‍15 Road Trip Planning Essentials

As a full-time adventurer, I've taken my fair share of long road trips all over the United States. I've done road trips as short as one day sends and as long as 3 to 4 months straight. That's why I've compiled this list of top essentials for a road trip, whether you're driving across the country or just a few hours from home.  

You don't have to have a crazy built out rig to create road trip memories. If that is what you're looking for, check out my blog detailing my road trip setup that you can do for as low as $1,000! But just using the tips in this guide can help drastically improve your road trip experience. From saving money on the road to preparing your car for all those miles, keep reading for my favorite road trip tips!

1. Choosing Your Vehicle

When planning a road trip, you should first ask yourself whether you want to rent a car or take your own car. If you have a reliable vehicle with a reasonable amount of miles, then taking your own car could be a great option.

However, if your car isn't in the best condition, then renting might be better. While renting a car will cost more, you'll avoid putting the extra miles on your vehicle. Plus, the rental car company will often cover maintenance expenses along the way.

If you decide to take your own vehicle, take it to a mechanic for a check-up before you leave – you don't want it breaking down in the middle of your trip! Make sure the tires are fully pumped, you're up to date on any oil changes, and the gas tank is full by the time you hit the road!

If you decide to rent a car, you might wonder if you need the extra insurance – and the short answer is, it depends. I recommend using a travel credit card with rental car insurance included as a benefit.

A few travel credit cards with this perk include the Capital One Venture Card, American Express Platinum, and Chase Sapphire Reserve. Plus, they have about a million other benefits, like restaurant credits, hotel credits, and flight points, making a solid travel credit card one of my favorite road trip essentials.

I recommend signing up for one of these cards before you plan your trip; that way, you can take advantage of the perks while you're on the road – no need to pay the extra $60 a day for rental car insurance!

2. Should I Get Roadside Insurance?

Speaking of insurance, most car insurance policies can add on roadside assistance, which is definitely a road trip essential!

Chances are, you won't get stranded on the side of the road during your trip, but it still happens every now and then to the best of us (I wish I had a photo to insert here of the look on my face when our tire blew off a rental in the middle of the New Mexican Desert). Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do in this situation – except call roadside assistance!

With roadside rescue insurance, you'll know you have someone to call to connect you with tow trucks, mechanics, and emergency services. This insurance is worth the extra cost simply for your peace of mind.

3. Be Prepared

Before you embark on a long road trip, it's important to hope for the best, but plan for the worst!

This means you should store a portable tire inflator in your car, along with a tire pressure gauge, jumper cables, a first aid kit, and an ice scraper - these are just a few of the most critical road trip essentials in case your car battery dies, you get a flat tire, or you get stuck in an ice storm.

I’m speaking from experience here, we once were trying to outrun a blizzard in Utah and while it was one of the coolest (pun intended) memories looking back, I do wish I had an ice scraper. It turns out that being able to see out of the windshield is pretty helpful for driving.

It's also generally a good idea to assemble a roadside emergency kit with road trip essentials for your car in case you get stuck somewhere. You can grab a picnic blanket, non-perishable snacks, water bottles, a flashlight, batteries, and a first aid kit - you should include all of these on your road trip packing list. Store these items in your trunk – hopefully, you won't have to use them, but if you do, you'll be relieved that you were prepared!

Remain prepared as you get on the road, which means knowing where the gas stations are. For example, if you are driving through the western United States, where there are often vast wilderness areas without gas stations, ensure you fill up your tank before passing through these areas. Note the areas on your route that are more remote so that you can stop when necessary. A good practice is to  go ahead and fill up when your tank is half full rather than when you are getting near empty.

Dalt's Pro Tip: If you're looking to save money at the pump, then checkout the app Gas Buddy!

Be sure to plan your route in advance and share it with someone close to you (who isn't coming on the road trip) so that someone else knows your whereabouts. You can also download phone tracking apps like Find My iPhone to share your location with someone else. This could come in handy in case of an emergency!

Although it may seem old school, bringing a physical map in case your phone or GPS goes down or doesn't get service at some point on the trip is also a good idea.

4. Planning Your Road Trip Itinerary

Whether you're going alone or with a group of friends, you'll want to establish some goals for this road trip. Are there any must-see sights along the way? Anything that someone is set on doing? Factor in everyone's opinions and list the sights you'd like to see along the way.

As you plan your route and travel itinerary, try not to cram too much into a short amount of time. Some things may inevitably go wrong, or your plans might change, so factor in extra time here and there in case you hit a few roadblocks. My favorite way to do this is to plan for your bucket list experiences and then have some bonus experiences or sights in mind.

