With the stress that airports are causing people due to delayed and canceled flights, more and more people are opting to look at other vacation options closer to home. This means a good old fashioned road trip that involves sightseeing, hotel rooms or even camping with a small group of people or the whole family!
And although road trips tend to be less stressful than flying, there are some essential items you should have with you, according to experts. These items are guaranteed to make a road trip less stressful and more enjoyable.
- Non-perishable snacks
Alexander Burgemeester of Ireland Wide suggests that a cooler can take up a lot of space, and with a big family, sometimes it’s space you don’t really have to spare. “My top tip when it comes to traveling comfortably in a car is to bring more non-perishable snacks than fresh food. A small cooler bag is great to have for drinks, some fruit and cheese snacks, but it’s small enough to slide in between a seat or to throw on top of luggages. A big cooler means needing a lot of room, and to be able to access it frequently.”
Try to take snacks like crackers, apple sauce, veggies that don’t need to be in a fridge, raisins, granola bars, dried banana and apple slices, and fruit snacks. These items hold up well when in a car for long periods of time so you don’t have to worry about always stopping for ice to fill up a cooler which can also cut into your road trip time.”
- Wet wipes
“Wet wipes are a must when traveling in a car”, says Paulina Burbano de Lara, the CEO of Metropolitan Touring. “They are such a versatile cleaning product because you can wipe your hands and face as well as sticky surfaces that can happen when you have kids in the car. You can also remove visible dirt from tables when you’re eating your lunch on the side of the road, or wipe up a coffee spill in the cup holder.”
I always make sure to have wet wipes for long car rides because you never know what mess will happen that day. It also helps to give you a little refresh after being in a car for hours on end, which makes you feel a bit more hygienic if you don’t have access to a shower, especially when camping. A quick little face wipe can go a long way to give you a little clean boost.”
- Camping chairs
Camping chairs are a great thing to have in your car when on a road trip. When you’re in a car all day long, it’s a good idea to stop at a rest point to get some fresh air. Having your own chair allows you to sit out and have a meal or snack somewhere other than in your vehicle.
Camping chairs fold up nicely in their own bags which won’t take up much trunk space. It’s always nice to have your own seat in case a park you’re at has benches that are all full. It also makes it easier to stop on a beach for a break as you can sit and relax and watch the waves from the comfort of your own seat.
- Audiobooks
Not everyone has the same taste in podcasts, and they can often be boring for kids if they aren’t tailored to them. An audiobook is the perfect thing to listen to on road trips as you can often find really interesting books for all ages. Classics are a great option like Harry Potter because everyone is familiar with the story, but it’s always a good listen no matter how many times you hear or read it.
Audio books help to pass the time, and you can all discuss the book afterwards. It’s fun to have everyone pick a book and to hear different genres.
- Trunk organizer
“I don’t go on any trips without having my trunk organizer in the back.”, claims Cory M. Grant of No Repair Cost, a company that specializes in extended RV warranties. “It is a lifesaver when it comes to trying to be organized on long vacations, and is especially useful when I go camping. They are a specialized compartment that can hold almost anything, keeping everything neat and tidy and in one place. You can store beach supplies, first aid kits, extra clothing, paper towels, toilet paper, kids toys, etc.”
For anyone who enjoys a good road trip, you need one of these organizers because they just simplify the whole packing process and you won’t go crazy trying to find something important.”
