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18 Road Trip Goodie Bags to Make Your Kids Smile

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“Are we there yet?” road trip goodie bags will be the solution that you’re looking for to fight boredom on your next family road trip!

Quite possibly the most simple and easy fix to keep kids occupied during long-haul car rides, road trip activity bags will keep your kids entertained when the hours on the road seem endless.

Keep the surprises coming with easy-to-assemble road trip goodie bags!

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Table of Contents

Road Trip Goodie Bags: Who are they good for?

Containing snacks, trinkets, printable games, and activities, “Are we there yet?” road trip goodie bags are the perfect addition to adding fun and pizazz to a classic family road trip.

In addition, road trip goodie bags are good for children of any age!

At the time of our first epic road trip, our 3 boys were ages 7, 10, and 12. Though our 10 and 12- year-olds wouldn’t have normally played with trinkets or dollar store arts and crafts, in comes the exception!

All 3 of our children, despite their ages, were fascinated by the road trip goodie bags given to them in the form of a ‘gift’ along a boring stretch of Interstate.

Those of you with younger children will need to substitute age-appropriate snacks and toys.

Likewise, parents of girls vs. boys may choose to add in some gender-specific trinkets .

Alternatively, consider adding Itunes gift cards, books, magazines, and sugary snacks suitable for tweens and teens.

In other words, go with the general idea of these road trip goodie bags and add things that will excite you and your kids!

Additional planning tip: For the most successful, grumbling-free adventure, combine the use of these activity bags with my Top 10 Tips for a Family Road Trip .

Likewise, because traveling with kids ages 1 – 4 presents its own set of ‘challenges’, read up on these toddler-specific road trip activities that are sure to keep them preoccupied!

Click the following image to get your FREE family vacation packing list and BONUS Disney Day Bag packing list that is both customizable and printable!

Road Trip Goodie Bags: How much should I spend?

Each and every one of the following items was purchased at The Dollar Store knowing that their use is intended to be simple and short-lived.

They are basically ‘in-the-moment-sanity savers’.

In other words, nothing don’t buy anything fancy or expensive.

I made 18 bags for each of our 3 children. 9 bags for the way to our destination, and 9 bags for the return trip home.

Each bag contains 2 or 3 Dollar Store items with the exception of a few activity bags that contained more expensive items.

Additional planning tip: The total cost for our 54 “Are we there yet?” road trip activity bags was $90.00.

“Are We There Yet?” Road Trip Goodie Bags

“Are we there yet bags” are intended to be small surprises to give your children throughout the duration of an extended road trip.

They do not replace healthy snacks and meals that should be alternated with the candy and treats mentioned below.

Instead, refer to a reliable road trip food list for healthy meal and snack ideas when traveling.

Select bags based on their portability and size, and be sure to purchase treat bags that children cannot see through.

Likewise, buy enough bags to give to your children every 30 minutes to 1-hour throughout the duration of your family road trip.

1. Notebooks, markers, and stickers

Notebook of plain white drawing paper and a fresh new pack of markers. Insert some stickers for a little something extra.

2. Hand-held pinball game

Hand-held pinball game and a snack-size treat. Perfect to keep small hands busy!

3. Portable dry erase board

Travel size dry erase board and sweet and salty snack mix (or other fun snack!).

Everyone loves a good dry-erase board, but be careful, some of the markers’ ink are hard to get out of clothing.

4. Party favors

Why not have a party in the car?

Colorful party favors can be used as a small, fun toy. Add in some gum to keep the kids extra occupied!

5. Minnie Mouse chapstick and Minnie snack bags

Purchase themed-baggies to make individual portions of various snacks. Accompany the themed bags with a coordinating toy or accessory!

Pick and choose the characters of your choice.

6. Word search puzzle book and multi-colored pen

Help pass time in the car by playing road trip word games that involve family interaction and fun!

For silent play, purchase age-appropriate word search puzzle books, crossword puzzle books, or Sodoku puzzle books.

They may not be exciting for kids, per se, but they sure do pass a huge chunk of time!

7. Travel size play dough

Travel size playdough and a sweet treat that perhaps they have never had before!

Bypass this activity if you’re worried that your children are too small to use playdough without getting it all over the seats’ upholstery.

8. Punch balloons or bubbles

Punch balloons or bubbles are a great idea for a pit stop or roadside activity when everyone is needing to get a little energy out!

9. Felt-art or other coloring Kit with a sweet treat

Pre-packaged art kits are an awesome road trip activity and a perfect addition to your road trip goodie bags!

Because these are something that children are not always exposed to, opening this will be a sweet surprise.

10. Glow stick necklaces for nighttime travel

Kids love nighttime travel! Seeing the surrounding citys’ lights is always so fascinating to little ones.

Build on their excitement by gifting them with their own light bracelets or necklaces.

11. Bubble-Goo bubble blower

Insert any off trinket of your choice here. Though I typically don’t like trinkets laying around the house, they’re a perfect match for fighting road trip boredom !

12. Themed crayons and a marching snack-bag treat

How cute are these themed Ziplock baggies?

Check out every square inch of your local dollar store to find these and other clever dollar store items that are perfect for kids!

13. Sporty water bottle and water flavoring

Our kids get a kick out of adding their own flavoring to plain-ol’ water.

For added fun, they love to switch flavors and add more than one flavor to their water bottles to make their own flavor varieties.

Though this is a great addition to your road trip goodie bags, be sure to gift the water bottle when a restroom break is up and coming.

14. Balloons to blow-up and bop around

Another great pit-stop activity! Watch for small pieces around little ones, however, as balloons are known to be a choking hazard.

15. Squish-able bubble wrap and collector cards

A genius, but noisy way to beat road trip boredom!

Who doesn’t love popping bubble wrap? Especially when given your own small supply that is just enough to get under Mom and Dad’s nerves?

Pair this activity with a quieter option, like collector cards such as Pokemon’ or sports cards.

16. Color activity book and a calculator for pushing buttons and computing fun

Kids love pushing calculator buttons, especially when it’s not because they’re doing homework.

Dollar store calculators and coloring books are an inexpensive way to keep kids happy while on the road.

17. Putty, slime, or anything gooey!

You may cringe at the thought of a potential mess, but your kids will indeed have loads of fun with a hand-sized amount of putty of slime to keep them occupied.

Find a unique fluffy slime recipe here!

18. A destination-appropriate travel cup (Disney!)

Where ya headed? Stir up the excitement for your ending point by adding in some toys and trinkets that pertain to your destination.

Disney paraphanelia for a Disney vacation, hiking supplies for a National Park vacation, or sand toys for a beach vacation. Your options are endless!

There ya have it!

Easy peasy road trip goodie bags and surprise treats that can be customized per child!

Trust me, they will keep the kids entertained for hours!

What road trip activity is your favorite way to help pass time? Thanks for responding! Jen

If you liked this post on 18 ideas for Road Trip Goodie Bags , click here to check out our Related Posts:

• Words Games to Play in the Car With Kids
• Road Trip Food List and 9 Essential Travel Food Tips
• Road Trip Activities for Toddlers: Best Tips and Hacks
• Top 10 Family Road Trip Tips That Are A Lifesaver!
• Family Vacation Packing Tips: How to Pack Like A Pro
• Top 16 Tips For Flying With Kids (& Strategies to Keep Them Calm and Happy)

*Before leaving, be sure to check our Travel Resources Page to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

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I can’t wait to use these ideals the next time we take a trip. My son is 12 so I thought of even other ideals I can add to the bags.

Yay! I’m glad you came up with some fun ideas! Our oldest is 13 years-old and, yes, it is still fun picking out stuff for him too 🙂

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2024 Ultimate Family Road Trip Packing List (+Free Printable Checklists)

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Planning a family road trip can be exciting but also overwhelming, not knowing exactly what to pack. That’s where our experience road tripping comes in handy.

We’ve created the ultimate family road trip packing list and FREE printable checklists to make things easier for you on the open road. Drawing on our years of experience from countless road trips with our kids from babies to teens. Including cross country adventures, and week long road trips, to everything in between.

This guide covers everything. From road trip essentials for the whole family, to car and safety gear, plus tips on what to leave behind. Which you can easily adapt for wherever you’re traveling to.

With our travel-tested advice, and free printable checklists, you’ll be perfectly prepared for your adventure, making packing stress-free, straightforward, and do we dare say even fun!

Table of Contents

ROAD TRIP PACKING LIST FOR FAMILIES

Road Trip Essentials for the Car

When heading out on a long road trip, there are a few car essentials we think are important to add to your family road trip checklist.

We’ve found this, to be a fantastic tool for planning our routes & collaborating with others on the road.

• Driver’s License, Car registration and roadside assistance info – Check your glove compartment box before leaving your house to make sure you have any (and all) information you may need in a very worst case scenario.
• Extra Set of Car Keys – make sure to store it somewhere you won’t lose it, or give it to another family member. One of my fears is losing our car keys in the middle of no where, so having an extra set is peace of mind for me.
• Rental Car Agreement – If you are renting a car for your road trip, make sure to bring the agreement with you in the glove box.
• Sun Shades for the Windows – The sun can get a bit overwhelming, especially if you have really young children in the car. We’ve found Sun Shades like these super helpful.
• Cell phone holder – Especially when using GPS, having a Cell phone holder can be a game changer for your road trip.
• Car Seat or booster seat – Choose one that’s suitable for the ages of your kids, and somewhat comfortable for a long drive. We’ve found that stopping every two hours max keeps everyone happier.

Emergency Vehicle Kit

A Roadside Emergency Kit is one of the most important things we bring. It’s better to be safe than sorry and be prepared to handle the unexpected, like a flat tire is our motto.

It always gives us peace of mind knowing we have the basics, and think it will for you too.

Plus I don’t know how many times it has come in handy for helping other travelers out along the way during our own trips. It should include:

• Jumper cables
• Tire Pressure Gauge
• Flashlight & batteries ( we prefer head lamps)
• Jack & Tools
• Matches / Lighter
• Food / Energy Bars

What to pack “Just in Case”

Accidents happen. But, how you handle them can be completely different if you are prepared. Not to mention there are certain things you just don’t want to forget for a long car ride. 

Add these to your road trip with kids checklist:

• Map  – You may not ever need it, but make sure you have a paper or book road map. In case your phone dies, google maps steers you wrong, or anything else happens, you will be glad you have it.
• Paper Towel & Toilet Paper – Keep these handy for unexpected bathroom stops, or unexpected spills. Well with kids you can expect a mess!
• Wet wipes –  Whether you have a baby or not, we think baby wipes are life savers & road trip necessities.  You can clean up spills, hands, and even clothing with a few baby wipes. My daughter is 10 and we still use baby wipes for all our travels. Not just for kids!
• Small trash can – To keep your car clean, and organized with a small spill-proof car garbage can. Don’t forget the trash bags.
• Plastic bags – No one wants to talk about this, but you need to have extra bags in case anyone gets car sick. We also like to have a designated car garbage bag we empty out every day. That way the mess stays somewhat in check.
• Towels – As a safety precaution, it never hurts to add a few towels to your packing road trip. This can help in various situations of spills, sickness, and comfort.
• Licenses & wallets – Just as a reminder, make sure you have everyone’s licenses, wallets and debit / credit cards before you even walk out your front door.
• Health Care Cards / Medical Insurance Info – Also make sure to have your health care cards or medical insurance info handy.
• Extra food, water & games – In case you get stuck somewhere unexpectedly. Water is also good in case of overheating.
• Family First Aid Kit

Family First Aid Kit Essentials

If you are traveling anywhere, I highly recommend keeping a First Aid Kit in your car, and a smaller one in your backpack if you are off on hikes for the day.

Besides, if your kids are anything like mine, they go through bandaids like they are going outta style.

Here are some items we include in our family first aid kit, in addition to the usual suspects:

• Extra Band aids
• Blister Band Aids
• Disinfectant
• Polysporin / Antibiotic cream
• Acetaminophen & Ibuprofen (Kids & Adults)
• Prescription Meds
• Gravol / Motion Sickness meds
• Allergy Meds
• Rehydration Tablets
• Medical Tape
• Mosquito Repellent
• Hand Warmers
• CPR pocket mask
• Small Flashlight
• Small Pocket Knife
• Hand Sanitizer
• Plastic Gloves

PRO TIP : Buy a small cloth first aid kit, or toiletries bag and fill or switch out with your preferred Family First Aid Kit items. Keep First Aid Kit and medications handy and within reach.

Family Road Trip Essentials

When packing for your entire family, you may find that you don’t need (or want) as much as others. Or, on the flip side, you may find that you like to bring everything but the kitchen sink, just in case. No judgment here!

Do you have to bring everything we recommend on this list? Absolutely not! Specific items you pack for your family road trip will vary based on preference and destination.

Here are some family road trip essentials that can useful supplies for your next trip:

• America the Beautiful Park Pass – If you are planning on visiting USA National Parks, then a park pass will save you $$.
• Mouthwash – If you plan on bringing snacks, or even stopping to eat, having mouthwash is a must. Between having fresh breath and smelling fresh breath, you don’t want to forget this. Mints or minty gum also does in a pinch.
• Portable Charger / Power Bank   – Save yourself trouble with a pre-charged battery pack. If you have teens, a portable power bank is a must for a successful family road trip. Or in our case keeping a device addicted adult happy.
• Car Chargers  – Not only should you have a portable power bank, but bringing extra chargers that can be plugged directly into your car are a good idea. Don’t forget your device cables too for when you are in the hotel room. (Kindles, cells, tablets, gaming devices, laptops etc.)
• Camera / Go Pro – While you are out creating memories, be sure to document the fun, silly and sometimes ridiculous and unexpected moments along the way.
• Walkie Talkies – When traveling with friends and family in a convoy, we find walkie talkies are a great way to stay in touch.

Entertainment Essentials

The thought of packing for a road trip with kids can be overwhelming. But, it doesn’t have to be.

Keep in mind that you want to be including items for them to keep your trip stress-free as well. Road trip activities to keep them entertained.

• Tablet – For those moments when you just can’t take hearing another “are we there yet?”
• Headphones -You do not want to hear everything everyone is listening to on your road. A symphonic cacophony is not the most relaxing of sounds. So, save yourself the trouble, and pack headphones for everyone. If you are bringing wireless headphones , make sure to charge them before the trip.
• Books – If no one is prone to getting car sick, pack a few books or a Kindle for your family members to enjoy on your road trip. You can include learning books, entertainment, or even coloring books.

PRO TIPS: Make sure you charge any devices before you leave. Also, you will want to download any games, music, or apps beforehand.

PRO TIP : We’ve found it helpful to make sure each kidlet (and adult) has their own small travel backpack or bag with their own activities, devices, snacks, waterbottle & a change of clothes. Keep it beside them so they can easily reach it.

