What To Pack In Your Car For Spring Break (Or Any Other Road Trip)

Before Spring Break, whether you’re headed to the beach, the slopes, or the city, here's what to pack for a road trip.
Grab your keys, a surfboard, and some sunscreen. Or maybe you’re more the snowboarding type?

What To Pack For A Road Trip

It’s road trip season!

Grab your keys, a surfboard and some sunscreen. 

Or maybe you’re more the snowboarding type? 

Maybe even the new Super Nintendo World.

Whether you’re headed to the beach or the slopes–or even just taking a few days off to explore your city, you need to make sure you have everything you need.

Table of Contents

Essentials

These are items you should keep in your car at all times. A flat tire or running out of gas can be easily resolved if you’re prepared. Before you embark on a road-trip or even a day-trip, make sure all your essential items are packed up. Fill up your extra gas container if it isn’t already and make sure your car-snacks aren’t expired.

  • Gas container (with extra fuel)
  • Water
  • Snacks
  • First-Aid kit
  • Tire Kit
  • Jumper Cables
  • Window breaker/seatbelt cutter

Comfort

For the sanity and hygiene of all the passengers in the car, start your road trip off on the right wheel by stocking up on napkins, wet wipes, and such. A small space full of trash doesn’t make for a great adventure, so pack stuff to keep things clean. Also, a good road trip host should always pack blankets, pillows, and a brand new cucumber-melon scented air freshener.

  • Napkins
  • Wet Wipes
  • Sanitizer
  • Trash Bags 
  • An air freshener! (a cucumber melon scented one)
  • Pillows & blankets

Entertainment

A road-trip isn’t just about the destination, it’s also about the journey. You want to make the commute enjoyable. A good playlist or podcast does the trick, but if you’ve got tiny humans, you might want to consider some books or movies. It might be extra screen time, but sometimes peace between multiple people in an enclosed space going 60+ MPH is worth it.

  • Books
  • Movies
  • Video Games
  • A road-trip playlist or podcast
  • Electronics & Chargers

Travel Documents

Have you ever traveled several hours for an event only to get there and realize you left your tickets? Or what if your friend ropes you into an international caper, but you forgot to pack your passport so now you ruined the vibe. This can all be avoided by simply double checking that any important travel documents, IDs, cards, etc. are packed. Bonus tip, put it all in a manilla folder and keep it in your car.

  • Credit cards
  • IDs
  • Passport
  • Event Tickets
  • Maps

Daily Essentials/Toiletries

Anything you need on a daily basis, you will need on a road-trip. This is not a good time to skip your medication or use the same contact solution for the entire trip. You and your passengers will all benefit from packing all their daily essentials.

  • Medication
  • Retainers, contact solution, etc
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Deodorant

Warm Weather Essentials

It’s spring break, so most of us will be enjoying the warm weather. With clear blue skies and sunshine comes harmful UV rays, dehydration, and much more. To keep the good memories going, protect your skin and eyes. Stay hydrated and cool. Also take advantage of all the fun things you can do in the sun.

  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Beach Towel
  • Liquid IV (Hydration enhancers)
  • Portable fan
  • Ice cooler
  • Swimming clothes
  • Floats/boats/boards
  • Sand castle supplies
  • Aloe Vera (to treat any sunburn)
  • A tent 
  • Bug spray

Cold Weather Essentials

Not really a warm weather person? That’s okay, we have you covered. For colder vacations, prioritize staying warm and dry. Also remember that driving in wintry conditions comes with many challenges, like potentially swerving off the road or getting stuck. That said, prepare for the worst but hope for the best. Once you have all the safety stuff covered, make room for any excursion equipment like sleds or skis.

  • Snow Tires
  • Gloves
  • Warm Clothes
  • Polarized sunglasses
  • Heated blankets
  • Snow shovels
  • Ice scrapers
  • Flashlights
  • Cat litter/rock salt
  • Hot packs
  • Thermos w/ coffee or soup!
  • Fire starter
  • Sleds
  • Skis

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