, and cut down on garbage.

8. Pillow and blanket

When it’s your turn to switch off and be a passenger for a while, you may want to consider catching some shut-eye — especially if you’re traveling coast to coast. Whether you’re into an airline-style neck pillow or just a pillow you brought from your bed at home, having a travel pillow, blanket, or sleeping bag can make your trip infinitely more comfortable — and you can also use them at night when it’s bedtime. 

Pro tip: snag yourself a sleep mask — these are especially handy if you want to take a cat nap during daylight hours. 

9. Gadgets and charging 

Don’t forget to pack your technology and car chargers for the road trip! You’ll need your phone for navigation, music, and a whole lot more, so be sure to bring a charger cord and phone mount — you can also charge it while driving if your car has a USB port. If you’re driving something a little older, you can still find cigarette lighter adapters that’ll charge your devices. Wifi routers can also be a great option, especially if you have some remote work to do. iPads, Switches, and Kindles can all help pass the time and can be super engaging and helpful if you’re traveling with younger kids. If you need more juice than your USB ports can provide, consider investing in an inverter.

10. Games to pass the time

Playing road trip games along can help keep you and your fellow travelers entertained and help to stave off the boredom on the long drive. If you’re cruising in a Sprinter van or a Walter White-esque RV, you can definitely pack along some board games to take advantage of the larger spaces at hand. If you’re in an SUV or sedan, you might need to think smaller — opt for classics like MadLibs, Uno, or cards. Or, you can always get into the classic road trip spirit and play a game of I Spy — you can even be creative and come up with your own road trip games! 

11. Spare tire and tools

Flat tires are a huge bummer — you need to make sure you have a spare tire handy to put on just in case. Also, you’ll need a tire iron and jack to properly remove the damaged tire and install the new one, and it’s a good idea to keep an ice scraper, jumper cables, headlamp or flashlight, flares, and a roadside emergency kit in your vehicle at all times. Better yet, consider getting a AAA membership with roadside assistance in case of any emergencies — the professionals at AAA will help you with anything from flats to issues with starting your car or even running out of gas!

12. First aid kit

Along with your roadside emergency kit, you should also keep a first aid kit in your vehicle. Whether your little one skinned their knee running on the playground or you cut your foot at a swimming hole while hiking, having a first aid kit with bandages, burn cream, antibiotic ointment, gauze, tape, and anti-itch cream can go a long way. We never intend for accidental injuries to occur, but it’s always best to be prepared. 

13. Cleaning supplies

We’ve all been there — we’ll open the door to a friend’s car, and they say, “Oh, you can just throw that on the floor.” Dirty cars are never a great experience for other passengers. 

It’s been said that cleanliness is next to godliness, which is especially true on a road trip. Snack packaging, empty water bottles in the cup holders, and other rubbish can pile up fast — keep a designated garbage bag (or travel trash can) in your car and clean up as you go. Bring a roll of paper towels, toilet paper, multi-purpose cleaner, and any other supplies you use to clean your vehicle. Don’t forget hand sanitizer either. Cruising the country in a clean vehicle is infinitely more enjoyable than being in a dumpster on wheels! 

14. Hard copies of maps

While cellular coverage keeps us connected throughout the cities and suburbs across America, it can render your smartphone useless when you get into the great wide open. If you rely on Google Maps for directions, you can get lost pretty easily once your cell phone goes offline. Be sure to keep a paper map of America in your car just in case you lose cell service. Also, the app maps.me will let you download a map on your device and access it offline! 

15. Reading material

If reading in a moving vehicle gives you motion sickness, please proceed to your nearest pharmacy for Dramamine and disregard this tip. Otherwise, you’ll want to stock up on reading materials for a long car ride! If you have the latest few issues of Cosmopolitan or Guitar World, bring them with you. If you’ve been dying to crack open that copy of The Dharma Bums sitting on your bookshelf, there’s truly no better time. If you’re driving solo, a good audiobook can be a great listen. Reading is a great pastime, and you’ll have plenty of time on your hands. 

16. Appropriate attire

You’ll need to pack clothes for your road trip, so be sure to pack smart. First, you’ll want to consider your destination — are you driving to hike in Idaho? Don’t forget your base layers and a daypack. If you’re heading to Panama City Beach for spring break, you’ll want flip-flops for sure. Be mindful of what type of clothing you’ll need, and bring comfy clothes to drive in. And finally, be sure to not overpack — especially if you’re tight on space. Whether you’re doing a summer or winter road trip, you’ll want to have the right clothing.

17. Toiletries and sunscreen

Don’t forget your toiletries either! Whether you’re staying at the Ritz-Carlton or camping in an Army surplus tent (bring bug spray), you’re going to want your personal care items to keep you feeling your best. Toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, soap — whatever you use regularly! Also, remember to pack your sunscreen — you don’t want to get a sunburn on one side of your body from having the windows down! The best part is that if you forget something, you can just stop at any pharmacy along the way. 

18. Up-to-date car insurance

In order to operate a vehicle and put it on the road in the United States, you need your car to be insured and, of course, you need a valid driver’s license. Check in with your insurance provider if you’re the policy holder, and make sure your coverage is current. If you’re in an accident, you need to make sure that you’re covered and that the car insurance company has your back. 

19. Enough rest

It can’t be overstated — drowsy driving is extremely dangerous. Driving while fatigued puts you in a position where you can’t make decisions effectively and your reflexes are less refined and much slower. The best way to mitigate this is by getting enough rest — be sure to get your eight hours. Also, if you’re driving with friends, be sure to switch on and off every four hours, and only drive if you’re alert, well-rested, and most importantly, sober. 

20. Emergency funds

Nobody plans for a trip to the emergency room, a fried transmission, or a tow truck fee, but these things can (and do) happen. Stay prepared for the unexpected and keep an emergency fund to help with any urgent expenses. You might want to stash $100 in your wallet (or in your vehicle — just don’t forget) to have on hand, and keep any extra in a separate savings account. By staying hopeful you won’t use it, you can prepare for the unexpected. 

21. A sense of adventure

At the end of the day, roaming the ever-reaching expanses of the American landscape is all about adventure, right? Cutting through the wheatfields of the Heartland, admiring the jagged horizon where the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies kiss the heavens, watching the waves crash beneath the Santa Monica pier as the Pacific Wheel illuminates the night — this land is a true majestic wonder. Untether your sense of adventure and explore all this fantastic world has to offer — you might consider bringing a travel journal to write about your experiences in real time.

Final thoughts

Road trips are extremely fun — it’s all about getting out there! Whether you’re journeying an hour and a half up the road to a state park or planning a giant, coast-to-coast excursion, the joys of the open road can leave you with memories that last a lifetime. Don’t forget your road trip necessities, and start budgeting today — Quicken Simplifi can help you budget and save for the trip of your dreams!