Kids Road Trip Essentials: Road Trip Activities for Kids

• Road Trip Bingo
• Coloring Book & Activity Pages
• Road Trip Kit
• Travel Magnetic Tangram Puzzles
• Entertaining Questions to Spark Conversations
• Paper/ journal – If you have creative kids, I recommend packing some journals, a sketchbook or paper to practice art, writing, and crafting with. Let your kids keep their own memories of their trip, with a kids road trip journal.
• Crayons / Pencil Crayons : Pack a few different crayons / pencil crayons and let them go at it! You can also add markers or pens in your overnight bags, so they can “fill-in” later if you’re worried about felt pen marks in the car.

PRO TIP: We’ve found these twistable pencil crayons are perfect, so you don’t have little bits of shavings all over your car.

• Road Trip Activities – Bring a variety of age appropriate activities. Especially if you are traveling with toddlers & preschoolers.
• Outdoor Games – Bring a few outdoor activities like a frisbee, or bubbles. We’ve found this really helps to get the wiggles out at rest stops and provides entertainment at campsites along the way.
• Road Trip Playlist – While you could just listen to the radio, making and playing a road trip playlist will up your parent cred, and make groovin’ in the car a hit. Don’t forget to embaress your kids by singing at the top of your lungs. We do 😉
• Audio Books or Audible – Perfect for keeping everyone from young kids to the older kids entertained on long trips. 

PRO TIP : Use a Back seat organizer that fits over the front seats keeps all the snacks, electronic devices, books, small toys contained and in reach of the kids.

Comfort Items

• Change of clothes – The last thing you want to happen is to have a mess with all of the extra clothes packed deep in your luggage. To alleviate the chance of this happening, pack an extra outfit in one small bag that stays on top of everything else.
• Pillows for Kids – A little comfort during your road trip can make all the difference. You don’t have to pack king size pillows, but letting each child bring a neck pillow (at minimum) is a great start! My daughter loves this bcozzy travel pillow.
• Travel Pillow for the adults – Just like for your children, the passenger also needs to be comfortable. Don’t forget to pack a pillow for you and/or your partner!
• Blankets – Kids love them & you’ll be happy to have them in winter months, or if you are driving overnight.
• Diaper bag –  Include an extra in car diaper bag for  easy access with young’uns. Fill with extra diapers, wipes, a plastic bag or a resuable wet bag, a couple of changes of clothes that is easy to grab and carry at rest stops.

Bring Road Trip Snacks & Meals

Packing road trip snacks and meals will save you time and money while heading to your final destination.

Avoid the nasty gas station food and have healthy travel snacks on the go. Making a family vacation meal plan will make your meals easier.

• Cooler – If you have extra room in your car, or you are trying to save money on food costs, you can’t go wrong with packing a cooler. Just make grocery store stops along the way to pick up supplies.
• Road trip meals: Check out our Easy Road Trip Meal ideas
• Snacks – Healthy snacks are a must. This will save you hangry kid and partner moments and money. The best road trip snacks to pack are things like nuts, granola bars, sandwiches, beef jerky, protein bars, and string cheese. Avoid packing sticky and messy snacks.
• Drinks – Just like snacks, you need to pack some of the drinks your children like. We use resuable water bottles, and refill them as needed.

⭐️ Grab some easy travel snack recipes here for your next trip.

PRO TIP: Freeze a water bottle or two full of water, then you can have cold water as it melts. It can also double as an ice pack in your cooler.

🚙 Check out our delicious road trip snack ideas .

Road Trip Packing List: Clothing

I will highlight a few key pieces of clothing for family road trips.

• Rain jackets – Instead of carrying an umbrella, pack some light rain jackets for everyone. Keep everyone warm & dry. We like this one for kids , this one for men and this one for women .
• Footwear – Bring a few options. Walking / hiking shoes, easy slip on sandals for the car and warm weather, then boots for rainy and winter season. I admit I love my Crocs for road trip travel days. Easy to slip on and of and comfortable for walking around all day if needed.
• Sunglasses – Sunglasses will cut the glare, protect your eyes, and keep you in the height of fashion.
• Hats – Sunhats, ball caps, garden straw hats, water hats. The possibilities are endless to keep the sun off your face.
• Seasonal Gear – Depending on the time of year you road trip, you may want to bring ski equipment, bikes, boogie boards, kayaks etc. What you bring will depend a lot on the size and type of vehicle you are traveling in.
• Packing Cubes – For keeping your clothes organized
• Swimwear, suits, coverups – Check out our full Beach Vacation Packing list here

PRO TIP : If you are moving around a lot on your road trip, pack each days clothes into a ziploc bag or in a packing cube . Then you can just bring into the hotel with you, rather than bringing all the bags in and out each time.

What NOT To Pack for A Family Road Trip

Now that we have our road trip essentials list, let’s get into some things we think you don’t need to pack on a family road trip

• Everything but the kitchen sink – Once you pack in the kids, cooler, dog, clothes, road trip activities you may not have as much room as you think. Consider if you can rent gear, & what’s absolutely necessary for your families enjoyment, comfort, and safety.
• Lots of toys – Inevitably with too many toys, pieces get lost, favourite toys get left behind, or there are fights amongst siblings. Pack a few car games, and maybe one small toy, but leaving most of them home.
• Too many sweets – While it is fun to have some treats, too many sweets can bring everyone’s mood high and then low. A bad combo in a confined space! Balance it out with combo of whole fruit, and protein (nuts, jerky, trail mix).
• Avoid large & hard shell suitcases – Because they’re space hogs. We much prefer small duffels, or backpacks. I have even been known to just bring my clothes in a reusable shopping bag. You can pack them in tight around stuff.
• Messy car snacks – need I say more?

Road Trip Destinations:

• Big Sur Road Trip: Epic Places to Visit & Hike
• 7 Day Family Friendly Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon Itinerary
• Yosemite National Park, Awesome 2 Day Itinerary
• Vancouver Island Canada Bucket List
• Boston to Bar Harbor & Acadia Road Trip

✅ Kids travel backpacks are perfect for holding their road trip activities, snacks & water

Free Road Trip Checklists for Families

FINAL THOUGHTS: What to Pack for A Family Road Trip

There you have our list of what to bring on a road trip. Although you may need to be a bit more mindful when packing for a road trip with your family, it doesn’t have to be too complicated.

When making your packing list, ask yourself:

• How long will we be in the car?
• What necessities can my children not live without during this time?
• What will provide the most comfort for my family on this road trip?

Once you answer those questions, you will have a solid road trip packing list for your family.

Donna Garrison is the founder of Packed for Life, an ever curious traveler with a passion for making memories with her family. With a unique perspective on travelling on a budget gathered over 30 years, 20 countries and 5 continents she gives families the tools & resources they need to experience the joys of travelling more for less through practical solutions. She helps over 20,000 families a month plan & take the family travel, camping and road trip adventures of their dreams in Canada, the USA and around the world. Contact her at: Donna [at] packedforlife.com

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The Best Bags for Traveling With Kids

Whether the sunshine season has you hitting the road or exploring your city, the right bag might mean the difference between a successful trip or a downright disastrous one — especially when you're toting everything your kids need on a minute-by-minute basis.

Related To:

If you've been a parent for a day, you know the importance of a good bag. From the moment you have your bundle of joy, you realize he or she comes with an abundance of stuff — that you have to carry. My kids are elementary-age now. (Do teenagers carry their own stuff?) And even though the needs have changed, the bag requirement has not.

As we make our plans for the summer, which mostly involves a lot of outdoor adventures, I was thinking about what totes, sacks, backpacks and bags we'll need to haul our load — i.e. all the snacks. Keep scrolling to see great finds, some new to me and some of my tried-and-true favorites.

Best All-Around

Fjallraven Totepack No. 2

This is one of my all-time favorite bags. It's a tote bag that quickly transforms into a backpack. It's not bulky or overly big but always manages to hold everything I need. As probably my most used bag, I've grabbed it to go to the zoo, the park, the aquarium, day hiking, Disney World, Dollywood, Universal Studios. Basically, anywhere I've taken my kids in the last seven years, this bag has gone with me.

Best for Play Dates

Petunia Pickle Bottom Axis Insulated Backpack

Hands-free carrying is a must when keeping up with little and big kids. Designed to work as a diaper bag (with included changing pad and insulated bottle pocket) or as kids get older, this versatile backpack has an easy-to-access and spacious top portion, as well as an insulated bottom compartment to keep snacks and drinks cool.

Best for Parks

Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote

This classic bag has a big fan club and for good reason. It's chic, spacious and works for days with or without kiddos. Throw in everything you need to spend a day at the park, zip and snap it closed for no fear of dropping sippy cups, keys or a favorite toy. The water-resistant finish will give you peace of mind at the splash pad or setting it in damp grass.

Best for Road Trips

High Road CarHop Car Seat Organizer

Take the stress out of long car trips with this handy organizer. The insulated tote keeps snacks and drinks chilled for hours, and each side has pockets for storing all your kiddo's essentials — tablets, headphones, books and stuffed animals.

Best for the Beach

Shade & Shore Mesh Tote Handbag

I'm a big fan of mesh bags for the beach because sand in the bottom of my bag makes me cranky. I've carried this exact tote for two summers, and it holds all of our towels, beach toys, hats and other necessities. The outer pockets are perfect for keeping sunscreen and my phone (which goes in a waterproof bag) handy. Plus, it's only $10.

Best for the Pool

FITFORT Mesh Beach Tote Bag

This is also a great bag for the beach, but I particularly love it for the pool since it's a compact all-in-one solution. Often, I need more than one bag for the beach since we're out there all day, but the pool, I can get away with one clever tote. This has my favorite mesh top that dries quickly and doesn’t hold on to odors, but it adds an insulated cooler bag on the bottom. It's big enough to hold 12 cans of soda so you'll have all the kids' snacks and drinks ready.

Best for Hiking

CamelBak Mini M.U.L.E. Hydration Backpack

While I carry the bulk of our gear when we hit the trails as a family, my kids are old enough now to carry small packs, which definitely lightens my load. These mini packs have a safety whistle (a must in the woods) and allow kids to haul their own water and snacks.

Best for Amusement Parks

Sunhiker Water-Resistant Travel Backpack

Though this pack is designed for day hikes and mountain biking, don't discount it for a day at the amusement park. Not only does it have comfortable mesh shoulder straps, multiple compartments and water bottle pockets, but it's also water-resistant. If you're hopping on a water ride or get stuck in a sudden rain shower, you don't have to worry about all your stuff getting soaked.

Best for All the Extras

ZOMAKE Ultra-Lightweight Packable Backpack

Whether you're spending the day at the zoo, shopping around a quaint downtown or just taking a walk through nature, I've found that it never hurts to have an extra bag at the ready. Kids always seem to collect things as they go. This packable backpack folds up into a sandwich-size bag that you can easily stow inside another bag or suitcase.

Best for Toting Kids

Micro Kickboard Ride-On Suitcase

Give those little legs a break by carting them on this ride-on suitcase. Get to your gate at the airport with ease, or pull sleepy kiddos to your hotel room after a long road trip. The lightweight luggage is easy to steer and has ample packing space.

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How to Make Awesome DIY Family Road Trip Goodie Bags

Survive your next family road trip with diy travel activity bags that keep kids and teens occupied and entertained…road trip goodie bags (with free printable tags).

Man, I am totally tripping….

ROAD TRIPPING that is!!

Since we are still in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of our big travel plans have all been canceled so we’ve been doing A LOT more road trips with the kids.

And because 2020 has pretty much sucked in SO.MANY.WAYS. we are trying our best to squeeze the most amount of fun out of things we do with our family.

On top of that “fun list” is bringing back the old school style road trips.

Back in the olden days when I was a kid, my parents would make little packages of snacks and activities to open every hour to help make the ride go a wee bit faster and to help keep us kiddos entertained during the long periods of riding on the drive.

Looking back, the time spent together on these vacation trips were some of my favorite memories.

So, I decided to take a page from that early 80’s playbook of child-rearing and get cracking on some ROAD TRIP GOODIE BAGS for our next family road trip!

(Note: The links in this post are AMAZON affiliate links, and we will be compensated when you make a purchase by clicking through our links. Read our full disclaimer policy here. )

The first task at hand…I hit up the local dollar store…ya’ know, the Dollar Tree and the Dollar Spot at Target, grabbed some brown lunch sacks, made some fun printable tags, and I was off and rolling!

Seriously y’all, if you haven’t done this for your kids…do it! They will love it! No matter the age, whether you have young children or older kids like me, it’s a great addition to any long car trip you have planned!

Picture Proof Above: Happy Teen holding a road trip goodie bag!

Listen, my kids are teenagers, and when you are an adolescent, you are way too cool for school….and even THEY loved it, so I guarantee your kids will too!

Prepping for a vacation, especially if you are traveling by car, can be stressful, so I’m going to make one thing easier in life for you…I made the cute printable goodie bag tags just for you for your next road trip !!

So all you’ve got to do is buy some “goodies”, print the tags, and fill the bags with all the fun stuff you’ve found. I’ve made them for our last two trips, and if my pandemic weary mind can do it, you can too!

Seeing the kids happy while you are logging the long miles in the car will totally be worth any extra effort it takes!

Here’s a breakdown of the steps one by one and some helpful tips for you…

1. Stan with the Plan – Prepping Your Road Trip Goodie Bags

The first step in planning your epic road trip goodie bag extravaganza is to first take into consideration how long your trip is going to be.

So first you need to count how many hours you will be in the car on your road trip!

My rule of thumb is to plug in the destination in my Google Maps app and if the trip is 6 hours, I’m gonna make 5 bags (starting at hour one)…if it’s 9 hours, then plan for 8 bags to keep the troops happy and so on. However long your trip is will determine how many bags you make.

We did not open bags as we returned home but if you want to really be industrious, you can make double the amount for your return trip home.

Have at it, momma – you will certainly earn the distinction for “Mom of the Year” with that one!

2. Get the Goods – What to Purchase for Your Road Trip Goodie Bags

The next step is to visit your local discount store or Dollar Tree and load up on some cheap yet entertaining “goodies”.

This is the time where you let your cheesy mom factor shine!

If you have teens, think about what your kids loved when they were little and run with it! Mine loved those magic pen coloring books like these below, so yep, I picked up a set of those!

Hello, Disney Princess toys!

Was silly putty a fave in your house?

Then grab it!

Remember you don’t need to spend tons of money! Buying expensive items is not necessary, and I would actually caution against it.

Search for items that won’t break the budget! Stick to the cheap stuff!

You’ll be surprised how much your “big kids” like the little kid’s things because it brings back some good childhood memories for them!

Also, be sure to get some junky snacks…my kids don’t normally get junk food, but hey, you are on vacation, so get a little C-R-A-Z-Y… hello, Ring Pops and Kinder Joy eggs!  Grab a fun snack that your kids love!

*A word to the wise*…don’t overload your kids with too much bad food, especially if they are not used to eating that poison …um, I mean sugary goodness.