One of the best ways to keep your trip organized and on track these days is using apps. My Maps is a great tool to help you plan your itinerary ahead of time. Being spontaneous is fun and one of my favorite ways to travel, but trust me, with solid upfront planning you'll end up doing more of the things you actually want to do on your trip instead of trying to figure it out on the way.

5. Eating on the Road

As you plan your itinerary, consider what you'd like to do for meals. Will you stop at grocery stores for snacks and premade meals? Will you eat fast food or at local restaurants? Will you bring a cooler with drinks and snacks?

Most people opt for some combination of the above options. If you're trying to keep your budget in check, I recommend packing a cooler with sandwiches, fruit, granola bars, chips, and drinks. While this is great for on-the-go meals, helping you save both time and money, it's also great if you get stuck in traffic or the local cafe doesn't take credit cards – you'll thank yourself later!

Dalt's Pro Tip: Freeze bottles of water before you leave. Use these to stock in your cooler instead of ice. This way ice doesn't take up cooler space, you don't have to pour out water as the ice melts, and you have cold water to drink along the way. You can always freeze more bottles if you spend a night at a hotel!

Stopping at grocery stores for food is also another excellent option for budget-minded people. Many stores have a salad bar, premade sandwiches, tuna packets, or snack foods much cheaper (and fresher) than those at a gas station. Add a packable tablecloth to your bag. You’d be surprised how often picnic tables are available at rest stops, campgrounds, and more. If you pack a picnic blanket, you could even stop for an outdoor meal at a scenic viewpoint.

Don't forget to include a water bottle on your road trip packing list. You can fill it up at rest stops, so you won't have to worry about buying water. My go-to is the Grayl Ultrapress or Grayl Geopress. These are expensive upfront, but they save you a ton of money in the long run because you can get clean, fresh-tasting water from anywhere. 

6. Don’t Rely on Cellular Data

Road trips are more fun when you know where you're going. The last thing you want is to end up in the middle of nowhere with no cell service, especially if you use your phone to navigate! At the bare minimum, download Google Maps for offline use to navigate even if you don't have service - this is one of the most crucial road trip essentials.

If you want to go the extra mile, you can get a cell phone signal booster like WeBoost. You can also install in-car WiFi. Some cars already have this feature, but if yours doesn't, you can use a hotspot device or even install a router in the car. My Subaru has a built-in router, so I use an AT&T car WiFi plan. I’ve been blown away by how often I have internet in the wilderness.

When it comes to road trip essentials, don't forget to bring along a car charger! The one I use is this dual-port car charger from Anker; it’s excellent as it can charge multiple devices at once.

A portable power bank is another road trip essential – this is a portable charger that only requires USB ports. These have faster charging speeds, but you must remember to charge it before hitting the road. I keep 2 of these, one that is powerful enough to charge my laptop and one that can charge my other devices. For maximum portability, I also have a small one that is just for my phone. 

7. Plan Your Road Trip Accommodations

You'll likely have several accommodation options no matter where you're going, but the most important thing on your road trip checklist is to book your accommodations ahead of time. Nothing is worse than driving for 11 hours, only to stop and realize that there is no room at the inn – literally. Now I’ll be honest; I have roadtripped full time for years now and have only had this happen to me a couple of times, but sleeping in the car when you weren’t planning on it isn’t on everyone’s bucket list.

Before booking, determine the type of accommodation you'd like to stay in. Hotels are great for those who need running water and a hot breakfast – and if you're in a very urban area, this might be the primary option. If you're going somewhere more rugged, you could check into a campground – just be sure to pack your camping gear. If you're driving a camper van, your accommodations are a no-brainer, but you'll need to decide what campground you are staying in. Of course, if you're living that budget lifestyle, Wal-Mart parking lots are often available and free! For help finding car camping spots, I recommend apps like IOverlander!

Dalt’s Pro Tip: What many new or even experienced road-trippers don’t know is that Cracker Barrel welcomes overnight stays as well. It’s more scenic than a Walmart view and nothing levels up a parking lot stay like hot blueberry pancakes and a clean restroom in the morning. 

8. Build and Download a Road Trip Playlist

Road trips are more fun when you have things to do in the car! If you lose service along the way, you'll thank yourself for downloading music, road trip podcasts, and audiobooks in advance - this is one of the best long-road trip essentials. You can have everyone in your group create a road trip playlist and then take turns along the route – that way, you're always listening to something new. I like to use Spotify and they have a shared playlist feature that makes this easy!

