There's nothing we love more than a roadtrip. In the last few years, we've put tens of thousands of miles on our trusty 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander—California, Utah, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia. Once we even moved cross-country with our FIVE chickens. You read that right—live chickens. (Yeah, it did smell a bit but they laid eggs while on the road!)
Needless to say, we're probably pretty close to that 10,000 hour expert rule. So, here are all of our favorite roadtrip necessities that will get you through the drive, whether it's three hours or thirteen.
Preparing for the Journey: Why You Need a Road Trip Checklist
If you're like us, you love a bit of spontaneity mixed with fun. We're also insane budgeters so we like to strike a balance between being prepared and splurging when we come across something we love. A well-thought-out checklist of road trip necessities means you can sleep as soundly as Brad is in this picture because you won't be stressed about forgetting anything.
Your Ultimate Roadtrip Checklist
Time to get organized! Here’s your go-to list of roadtrip necessities:
The Best Roadtrip Snacks and Drinks
The best part of the the trip is always the snacks. Here's a list of all our favorites in absolutely no particular order:
Dry Food
Goldfish
Chocolate covered almonds
Pistachios
Clementines
Olives
If you're in Utah, G2G Bars are a must
Gardetto's
Beef jerky
Chomps
Pretzel crisps/pretzels
Sour Patch Kids
Chips
Grapes
Sliced watermelon/cantaloupe/honeydew
Homemade trail mix (so there's no raisins)
Chocolate chips
Tortilla chips and guac cups
Peanut butter filled pretzels
Dried fruit like apricots, dates, and mangoes
Refrigerated
Throw these in a small ice chest or freezer bag and enjoy them all trip long!
String cheese
Premade protein shakes (Fairlife is the best)
Yogurt cups
Premade breakfast burritos or breakfast sandwiches
Hummus and chips/veggies
Salami/prosciutto
Pasta salad
Chicken salad sandwiches
Baguette sandwiches (classy, we know)
We're not big into drinks but we also make sure our Hydro Flasks or water bottles are filled up and then grab our favorite Oli Pop or Poppi flavors and call it good.
How We Stay Entertained on Long Road Trips
I once told my coworkers that sometimes we would just sit in silence for a few hours, no music or audiobooks or anything, and would talk when thoughts came to mind and they all said that was "serial killer behavior." So, if you need a little something to break the silence, here are our roadtrip necessities:
Multiple playlists that we've put together ahead of time with all our favorites. But lookup "roadtrip" in Spotify and Spotify will either make something for you based off your listening or there are some good playlists there to pass the time. Also, it doesn't hurt to throw "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson on as you get started and listen to about 30 seconds of it before switching to your perfectly curated playlist.
Audiobooks but especially the Harry Potter audiobooks narrated by Jim Dale. They're just so good and we're not even huge Harry Potter fans. Educated by Tara Westover was also a super random but amazing audiobook so put that one on your list. Here's a list of all the best audiobooks for you to sift through and find ones that interest you.
One of our recent roadtrip necessities: downloaded shows and movies. No, you shouldn't watch TV while you drive. But if you pick episodes and movies that you both know well, one of you can watch while the driver listens and will still know what's going on.
Call friends and family! This is a good way to pass the time and catch up with people.
Your "Do Not Forget This" Roadtrip Checklist
These easy-to-forget roadtrip necessities might slip your mind so make sure you pack them before leaving.
Car charger
Portable charger
Spare tire
Car insurance and registration
Sunglasses/hat/sunscreen because that sundown hour hits hard
Extra cash for tolls or unexpected expenses
First aid kit (band aids, pain reliever, etc.)
Paper towels/wet wipes/napkins/tissues
Hand sanitizer
A small trash bag for snack trash
Phone mount for navigation (we prefer this because it lets Brad keep track of where we're going)
We've never used these but friends have said that these funky glasses really help with car sickness
A gallon or two of water, either for refills or to cool your car down in case of overheating
Sun shade on the passenger side window if the sun really bothers you
Headphones in case you want to listen to different entertainment
Blanket for car naps
Jumper cables
Tire iron and jack
Roadtrip Necessities for Dogs
With two high energy dogs (a Golden Retriever and Irish Setter, in case you were wondering!), we have to plan ahead for roadtrips. Here's what we do to prepare and what we bring for them:
Try to take them to a field, trail, or dog park before the trip so they can get some energy out
Both of our dogs have thrown up in the car so now we're always prepared with tons of napkins, plastic grocery bags, extra water, and an enzyme spray
Leash, harness, and e-collar
Poop bags
Enough food for the whole trip in a few gallon bags
Car seat cover to prevent dirt and dog hair from getting into the seats
Some of their favorite treats that won't hurt their stomach or make them smell (you know your dog best)
Favorite chew toys
Crates if needed
Towels for dirty paws
Health and Safety Considerations on the Road
Inspection and Maintenance: If you're going on a long roadtrip, it's smart to check the oil, brakes, and tire pressure before leaving. Your parents will be very proud of you if you tell them you did this before hitting the road.
Windshield Check: Once while driving between Houston and Dallas, we watched an unnoticed chip in the corner of our windshield grow until it cracked across half our windshield. It was horrible and replacements cost so much more than just getting the chip or small crack repaired. This is a roadtrip necessity that we never thought of before but it can save you so much money in the end.
All the Roadtrip Necessities You Need for a Fun Trip
Now we want to jump in the car and drive someplace new! Maybe we'll really plan that "all 48 states" roadtrip one day. For now, we hope these suggestions help you plan a perfect roadtrip, complete with all your favorite snacks, a perfect playlist, and no car problems.
If you do notice a chip in your windshield before you leave, schedule a same or next-day windshield repair appointment with us at Chip Pro! One of our technicians will come to your location in Utah County (even if you've already hit the road and notice it then) and repair the chip for you in about 20 minutes.
That's about as much time as it takes to fill up on gas, take a bathroom break, and find your favorite treat at the gas station. Book your appointment online or give us a call and we'll get you on the road as soon as possible.
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