On our first road trip, my son ate every single crappy treat I packed, and he didn’t feel so great when we arrived at our end destination #liveandlearn

Our goodie bags had the following items:

• Bean Boozled Game
• Fidget Spinners
• Ball of Whacks Puzzle Game
• Cheez-it Snacks
• Kinder Joy Chocolate Treat
• Road Trip Bingo Game
• Other Random Entertaining Toys

Also, if you are short on time and don’t want to run all over town looking for goodie bag items, you can order some super fun things on Amazon…

ROAD TRIP GOODIE BAG IDEAS

– Car Bingo

– BeanBoozled Jelly Bean Game

– Ball of Whacks

– Travel Connect Four Game

– Take N’ Play Hangman Game

– Magnetic Tangrams

– Rubik’s Cube

– Paint By Sticker Picture

– Magic Snake Puzzle

(OMG, This was my fave in 3rd grade)

Hey 80’s kids…remember this one…the magic snake?

Oh, yeah, and one more tip…you don’t have to buy all new things!

Some of the items I grabbed from the store and others we had around our house, so be sure to check out your own stash of small toys at home!

I looked through our game cabinet and found a few things we already owned that would be boredom busters in the car, like the “Ball of Wacks” & Rubik’s Cube….and I know you’ve got a fidget spinner somewhere around your house!!

If you have younger kids, I would suggest packing some simple crafts like coloring books, one page Hidden Picture worksheets, or even pipe cleaners to make shapes or “sculptures”.

Heck, you can even plan some fun family competitions for the car ride…”Who can make the silliest face”, “Name that Tune” or the “Quiet Contest”. Anything that will help pass the time!

If you need more inspiration, I created a whole board of Road Trip Ideas on Pinterest filled with all sorts of creative car activities and games!

3. P.P.S. – Print, Pack, and Staple Your Road Trip Goodie Bags

Once you’ve gathered your goodies, it’s time to package them.

I’ve made these bag tags just for you…

Oh, and I have two versions for you…one that’s more colorful…

and one that uses less ink…um, have I mentioned that I am frugal? (yes, even with computer ink!)

When you are ready to label the bags, you can put a specific time for kids to open them or you can write the location along your road trip…for me, going the location route seemed to be harder for me to figure out, so I went with the time….K.I.S.S – Keep It Simple, Sister!

Once you’ve packed the bags, added the tags, and stapled them, you are ready to roll, mama!

See, now wasn’t that easy!?!? (Hint – the answer is “YES”)

Also, do you have all the essentials for your road trip?

Check out my 13 Road Trip Essentials!

And, now you’ve got the recipe for a fabulous family road trip!

What do you think?

Did you find any amazing finds at your dollar store that I should add to my list…my kids would love some new ideas in our rotation!

Until next time, cheers to being a Rocking Road Warrior, and cheers to YOU!

P.S. Got pinterest and want to remember this post for later?  “Pin” the image below!

Magan Weber

Your Go-To Mama For 

Organizing your health , , home, & happiness.

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55 Road Trip Goodie Bag Ideas for Kids

By: Author Couch Potato Camping

Posted on Published: May 18, 2024  - Last updated: May 21, 2024

Categories DIY

Travel goodie bags are the perfect way to eliminate boredom on a road trip. Hours of driving with nothing to do can wear on your morale and your mood. Road trip goodie bags offer something to look forward to and break up the monotony of travel. After all, who doesn’t love opening up a small present of items chosen just for them to enjoy?!

For kids, busy bags for car trips also encourage positive behavior during the drive. No more whining, complaining or melt downs in the back seat.

And you won’t hear “Are We There Yet?” moaned a hundred times before the end of the day! When there is the promise of a present, you will be surprised at how well the kids can behave for a while!

Make your vacation goodie bags extra special with our printable travel goodie bag labels ! These labels allow you to write down the times or reasons of when and why the bags can be opened.

Put a few of the items in the list below in lunch-size brown paper bags and fold over the top to secure. Staple or tape one of these labels to the top of each bag.

Goodie Bag Ideas

When finding the best items for car activity bags, you want small items that won’t take up much room, as well as fun things to do that don’t require electricity or batteries. These are some of the best ideas for travel goodie bags for adults and for kids.

Fun Stuff to Do

• Travel Journal
• Word Puzzle Book
• Crossword Puzzle Book
• Old-School Pen and Paper Games (get our free download!)
• Sudoku Book
• Window Crayons
• Pack of Cards
• Rubik’s cube
• Coloring Book
• Paper dolls
• Mini Notebook
• Drink Koozie
• Kaleidoscope
• Old Fashioned View Finder
• Mini Puzzle
• Mini Lego Kits
• Magnetic travel games (this Minecraft magnetic game is a great STEM toy)
• Wipe-off activity book
• Charm bracelet making kit
• Book to Read
• Flavored Lip Balm
• Sheet Masks for a Spa-like Experience
• Manicure sticker sets
• Cash or Gift Cards for Destinations You Will Stop At (McDonald’s, Wendy’s, etc.)
• iTunes Gift Card
• Gaming Gift Cards

See our list of 52 Road Trip Activities for Kids for some more great ideas.

• Snack Size Potato Chips
• Snack Size Pretzels
• Trail Mix Packs
• Cookie packs
• Granola bars
• Dried fruit
• Squeeze pouches of fruit

Be sure to see our huge list of 317 Non-Perishable Foods for Camping for even more great ideas.

• Bottled water
• Soda bottles or cans
• Juice Boxes
• Boxed Milks
• Energy Drink

How to Use Travel Goodie Bags

Travel goodie bags are perfect for encouraging good behavior from kids in the car. Think of it as a bribe of not complaining!

Road trip bags for adults are also great to have something to look forward to. They are a great way to share your love with your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, or partner when they are not traveling with you.

Nothing says that you care like a fun treat bag full of things you know they will like.

Remember, you can print out these fun labels in 3 different styles that have times or ideas of when to open the bags.

Here are some ideas for using car activity bags for both adults and kids:

• Give out a bag after good behavior
• Promise a goodie bag for not complaining or asking “When Are We Going to Get There?”
• Help kids learn time by giving out a goodie bag at a designated time of the day
• Have travel goodie bags for adults to open each time they stop to stretch their legs (this helps encourage physical activity when driving)
• Make a goodie bag with a theme of stops along the drive.
• Hide a goodie bag in their luggage or in the vehicle for them to find along the way.

50+ Family Road Trip Essentials

by Michelle Pratt | May 21, 2024 | Big Kid , Infant , Mom Life , Toddler , Travel | 0 comments

Headed on a family road trip? Let’s be honest – traveling with kids is an extraordinary yet somewhat challenging experience. Having the right road trip essentials in your diaper bag, glove box, and luggage can make everything easier and less stressful. Road trips done right with the family create incredible core memories but may come at a cost to your sanity (and your wallet). But when you’re prepared, you can tackle any emergency or hiccup! We’ve got you covered with the best family road trip games and activities, road trip essentials for emergencies, and everything in between.

At Safe in the Seat, we’ve been on a road trip or two (or ten), and we’ve got the ultimate road trip packing list. You can head over to our Amazon Shop for our entire catalog of helpful road trip products, and today we’ve rounded up our top picks. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Pratt, CPST (@safeintheseat)

50+ Family Road Trip Essentials 

Road trip essentials for emergencies.

Best Compact First Aid Kit For the Car: PreparaKit First Aid Kit for Kids

First aid kits are a necessity for any trip! This compact option has everything you need, and it’s the perfect size for the car glove box, your luggage, or the diaper bag. 

Best Car Jump Starter for Road Trips: NEXPOW Car Jump Starter

Whether the kids left the dome light on or the door didn’t get shut all the way, a dead battery in the morning isn’t an uncommon family road trip mishap! This portable charger can jump-start your car and get you moving. And it can also charge your phone and tablets! 

Best Vomit Bags for Travel: MP MOZZPAK Bags

If you have a child with motion sickness struggles, you’re probably already dreading your upcoming road trip. We have a bunch of motion sickness products in our Amazon Storefront that will hopefully keep your kiddo comfortable. Grab a few of those prevention tools, but always keep your car stocked with vomit bags.

Best Wipes for the Car: Water Wipes

These are the best wipes to keep in the car! Even when your littles are out of diapers, keep these wipes on you at all times. They’re over 99% water-based, which makes them great for wiping faces, hands, and even small messes around the car. The fact that they’re water-based makes them a great, gentle cleaning wipe for your car seats as well! 

Best Wet Bags for the Car: ALVABABY

These are a must when you have kiddos! Kids mean messes between potty accidents, spills, etc. You can toss any wet or gross clothes or items right into this bag to keep them sealed and out of the way until you reach your destination. These are also great for trips to the beach, splash pad, or unexpected play dates – easily store your sandy and/or wet bathing suits. 

Best Flat Tire Repair and Inflator: Fix-A-Flat

When you’re family road trip packing, you need to plan for setbacks like flat tires! Having a spare tire is ideal, but this Fix-A-Flat aerosol solution is great in a pinch. The can will patch and inflate your flat tire in no time! 

Baby Road Trip Essentials

Best Rear-Facing Safety Mirror for the Car: Travel Bug

When you have your children safely rear-facing, it’s difficult to see what they’re up to when you’re on long drives. This is specifically nerve-wracking when your child falls asleep in the car . A safety mirror allows you to see your child in the rear-view mirror, so you always know they’re safe. Ensure your mirror is soft-sided, and don’t let the view become too much of a distraction. (More on common distractions while driving, HERE .)

Best Diaper Changing Pad for Travel: Evolur Eva

Whether you’re changing your baby at rest stops or in the back seat, you need a good diaper-changing pad. This pad is nice and soft, and it’s also great inside and out of the car (hello, public restrooms!). It’s perfect to lay in the trunk on a pit stop to quickly and easily change your little one. Its small size also makes it easy to easily store in your trunk or back seat. 

Best Infant Car Seat Toy: Infant Foot Rattle Socks

Safe car seat toys must be soft-sided and pose no choking risk. These foot rattles are perfect for infants who have more limited entertainment options in the car. The best part? These won’t fall on the floor after a few minutes. 

Best Teether for the Car: Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy

These sensory toys are great for little hands to play with, shake, and chew on! They’re completely soft-sided, and they rattle when your little one shakes them. Parent-hack: Attach it to your baby’s pacifier clip and to their clothing so they’re less likely to toss it!

Best Baby Books for the Car: Soft Baby Books

These little books are super tactile for your baby’s little hands and curious minds. They’re full of bright, vivid colors and crinkle sounds and safe to chew on! We are always recommending them because they’re always a favorite from you all!

Best Pacifier Clips for the Car: Babygoal

For any other car seat toys you grab for your baby, use these pacifier clips! You can clip their pacifier or favorite toys to their clothes using this handy tool. (Make sure you don’t attach the pacifier clips to the car seat’s harness straps.) 

Best Diaper Caddy for the Car: Parker Baby

This soft-sided caddy is a great storage solution for not only diapers, wipes, and creams but for anything that your baby may require on your trip! Organize everything just the way you want to with the adjustable dividers. Not only is it soft and flexible for convenience, but it’s also a safe option in the event of a car crash because of its soft material. 

Toddler Road Trip Essentials

Best Sensory Toy for the Car: BunMo Poppin’ Pipes

Pop tubes are a toddler favorite, and they’re perfect for car seat fun. They are open-ended, soft-sided, and don’t include a ton of pieces. Even your older kids will love these! 

Best Busy Board for Road Trips: Firetruck Busy Board  

Busy boards have so many opportunities for play. Your child can practice buckles, buttons, clips, zippers, and shoelaces to expand those fine motor skills while in the car. Plus, it’s shaped like a firetruck, which any toddler would love. 

Best Portable Potty Training Toilet: OXO Tot 2-in-1

When you’re doing road trips with kids, you’ve got to be in tune with the bathroom situation along your route. Though it might seem like there are plenty of rest stops on the way, when your toddler has to go, they’ve got to go. This portable potty will make it easier to make a sudden roadside stop to tinkle. The best part? It’s foldable, which makes for easy car storage! 

Best Activity Book for Road Trips: Melissa and Doug Water Wow

If you have access to water, then you have access to this AWESOME activity! These are a great, mess-free way for your kids to color while on a road trip. Just fill the pen with water, and let them color to their heart’s desire! Once the page dries, the color disappears, so your little one can use it over and over again. 

Best Road Trip Game for Toddlers: 100 Things For Little Children Activity Cards

These activity cards are a great way to keep your little one busy on long car rides and road trips. Hand them just a few at a time with a dry-erase marker, and they can do each small activity to keep them busy for hours. 

Road Trip Essentials for Kids

Best Headphones for Kids: RORSOU R1 Kids Headphones 

These headphones are adjustable and super comfortable for your kiddo to use all of the time, but especially in the car on a road trip! They also fold and become compact enough to fit into a backpack or small bag. Headphones are imperative to lessen distractions for the driver and for when you have multiple kids in the car using tablets and devices!

Best iPad Case for Travel: LTROP iPad Case for Kids

We hate to break it to you, but those tablet holders that hang over your headrests are unsafe in the event of an accident. Although they may still become a dangerous projectile in a car crash , handheld devices are still safer. We love this case because it has soft sides, 3 handles, and even a strap for you or your older kiddos to wear cross-body when you’re out of the car! It also has a stand on the back, which is great for propping it on a table when you get to where you’re going! Pro tip: in the car, you can stand it up on a pillow on your child’s lap for movies and TV shows!

Best Toy Organizer for the Car: BagSmart Toiletry Bag

Now THIS is a game-changer! This bag went viral for makeup and other toiletries, but fill it with small toys and activities, and you’ve got the best activity bag for on-the-go! Keep your little one busy for hours, and let them explore what treats and activities you store in each compartment. The ultimate way to avoid “I’m bored!” while being nice and compact. Keep it in the car, take it into restaurants, and always have it ready to go! It’s a great way to stay organized. Don’t forget to pick up one for yourself and your toiletries too! 

Best Interactive Road Trip Activity: PlayTape Road Tape

Use this awesome road tape to create an interactive visual for your kiddo to track how far they’ve traveled and how much time is left in the car! Minimize the “are we there yet?” questions by having your child mark on the tape each landmark you pass or for each stop you make. As they see the tape filling up with markers, they can see that they’re getting closer and closer to your destination!

Best Calming Road Trip Activity: Game Note Origami Kit

If your child is creative and/or loves to use their hands, this origami kit is a great way to keep them busy and entertained! They can follow the step-by-step instructions to learn how to fold each project as they progressively get more challenging. 

Best Creative Road Trip Toy: Clixo Magnetic Building Toy

These flexible and magnetic building pieces are great for engaging multiple people in the car! Let your creative juices flow, and see what you all come up with to build and create. Or, let one child build a massive creation just on their own during the long journey. These are great for getting your creative juices flowing and keeping multiple kids (or adults!) entertained for a good chunk of time. 

Best Toy to Keep Kids Busy: WikkiStix

These reusable wax sticks are another great creative outlet for your kiddos to come up with fun creations on their own. They easily bend and twist to become any shape you want, and they can connect to make anything from a pair of silly glasses to a whole community of stick people. These will keep your kids entertained endlessly. 

