The Best Road Trip Packing List For Families
The open road is calling, and it’s time to take an epic adventure with your loved ones. The excitement of a family road trip is unparalleled, and proper packing is key to ensuring everyone has a fantastic time. From essentials to entertainment and everything in between, I’ve compiled the ultimate packing list to ensure your family road trip is smooth, organized, and full of joyful memories.
After taking several recent road trips, including a five-day trek through New England, a week-long adventure through Connecticut, a ride along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and an epic journey from Texas to Florida, I’ve curated the ultimate packing list for a five-to seven-day road trip.
From practical essentials to quirky must-haves, this road trip checklist includes everything you need to ensure you’re prepared for anything.
Let’s pack up, roll out, and make this journey one for the family album!
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Road Trip Car Essentials
Getting ready for a family road trip? Let’s keep your packing list simple but smart.
Planning a family road trip is an exciting adventure, but to ensure a smooth and enjoyable car ride, it’s crucial to have the right essentials on hand.
From essential travel documents to a spare car key, I’ll explore everything you need to make your family road trip comfortable and worry-free.
Travel Documents: Your family’s safety always comes first. Ensure you have all necessary travel documents, including driver’s licenses, registrations, insurance papers, and any permits if needed. Keep them in a secure, easily accessible location.
You’ll also want to bring your medical insurance cards if someone gets sick or has an emergency.
Reliable Navigation Tools: Nothing will ruin a road trip faster than getting lost.
Ensure you have a reliable GPS device or a navigation app on your smartphone to guide you.
I always print out a copy of our route from Google Maps just in case we lose internet service like we did on our way to Vermont.
Cash and Cards: Carry enough cash and multiple cards for emergency situations and places where cards might not be accepted.
Extra Car Key: A spare car key can be useful in case you misplace or lock your main key inside the car.
Car Maintenance Kit: Include basic car maintenance tools like a tire pressure gauge, jumper cables, a car jack, and a spare tire.
Be prepared for any unexpected incidents with a roadside emergency kit, including a waterproof flashlight, batteries, and reflective vests.
Multi-tool or Swiss Army Knife: You never know when a multi-tool might come in handy. It’s a versatile travel companion, from fixing something to opening a bottle.
Car Sunshades and Window Shades: Protect the little ones from sun glare during the trip, making it a more pleasant ride for everyone.
Road Trip Comforts
When setting off on a family road trip, having car comforts like smart organization choices, handy trash bags, cozy blankets, soft pillows, and gentle wet wipes for the kids can transform the ride into a comfy and enjoyable experience.
Blankets and Pillows: Ensure the kiddos (and maybe even the adults) get some shut-eye with travel pillows and blankets for naps or overnight stops. These are especially important on winter road trips.
Trash Bags and Wet Wipes: Keep the car tidy with designated trash bags within reach. Encourage everyone to keep their space clean.
Plastic store bags work great since once they are filled; you can toss them in the trash at the next stop.
Bring along hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and/or paper towels. These come in handy for keeping you and your car clean and fresh.
Lastly, bring Ziploc bags along on your road trip to keep your belongings organized, moisture-free, and protected from spills. They are a versatile and essential travel companion!
Packing Cubes and Bags: Stay organized amidst the family chaos with packing cubes and bags.
The packing cubes allow you to separate clothing, essentials, and accessories for each family member to streamline packing and unpacking. These are also great when you are on a cruise. When we cruised to Alaska, I packed one cube for each day.
Comfortable Clothing: Pack various clothes suitable for the climate you’ll travel through. Don’t forget comfy outfits for driving and exploring.
Weather-Appropriate Gear: Be weather-ready! Check the forecast for your route and pack accordingly, including raincoats, sun hats, umbrellas, or sunglasses.
Comfortable Footwear: Pack comfortable shoes for walking and exploring.
Whether you’re looking for hiking boots or cozy sneakers, make sure they’re broken in and suitable for various activities.
It’s a good idea to take a pair of flip-flops or slides for quick bathroom stops.
