A road trip is usually the best way to experience and explore a country. It allows you to set your own itinerary and make a stop whenever you want to. These kinds of trips also give you a chance to see the region you’re visiting as the locals do and that’s often a different trip than the one set up for tourists.

In order to make the most out of such trips, a driver needs to be well organized and have a bag prepared with a few common items that they can bring along regardless of where the road will take them.

An Extra Layer of Clothing

This is the simplest addition to your packing list and it often gets overlooked. This is especially the case if you’re traveling during the summer and visiting a place with a warm climate.

However, the weather can change rather quickly and especially so during the night. If you’re far away from a city or shelter of any kind an extra layer of clothes can go a long way in keeping you warm during a hike and it’s easy enough to pack and forget about.

Items to Help You Sleep in The Car

Sleeping in a car may be a bit challenging for some and it can be quite useful if you plan to take turns driving. There are a few items that can help you with that and that are easy enough to get to and relatively inexpensive.

A good neck pillow can make sleeping in the car that much easier and that’s not the item you should try to save on. It’s also a good idea to have a sleep mask if you plan to sleep during the day. Preferably, each passenger should have their own mask and they should be washable.

Organize Your Documents

When traveling abroad, you’ll need to have a few documents with you and produce them when asked to by the proper authority. The most important of these are the international driver’s license, a national permit without which it’s not valid, and an ID (usually a passport).

It’s best to keep these organized and easy to find and reach so that you can get to them in case you’re stopped by the police. These documents are also required to rent a vehicle in most countries.

Phones and Other Mobile Devices

Phones and tablets are essential on a long road trip to keep you occupied and especially so if you’re traveling with kids. There are a few items that you should prepare before the trip to make the most out of the devices.

You should have a few power bricks so that you can charge the devices regardless of where you are. It’s also useful to have a car charger that will work with the USB cord. A hands-free mount is also an essential item when it comes to safety.

In Case Something Goes Wrong

There are a few things that you should keep in your car during any long trip that will help you in case there’s a problem with the vehicle. This includes a spare tire, a kit needed for small repairs, a flashlight, and the proper safety equipment.

It’s also a good idea to have a spare set of keys that you’ll keep far away from the original set so that you don’t lose both at once. An AAA card and proof of insurance are also a must and you should keep them with the license since it can save you quite a lot on repairs and towing.

Car Maintenance for Long Trips

Before you take the trip, you’ll do well to check the car up and top all the fluids and tighten all the belts. This will allow you to focus on the road and not worry about the vehicle. However, if you’re planning a long trip, you should have a few commonly used fluids with you, to top the car off again if needed.

Pack a quart of oil, a jug of coolant water, and some wiper fluids as well. In some cases, it may be a good idea to have a portable gas container as well, if you plan to be away from any gas stations for a while.

Maps and Navigation

Finding your way when you’re on a trip is essential and you can’t always rally on your phone to do so. If you plan to drive far away from most cities and into the deserted areas of a country, you’ll need a GPS device with you in the car. These can be obtained at a rental agency and need to be insured as well.

Another way to go is to get a paper map. These are often overlooked by modern drivers, but they are easy enough to use and pack and they can help you out when your phone is out of range.

Bring along a First Aid Kit

A first aid kit should be a part of your packing process every time you go on a long road trip. In some countries it’s a legal requirement to have one and doing so will save you a fine. However, it’s also useful to have it regardless of the law, since it can save your life in a pinch.

Keep in mind that it’s not enough to have the kit and bring it along with you. A driver should also know how to use a kit and practice a few common procedures in case they are in an accident.

Have a List Prepared

If you’re traveling often, you’ll do well to have a list that itemizes all that we talked about and to have it on hand, so that you can go over it and make sure that nothing gets overlooked when you’re preparing.

Such lists allow you to know what you may need to replace and add to, at a glance. It makes packing faster and more organized and it can be customized indefinitely.

9 Items to Have in Your Go Bag