Best Drawing Toy for the Car: Kokodi LCD Writing Tablet

Entertaining older kids on a road trip doesn’t need to involve screens. Well, at least not standard electronic screens! This LCD writing tablet gives hours of fun and can be reused again and again. 

Best Challenging Activity for Kids: Secret Decoder Activity Books

If you want to make your road trip with kids really exciting, these decoder activity books will transform the driving time into an exciting spy adventure. There are dozens of activities to keep them busy the whole way! 

Best Family Road Trip Game: Interstate Highway Travel Bingo Set

These classic Interstate Highway travel bingo sets never get old! You can play them again and again with the whole family or by yourself. The assortment pack comes with four different versions of the bingo game to keep the fun coming. 

Road Trip Essentials for Adults

Best Car Trash Can: EPAuto Waterproof Car Trash Can

Between diapers, wipes, wrappers, and disposable food containers, you’ll generate a lot of waste on your road trip. To keep your car organized , have a waterproof car trash can on your vehicle seat. And don’t forget the trash bags!

Best Nursing Tops for On The Go: Smallshow Tops

Babies need to eat, and they’re not always on the same schedule as you. So, stopping to breastfeed is essential when driving long distances. These nursing tops are perfect for making those stops quick and easy. For more on safe car feeding, check out this post .

Best Way to Clean Pacifiers: Munchkin Arm & Hammer Pacifier Wipes

On a long road trip, pacifiers, bottles, toys, and more will end up on the floor or in the dirt. You need wipes to sanitize those tools and get them back in the hands of the littles. These wipes make that easy! 

Best Travel Tumbler: Silipint Silicone Tumbler

Moms, we know you love your Stanley cups, but hard-sided water bottles are a big safety risk. If you were to get in a crash, the cup would become a dangerous projectile. However, we want you to stay hydrated. Do so with a silicone tumbler instead! 

Best Car Vacuum: eufy By Anker

This little vacuum is a fan favorite! It’s small and portable and easily fits right into your glove compartments. Its size makes it super easy to get into all of the nooks and crannies of your car and car seats after the endless snacks during the whole road trip. 

Best Charger for the Car: Anker Charging Cords  

These charging cords are essential for any road trip because the last thing you want is for any device to run out of battery on you. These chargers work quickly, and they’re nice and long for when you need to reach the USB port at the front of the car to your kiddo’s iPad in the back seat.

Road Trip Essentials for Comfort in the Car

Best Cooler for a Road Trip: Packit Freezable Snack Bags

These bags are great for packing snacks for your long journey. Pop these in the freezer before you leave, pack them with your family’s favorite snacks, and keep them nice and cool in the car. They’re super foldable when empty and are great for school lunches too. 

Best Travel Snack Tray: GoBe Kids Snack Spinner

When you have small kids, you know how important it is to keep things fun and fresh to make them excited. This is ESPECIALLY important when it comes to food! This fun and tactile snack spinner is a fun way to serve your little one some healthy snacks and treats while you’re traveling and at home. 

Best Snack Containers for the Car: Zip Top Silicone Snack Containers

These zip-top silicone snack containers can store all of your road trip snacks in a safe soft-sided vessel. That way, if the container gets thrown or it becomes a projectile in a crash, it won’t cause injury! 

Best Travel Pillow: Beckham Hotel Collection

These pillows are great for the home and the car! If you want to encourage a nap in the car during your trip, these pillows are great for your child to cuddle with and relax in their seats.

Best Footrests for Kids: Inflatable Foot Rests

If your kiddo is forward facing in the car, their little legs may get uncomfortable dangling from their seat for longer amounts of time on a road trip. These inflatable footrests are a great option to rest their feet comfortably in front of them. Because they’re inflatable, they can easily store and travel with you wherever you go. 

Road Trip Pit Stop Essentials

Best Picnic Blanket for Road Trips: Oceas Outdoor Pocket Blanket

We know that it’s important to stop the car, get out, and get some stretches every couple of hours. A great opportunity to do this is at a park or in a nice open green space. This outdoor blanket is perfect for a picnic lunch or to let your baby roll around a bit outside of the car. The best part? It folds up to be super compact!

Best Outdoor Road Trip Family Game: Mollybee Kids Scavenger Hunt

This is a great way for your kiddo(s) to get some energy out while you’re stopped! The prompts will send them off to find things in nature that they should be able to find in any park or green space. It will keep their mind and bodies occupied during that much-needed outdoor time. 

Best Outdoor Toy for Big Kids: Activ Life Flying Rings

Another great outdoor toy to keep your kiddo moving when you’re taking a break outside of the car. Warning! These things can go FAR! Make sure your play area is large enough for kids with a strong arm! These are great to easily store in the car since they’re so compact. 

Best Easy Outdoor Toy for Kids: Refresh Sports Airplane Glider

Another lightweight and easy-to-store toy to help get some energy out while at a pit stop. Have a contest to see who can throw theirs the farthest!

Best Ball for the Car: Knobby Ball

Either inflate these before you leave or once you get to your pit stop. These knobby balls are great to toss or kick around while taking a break outside of the car. They’re also a great sensory option for kiddos who may need some sensory stimulation!

Winter Road Trip Essentials

Best Coat for the Car Seat: Buckle Me Baby Coat

Children wearing heavy, puffy coats in car seats aren’t safe . These coats compress in an accident, leaving a dangerous space between your baby and their safety belts! So, if you’re driving in cold weather and need a winter layering solution, try the Buckle Me baby coat that fastens over the harness straps for safe and cozy riding. 

Best Light Jacket for the Car Seat: Birdy Boutique Car Seat Poncho

If you don’t need something as thick as a Buckle Me baby coat, a car seat poncho works great. It fits and feels like a blanket, but it won’t fall off with the first kick. Plus, it’s 100% winter road trip safe ! 

Best Snow Broom and Ice Scrapers: Snow Joe

When you’re on a road trip in winter, you never know when you’ll hit extreme weather. In these situations, you may need to pull over or find a place to turn in for the night. While you’re resting or waiting, snow and ice can pile up on your car, and this snow broom is the perfect fix! 

Summer Road Trip Essentials

Best Way to Cool Off the Car: The Noggle

Car rides in the summer heat can be tough. Keeping your children cool in the back is essential for keeping them safe and comfortable. The Noggle can deliver cold air from the front of the car to the back of the car in seconds. 

Best Car Window Shades: Enovoe Shades

Window shades are helpful for keeping the sun out of your child’s eyes while they nap and enjoy the ride! They can also provide protection from damaging UV rays. 

Best Sunscreen for Kids and Babies: Thinkbaby SPF 50+

Though you can’t get sunburned through a car window, you can still receive sun damage to your skin! This is because a car window only blocks out one type of UV rays . So, to keep your baby’s skin healthy on a hot road trip, coat them with sunscreen. 

Make road trips fun, safe, and easy with these road trip essentials! 

Is your family gearing up for a memorable family road trip? The right items can take your trip from a stress-filled disaster to a serene and cherished memory. Once you collect your road trip essentials, make sure to stop every 2 hours to let kiddos stretch out! This is especially important for infants, but you can read more about road trip safety HERE .

For more vehicle and car seat safety information, check out our Safe in the Seat blog and YouTube Channel . We have content to answer any of your child passenger safety questions!

Plus, you can get the latest updates and advice on our Insta . With such handy online resources, you can take us with you on your road trip too! (Don’t worry, we won’t be in any of the family pictures.) Have a great vacation!

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Road Trip Goodie Bags For Toddlers, Kids, and Adults

A family road trip can be full of adventure but also long periods of anticipation and boredom.  To help overcome road trip fatigue, put together fun road trip goodie bags for the toddlers, kids, and even the adults to enjoy in the car!

There are only so many games of I Spy and License Plate Bingo that a family can enjoy before the novelty wears off. By implementing surprise goodie bags, it is bound to liven up that time spent on the road and replace, “Are we there yet?” with ” Is it time for another road trip goodie bag yet?”

What Are Road Trip Goodie Bags?

Road trip goodie bags are inexpensive, fun bags that can be given to toddlers or kids periodically throughout a road trip. Inside each bag is either a small toy, activity, or snack for them to enjoy. Some families choose to give a new bag every hour, while others opt for a new bag for each new state they enter. There is no right or wrong way to do road trip goodie bags. Choose things to put in the goodie bag that you know your child will enjoy.

Tips For Creating Road Trip Goodie Bags

Creating the perfect set of road trip goodie bags comes down to the age and interests of each child receiving the bags. While some children love to read and do crafts, others can get car sickness while trying to do those things.

• Keep in mind that you may want to create a few goodie bags for the return trip home.
• Choose items not overtly messy, or that could cause frustration. For example, giving my 3-year-old daughter play-doh while on the road resulted in a meltdown because she couldn’t roll it out, cut it and do what she wanted while contained in a car seat. We ended up finding hard bits of play-doh all over the car.
• Items do not have to be expensive. The majority of our items came from a Dollar Store. The total for 13 goodie bags was close to $30, which included snacks and bags.
• The most popular items in our goodie bags were the ones that contained a small toy. In our case, a little doll.  Little toys such as small cars, plastic figurines, or stuffed animals would work well too.

Road Trip Goodie Bags For Toddlers and Kids

• Consider getting a figurine set and dividing the figurines into different goodie bags over the course of the road trip. This is perfect if you have a little one into a theme such as Disney, Paw Patrol, or other popular characters.
• Throw in a fun snack every few goodie bags. We added applesauce pouches, fruit snacks, and other tasty treats to help make it through the long stretches between meals.
• Consider having a Halfway There Bag, which contains a very special item or toy that marks your trip’s half-way point. For us, this was a Jasmine doll since this was something she has been asking for.
• The Target dollar spot often has tons of great activities to put in bags. Especially for older kids.
• Take everything out of the packaging before placing it in the road trip goodie bag. You don’t want to have to haul around all the cardboard, plastic wrap, or worry about cutting something out of a box.
• Keep your Road Trip Goodie Bags a secret! Don’t tell your kids what is in each one; keep them guessing!

11 Road Trip Goodie Bag Ideas For Toddlers

A Magazine or Book

Books and magazines are always a great road trip option.  We squirreled away the newest High Five Magazine and her Nat Geo Animal Magazine to put in the road trip bags. Toddlers often enjoy books with lots of pictures of things they enjoy. Whether it is dinosaurs or princesses, a good picture book a great choice.

Little Figurines and Raisins

The Dollar Tree came in for the win with this little fairy for a buck. It was a great addition to our bags. Plus, we threw in a raisin snack to help curb any hunger.

Road Trip Bingo

This particular game will go over well for toddlers who are forward-facing.  It was lost on our little gal, who currently is rear-facing because she couldn’t see to mark off the items. However, she did make-up her own game and claimed the road trip bingo to be her map. I found these fun games at Target and the Dollar Tree.

Handheld Games and Apple Sauce

These fun little handheld games are perfect for keeping kids busy while on the road. I was on the hunt for the fun handheld water games, but the move the ball one proved just as fun.  My daughter and I took turns, trying to see who could move the ball into the hole the fastest!  Games like these can be found in dollar stores are a great addition to any great road trip goodie bag.  We paired it an apple sauce pouch because we snack often.

Halfway There Bag

The Halfway There Bag, we made special by placing a toy that we know she has wanted. For us, this happened to be a princess, Jasmine. Other ideas could be a stuffed animal, an interactive toy, or other highly revered toys in your toddler’s mind. It could even be a book with lift-a-flaps or one that makes music.

Colorforms and Fruit Snacks

One of the reasons I adore Colorforms is that the stickers are reusable. Peel them off and stick again and again. Perfect for toddlers.  They have a wide variety of different sets available. We got two sets, Frozen 2  and My Little Ponies, for a dollar each at the Dollar Tree.  One set for the way down, and one set for the way home.  Pair it with fruit snacks and you have a happy little traveler.

Crayola Mess-Free Coloring Pages

While I usually would insert coloring books and crayons here, my daughter loves her markers. Mommy loves markers that don’t make a mess, so this a match made in heaven.  The markers won’t color anything but the pages of this particular paper, which is perfect while on the road. She has a little travel tray, which she tolerated only while coloring. The hardest part was the constant putting caps back on the markers, but she enjoyed it.

Another Small Toy and Granola Bar

Have I mentioned how much I love the Dollar Store?! Another dollar store toy for the win! We paired it with her favorite Happy Tot Granola Bar.

Stickers and a Travel Journal

Grab a pack of stickers and a fun travel journal and see what they come up with. For my 3- year old, I will peel off the sticker edges, leaving only the stickers. This makes it easy for little fingers to peel the stickers off.

Look and Find Books

From the classic Where’s Waldo to themed look and find books, kids love trying to find hidden pictures. While these books can get pricy, I recommend heading over to a local resale shop. For example, I caught this Disney Princess Look and Find Book for $1.50 at Once Upon A Child. Half-Price Books is another excellent spot to find these books at a good price.

Colorforms Funny Faces Game

Our love of Colorforms runs deep, so when we saw that they had a funny faces game, we knew that this would be a big hit. Our friends over at Play Monster provided us with the Colorforms Funny Faces Game to review, and we couldn’t be happier. The Funny Faces Game is the ideal game for toddlers and kids. Not only was it easy to play on the road because the face pieces stick to your board, but we also enjoyed having a family game night during our vacation.

The game is simple, easy instructions and allows creativity to flow. Our daughter enjoyed playing the game and then started creating her own version of who could make the silliest face, the scariest face, etc. It was a hoot.  You can grab your game at Fred Meyers or online !

The road trip goodies bags are a great way to keep your toddler entertained during a road trip. For more ideas on how to have a successful road trip with a toddler, check out our Toddler Road Trip Tips .

A Few Ideas For Unique Road Trip Goodie Bags For Older Kids

Road trip goodie bags are not just for toddlers, but older kids as well. While older kids may not be as amused with little trinkets and toys as the toddlers are, they get equally excited about getting a goodie bag.  Here are a few ideas on what to stuff surprise older kids with during a road trip.

I am bringing back this blast from the past.  Latch-Rugs is a great way to keep older children entertained while on the road, and as a bonus, the completed craft is an awesome new rug for their room.

Latch Rugs are easy to learn and can chew up a reasonable amount of time while on the road. Our advice is to keep a special bag handy to keep the pieces and yarn organized. It is a craft that they will keep coming back to complete. Latch Rugs can be found at Michaels or online at Playmonster.

If you are traveling with creative kids who love arts and crafts, consider getting a spirograph. This toy will hands-down be a grand slam for older kids and the spirograph is built to travel and create. When you pull out the tray, pens, circles, and paper are neatly organized with a spot designated spot to create.

Adults enjoy the spirograph just as much as the children, if not more! It also makes for a great rainy day activity if you happen to have bad weather while on vacation. The Spirograph can be found at Michaels or online at PlayMonster.

Wipe Off Activity Pads

Older kids who can handle dry erase markers will enjoy the activity pads that are easy to wipe and go. Whether it is a book to connect the dot, search and find or other fun games, it an activity that can be used again and again. A few of our favorites are Melissa and Doug.

