When it comes to road trips, there are various ways you can go about it. You and your friends or family could rent a cabin in the woods for a few nights, drive to a secluded location and pitch tents, or simply pack all the supplies needed for an overnight stay in the car. No matter what you end up choosing, you’ll want to keep one essential thing in mind when planning your trip: packing strategically. Many things could factor into whether your road trip is a success; from how much food you bring with you to how much fuel is left in the tank at any given moment. The more prepared you are for any potential hiccups along the way, the better off you’ll be. Here are some helpful tips on what to bring along on your next road trip so that everything goes smoothly.
Food and Drinks
One of the most important things to consider when planning a road trip is what food and drinks to bring along. You’ll want to account for everyone in the car as well as the length of your trip to decide how much food and drink is appropriate to bring along. If you’re planning to go on an overnight trip, you should bring around five gallons of water for the car. And if you’re planning a longer trip, you should bring enough water for each person in the car for two days. For food, you should bring enough for each person in the car for two meals. What you choose to bring along entirely depends on your personal preferences. If you’re going on a longer trip, you could bring along some canned or dried food that doesn’t require refrigeration. You could also bring along foods like trail mix, protein bars, or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that are easy to grab and go when you need a quick snack.
Toiletries
As the trip progresses, you’ll want to make sure to apply the right amount of caution to your toiletries and other liquid items in the car. If you’re planning a long trip, you’ll most likely have to stop at a fuelling station to put more fuel in the tank, which means you’ll have to move your belongings from the trunk to the front seat to refill the car’s fuel tank. This is when you’ll want to apply caution to your toiletries, especially shampoo and conditioner. You’ll want to store these items in a Ziploc bag and place them in a part of the car where you don’t have to worry about fuel spilling and getting them wet.
Clothing and Bedding
If you’re planning to spend the night in a car, you’ll want to make sure you have enough blankets and pillows to keep you warm and comfortable during the trip. It’s important to note, however, that you shouldn’t bring any blankets or pillows that have been exposed to animals, as these could carry fleas or other pests that could affect you while you sleep. If you’re planning to spend a night in the woods, you’ll want to pack clothing and bedding that’s appropriate for the season. You’ll want to bring along rain gear in case you experience a rainy day or night, and you’ll also want to make sure to bring enough blankets to keep you warm if the nights are chilly.
Games and Entertainment
Depending on how long your trip is, you may want to bring along a few games or other forms of entertainment to make the most out of your trip. If you’re planning to stay in a cabin in the woods, you could bring a deck of cards or some other form of the card game to play with your friends or family members. If you’re planning on driving to a secluded location, you could bring a book or a journal to jot down your thoughts about the trip or the sights you see along the way.
Tools and Repairs
If you’re planning a longer trip, you’ll also want to prepare for potential repairs that could come up along the way. You may have to change a tire or deal with a broken part of the car. You could also experience a flat tire or run out of fuel. You should always prepare for the worst and bring along the tools you need to make minor repairs on the road. You could bring a jack and tire iron, tools to change a tire, duct tape, a can of fix-a-flat, or a first aid kit. To prepare for the possibility of running out of fuel, you could bring a jerry can with you on the road. You could also simply keep an eye on the fuel gauge and make sure you’re keeping tabs on how much fuel is left in the tank.
