Road Trip Essentials: Bag Spill
After writing about North Carolina road trip destinations, I thought it would be perfect to follow up with a road trip bag spill, to give you some ideas of what to bring with you. This just about covers my essentials, ranging from safety necessities to things that are always convenient to have no matter where you might travel to.
Phone and charger (wall and car) – Having a phone on you is an obvious necessity when you’re traveling, especially alone, and remembering a charger is crucial. In case your car breaks down or the battery dies, it would be helpful to also have a wall charger so you can charge your phone at a nearby location.
Paper map – Because there isn’t always cell service. I learned this the hard way while I was driving through the mountains, and my Maps app suddenly stopped working because I lost cell service. Luckily, I just kept driving until I eventually got out, but if I had taken a wrong turn it could’ve ended differently. If you don’t have a paper map, a smart idea is to always screenshot your directions while you have service, so that even if you lose connection the directions will still be there.
Road trip music playlist – The first thing I do when I get in the car, before I start driving, is choose a road trip playlist. I know Spotify has endless playlists with incredible throwback songs. Beautiful Soul, anyone? Spotify also has playlists based on mood, so if you’re feeling pump up jams or chill indie rock, they’ve got you covered there too.
Notebook/pen – You never know when the creative juices will start flowing. Maybe while you’re sitting by the lake or hiking by yourself, you’ll feel an inclination to jot down your current thoughts.
Mini first-aid kit – Although I always hope nothing serious happens (and so far, it hasn’t), having essentials, like gauze and Band-Aids, is important. When I was hiking a state park outside of Raleigh, I scratched my leg and was glad to have some Neosporin and Band-Aids with me.
Snacks – I cannot emphasize enough how much having snacks improves a road trip. Last time I went, I brought 4 giant bags of chips with me and a bunch of smaller bags of candy to satisfy my sweet tooth, and it made the long drives infinitely more enjoyable.
Water bottle – This is a given, but having water with you in case you get thirsty (and on a more serious note, in case you get stranded) is so important.
Sweater or jacket – It can get chilly at night, depending on where you are, and having a sweater or something to layer is helpful if you’re going to be outside.
Advil/Tylenol – I am prone to headaches, especially when I concentrate for a long time (i.e. long drives), so I always make sure I have Advil or Tylenol with me in case one hits me while I’m on the road.
Mints/gum – Having a mint or some gum on hand is just nice and helps to refresh after a sodium overload. Besides, it’s always nice having fresh breath.
Sunglasses – Whether it’s on the drive or after you’ve found a spot to settle, sunglasses are a must-have to protect your eyes when you’re sitting outside or driving into the sun. There is nothing worse than driving over a hill only to come face to face with the powerful sun.