Dollar Store Activities

While the small toys are ideal for toddlers, look around your local dollar store for fabulous finds for older kids.  Word finds, crossword puzzles, silly putty, and other random fun items. Older kids will even enjoy things that they can use at their final destination such as, lip balms, fun cups, silly straws, a hairbrush, hand lotion, or a hat.

Other Ideas For Road Trip Goodie Bags For Kids

• A favorite magazine or new book
• Portable travel games
• A crazy craft or bizarre coloring book
• A kit for creating necklaces and bracelets
• Plenty of their favorite snacks with a few new ones in the mix.
• Post-it notes
• Small sets of Legos
• Window Markers
• Tape Activity Book
• Color Counts Activity Book

Check out our favorite Games To Play During A Road Trip.

Road Trip Goodie Bags For Adults

Good bags shouldn’t just be for the children in the car but also for the adults!  Have a little fun while on the road by preparing a few fun goodie bags for yourself and your adult roadside companions! Here are a few ideas for road trip goodie bags for adults.

Candy Sampler Bags

Grab a variety of different candy to sample throughout your trip. Choose a few of your favorite candies, travel companions’ favorite candies, and a few new candies to try together. Place them in one big bag and pull out a new candy at every designated treat time, whether it be entering a new state, a particular city, or every hour!

To avoid sugar overload, consider only taking a few bites of each bar and then placing them in an airtight container to stay fresh for you to enjoy throughout your vacation. 

Snacks From Around The World

These goodie bags may take a little effort as gathering a variety of snacks from around the world may include making multiple stops at a variety of grocery stores. Venture up and down the international foods section and grab items that are intriguing to try during a road trip. Another great alternative is to order one subscription box from Snack Crate  and enjoy one snack from the crate at each designated treat time. 

Progressive Spa Day

Pamper yourself while on the road by enjoying progressive spa day goodie bags. Bags can contain special lotions, cucumber slices for a snack, fruit-infused water, lip balm, a hand massager, and more. Fuzzy socks are always a hit. 

Look For More Great Road Trip Tips In Our Related Articles:

The Best Snacks To Curb Hanger During A Road Trip 

Tips For Taking A Baby On A Road Trip 

Hotel Tips For Toddlers and Babies

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The Best Road Trip Goodie Bags for Kids

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Planning a family road trip? Keep your kids happy & quiet with these awesome DIY road trip goodie bags. Keep reading to learn how to avoid the dreaded “Are we there yet?” over and over with these simple bags that you can throw together before you head out the door.

Oh, how I miss the days when my kids were babies.

Anytime we traveled out of town we could just pop in their binkies and have a relaxing drive while they slept in the backseat.

Now that they’re big kids, things are not that simple .

They bicker, refuse to agree on a movie to watch and constantly ask “Are we there yet?”.

To keep the peace I created DIY Road Trip Surprise Bags that even the big kids will love!

DIY Road Trip Goodie Bags Your Kids Will Love

At the time of our last road trip, our kids were 5 and 8.

Making them old enough to:

-Refuse to take naps , no matter how tired they are.

-Eat all the snacks in the bottomless snack bag within the first 20 minutes

-Ask “Are we there yet?” – literally one million times.

Sound familiar?

Without a plan to keep the kids busy during your next family road trip , this could completely ruin the beginning of your family vacay.

This year, I decided to be proactive and take advantage of some of the key factors I knew had played a role in misery of our last long trip in the car:

• My oldest can tell time and kept looking at the clock and asking “How many more minutes/hours?” – in addition to the regularly scheduled “Are we there yet?”
• Any toys and activities we bring along to keep them busy become “boring” within the first hour.
• They love snacks and eating snacks keeps them quiet.

Using this “Holy Trinity” of prior knowledge I came up with a solution:

Want more smart parenting hacks like these road trip goodie bags? Read these next:

• 100 Fun Questions to Ask Kids (Guaranteed to Get Them Talking)
• 10 Expert Tips to Work from Home while Homeschooling
• 40 Pipe Cleaner Crafts for Kids: Animals, Flowers and More!

The Rules of Road Trip Goodie Bags

Typically I would have packed a bag of snacks AND a bag of activities to allow them to access at their request.

However, I knew from experience that it didn’t keep them happy or quiet.

This time would be different!

On this road trip I would be alternating a small bag containing snacks or an activity every 30 minutes.

This would ensure that the snacks were rationed to last the entire trip.

It would also keep them excited to discover what was in the next bag.

Here’s the catch:

In order for them to receive their next bag, there were two rules:

Rule #1 – No bickering

Rule #2 – No asking “Are we there yet?” or “How much longer?”

If they did, they would not receive their next bag

How to Make Road Trip Goodie Bags

First you need to calculate how long you will be in the car before reaching your destination. I our case it was 4 hours.

Next, you will determine how many bags you need to prep.

Considering that this was the first time we attempted this strategy I wanted to make an impact. In order to keep the excitement up I planned on giving them a bag every 30 minutes.

This meant I would need 8 bags for each child (16 bags total).

I know this sounds like a lot, but there are only a few items in each bag because they only need to keep them busy for 30 minutes…which is pretty much the maximum attention span of any child that I know.

I headed to the store to get my supplies:

• Brown Paper Lunch Bags
• Play-Doh Minis
• Travel card games that my kids love
• These awesome card holders for little hands
• Aarons’ Thinking Putty
• Melissa & Doug On the Go No-Mess Activity Books
• A few of these awesome Find It Games
• Dry Erase Markers
• Dry Erase Tablets
• Snacks – lots of small snacks

If you’re thinking that you don’t have the time (or budget) to go out and buy a bunch of stuff to fill the bags, don’t worry! You don’t have to.

You can use the list of toys, games and snacks above as inspiration while you go around your house and raid your pantry for things you already have.

Simply divide snacks into small plastic bags for smaller servings and gather toys and art supplies that you know your kids haven’t played with in a while.

When I returned home I started by labeling the bags. I used cute duct tape and masking tape to create my labels.

I marked each one with the time that it was to be opened.

Finally I placed the goodies inside, alternating a treat or an activity every 30 minutes and folded up the top to close.

How did the kids like their surprise road trip goodie bags?

Honestly, it went great! I will definitely be doing it again.

It only took about 15 minutes to prep (minus the shopping).

They were able to follow our “Road Trip Goodie Bag Rules” – since it would have been torture to miss out on receiving the next bag.

I will definitely use this trick on our next family road trip.

If you have any family travel tips to share, please comment below!

More Family Road Trip Tips :

• Family Road Trip Packing List: 9 Essentials for a Successful Trip
• Frugal Family Road Trip: 10 Big Money Saving Tips

Hi! I’m Lauren Tingley M.Ed. and Certified Family Life Expert who empowers overwhelmed families to thrive in their modern lives. As a veteran educator and mother, I understand the pressures and challenges of juggling careers, raising children, and having fun as a family. As an experienced home cook and parenting expert, I love sharing ideas for family-friendly meals, kid-friendly activities, and simplifying family life. My advice and ideas have been featured in major publications like Parents Magazine , Good Housekeeping , and Care.com . I’m passionate about connecting with mothers and inspiring them to create a simpler, more balanced life. Click here to learn more about my background, experience, and philosophies.

I’m about to go across the country with my 4 yr old alone tomorrow… this will be another 31 hour trip for her this year but were dividing it up into 4 driving days this time since we will be alone. I did the bags every hour and they loved it last time and I think that’s why she’s excited to travel this way again. These are awesome ideas and littles love it! I like ur rules too! Except my kids wouldnt get anything if i followed that 😂

Yay! I am so glad to hear that she loved the bags and that it worked well for your family. I have to tell you that my kids are “big kids” now and these road trip goodie bags have become a tradition. Even my teenager still looks forward to opening the bags and it still works great for rationing snacks and keeping them busy. Wishing you safe travels!

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Family Road Trip Packing List for Comfort, Entertainment and Safety

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Summer, spring, winter, or fall, this family is always down for a road trip!  Over the years, we’ve gotten really good at knowing what we need to pack and all the family road trip essentials we need to bring with us.  Here is our family road trip packing list – and a free printable packing checklist too! 

Back of the Seat Organizers

• Kid's Travel Tray

Car Seats and/or Booster Seats

Travel blankets, neck pillows, refillable water bottles, kid road trip snacks, activity books, window gel clings, family road trip games, tablet, smart phone or ipod, mobile battery packs, charging cables, phone car mount, first aid kit, disinfecting wipes and sprays, motion sickness bags and bracelets, miscellaneous items, free family road trip packing list printable, what should i pack for a long family road trip.

The way my kids tear up the back of my front seats absolutely 100% makes car seat organizers a necessity. Not only do they protect your upholstery but they also place everything the kiddos need within arms reach.

Kid’s Travel Tray

If you’re traveling with younger kids, you’ll want to be sure to include a kids’ travel tray on your family vacation checklist.  It will give the kids a solid area to eat, do activities, or even lay on.

Comfortable car and booster seats are paramount on a family road trip.  If it’s time to size up or upgrade, be sure to include a new car seat in your family road trip checklist. 

The Maxi Cosi Pria Max was my favorite car seat when Bug was an infant.  It was the only car seat she didn’t sweat [and then scream] in, so it is a family road trip essential. 

The Evenflo Chase Sport Harnessed Booster was our mid-range car seat. 

The Chicco Kid Fit 2-in-1 is the car seat we use now.  I didn’t think it was possible to love a car seat as much as I loved the Maxi Cosi Pria Max but yet here we are.  The Chicco is the best car seat on the market for kids over the age of 5-6.

Check out this detailed post if you want the inside scoop on the very best travel booster seats.

Family Road Trip Essentials for Comfort

Travel blankets are another important item on the list of road trip essentials for kids. Blankets make sure everyone is comfortable during the trip. 

Not only can you use them to cover up if it’s cold, but you can also roll them up to be used as neck support or lay them flat for a roadside picnic. 

The 4 in 1 Travel blanket is a favorite because it is multipurpose [it has pockets!], you can clip or slide it onto luggage, and it includes a travel pillow.

Neck pillows aren’t just good for trips on an airplane; they’re also a must on any road trip with kids checklist.  It avoids a case of flopping neck [you know – when their neck completely flops over in their seat] and adds an extra level of comfort to your travels.

• The Trtl Travel Pillow has indisputably good reviews from others in our travel circle.  It wraps around your neck like a stiff scarf to provide support. 
• The Travel Memory Foam Pillow is like your traditional pillow but perfectly travel-sized.  
• Lastly, an oldie but goodie, the Airplane Travel Neck Pillow provides general neck support and is a great option, especially for older kids.

We never travel without refillable water bottles so they definitely had to be included in this packing list for a family road trip.  

Any bottle will do, but these insulated Thermos brand bottles are the best and are the exact brand we use for our girls. They’ll keep your hot items hot and your cold items cold. Ice inside these bottles lasts the entire day. 

My favorite subject for any trip: snacks!  Snacks are absolutely essential for any worthwhile road trip.

For convenience sake, try to stick with snacks that don’t require refrigeration.  Some great travel snacks are:

• Gogo Squeez Yogurtz  – This yogurt is shelf-stable and comes in a kid-friendly squeeze pouch.  No fuss and no mess.  My youngest goes bananas for these.
• Dried fruit – cranberries, raisins, apricots, etc.
• Salted nuts – cashews, pecans, or peanuts
• Fruit leather
• Boiled eggs*
• Rice Krispie Treats
• Popcorn – or better yet – Pirate’s Booty
• Tortilla roll-ups* – deli meat rolled into a tortilla
• Butter croissants

The items marked with an asterisk [*] require refrigeration.  If you decide to travel with items that need to be kept cold, consider purchasing a travel cooler bag.  This CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag comes in a variety of colors, folds completely flat, and keeps things cool for hours. 

Don’t forget the ice packs !

Family Road Trip Essentials for Entertainment

Age-appropriate activity books are sanity-saving road trip essentials for kids.  The right one can occupy the kids in the car for hours.  Also, if you’re not a big fan of screen time, books mix things up a bit so they aren’t on their tablets the entire drive. 

Brain Quest books are a family favorite with a variety of educational activities all in one book.

 For the younger little ones, you can help pass the time on family road trips by using window gel clings.  They are the same concept as stickers but much easier to clean up after.  Also, as a bonus perk, most of them are reusable so they can be used for the family road trip on the way there and the way back!

• Fresh Fruit Gel Clings
• Butterfly Gel Clings
• Alphabet Gel Clings
• Under The Sea Gel Clings

 Nothing ruins a family road trip more than kids asking the dreaded question every 2 minutes: “Are we there yet?”  Distract and entertain by providing plenty of family road trip games.  Here are some of our favorites:

• Brain Quest for the Car
• Travel Scavenger Hunt Card Game
• Not Parent Approved Family Card Game

Check out Family Vacation Critic’s list of the best road trip games for families for ideas.

 I know many parents limit their kids’ screen time, but if there is ever a right time for stretching that rule a bit, it’s a family road trip. 

Equip yourself with a Fire Tablet or iPad Mini , load it up with downloaded Netflix shows, and enjoy a quiet ride. 

Parenting hack: if you have a younger kid that wants an iPhone like their older siblings, get an iPod instead of a tablet.  It looks just like a real iPhone and keeps the kids happy!

Keep everyone’s battery at 100% with a mobile battery pack .  Not only will this family road trip essential keep everyone’s tablets charged, but it also works with GPS devices and other small electronics you might use during your family road trip.

Charging cables are definitely on the list of what to bring on a road trip for kids. This is the one item that we forget the most often, so it had to be included in this family road trip packing list.   

Be sure to purchase charger cords with braided cords so that they last longer.

 Allow everyone to listen to their entertainment in peace by investing in some headphones. 

These kid-friendly headphones are wireless and fit most 6 to 10 year olds comfortably.  Even my youngest, who loves to make everyone in the car listen to what she’s listening to, wears her kid headphones without complaint.

Safety first!  Go hands-free by adding a phone car mount to the family road trip packing list.  It mounts to any surface in the car (there’s even a phone mount magnetic version) and lets you keep both hands on the wheel.  This is especially helpful if you’d like to vlog or record parts of your car trip.

Family Road Trip Essentials for Health & Safety

Kids are extraordinarily germy but their chances of catching the “ick” seem to multiply when traveling.  Ditto for injuries.  For that reason, we definitely recommend including a first aid kit on your family road trip packing list. 

Here are other tips for keeping kids healthy while traveling .

You’d be amazed at how dirty most surfaces are – even your own car.  And if it isn’t dirty at the start of the trip, there’s a good chance it might be by the time you reach your destination. 

Save yourself from the grime by including Clorox Disinfecting Wipes in your family road trip packing list. For those cloth surfaces that can’t be treated with a wipe, spray them with an antibacterial spray like Lysol Disinfecting Spray .