Download movies in advance from your favorite streaming service – if you are taking turns driving, you can watch movies in your off-time. You can also have some road trip games ready, especially on a family road trip, as it will keep the kids entertained.

9. Plan your Road Trip Packing List - and for Laundry

It depends on how long you'll be on the road, but chances are you may need to plan to do laundry along the way. A good rule of thumb is to pack at least five pieces of each type of clothing on your road trip packing list – pants, shorts, shirts, hoodies, socks, and underwear.

Personally, I like packing a few more pairs of underwear and socks – they don't take up too much space. Even if you don't plan to swim, bring your swimsuit along just in case. You never know when you'll run into a hot spring or hot tub.

Your road trip packing list should always include a laundry bag to store your dirty clothes in as you travel. I use a vacuum-style bag from Nomatic. Also, be sure to bring some quarters to stop at a laundromat if needed (some of these places are stuck in the 90’s and don’t use credit cards). 

Many hotels or Airbnbs include laundry, so look into that before you go.

Dalt’s Pro Tip: Don’t count on detergent on the road. Keep a pack of detergent pads at home and put a few of them in a ziplock bag for your trip. They take up almost no space and come in handy in a pinch.

10. Fill all Prescriptions

If you take any prescription medications or even over-the-counter medications, be sure to pack those in your suitcase - this should be one of the top to-do items on your road trip checklist. However, if you'll be on the road for over a month, you may run out of your medications while traveling. 

Make sure your prescriptions have refills on file, or take a new one with you if possible. You could also consider getting two or three months' worth filled at one time if your insurance allows. 

Dalt’s Pro Tip: I keep a mini Tupperware in my toiletry bag with a couple of Tylenol, Tums, Ibuprofen, and Zyrtec. This saves a lot of space while still carrying enough of the just-in-case medicine for your trip.

11. Be Careful of Extreme Heat

If you're road-tripping during the summer, your car's internal temperature can get 40 degrees higher than outside! These steamy interior temperatures can ruin several items you may have packed, including prescriptions, electronics, contact lenses, and food items.

These temperatures can be reduced if you use a windshield sunshade. You could even include curtains for the side windows on your road trip packing list (it makes a huge difference!).

12. Set and Stick to a Budget

Going on a road trip is one of the most cost-effective travel methods. You can pack your own food, go camping, and avoid spending money on pricey airline tickets. You'll have the flexibility to go at your own pace and only spend money when you want to, so take advantage of that when you are on the road.

And, if you need help sticking to a budget, get physical cash to spend and only use that during your travels. You can divide the money according to the day, so you'll easily know if you are going over budget. Road trips are better when you know you're keeping your budget in check!

13. Don’t Overdo it

Road trips are more fun when you are well-rested. Driving through the night when you are on the road is tempting, but if you are getting tired, taking a break is essential. Almost every time I've debated driving late at night vs. heading to bed and starting the drive first thing in the morning, the morning drive has been the best choice. If you're traveling with a group, you can each take driving shifts so that no one is doing all the driving.

14. Stay Organized and Keep Things Clean

While romanticizing a road trip from your work desk or living room couch is easy, spending every day in a 2 ton metal box on wheels can lead to a reality check if you don't keep things tidy.

Bring a plastic bag for trash; While trash is probably the last thing on your mind, you can count on wrappers, old food bags, and empty bottles accumulating in your car during a road trip. Alleviate this with a few small plastic bags to put trash in while driving. Then, every time you stop for gas, throw away all of the trash at a gas station. This will keep your car looking and feeling fresh!

Instead of keeping the giant vehicle user manual in my car's glove box, I download the digital version. Then I use the glove box to store wet wipes, hand sanitizer, car cleaning wipes, window wipes, etc. (All of the things you'll be thankful to have handy).

Dalt’s Pro Tip: Use a hanging shoe organizer on the back of your front seat head rest. This can help keep all kinds of items accessible and organized on the road!

15. Consider Driving Along National Scenic Byways

Taking the interstate may get you to your destination a little faster, but taking the scenic route will give you unforgettable memories – and isn't that what a road trip is all about?

National Scenic Byways were created to showcase the most incredible scenery in the United States. Plus, they benefit the local economies when you stop at small town shops and restaurants!

Conclusion: Road Trip Essentials

Whether you're driving through several national parks or just going on a quick weekend trip, these road trip essentials will ensure a memorable and epic road trip. Safe travels, I can't wait to see where you go!

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To Your Next Adventure,

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Dalton aka Travelwithdalt