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.

I love planning a family road trip. The ability to stop anytime we want while on an exciting adventure is so much fun. But you need to pack things to make it more comfortable and worry-free.

Here’s my list of essentials:

• 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. Please keep them in a secure, easily accessible location.
• Medical Insurance Cards for emergencies or sickness
• Extra Car Key: A spare car key can be helpful if you misplace or lock your primary key.
• Reliable Navigation Tools: Nothing will ruin a road trip faster than getting lost. A reliable GPS device or a navigation app on your smartphone can guide you.
• Cash and Cards: Carry enough cash and multiple cards for emergencies and places where cards might not be accepted.
• Car Maintenance Kit: Include basic car maintenance tools like a tire pressure gauge, jumper cables, a car jack, and a spare tire.
• 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, we’ve found having certain car comforts keeps everyone happy.

Pack these items for the car to transform your ride into a comfy experience:

• Blankets and Pillows – Help 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 clean by keeping trash bags and wet wipes close at hand. Plastic store bags work great since once they are filled, you can toss them in the trash at the next stop.
• Ziploc bags – Zippered bags are so versatile on a road trip.
• Packing cubes – The packing cubes allow you to separate clothing, essentials, and accessories for each family member to streamline packing and unpacking.
• 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. It’s a good idea to take a pair of flip-flops or slides for quick bathroom stops.

Road Trip Snacks

Who goes on a road trip without 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, if you are like us, you will be lucky enough to have a Buc-ee’s along your route. It’s one of our favorite road trip stops.

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!

Having a portable cooler for perishable snacks and drinks is also really helpful.

Road Trip Necessities

Having basic necessities on a family road trip can be handy.

These are the road trip basics we carry with us:

• Toilet covers for the little ones
• Flushable wipes for tidy pit stops
• A complete first aid kit with band-aids, antiseptic wipes, children’s pain relievers, and motion sickness medicine
• Baby essentials (if applicable) – pack diapers, wipes, baby food, formula, bottles, and any other necessary baby gear, such as car seats and strollers.
• Sunscreen and insect repellant for stops that include outdoor activities

Road Trip Activities

Long road trips can sometimes stretch for miles, and having engaging family entertainment helps time fly 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:

• Games – Pack travel-sized board games, card games, and interactive group activities. My family loves these family road trip games and this license plate game.
• Books and Coloring Books – Keep the young ones engaged with books and coloring books, especially when you may not have cell service.
• Electronics – Portable electronics with headphones can be just what you need for a long stretch of highway. 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—Plan your trip beforehand to avoid last-minute hassles. Try to plan around your kids’ nap times and meals to make the trip even more stress-free.
• Take Regular Breaks – Plan stops every two to three hours to avoid road fatigue and avoid agitation. 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 have unexpected twists. Make 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!