 Does anyone else have a kiddo that’s prone to motion sickness?  If so, don’t forget the motion sickness items on the family road trip packing list. 

The motion sickness bags catch any accidents that might happen in the car [they also double as awesome trash receptacles for all those snacks] and are disposable.  The motion sickness bracelets are designed to prevent [or at least minimize] the feelings of motion sickness.

The other health and safety items you might need for your family road trip will depend on your family and your destination.  However, some of the items we also tend to include are:

• Hand wipes [I LOVE Wet Ones hand wipes and travel with them everywhere.]
• Hand sanitizer

Still wondering “what do I need for a road trip with kids?” Download your free copy of my family road trip packing list printable below!

Family Road Trip Packing List Printable

What items do you include in your family road trip packing list?

Montoya (Monty) Hudson is the founder and primary voice behind The Spring Break Family. She has created informative travel content for families since 2018 by providing practical advice, easy to follow itineraries, and addressing the real challenges of family travel. Since the creation of her family travel blog, she's inspired thousands of families to travel the world with their kids.

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Privacy overview.

How to Pack for a Road Trip + Packing List (2023)

By: Author Kim Tate

Posted on Published: March 13, 2023

One of the quintessential vacations is the classic road trip. If you’re getting ready to hit the road, you’re probably needing a road trip packing list and some tips for how to pack your car. After taking dozens of road trips over the years, here are my expert tips for things to bring on a road trip along with some organization tips for the car.

What to Pack for a Road Trip?

Planning and packing for a road trip can be both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you’re going on a short weekend getaway or a long cross-country journey, there are plenty of things to consider.

You’ll be putting together your car emergency kit, creating your ideal playlist, and loading up the trunk with all the road trip essentials . Here’s what you need to know about packing smart and preparing for any unexpected challenges when taking a road trip.

Affiliate links are included in this post, if you purchase from my link I may earn a commission.

What should an adult pack for a road trip?

As an adult, there are some of the best things you should pack for a road trip. What you choose to pack may be a lot different than what a child or an entire family chooses to pack. Here is a list of ten items to pack for a road trip to make sure you have a good time in the car.

1. Toiletries

Pack the essentials such as shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and toothbrush, soap, razor, and other items you may need if you’re overnighting in a hotel. But also think about personal comfort/grooming on the road. Do you want to pack a hairbrush, lip balm, eye drops, hand lotion, etc?

2. Clothing 

Be sure to pack comfortable clothes for the weather you will be traveling in. Consider if you need a change of clothes for overnights or if you’re driving to a different climate than you started in.

Include a pair of slip-on shoes for the car but also a pair that is suitable for walking in case you decide to take a hike or explore somewhere new. I have a few ideas for great road trip outfits .

3. First-Aid Kit 

No matter where you are going, it’s always a good idea to have a basic first-aid kit handy in case of an emergency. Pack all your prescriptions, bandages, antiseptic creams, pain relievers, etc., so you can deal with minor injuries while on the go.

4. Electronics & Accessories 

Your smartphone, laptop, and camera should be at the top of your packing list because they’re essential for keeping memories and staying connected with family and friends during your travels. Don’t forget adapters, chargers, and extra batteries if necessary. 

5. Maps & Road Directions 

You never know when technology will fail you when looking for directions! Be sure to bring along a road atlas , physical maps, and/or a GPS device to help guide you on your journey safely and efficiently. 

6. Comfortable Blankets & Pillows 

Having comfortable blankets and pillows can help passengers stay comfortable and even take a nap. They’re also needed if you plan to take sleeping breaks in the car during a long drive.

7. Snacks & Drinks

Pack road trip snacks like granola bars or trail mix for an energy boost throughout the day, plus something refreshing like bottled water or cold drinks that won’t go bad after several hours in the car.

Make sure to include towels so you can quickly dry yourself off after a quick swim or even rainy weather! Compact travel towels are best since they don’t take up much space in your luggage/carrier bag(s).

9. Money & Identification

Bring along some cash just in case credit cards don’t work wherever you go, plus your driver’s license! Also, make sure to bring your passport if you’ll be crossing the border. And make sure you have your car registration and insurance packed as well.

10. Entertainment 

It’s always nice to keep yourself entertained, especially during long road trips! Consider bringing books, magazines, music, and/or movies depending on what type of entertainment suits you best! Audiobooks are a great option on long trips, you can often get a good deal with Audible or Audiobooks.com .

Kindle Paperwhites are also great for bringing lots of books without taking up a lot of space and can be read in the dark or bright sun. If you’re an avid reader, check out Kindle Unlimited . I have it and love that I can read unlimited free books continuously.

What should you pack for a child on a road trip?

Packing for a road trip with a child can be tricky. It’s important to make sure you have everything your little one needs, without adding unnecessary weight to your vehicle. Here’s a list of essential items that you should pack when taking a road trip with a child :

1. Car Seats 

When driving long distances, it’s important that children are safely and securely strapped into their car seats. Ensure your car restraints are up-to-date and suitable for your child’s age and size.

2. Healthy Snacks & Drinks

Try to avoid too many sugary drinks and snacks while on the road, as they can increase crankiness in young kids. Opt instead for healthy road trip snacks such as fruit, vegetables, and crackers that will fill them up without the sugar rush later on.

3. First Aid Kit

You should always carry basic medical supplies in the vehicle, especially when traveling with children. Items like antiseptic cream, saline solution, bandaids, and ibuprofen are helpful for travelers of all ages. Depending on what age group the kids are in, you might want to add child-safe versions of medications like Benedryl and pain relievers.

4. Clothes & Toiletries

Depending on how long the journey is it’s important to pack several changes of clothes including underwear and socks along with toiletries such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, and shampoo, especially if you’re planning extended trips or staying overnight.

5. Favorite Toy & Blanket From Home

Nothing soothes a child more than familiar objects from home; it makes them feel safe and secure in an unfamiliar environment away from home comforts. Pack something small like their favorite blanket or teddy bear from home to take away some of the homesickness during times of restlessness on the road trip. A pillow can also come in handy for helping kids nap.

6. Activities & Games

Keep boredom at bay by packing some creative activities for kids to do while traveling in the car such as picture drawing books, travel games, or sticker collections! If space is limited, digital devices preloaded with fun educational apps, cartoons, or reading material can be just as beneficial!

When my girls were really young, I tried to plan for a new activity, toy, snack, or show for every 30 minutes of the drive. Taking frequent breaks to stretch your legs and let kids run around can also help break up the long drive.

7. Activity Board & Bin

Kids might be coloring or drawing and will need a flat surface for their work. An activity lap desk can come in handy for kids. You might also consider an organizing bin for helping them store all their activities. If your kid will be watching shows on a phone or tablet, a headrest mount might be useful.

8. Sun Protection & Insect Repellents

If you’re planning outdoor activities it’s always helpful to have sun protection like sunscreen and hats handy, often overlooked but equally essential are insect repellents which come in effective spray bottles compatible with any kind of climate!  

Packing may feel overwhelming initially but these road trip essentials will ensure your little ones travel safely and enjoyably along the way, stress-free!

Ultimate Road Trip Packing List

Sometimes you don’t think about the individual items you may need on a road trip! This list of simple items is just as important as the big items! Use this list and my blog post of road trip essentials for all things you need on a road trip!

I’m including a printable road trip packing list you can sign up for at the bottom of this section.

Driver’s License

A driver’s license is an essential item for any road trip. It allows you to legally operate a motor vehicle while on the open roads, and also serves as a form of identification if needed at airports or other travel hubs. It is necessary for renting a car if that should be needed during the trip. Having a valid driver’s license before taking to the highways is always recommended!

Car Insurance & Car Registration

Car insurance and registration is an important element of any road trip, as it protects against unexpected damages or liabilities that may arise during your journey. Driving without the right coverage can leave you vulnerable to costly legal bills if an accident occurs. 

Car insurance can provide access to roadside assistance services if your vehicle breaks down, allowing you to reach your destination with minimal disruption. Having the right car insurance in place before hitting the open road is a must, as it can save time and money while providing peace of mind.

A spare tire is also an essential item to bring on a road trip. You never know when a flat tire may occur, and having the right equipment to replace it can save you time, money, and headaches. 

A spare tire also allows for greater flexibility if unexpected road conditions prevent your vehicle from proceeding safely. A spare tire can be beneficial in emergency situations where you need to get off the highway or drive through harsh terrain. Having a reliable spare tire ready at all times is important. 

Roadside Emergency Kit

Every road trip should include an emergency roadside assistance kit . Make sure you take a well-stocked kit with you that includes important road trip essentials like jumper cables, a tarp, bottled water, rags, plastic bags, gloves, flashlights and batteries, jumper cables, flares or reflectors, tire jack and tools to change a tire, and extra oil and fluids for your vehicle.

Having these items on hand can help you handle unexpected breakdowns or repairs quickly and confidently, reducing the hassle of being stranded on the side of the road. 

Car Phone Mount 

A car phone mount is necessary if you plan on using your phone while driving on a road trip. Not only does a car phone mount keep your device within easy reach, but also provides a secure place to store it so that you can keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. 

Car phone mounts come in a variety of styles and offer features such as adjustable positions for improved visibility, auto-clamping, gravity hold for easy use, and wireless charging capabilities. Having a reliable car phone mount will make your road trip much more enjoyable and safe. 

Car Power Adaptor

Car power adapters are available in different styles and allow you to charge phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, and other USB-connected devices while you drive. Having a reliable car power adapter eliminates the need for frequent stops to recharge, enabling you to focus on enjoying your journey without worrying about losing power.

Packable Cooler

Taking a packable cooler along on your next adventure can be extremely helpful. Not only does it keep food and drinks cool and fresh, but it also helps save on space. Perfect for camping trips, or just a day at the beach, these easily-packed coolers are great for any outdoor activity. 

They come in many sizes to accommodate different amounts of food and drink supplies, making them an ideal choice for those who need to bring snacks and refreshments along with them. You can even buy plug-in coolers to act like a mini-fridge for keeping snacks and drinks cool.

Trunk Organizer

A trunk organizer is a great way to organize your car’s cargo area. It allows you to maximize the space in your trunk while also keeping things tidy and easy to find. Trunk organizers come in many different sizes and styles, making it easy to find one that works for you. 

They are perfect for holding items such as sports equipment, groceries, emergency items, and more. With a trunk organizer, you can be sure that all of your items will be stored properly so they don’t take up too much space or get jumbled together. Just keep in mind how your suitcases will fit if you choose to use an organizer.

Travel Picnic Kit

If you’re looking for the perfect way to enjoy your lunch on the go, a travel picnic kit is an ideal solution. Whether you’re at work, on vacation, or exploring a new city, having a portable set of dinnerware, utensils, and food containers can make all the difference. Even just bringing a portable picnic blanket works well.

Not only does it save time by letting you eat wherever you are, without worrying about packing up leftovers, but it also allows you to create tasty meals that are healthier than restaurant food or fast food. Plus, with colorful designs and fun patterns available, a travel picnic kit adds a bit of style and personality to your meal-time experience.

Taking a travel mug with you on a road trip is an excellent way to save money and reduce waste. Making sure your car has adequate cup holders is essential. It’s always nice to have your favorite hot or cold beverage nearby while traveling, so don’t leave home without one!

If you’ve ever forgotten your sunglasses at home, while taking a road trip, then you know this was a huge mistake. Pack a few pairs of sunglasses, so you can protect your eyes while you drive or even sit in the front seat. 

Printable Road Trip Packing List (PDF)

Sign up for my email list in the box below and my road trip packing list pdf will be sent straight to your inbox!

Apps You Need For a Road Trip

Google Maps

The most important app for any traveler, Google Maps allows you to easily plot out routes and check traffic in real time. You can plan your road trip with Google Maps to include gas stations, rest stops, attractions, and more. It offers spoken turn-by-turn directions that make navigating easier than ever before. 

If Google Maps isn’t enough for you, then Waze is worth looking into as well. This app provides crowdsourced reports on traffic conditions that allow drivers to make driving decisions based on where they are currently located. In addition, it has community alerts that notify drivers when there are police officers or road obstructions ahead. 

One of the essential road trip apps has to do with fuel; specifically finding affordable fuel quickly along your route. GasBuddy makes this happen by helping users find nearby gas stations with their lowest prices listed before they stop. No more worrying about running low while searching for cheaper fuel options,  this app will take care of it all! 

TripIt helps travelers organize every detail of their trip into one streamlined itinerary including flight times, hotel reservations, and car rental information. Plus, it keeps track of any travel confirmations that come through emails so you don’t have to waste time manually entering data from each confirmation email into another program or writing everything down on paper. 

Spotted by Locals

This unique app allows people to explore like a local wherever they go by providing authentic recommendations from local experts who live in the cities they’re visiting. Get off the beaten path and discover hidden gems that only locals know about: restaurants, bars, events, and more are at your fingertips with Spotted by Locals ! 

Roadtrippers Plus

One of my favorite apps for sightseeing road trips is RoadTrippers Plus. It’s an app that helps you find all the best attractions and restaurants along your route, along with reviews of the attractions. Sign up and use code BTR5QTP to get $5 off.

Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, SoundCloud

Don’t forget to load up your favorite music streaming service before taking off! Long trips tend to get boring without good tunes keeping everyone entertained during long stretches of driving, plus music can really set the mood while exploring new cities or playing silly car games to break up monotonous highway miles.  

Best Snacks to Pack for a Road Trip 

When on a road trip, you probably get extremely hungry. That’s where your favorite snacks to pack for a road trip come in. You’ll want to add some munchies that each traveler. These are some road trip snacks you may want to consider. And don’t forget a few trash bags for easy disposal!

• Granola Bars – A classic favorite made with oats, nuts, and honey that is easy to eat while driving. Make your own or buy some prepackaged ones.
• Trail Mix – A combination of dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and sometimes chocolate pieces that makes for a tasty snack on the go. 
• Sandwiches or Wraps – Whole grain bread filled with lean meats make great portable meals that can be eaten quickly at rest stops.
• Homemade Muffins – Perfect for a sweet treat on the road; these handheld snacks can be filled with wholesome ingredients like quinoa and chia seeds.  
• Beef Jerky or Pretzels – Classic salty snacks that have been around for years! Searching for organic versions may even be possible in gas stations these days! 
• Cereal – Dry cereal can make an excellent road trip snack. Some of our favorites are cheerios and chex.
• Nuts and Seeds – Almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds provide a good source of protein and healthy fats to keep you full while on the go. 
• Gummy Bears or Fruit Snacks – These will appease your sweet tooth cravings in a somewhat healthier way depending on which you choose.
• Applesauce or Yogurt Smoothie Pouches – Easy to eat and pack; these make a great snack for anyone in the car.  
• Popcorn – Pop some before your trip or buy any of the popular bags sold in most grocery stores. 
• Fresh Fruits or Vegetables – Carrots, celery sticks, cucumber slices, oranges, and grapes are light enough to not weigh down your stomach after a long drive, plus they’re healthy!

