Must-Have Road Trip Essentials | What I Always Pack—Even Last Minute
Essentials
Whether fleeing your inbox or chasing a desert sunrise, the right road trip essentials can make or break the magic.
My husband loves springing last-minute road trips on me, like, 'You’ve got 10 minutes. We’re going to Minneapolis!' I’m usually in pajamas, coffee half-finished, but I’ve learned to keep a mental list of what to toss in a bag. Here’s what I always pack to stay sane—and maybe even enjoy the ride.
🍓Snacks I won’t regret.
I used to raid the gas station for chips and candy bars, but feeling bloated and car-trapped for six hours? A nightmare. Now I pack snacks that make me feel great afterward, almonds, dark chocolate, berries. I usually bring something weirdly nostalgic, like combos or peach rings. Road trips demand balance. I always stash a small jar of homemade yogurt, yes, really, for long hauls
🧥A cozy layer.
"Even in the height of summer, I never hit the road without a hoodie or soft cardigan. It’s a wearable hug. I've always been glad I brought one between overzealous car AC and rest stops that feel like Arctic outposts. (Can’t say the same for the times I didn’t—shivering in a tank top, cursing my optimism.)"
🧴 Face wipes and dry shampoo.
Not glamorous, but vital. There’s nothing like hitting a scenic overlook, taking a bunch of pictures, and realizing you look like you’ve been driving through a dust storm for three hours. A quick refresh can make you feel like a new person. (Bonus: throw in a small SPF.)
👟 Comfy shoes that aren’t embarrassing.
“I need shoes that slide off easily in the car but still look diner-worthy when I wander in for pie. Nothing that screams ‘just left spin class.’ My go-to? Slip-on sneakers or trusty Birkenstocks, equal parts comfort and ‘yes, I planned this look.’”
📱A small pouch for chargers.
I used to toss cords into the bottom of my bag and dig through gum wrappers and receipts to find them. Now I pack a little tech pouch with phone chargers, a power bank, and (learned this the hard way) a car adapter. Fundamental change.
📖 A journal, a pen, my laptop, and a couple of cameras.
"Something is grounding about carrying a tiny creative toolkit on the road, it’s like packing a piece of your soul between the snacks and spare socks.".
My journal and pen are close by for scribbling thoughts, sketching landscapes, or jotting down the odd names of tiny towns we pass (so I can Google their ghost stories later).
Sometimes, I write letters and never send them, just to get something off my chest.
My laptop comes along too, in case inspiration strikes. I want to upload photos at night with a cup of tea. Of course, cameras, one digital, one film.
Capturing moments feels different when you’re not in a rush. It slows time in the best way.
💧A Giant Water Bottle — and tiny ones filled with apple cider vinegar.
I resisted the whole bring-your-own-water thing for years, but it’s officially non-negotiable nowadays. No one wants to spend $5 on lukewarm water at a gas station or be stuck with plastic bottles rolling around the car. A trusty, oversized bottle keeps me hydrated and feeling like a queen on the road.
As for the tiny bottles? I fill a few one-ounce glass vials with apple cider vinegar and stash them in my bag. Before meals, I mix one with a little water, which helps avoid that dreaded road trip bloat. Plus, I feel like a quirky apothecary wherever we stop to eat.
👜 A Tote bag for Random Stuff.
I pack snacks, sunglasses, a book, hand lotion, a bag for trash, my favorite lipstick, and yes, my hopes and dreams.
Everything lives within arm’s reach in the front seat, like a tiny shrine to comfort and sanity. My canvas tote keeps it all corralled, easy to rummage through or dump out and reset at the next stop. It’s like a fresh page in a well-traveled story.
😎 An Anything-goes Attitude.
It’s not something you can pack, but road trips have their unique wild spirit. You’ll hit traffic. Forget toothpaste. Take a wrong turn and end up in a ghost town with one blinking stoplight and a diner that feels like it’s waiting for a plot twist. That’s the charm.
And if you’re traveling with your partner? Take time to pack, and grab a toothbrush at the gas station. You’ll survive and maybe come home with the best story of the trip.
What about you? What’s in your bag when you hit the road?
