If there’s one thing I would consider myself a pro at, it’s weekend trips. Between my semester abroad, weekend adventures while I was in New York, and our frequent trips to the lake, I love being able to get away for the weekend. And, after several cross-country drives from Texas to New York and back, I’ve become pretty good at road trips.
This weekend, I’m off to Austin for a friend’s birthday (!!!). While this will be a pretty quick 24-hour trip, I still like to be prepared for the 3-4 hour drive there and back. Whether you’re headed out of town for a few days or hitting the road for a long trip, here’s my essentials for any road trip.
I tend to bring a water bottle with me if I’m going anywhere longer than a few hours because I get thirsty constantly! A big reusable one is perfect for road trips, and don’t forget the snacks! I prefer bringing a few snacks over having to stop all the time for food.
Sunglasses and chapstick are two things I pretty much never leave the house without. I hate being in the car (if I’m sitting up front) without sunglasses and I never travel without them! As for shoes, I love wearing comfy shoes like my Nikes that I can easily slip on and off in between stops.
My iPad usually makes the cut, since I can load up on books before hand without having to stuff a ton in my bag. It’s also great for nighttime driving so you don’t have to worry about straining your eyes or always having your book light (yes, I do have a book light…).
This definitely isn’t a definitive list of what you need for a road trip- these are just a few of the things I love to have in my bag when I hit the road!
I’ve linked a few of my essentials below as well. What are your must-haves for a road trip?