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    Home » Blog » Road Trips

    Road Trip Essentials to Pack for Family Vacations

    Published: May 10, 2021 · Modified: Feb 2, 2023 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links

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    This list of road trip essentials will make your next family road trip more comfortable, help you save money, and make fun memories along the way.

    The front taillight of a car.

    These road trip essentials will make or break how much fun you have on your next family vacation.

    You can either plan ahead and be prepared with all the things to pack in your car for a happy trip or you can try to wing it and spend the first hour of your drive worrying about what you forgot.

    I've broken down all the road trip essentials you need to make the drive more comfortable and keep everyone in the car happy and well fed!

    Jump to:
    • All the Road Trip Essentials to Pack for Your Trip
    • 1. 40 Must-Have Things to Pack in the Car
    • 2. A Grab Bag & Lovies for Each Kid
    • 3. Car Organizer Accessories
    • 4. Things to Pack for the Hotel
    • 5. Road Trip Games & Entertainment
    • 6. Road Trip Food
    • BONUS: Things You Need for Road Trips to the Beach

    All the Road Trip Essentials to Pack for Your Trip

    Planning for a family road trip can feel like an epic project. There are so many things you don't want to forget!

    Plan ahead with this ultimate list of all the road trip essentials you'll ever need for your family road trips.

    1. 40 Must-Have Things to Pack in the Car

    First, start with this incredible list of 40 things to pack in your car for the trip.

    The list includes your full packing list for the car broken down by:

    • Health & Safety
    • Comfort
    • Entertainment
    • And more . . .

    There's also a bonus printable packing list for you, too.

    • The back of a mini van is open so you can see all the items packed for a family vacation.
      Ultimate Road Trip Packing List: 40+ Things to Keep in Your Car

    2. A Grab Bag & Lovies for Each Kid

    If you're taking a road trip with kids, you'll definitely want to read about what to pack in a grab bag for the little ones and do NOT forget my best parenting travel trick ever: traveling lovies.

    • A kids' suitcase is filled with clothing and a few toys.
      What to Pack in a Grab Bag for Kids
    • A spare stuffed bear for travel is in a backpack while the original bear stays home.
      Traveling Lovies: Protecting Kids' Toys on the Go

    3. Car Organizer Accessories

    If you're going on a long car drive with the kids, the key is going to be keeping everyone comfortable.

    These road trip organizer accessories will help you keep the car neat and tidy so you don't lose your mind on the drive.

    • An organized backseat for the kids.
      How to Organize Your Car for Road Trips with Kids

    4. Things to Pack for the Hotel

    If you're heading out on a road trip, chances are you'll be staying at a hotel somewhere along the way or at your final destination.

    I wrote up the best list of what to pack for a hotel whether you're going alone as adults or as a whole family with kids:

    • A hotel room bed is neatly made. There is a pink headboard and a beige blanket draped over the bed.
      What to Pack for a Hotel Stay Alone or With Kids

    5. Road Trip Games & Entertainment

    Road trips can actually be a TON of fun for the whole family is you plan ahead.

    Pack travel games to play in the car or at your destination and load up your phone with the best audiobooks for family road trips.

    • A young girls hands adjusting her cards for a card game that is set on the table.
      Best Travel Games for Kids to Play with Adults
    • Goldfish crackers on a map of the US.
      Adorable State Finder Game for Kids
    • The photo collage shows several audiobooks for family road trips.
      16 Best Audiobooks for Family Road Trips

    6. Road Trip Food

    The best way to save a TON of money on your road trip is to pack your own picnic food and snacks.

    Yummy treats, grab and go breakfasts for the car, or packable snacks are all road trip essentials if you want to avoid a hangry family.

    • A photo collage shows a tote bag, wine glass, utensils, and cups.
      12 Easy-to-Pack Hotel Picnic Supplies
    • A photo collage shows several easy breakfast in the car ideas you can grab and go.
      Grab and Go Breakfast in the Car Ideas
    • A photo collage shows several of the best snacks to bring to the beach.
      25+ Best Beach Snacks

    BONUS: Things You Need for Road Trips to the Beach

    If you happen to be doing a road trip to the beach, that adds a whole other layer of packing needs on top of the basics.

    Don't miss my complete list of what to bring to the beach and my review of the best beach gear for families and the best beach toys that will fit in the trunk of your car.

    And if you plan to do any camping on your getaway, don't miss this list of cool camping gadgets.

    • A couple sits underneath a red umbrella on the beach.
      What to Bring to the Beach
    • Best Beach Gear for Families
    • A young girl is posing with a beach pail and floatie with goggles on her head.
      Best Beach Toys for the Whole Family
    A photo collage shows a car and a pile of things to pack for a road trip.

    More Family Road Trip Tips

    • A dog sits on a yellow kayak in the water.
      Should You Take Your Dog on Vacation?
    • A photo collage shows several fantastically funny books for road trips.
      20 Laugh-Out-Loud Funny Audiobooks for Road Trips
    • A photo collage shows several mystery audiobook graphics.
      22 Best Mystery Audiobooks for Road Trips
    • Two girls in the backseat of a car on a roadtrip.
      How to Survive a Long Car Ride with Kids
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    Hi, I'm Tiffany! I believe the best memories are made on our family trips. I'm excited to share easy ways to connect with your kids and raise lifelong learners through family travel.

    More about me →

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