The Ultimate Road Trip Checklist: 6 Things You Need To Make The Most Out of Your Experience

Nowadays, having fun and finding meaningful ways to pass the time and unwind can be quite expensive. Sure, you can go spend the day at the park, go swimming, go to the mall, or do anything else, but eventually, those experiences can lose their appeal (while I write this, I speak from experience). You could do something more elaborate, such as going to a theme or amusement park, but tickets for such venues could cost in the neighborhood of $50-$150 per person (assuming you don't purchase food or drinks from said venue). There is another option, though… An option that can be whatever you make it, and has endless possibilities for adventure and a chance to "get away from it all" (literally). And that option is…. Go on a road trip. What is considered a road trip? Well, a road trip is literally any journey made by means of vehicle. The road trip doesn't necessarily need to have a set destination, a set route, or a set distance traveled; a road trip can be anything you want it to be. The main purpose of a road trip is to spend time away from stressors that may be present in your life, unwind, have fun, and perhaps spend quality time with friends, family, or maybe a "special someone else". Today, we are going to discuss 6 things you may want to ensure that you bring with you on a road trip to enrich your trip, and help make it a more pleasant experience.

---

1. A Playlist

There is definitely no denying that music is a powerful thing. A good song can create or destroy a mood, break the monotony of silence, create a conversation topic, and even help elicit memories. Music is the rhythm of life, and should be held to an apartment sacred value. I highly recommend loading an your playlist with your favorite songs, specifically songs that set the mood you want to be in during your journey, before leaving your starting location. The average song is 3-5 minutes long, so to keep from hearing the same song more than once, I recommend loading your playlist with 12-20 songs for each hour you expect to be traveling; for example, if you will be traveling for 3 hours, designate a playlist that contains a minimum of 36-60 songs. Even if you have company riding with you, listening to music at a low volume can help to keep conversation alive and break up any silence that may occur between conversation topics.

---

2. A Camera

Have you ever tried to explain something that you saw on a trip or adventure, but your audience doesn't seem to be getting the grasp of what you are describing (because, honestly, description is no comparison to actually seeing the subject)? Alternatively, one of the most frustrating things that can happen is when you forget a detail about a trip or adventure. What better way to avoid these issues than to capture the moment forever. In terms of roadside photography, there truly is no better tool than the camera on your phone. Most modern phone companies have seen the value of appealing to the Snapchat and Twitter generation, and has been putting some heavy duty cameras in their devices. As of the time I am writing this article, depending on your preference, you have two options of you want the best mobile phone camera on the market. If you are an Apple fan, then the go-to camera phone for you is the iPhone 11 Pro. This phone has triple lens technologies, which allows ultra wide shots. On the opposite end of the coin, if you are more of an Android fan, the Samsung Galaxy S10 may be right up your alley. The S10 is basically the Android version of the iPhone 11 Pro (in terms of camera), so regardless of which one you choose, you will be making an excellent choice. Just remember: use some common sense, and DO NOT attempt to take pictures while your vehicle is in motion. Nothing can ruin a good road trip like getting into a car wreck.

---

3. A Phone Charger

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the majority of people don't have Sirius XM, and that even fewer people use CDs. This means that there are two other options for listening to music: the radio (which can be difficult to maintain a good station if your road trip takes you out of range of your favorite stations) or apps on your cell phone. Furthermore, you will be using your phone's camera, checking in with a friend or family member when you stop for fuel (you ARE checking in with someone and using our traveler safety tips, right?), or even using your phone's GPS to hit specific locations; all of this use can wear on your phone's battery quickly. It is a terrific idea to make sure you bring a phone car charger with you anytime you are traveling, for the plain and simple fact that you may need to use your phone, and your battery may not survive the entire trip. I know, I know… Bringing a phone charger with you is common sense, however, you would be AMAZED as to how many people actually don't own a car charger, forget to pack it in their vehicle, or just don't bring it on trips with them UNLESS their phone is already low. If your phone battery dies, and you find yourself in need of emergency assistance, a way of charging your phone could mean the difference between getting help, or being stranded.