How to Pack Your Car For a Road Trip 

Whether you’re embarking on a short road trip or a long one, packing your vehicle correctly is important. To make sure everything goes smoothly, here are some tips for getting your vehicle ready for a road trip.

• Make a List – Before you start packing, make a list of all the items you need to bring with you. Consider the type of trip you’re taking and include clothing, toiletries, snacks, maps and emergency supplies in your list.
• Pack Smartly – When it comes to loading up the car, pack heavier items first and closer to the back of the vehicle. Place lighter items such as blankets and pillows near the front and above heavier items so that they are easy to reach during the drive. Make sure everything is securely fastened down with bungee cords or straps so that it doesn’t move around while driving
• Clean out Your Vehicle – Before leaving on your trip it’s important to give your vehicle an interior clean out. This includes taking out any unnecessary items like empty water bottles or old takeout containers that won’t be needed during your journey.
• Consider Comfort – During long trips comfort should be the top priority when it comes to packing up your car. Bring along a small pillow, blanket, or set of headphones to help make the ride more comfortable if there will be multiple people in the car at once.
• Leave Space – Don’t overpack! Remember to leave some space in case you need more room for souvenirs or something else while on your journey
• Double Check Everything – Before getting behind the wheel of your vehicle, double-check that all maintenance has been taken care of so your car is ready for the trip. Items such as spare tires and jumper cables should also be checked off before leaving home just in case something unexpected happens while driving. 

First, I suggest that each person (including kids) pack a small bag or tote of their favorite toys/activities. This will be kept nearby and contain things that will keep you busy.

For adults, this might be magazines, books, or electronics. Kids might pack some books, coloring books or journals, electronic toy(s), printable activities/games, dolls, or legos.

A food bin is a big must for any road trip. I like to use a small box to store all our road trip snacks .

I make each of our girls their own plastic container of special snacks, this was learned after one too many, “but Mom, she already had two granola bars…”. If each child starts with the same number of “fun” snacks, they can’t argue if they eat all of theirs.

We also pack some general snacks that everyone enjoys, but the special snacks — like granola bars and fruit snacks — are limited.

Following these simple steps can help ensure that both you and your car are safe for whatever journey lies ahead!

Diagram to Pack for a Road Trip

1 – Passenger Seat

This is where the main passenger (usually me) keeps their stuff. I like to pack magazines, my iPad, and my purse in a narrow tote. I’ll also store some lip balm and eye drops in my bag

2 – Main Console

We keep electronic chargers here along with many of our road trip essentials. Depending on how your car is built, what you can store in this space might be limited.

Some essentials that should be stored nearby the front seats are paper towels, wet wipes, kleenex, dental floss, hand sanitizer, lotion, and a travel first aid kit .

See my full list of road trip essentials we bring on our road trips and figure out where best to store them in your car. Keep in mind what you’ll want to access easily while driving and what can be stored in the back for use at stops.

3 – Garbage

We have a special car trash can that loops around my seat belt latch and has an elastic opening so things don’t fall in or out accidentally. You can also use a plain plastic grocery bag looped around the gear shift.

I recommend each row of passengers have its own trash bag. If you’re traveling with kids you might even want to give each kid a garbage bag they can keep near their seat.

Having easy access to garbage bags will be a huge help in keeping your car clean and organized during your road trip .

4 – DVD Players

We’ve always had dual DVD car screens that we bought at Target, but now that our girls received tablets for Christmas, we like these  tablet headrest mounts .

Our girls love watching some of their favorite movies while on a road trip. Of course, you may decide to skip this. One of my big tips, if you are buying DVD players for multiple kids, consider buying a set that offers independent playing options.

As our girls got older sometimes they’d want to watch the same movie, but other times they didn’t and our players let them watch their own movies or they can watch the same one.

5 – Kid Bags

Each of your kids should bring a bag of personally selected items for the road trip. It could include a book or journal, or a special activity/toy. Our girls use their school backpacks.

If you’re wanting to keep things off the ground, you might consider a  backseat organizer that lets kids store misc stuff in pockets on the back of the seat. We’ve also used one of these middle seat organizers for the girls to share (see #7 below).

You can also consider packing a plastic lidded bin that is placed below your child’s feet. Just make sure it’s easy for the top to be removed while seated.

Related Post:  Best Kids Travel Bag Activities to Pack

6 – food.

This is where we keep all the road trip snacks. We often use one of these clever crates and place it in an easy-to-reach location for each person.

For kids, I recommend making them each their own snack bag or box so that there are no arguments about who’s had too many of one kind of snack. Each kiddo should get the same amount of fruit snacks, granola bars, etc. Make sure you remember wet wipes & napkins.

Another tip is to bring lidded/sippy cups for young kids. They work great for sharing a bottle of juice or water, and no spills!

For adults, consider a thermal mug if you’re a coffee drinker. Your hot drinks will stay much warmer than those disposable cups from the store. Bring reusable water bottles, too.

7 – Kids Activities

This is normally another bag and carries more kids’ activities and games. We normally have a blanket for each kid in this space too. If the road trip isn’t too long, this could be the only space you store kids’ activities. We’ve used boxes and this backseat organizer for placing between the girls’ seats.

8 – Luggage

Bags and stuff you don’t need to access while driving go in the back. We often have one hotel stop on our main road trip drive, so we pack one overnight bag with all of our stuff for that hotel night so we don’t have to bring in each person’s luggage.

Another tip is to keep some extra snacks/treats or special drinks and such back here so you can dole them out when you stop. You can also store some of the other road trip essential items back here.

FAQs for What to Pack for a Road Trip 

What should go in a car emergency kit.

A car emergency kit should include a first aid kit, jumper cables/battery starter, flares or reflective triangles for safety if your car breaks down on the side of the road, a flashlight with extra batteries, an emergency tool (like a hammer or a window breaker/seatbelt cutter combo). It should also include blankets and warm clothing in case you are stranded in cold weather. 

Don’t forget water, energy snacks, and basic tools like screwdrivers and wrenches. It’s also good to keep items such as windshield washer fluid, fuel line antifreeze, and deicer spray in your vehicle in case the weather turns bad.

What should you pack if you’re traveling through a cold state?

If you are driving through a cold state, it is important to pack winter road trip items such as warm clothing and blankets, as well as a winter car kit. This should include items such as jumper cables, windshield washer fluid, de-icer spray, fuel line antifreeze, and an emergency tool (like a hammer or window breaker/seatbelt cutter combo). 

Consider packing snacks that contain healthy energy sources like nuts and fruits. Bring along extra batteries for your flashlight and any other electronic devices you plan to use on your trip.

What type of shoes should I pack on a road trip?

When packing for a road trip, it is important to choose shoes that provide comfort and support. Depending on the nature of your journey, you may want to pick shoes with features such as waterproofing or ankle support. The best shoes to pack are:

• Running shoes – Athletic shoes are great for long days of driving, as they offer plenty of cushioning and shock absorption. I prefer slip-on loafer sneakers for road trips.
• Hiking boots – These sturdy boots provide support for walking around during stops and exploring in unfamiliar territory.
• Sandals – For warmer climates where days might be spent primarily outdoors, sandals can be comfortable and stylish. Try to avoid slide sandals as they aren’t great for driving in.
• Rainboots – In the event you encounter bad weather during your travels, rainboots can protect your feet from wetness and mud, but it might be easier to pack a pair of water-resistant sneakers or hiking boots.
• Ballet flats – When space is limited, ballet flats are easy to pack away but still provide comfort during walkabouts in town or at a rest stop along the highway.

What should I pack for a 12-hour drive?

If you’re embarking on a 12-hour drive, packing the right items can make all the difference in having a comfortable trip. Making sure your car is stocked with essential items will help ensure that you don’t run into any unexpected issues along the way.

• Snacks: It’s always a good idea to pack some snacks for your journey. Choose nutrient-dense snacks such as fruits, nuts and granola bars that will give you lasting energy along the way.
• Drinks: Whether it’s water or a caffeinated beverage, make sure you have enough drinks to stay hydrated throughout your journey.
• First Aid Kit: Accidents and injuries can happen, so make sure you pack a first aid kit in case of emergency.
• Cash: Have some extra cash on hand in case you need to use toll roads or if there’s an unexpected stop along the way.
• Entertainment: Bring along some books, magazines, or music to keep you occupied during your drive.
• Blanket and Pillow: Make sure you have a comfortable blanket and pillow to help make the journey more bearable.

By packing these essential items for your 12 hour drive, you can have a more comfortable and enjoyable journey. With a little bit of planning, you can ensure that your trip is as stress-free as possible.

What are 3 tips to prepare for a road trip?

1. Plan your route – Make sure you have a good idea of the route you’ll be taking and plan out stops along the way if needed. Consider alternate routes in case of traffic congestion or detours, too!

2. Pack light – When packing for a road trip, consider bringing only the essentials so that you don’t have to lug around too much luggage. This will make the journey more comfortable, and you can always stop to pick up items if needed.

3. Bring entertainment – Make sure you have some form of entertainment such as books, music, or games for both adults and children in the car so that everyone stays busy during the drive. This will help make the journey fly by!

Bonus Tip: Have your vehicle inspected. Before you head out on a road trip, make sure to get your car checked for any potential issues. This will help ensure that you don’t have any problems during the drive and can get safely to your destination without any surprises!

Whether you’re a road-tripping expert or spending several long hours in the car for the first time, with these packing guides and road trip tips, you’ll be ready to head on a family road trip any time of year!

Check out my full list of road trip tips .

Share and Save This Post:

Thursday 6th of May 2021

This is amazing. Thank you.

Catherine Brady

Sunday 15th of March 2020

Love all of the practical tips in this post!! Also, the related spin off posts are super useful as well-especially the one on organization and the first aid kit!

Susan Summers

Thursday 5th of December 2019

Thanks for the tips. We're planning on doing our first road trip in France next summer. Can't wait!

Friday 6th of December 2019

Great, Susan! Hope you have a fabulous trip!

15 Brilliant Road Trip Hacks – Two Frugal Moms

Sunday 16th of July 2017

[…] 10. How To Pack Your Car For A Road Trip […]

Erica Gilbert

Wednesday 21st of June 2017

Nice tips and love the visuals! Glad you’ve mentioned the first aid kit. It’s important to check this before the trip and keep it where it’s easily accessible, especially when you’re traveling with kids. I usually keep a travel size pain relief oil, since it works for multiple situations. Also, a roll of toilet paper comes in handy to quickly clean up any spills or to wipe something.

Family Road Trip Packing List (+Essentials for Kids & What Not To Pack)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: September 8, 2023

Looking for a family road trip packing list or wondering what are some of the road trip essentials for kids ? This packing list should give you a good overview of the things to pack (but also the ones to leave at home). Take a look!

We have a standard packing list for all kinds of trips: beach vacation, city trip, skiing holiday, and, of course for our favorite way of traveling – road trips with kids. But I recently looked at our family road trip packing list and realized how outdated it was. So it’s high time to update our family road trip packing list , and I thought I would share it with you as well.

This road trip packing list contains all the items that make our life easier and road trips with kids more enjoyable. At the same time, it’s not a complete road trip packing list.

I guess you don’t need someone else to tell you how many socks or t-shirts to pack for your upcoming road trip, or to remind you to carry car registration and insurance documents or a passport if visiting a foreign country…

There are two types of road trips – the ones you make with your own car/ campervan, and the ones where you travel overseas and rent a car. Needless to say, you will be able to pack much more if you are traveling close to home. After all, you are probably not going to carry a huge cooler or a car seat organizer on the plane.

So use this ‘road trip essentials’ packing list as a guideline , to check if you haven’t forgotten any of the useful items that will make your family road trip more comfortable. Find out!

READ ALSO: Top Tips for Traveling with Kids

Before I tell you about the more traditional items you need to pack for a family road trip, let’s start with the most important things first. You may not have needed any of this ten years ago, but now it’s unthinkable to set on the road without these items.

This is our road trip packing list for families:

Tech gear and entertainment

• Smartphone and charger
• Battery pack  to charge all your electronic devices. It’s a true life-saver if your phone tends to run empty long before you reach your hotel for the night. Check out this best-selling battery pack !
• Tablet/ DVD player/ or an MP3 player to keep your kids entertained in the car. I’m not going to tell you to pack your favorite CD collection for a family road trip. If you are road tripping with kids, you will never get a chance to listen to it anyway. Instead, make sure you have plenty of DVD’s with children’s movies ( check here for some popular kids’ DVD titles ).
• Alternatively, pack a tablet with some games (but you’ll likely need one tablet per kid). Or – my best suggestion – an MP3 player with audiobooks for children  (our kids’ favorites are Harry Potter audiobooks ). Here you can read more about our experience with audiobooks during long car rides with kids .
• Make sure you also pack chargers for each of these devices. That’s where the battery pack comes in handy. We also always pack a USB-charger for in the car .
• GPS or Google Maps app on your smartphone . Make sure you download the maps of the area where you will be road-tripping. In the past, we used to pack our TomTom GPS for every trip. Nowadays, we usually rely on Google Maps, unless traveling to a place where it doesn’t work well.
• Camera gear . A tripod and wireless remote control for your camera  are nice to have when road tripping with the family. It allows you to easily take nice pictures of the entire family. Extra batteries and memory cards , etc.

First aid essentials

The following items are among the most important road trip essentials for kids. So put these on your checklist and make sure you always have them at hand!

• First aid kit  (such as this compact first-aid kit ) is good to have on any trip. But it’s literally a life-saver on a family road trip!
• Ice spray.  Ice spray or a cold pack is a must when traveling with young kids. Our boys are so active and adventurous, so when they were little, they used to fall all the time. But on a road trip with kids, you don’t have an ice pack or ice cubes at hand. An ice spray is a real life-saver!
• Band-aids . Make sure to pack some in different sizes and always keep at least a few of them within easy reach.
• Disinfectant.  We use iodine antiseptics for wound treatment.
• Pain medicine (for kids and adults) .
• Mosquito repellent. We usually pack mosquito repellant spray , but recently we bought mosquito repellent bracelets and they seem to work well too.
• Sunscreen lotion. We always pack SPF50 sunscreen lotion for all our trips.

Road trip essentials for kids

Here are some of the main items for your road trip with toddler checklist:

• Comfortable car seats for kids adapted for their age. When traveling in our own car, we use Britax belt-positioning boosters for all our kids. When children sit in a car for hours, it’s important that they are comfortable, safe, and also have good head support. When we rent a car overseas we never rent children’s car seats. We carry our Trunki BoostAPak for each of the kids instead.

