Summer is here and that means friends and families are taking to the road for vacations. You’re no doubt excited about your destination, whether you’re heading to the beach or the mountains. But, a large part of the road trip experience is your time on the road! These road trip essentials will help you get to your destination safely and ready to have a great vacation.

Road Trip Essentials

Here are the top road trip essentials, all of which you can easily customize to your own situation and needs.

Paper Maps

Although cell reception is widespread these days, there are still large parts of the US which do not have reception. Having a backup is a great way to avoid getting lost. Most state border visitor information centers will have free maps. You can also download offline copies of maps to your smartphone or tablet for easy reference.

Cleaning Supplies

When you’re on the road, spills can quickly become a big inconvenience. You can’t just hop over to your home supply closet, so be sure to pack these essential items:

• Towel: Having a dedicated “trip towel” can come in handy in a variety of situations. A towel can become a pillow or blanket in a snap. The large surface area is ideal for cleaning up large spills, or drying off the dog if she rolled around in some mud. Towels don’t take up much space and are utilitarian in a variety of situations.
• Wet sanitizing wipes: These all-purpose wipes come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit any situation. They’re great for wiping up spilled juice, cleaning off the windshield, and everything in between. Plus, many wipes are antibacterial so you can keep germs at bay and prevent unwanted colds.
• Paper towels or napkins: You never know when a paper towel can come in handy as an impromptu napkin. Ideal for spills and car care, and of course, napkins!
• Instant hand sanitizer: Instant hand sanitizer is a road trip must. Small keychain bottles can fit into purses, onto carabiner clips, or into supply bags without taking up much room.

Emergency Kit

You never know what the road might bring, so it’s best to have an emergency kit even if you don’t use it.

What to have in an emergency kit:

• Jumper cables
• Flares
• Water or coolant
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Tire gauge
• First aid kit

Snacks and Food

No road trip is complete without food. Depending on whether your trip is a few days or a few weeks, you can save some money and eat healthier than fast food. Plus, you won’t have to make stops every few hours if you stock a cooler with snacks or a picnic lunch.

Ideal snacks for the trip include:

• Chips
• Pretzels
• Jerky
• Dried fruit
• Nut mixes
• Granola bites
• Energy bars
• Pre-sliced vegetables with dip

Make adjustments to suit your preferences as desired. It’s recommended to keep coolers in easy reach so that you don’t have to unpack the entire car to get to that granola bar. If you have the space, keep the cooler in the back seat for your optimal convenience.

Water

It may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget about water when you are ready to have some fun. Sodas are far more appealing when it comes to being on vacation.

Bring a refillable bottle and keep yourself topped up at rest stops along the way. Many cafes will also let you fill up your bottle at no charge. Not only is this better for the environment, but you can keep yourself hydrated and save money on buying extra disposable bottles!

Activities for the Car

Especially useful if you are travelling with kids, activities for the car will keep the young ones occupied so they aren’t constantly asking that age old question: “Are we there yet?”

Many stores carry car-friendly games and toys. These often have magnetic pieces to help prevent small parts from getting lost between the seat cushions. Portable DVD players are a great way to keep kids entertained not only in the car, but in camping tents or the hotel room.

The Most Important Preparation for Summer Road Trips

It can be easy to overlook when your car is running smoothly, but having a vehicle inspection is the most important part of planning a summer road trip.

It’s most likely that your vehicle won’t need any work at all. Still, it’s always good to have the peace of mind that your vehicle is in good condition to take to the road. You’ll also be less likely to get stranded on the side of the road.

Check out more tips for preparing your car for a summer road trip here.

Need an inspection before a big trip? Are you passing through town and need some unexpected maintenance for your Lexus, Toyota, Infiniti, or Nissan? Call T3 Atlanta. Our friendly and skilled mechanics can help you get back on the road in no time at all.