---

4. Snacks

There are many things that are inevitable in life. Birth. Taxes. Death. Getting the munchies while traveling. Honestly, I don't care if you had a large meal and immediately got into your vehicle to go on a long road trip; once you start driving, and you are on the road for a while, you WILL need snacks. When you need snacks on your road trip, sure, you could just stop at a gas station, and grab whatever is on the shelves that look appealing at the time; however, getting your hunger-fix at a gas station can be very expensive. Gas stations MUST mark up their prices on goods in order to make a living, as many gas stations only make around $0.05 per gallon profit on fuel. However, if you are on a budget, like the majority of Americans, you need to be thrifty with your money. In order to make your “dollar go further” and maintain a healthy budget while traveling, I highly recommend stopping by a dollar store in order to get most of the necessary supplies you need. My wife and I typically stop at Dollar Tree before going on extended road trips specifically to get snacks. Two people can buy enough candy, jerky, and chips for a full day of driving with just a $10 bill.

---

5. First Aid Kit

It’s best to err on the side of caution. Better safe than sorry. It’s better to be a warrior in a garden, than to be a gardener in a war. What can go wrong will go wrong. There are literally DOZENS of quotes about being prepared for the worst case scenario, which is why I personally believe that anytime you are away from home, there should always be a first aid kit available. Nothing can mess with a road trip, camping trip, or vacation like a minor wound that can cause a lot of discomfort to you or a passenger on a trip. Heck, headaches and migraines can happen for no reason at all, and can put a major damper on your mood, someone could accidentally slam their fingers in a door (ouch), or someone could slip and fall while walking to their car from the gas station. Whether it is a slight bump or bruise, or something slightly more significant, a first aid kit may (and probably will) come in handy at some point in time. Most first aid kits can be kept in your glove compartment, under a seat, or in the trunk of your car, and don’t need a whole lot of maintenance (really, all you have to do is check to make sure no items have expired or you aren’t running low on supplies, if you are accident prone like my wife). A good first aid kit should have the following items: bandaids, gauze bandages, gauze pads, triple antibiotic ointment, aspirin and/or ibuprofen, a small container of hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol pads, an ACE bandage, medical tape, and a small pair of scissors. You can purchase a fully pre-made first aid kit from many different stores, such as Walmart, or you can craft your own first aid kit with items from a dollar store. Whatever the case, you should always be prepared for the worst case scenario.

---

6. Emergency Roadside Repair Kit

Speaking of the worst case scenario, do you know how to change a flat tire? Or make minor roadside repairs? Do you know what safety procedures to follow if you are experiencing vehicle issues at the side of the road? If not, you should definitely take the time to learn these important life skills. And, if you already have knowledge on how to handle a situation regarding your vehicle, do you own an emergency roadside repair kit? A good emergency roadside repair kit can be used to take care of most minor issues with your vehicle, such as a flat tire or a dead battery. An emergency roadside repair kit can also contain other items, such as snow chains for your tires, or even a collapsible snow shovel. The items that I recommend for an emergency roadside repair kit include: emergency anti-skid snow chains, a foldable or collapsible snow shovel, a tire iron, a car jack, a small socket or wrench kit, a screwdriver kit, a flashlight or LED lantern, a portable battery charger, a small wire brush (for cleaning battery terminals), a small pry bar or crowbar (just in case a rim is stuck to your wheel from heat, which can be common with aluminum rims), reflective traffic cones, and a rag or towel. I also tend to bring other items on longer trips, such as extra engine oil and coolant/antifreeze. On a side note, I prefer to keep a full-sized spare tire in the trunk of my vehicle, as opposed to the emergency donut provided by many dealerships. The need to stop and make basic roadside repairs can put a damper on your, otherwise, relaxing road trip; however, waiting for help can be much more time consuming, and can completely end your trip.

---

If you want to get out, see the sights, and spend some quality time with a friend or family member (or yourself), then going on a short (or day-long) road trip can be a very rewarding experience. Going for a drive can be very affordable, and can help you to unwind and “get away from it all”, and you can enrich your experience by taking heed to this list. Bringing a pre-made playlist on your phone and syncing to your car’s stereo can ensure that your attention is fixed on the road, and that you have adequate entertainment while driving. Make sure to utilize the camera on your phone (if photography is your thing, we recommend purchasing either an iPhone 11 Pro or a Samsung Galaxy S10 for the best picture quality), and remember to bring a phone charger to help keep the tunes and pictures going. Snacks and drinks are ALWAYS a must when taking an extended road trip, and to save money, make sure to bring them from home. Finally, including a first aid kit and an emergency roadside repair kit can help ensure that your trip is a lot less stressful, and can help you cope with any variables that may, otherwise, ruin your trip. I highly recommend that everyone makes this year one that enriches their lives a bit more. Sure, there are dozens of ways to make memories and live life to the fullest, but none can add up to taking every opportunity possible to live a life of adventure.