As we swing into summer, nothing welcomes the sunniest season better than a road trip. Whether you're heading to the beach, packing for a camping trip or heading down to your old roommate's wedding, lots us will be loading up the car for a road trip this summer. These days I'm so used to relying on my smartphone for everything from directions to entertainment, but there are a few other non-tech items you should be sure to pack up before you head out.
1. Road atlas. Sure, your phone or car's GPS system is fantastic and works almost all the time, but I've learned the hard way that it's worth it to have a paper backup on hand, just in case.
2. First-Aid kit. Throw this under the front seat for easy access. Most of us travel with an emergency kit for the car (Fix-A-Flat, blankets, flashlights, etc), but we don't have the odds and ends in the car for those minor human injuries.
3. Healthy snacks (and local junk food). OK, so this isn't a photo of amazingly healthy snacks you should pack with you, but it was fun junk food I picked up during a recent road trip through Panama. I usually pack an assortment of hummus, sliced and washed veggies, and if I'm ambitious, a sandwich or two. This means I can curb the fast food urge and not feel so guilty about stocking up on unusual local snacks from the gas station.
What are your must-haves for a summer road trip?
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A small cooler with ice to keep water bottles cold, including a bowl for the doggie.
Music!
Sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Ohhhh the mistakes I have made without these....
Audio books! David Sedaris is my favorite for road trips. Also in the trunk - trail running shoes, flip flops, a sweatshirt and a blanket. Since I live where there are earthquakes and wildfires, I keep 2 emergency backpacks in my car. I got them from the Red Cross store, and they make good gifts!
http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=2&ViewSource=Category
These come with flashlights, first aid kits, food and water for 3 days, duct tape and plastic sheets, gloves, light sticks, etc. I've added cash, dog food, toilet paper and tampons, extra socks, advil, allergy meds, bug spray and sunscreen.
Portable DVD player. With headphones for your kids.
Depending on the length of the trip, I do try to pack food instead of buying it on the road. I use a soft insulated lunch bag and a few ice packs to keep fruit, water, pasta salad or sandwiches cool. If I'm driving for more than a day, then I try to make sure I have a few dry goods too - like granola bars to snack on.
My new driving discovery is those tiny 5 hour energy shots. I'm not too sensitive to caffeine, so if I drink one at the start of a drive, I usually feel great the whole way, and never get that tired feeling. Then you just put on your favorite music and you're set!
I usually freeze a couple of bottles (2 liter bottles from Pepsi or Coke) filled with water, as well as smaller (500 ml) bottles. They take a long time to defrost which means I always have enough cold water for myself as well as for the dogs. My princesses do not like to drink tepid water - if I give them ice cold water they are more likely to drink.
Books on tape are often even better than music. I would go with a humorous author like David Sedaris (nobody wants to be listening to a Stephen King thriller while lost in the woods).
I also would recommend caffeinated beverages and salty snacks. My parents used to give us noting but salty homemade snacks (Parmesan popcorn, ants-on-a-log or peanut butter and honey sandwiches were standard) during long car trips. The purpose was to increase water retention so there were less bathroom breaks and it worked quite well. It can be a godsend if you have a friend with a tiny bladder...
We've given up on paper maps and atlases. They really fill up the car too.
Lots of music, podcasts, and audio books though. Advil, water, and perhaps a few sandwiches and fruit to keep us going. The iPad (and car rechargers) to occupy the kids when the music, books and toys all fail.
p.s.functioning A/C. Currently, the one in our car is kaput, and it is pure torture. (oh, and window sun blockers for the kids' windows)
Camera. Lots of healthy snacks. Neck cushions. Blankets, because even in summer you can have chilly days. Car chargers for any and all tech devices that may be used en route. Change of clothes for the kids. Word puzzle books. New books for the kids. Water bottles. Sunglasses. Hats. Light jackets--see above about chilly days. Change of shoes for rainy days. What is this "packing light" of which people speak?
I have a travel contact lens set that comes in handy--it's about the size of a thick compact, and contains a lens case and two vials for lens solution. I found mine on Amazon, I'm guessing a lot of travel stores will also carry them. It keeps everything together and doesn't take up too much room in my purse.
In addition to the case above, I like to have a small bag of toiletries that I can take into a rest area to freshen up a little. I hang onto the bottles from hotel toiletries and refill those, so they take up very little space.
Hey that's I-55!
Camera with spare batteries, sunscreen, water, dried fruit for me (and beef jerky for my guy), and sunglasses.
Related- If you don't have a car charger for your phone, make sure to set it to airplane mode if you're going through rural areas. Otherwise your phone's battery life gets drained while the phone tries to acquire a signal.
ugh i just got a ticket on that highway.
i second the car charger. when my phone died on a uhaul trip from new york to new orleans i panicked and had to sit in a rest station to charge it. don't forget a small cooler or insulated bag. those are great for storing chocolate or string cheese. and music of course!