Road Trip Snacks
Snacking on a family road trip can be both tasty and healthy, especially when you’ve got a trusty cooler filled with nutritious treats, handy reusable water bottles, and convenient snack trays at your fingertips.
Or, hopefully, you will be lucky enough to have a Buc-ee’s along your route. It’s one of our favorite road trip stops.
Hydration and Snacks: Stock up on refillable water bottles and a variety of snacks to keep everyone energized and happy during the trip.
Consider healthy options like fruits, nuts, and granola bars since those are more difficult to find at road stops. We use snack containers whenever we travel to help portion out snacks for the little ones. Plus, they are fun for the kids!
You will also want to have a portable cooler for perishable snacks and drinks.
Road Trip Necessities
On a family road trip, having things like toiletries, toilet covers for the little ones, flushable wipes for tidy pit stops, and a trusty first aid kit makes bathroom breaks comfortable and worry-free.
First Aid Kit: Think safety first, especially with little adventurers!
Have a complete first aid kit with band-aids, antiseptic wipes, children’s pain relievers, motion sickness medicine, and any necessary or prescribed medications.
Baby Essentials (if applicable): If you have infants or toddlers, pack diapers, wipes, baby food, formula, bottles, and any other necessary baby gear, such as car seats and strollers.
Toiletries and Personal Care: Don’t forget toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and other personal care items.
You’ll also want to include sunscreen and insect repellent if your road trip has you visiting National Parks or stopping for outdoor activities.
Road Trip Activities
Long road trips can sometimes stretch for miles, and having engaging family entertainment helps the journey feel shorter and keeps everyone happily occupied throughout the adventure.
Let’s keep the “Are we there yet?” to a minimum.
Make your family road trip even more enjoyable with entertainment options. Provide a variety of family road trip games and portable electronics with headphones for endless fun and bonding along the way.
Entertainment for the Kids: Keep the young ones engaged with books, coloring books, interactive toys, and their favorite games or movies. Portable DVD players or tablets can be lifesavers. Make sure to pack headphones!
Pack travel-sized board games, card games, and interactive group activities. My family loves the license plate game. It’s just one way to keep the family entertained during long stretches of highway.
Prepare for downtime with books, magazines, audiobooks, or your favorite playlist. It’s a great way to unwind during long drives or relaxing evenings.
Electronics and Chargers: Bring your phone, camera, laptop, or any other necessary electronics. Don’t forget chargers and power banks to keep them juiced up.
Road Trip Tips
Road trips can be less stressful and more enjoyable with the right tips and tricks.
Plan Your Route in Advance
It’s essential to map out your journey beforehand to avoid last-minute hassles. Plan around kids’ nap times, meals, and sightseeing preferences to keep everyone happy and stress-free.
Take Regular Breaks
Plan stops every two to three hours to avoid road fatigue and keep agitation at bay. Utilize these breaks for sightseeing, stretching, and restroom stops.
Check Your Vehicle
Before setting off, give your vehicle a thorough check-up or service at a local garage. Ensure that the tires, oil, water, and lights are well-maintained to prevent breakdowns en route.
Flexibility is Key
Road trips often come with unexpected twists. Keep your plans flexible for unexpected detours, lengthy meal breaks, or impromptu site visits.
More Packing Lists
Just like my family ski trip packing list, which covers all your cold-weather essentials, and my cruise packing list, designed for nautical getaways, this road trip packing list printable is your go-to resource for a smooth family adventure.
With every detail accounted for, you’ll be fully equipped for various terrains and captivating experiences.
This road trip packing list printable for families is comprehensive, easily accessible, and user-friendly. It is a tangible guide for everyone in the family, helping you organize and track your packing items effortlessly.
From the road trip essentials to basic comforts, each item plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of your road trip.
Don’t forget the healthy snacks, portable entertainment, and convenient organization options for the car. They’re the small touches that make a big difference when you’re road-tripping.
So, pack wisely, buckle up, and get ready to hit the open road, knowing you’ve got everything you need for an ultimate road trip with your family!
Safe travels and happy adventures!