READ ALSO: Best Booster Seats for Travel

• Car seat organizer . Car seat organizers are really useful if your family likes road trips a lot. They will hold all the kids’ stuff in one place and will save you lots of frustrations (‘mom, where is my…’ or ‘dad, could you pass me my… ‘).
• Activity books and coloring books.  Check these Amazon bestsellers for preschoolers ,  kids ages 7-9 , and for older kids .
• Crayons, pencils, and pens . We usually pack twistable crayons since they last longer than any pencil or pen.
• Road-trip games and books , e.g. Travel Scavenger Hunt , Spot It! on the road , Mad Libs on the Road , and more … Just don’t pack too many of these. Often, a simple car game played by the whole family is much more fun for the kids than any game you can buy.
• Magnetic car games . If you are planning to pack any games to play in the car, go for magnetic versions !
• Extra diapers/wipes/clothes/quiet toys for the youngest ones.
• Sickness bags and an easy-to-access clean pack of clothes for the kids. Motion sickness bags are ideal to pack for a road trip.
• Ball or a frisbee . If you have some space in the car, pack a ball. It’s a great way to tire out the kids during short stops on the road. Alternatively, pack a frisbee or a foldable frisbee .

READ ALSO: Toddler Car Travel Tips & Best Travel Gear for Kids

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Food and drinks

Here are some useful items that should be on your family road trip packing list as well:

• Reusable water bottles . We usually pack one reusable water bottle per family member. In most places in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Europe you can easily refill water bottles with tap water. It’s free, it’s healthy, and it’s environmentally friendly. On top of that, water doesn’t leave any stains if the kids spill it in the car. We always buy a few large bottles of water as well, so that we can refill the bottles if there is no good tap water available.
• Cooler . If you have space in your car, then a cooler might be a nice thing to pack for a family road trip. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty waterproof and leak-proof cooler that has plenty of space to store food and drinks for the whole family, check this portable travel cooler . Not only does it have a practical and stylish design, but its advanced cooling performance with high-quality insulation also promises to keep your food and drinks cold for up to 3 days. There aren’t many other coolers out there that can do that! And yes, quality has its price, but we had to throw away several cheaper coolers (and the food inside) after just a few days of use, so now we rather go for quality and certainty.
• Snack containers with separate compartments (something like this ).
• Dried fruit, nuts, cookies, etc. Small snacks should always be on your family road trip checklist! There’s nothing worse than a couple of tired hungry kids stuck in a traffic jam for a few hours…

Miscellaneous

• Printed map, a road atlas,  and a travel guide of the area you are traveling to. Do you really want to drive on the main highways all the time when there might be an alternative scenic road leading to your next destination? Plan your trip well: include some stops for the kids to play, add a few off the beaten path places to your itinerary. When you use a good old-fashioned map, you can see so much more! GPS is important in order to guide your family to your hotel or camping at the end of the day, but it can ruin the joy of a traditional road trip.
• Roadside assistance emergency pack and a Swiss knife . We never ever leave on a trip without our Swiss knife. We have used it on more occasions than I can remember and it served many purposes, from peeling apples and carrots in the car, to repairing a broken air pipe of our car’s engine. And while we always have good travel insurance , without that Swiss knife we would have probably been stuck in the middle of the highway in France on a rainy Sunday evening… Since that trip, we always have a  Swiss knife and a  roadside assistance pack or at least a couple of screwdrivers in the car.
• Flashlight .
• Instant stain removers like this one from Tide .
• Paper tissues, wet tissues, kitchen towels , and – if you have some space – a picnic blanket . You will need all of these when road-tripping with kids.
• Quick-drying towel.  Microfiber travel towels are very handy for any road trip.
• Trash bags .
• Sunglasses .

Best bags for road trips

• Duffel bags . Pre-kids we always traveled with hard-shell suitcases. But if you ever tried to squeeze more than two suitcases in the trunk of the car, you know that they are pretty useless. No matter if we are making a road trip close to home or flying overseas, we always use duffel bags with wheels. Here you can read more about the travel bags that we have used for the last 3 years – Thule Subterra luggage .
• Day backpack and rain cover . We have many backpacks in various sizes, but the ones we tend to pack for most road trips are our 30-liter backpacks . If you plan on spending lots of time outdoors, get a universal rain cover (if your backpack doesn’t have one yet).

READ ALSO: Best Travel Bags for Kids

Clothing that is always in our car

As already said, I’m not going into detail on all the clothing you should pack for a road trip. So here are just the main, essential clothing and footwear that you should always have with you when road-tripping with kids:

• Rain jacket . We never pack umbrellas when we travel, but a good light waterproof rain jacket is a must.
• Sneakers or walking shoes . Also Flip flops or crocs .
• Sun hat and swimwear.

Nice to have for road trips

• Binoculars. We have small binoculars for each of the kids and it keeps them busy on the road. We used them in Africa , in Australia , in Yellowstone , and pretty much on any road trip ever since.
• E-book.  Kindle e-reader is always in our bag.
• Headphones.  My husband likes to pack his noise-canceling headphones for those moments when the kids get too loud in the car.
• Travel mug , in addition to a reusable water bottle. We only pack these when driving in our own car from home.
• Neck pillows and blankets. We always pack light fleece blankets in the car for kids if planning to drive at night. They are also very handy for those winter road trips to the mountains! If you are looking for a compact neck pillow that doesn’t take up too much space, take a look at this highly-rated best-seller .

What not to pack for a road trip

Here are some items that you better leave at home:

• Hard shell suitcases.
• Too many toys for kids . Definitely leave all the noisy toys at home.
• Umbrella . We never pack an umbrella for a road trip. Take a rain jacket instead.
• Too many clothes and shoes . Pack less and make sure you can layer when needed.
• Sweet food and drinks , or anything else that gives too much energy and makes their hands sticky.
• Too many food containers or other items that take a lot of space in your car.

So, these are our road trip packing tips for families road-tripping with children. Do you have any tips or packing essentials to share? Feel free to leave a comment below!

READ ALSO: Most beautiful road trips in the world

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Tuesday 19th of December 2023

Thank you !!!!

Saturday 25th of June 2022

Very helpful! Thank you!

Monday 27th of June 2022

Glad to help. Have a great trip!

Tuesday 6th of October 2020

A very comprehensive travel list Jurga. Thank you so much for taking the time to share essential items and reasons for bringing them.. It did help me remember a few things I had not thought of.

Wednesday 7th of October 2020

Glad to hear that, Al. That's how we use our packing lists too - to quickly check that we didn't forget something essential. Happy road-tripping!

Wednesday 1st of July 2020

Thank you for sharing these packing tips. It is so helpful for this summer as we are planning to take our first road trip EVER.

Glad you found this useful, Jennifer. Enjoy your trip!

Wednesday 15th of May 2019

This is a very comprehensive list to have a successful and smooth road trip. Having a road trip means that you want to have fun, relax and enjoy your vacation which is why it's very important to check almost everything to avoid any hassle along the way. The least we wanted is to get stuck on the road due to car problems instead of enjoying our trip. That is why I make sure that my car is in great condition before the said date. What I usually do is to visit my car shop at least a week before to have my car checked for possible repair and maintenance. I think this would be a great addition to your list.

Hi Erwin, yes, absolutely - checking that the car is in good condition is vital before any road trip.

24 road trip essentials with kids: what to pack on a family road trip

Posted on Last updated: 29 May 2024

From over ten years experience road tripping with our kids, here we share our family road trip essentials to help keep parents sane.

The journey towards a successful family road trip starts with the planning. Your vehicle will become an extension of your home and it should ideally contain everything your family might need. Deciding what to pack on a family road trip can seem daunting but don’t worry; by following these essential tips, you’ll be on the right track.

We’ve been road tripping with our boys ever since they were born. From a first road trip around Scotland when Arthur was 3 months old, to a 4 month overlanding expedition around Sub-Saharan Africa when the boys were aged 1 and 3, to our many family road trips to Europe in our Bongo campervan (our regular readers will know we especially love spending our summers at various family campsites in France ).

We have travelled countless miles with our kids in the car and have tried and tested many family road trip tips. So here we share our top road trip essentials with kids, which will hopefully bring some sense of calm to parents embarking on those long journeys.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click to purchase, it is at no additional cost to you, and I receive a small commission.

1. Wee bottle and portable potty

Nature never calls at a convenient time and you can guarantee there’ll be at least one occasion on any road trip when someone needs to go. If you’re driving on a motorway or other busy road, there might not be a safe place to pull over so it pays to have a Plan Number Two.

Kids wee bottles are a brilliant invention, allowing kids to wee directly into a bottle with minimal risk of spillage. They can be used on the move if it’s an emergency, otherwise they’re a cleaner way of handling any unplanned wee stops. Even though our kids are now older, we still have a wee bottle handy (in fact it’s a Lenor fabric conditioner bottle!).

If it’s the ‘other’ kind of toilet stop, a portable travel potty is a great idea, allowing kids to sit down and do their business, safe in the knowledge there’s a disposable bag waiting which can be easily tied up and disposed of later. The travel potties are surprisingly comfortable to use and most kids don’t seem to register the difference.

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Screen-time can be a controversial subject amongst parents but, if there’s one time to embrace it, it’s on a family road trip. That’s not to say you should give in and let the kids have unlimited screen-time but, being realistic, there’s only so many games of I-spy you can play.

Make sure you stock up and download several films and TV shows to avoid burning through mobile data and have educational apps, books and podcasts available for when you want to move into educational mode.

It also helps if the screens have some novelty value, so try to limit how much screen-time they’ve had in the days leading up to the road-trip.

We’ve always used the Amazon Kindle Fire tablets for our boys, they’re reasonably priced, sync easily with our Amazon account, come with a no-questions asked 2-year replacement policy, and offer a good balance between entertainment and education.

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3. Headphones

As interesting as the dialogue from Peppa Pig might be, you don’t (necessarily) want it to become the soundtrack to your family road trip. And if you have multiple children competing for the loudest volume, there’ll be no winners (including the parents).

Headphones are a lifesaver on a road trip, allowing everyone in the vehicle their own space to listen whilst reducing arguments into the bargain.

Some kids’ specific headphones come with built-in volume limiters to ensure they don’t damage their ears. The more expensive versions include useful features like noise-cancellation and wireless connections, both recommended to make your job easier.

We’ve used these wireless Bluetooth headphones for years now and they work brilliantly.

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ALWAYS have the snacks handy. This is the law of parenting. Whether it’s a day of city sightseeing, hiking up mountains, or a family road trip, don’t forget the snacks!

Young kids especially are grazers and like to eat little and often. Plus, on a family road trip, you can’t always guarantee that the place you’re aiming to get to for lunch is open, or there’s a suitable stop along the motorway.

Try and keep the snacks healthy, you don’t want to give the kids a sugar rush when they’re strapped into the back seat unable to burn it off. Similarly, you don’t want to pack anything that gets crumbles everywhere or makes a mess. Satsumas and bananas are always a winner for us, as well as popcorn and cereal bars.

5. Electric cool box

And on the subject of food, plan for picnics on the road. This just makes life easier with the kids as you can eat when you want to eat, and don’t need to hunt down a café or restaurant, or stock up on junk food at the service station. Plus, it’s kinder on your travel wallet.

Having an electric cool box in the car is a game changer. You can store your sandwiches, cheese, cold drinks etc., and if you’re road tripping in warmer weather, this will be very much appreciated.

Obviously this is a family road trip essential that’s easier to pack if you are starting your trip straight from your front door. However, if we’ve rented a car in another country to road trip and know we’re going to be moving about a fair bit for two weeks or more, we’ve actually purchased a cool box from a local store, as the money spent is easily balanced by the money saved from not having to eat out!

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6. Car window shades

If your family road trip is taking you somewhere sunny, you might have to deal with the annoyance of the sun shining into the back seat and disturbing your children. Not only a nuisance, in warmer countries it can increase the temperature in the back and be dangerous to younger children.

Some parents also prefer the extra privacy a window shade provides, giving their children their own shaded cocoon in the vehicle.

Some models blackout the whole window and remain fixed in place, others are more transparent and are easily removable. Decide which version you prefer and don’t forget some kids enjoy looking out of the window; watching the world pass by is an essential part of any family road trip.

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7. Backseat organisers

Us parents have often remarked that it’s the parent in the passenger seat who has a harder job than the driver on a family road trip. Why? Well it’s answering all the requests from the kids in the back seat!

Set up a car seat organiser which attaches to the front seat. This means the kids can have everything handy to reach. It’s a good idea to get them to pack this organiser themselves to give them a sense of responsibility and ownership.

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8. Blankets or sleeping bags

When the kids are young, it’s a good idea to time your driving around nap times. This is a rule we religiously adhered to when the boys were under the age of 3. They loved sleeping in the car, and it gave us parents time to catch up and actually enjoy the scenery. Yes, it sometimes meant a later bed time for the boys as they had such long naps, but that just gave us more flexibility with what we could do with our day.

As they got older and dropped their naps, we actually started doing more trips at bed time, as they would sleep in the car. Obviously this isn’t always the safest option if you are road tripping the African continent for example, but something you might want to consider doing for ease if it is safe to do so.

So always have blankets or sleeping bags handy in the car for when anyone (parents included) want to snuggle down for a nap. We still use them now for days when we arrive back to the UK late at night off the ferry from France, and still have a good four hours of driving to get home.

9. Charger cables and USB car charger adaptor

Our electronic lives follow us onto the road trip, so make sure you’ve got all the chargers you’ll need, plus a few spares. Keep an eye out for devices which use the older-style USB connectors.

It’s a good idea to pack an adapter which connects to your car’s cigarette lighter so you can charge on the move. It’s worthwhile having at least one extra-long cable which could reach to the back seat in a charging emergency, such as when the film is just about to end and the battery is red.

Cables have a habit of either getting lost or horrendously tangled up, so try to keep them neatly packed away into one box, that way they’ll be on hand and ready to use whenever you need them. Organisation is the key to maintaining sanity on a family road trip!

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10. Battery pack

Just in case the car charger is fully occupied, or perhaps your phone’s battery juice is running low after following Google Maps and you want to take photos at your next stop, have a battery pack handy.

It’s something I always pack in the car ‘just in case’, and it ends up being used on every family road trip, often more than once.

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11. Bin bags

There’s always rubbish from snack bars and picnics on a family road trip. Have a bin bag handy to collect it all, otherwise it’s just going to end up strewn over the car for you to clean up at the end of the day’s drive.

12. Biodegradable wetwipes

For cleaning mucky paws, wiping bums and snot, wiping down tables at a restaurant or café. Parents, you know the drill. Biodegradable wetwipes are the best invention since sliced bread. Just don’t forget this absolute road trip essential item when packing up the car.

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13. Reusable water bottles

Another family road trip essential that is often forgotten. Make sure that everyone has a reusable water bottle to fill up en-route to avoid buying plastic bottles or the temptation of sugary drinks.

14. Hand sanitiser

Hand sanitiser is needed more than you realise on a family road trip. You’ll be using a lot of public toilets, and more often than not, there’s no soap.

Plus, no one wants to get sick on a family holiday. Keep those hands sanitised!

15. Magazines and books

A new magazine and/or book always has a novelty value. Even better if the kids have selected them themselves.

We tend to use Kindles for reading to save on packing space (books for all four of us can take up a lot of space for a 6 week family road trip).

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We often say to our boys that if they read for 30 minutes, they can have 30 minutes of gaming on their tablets (which is then often extended to 1 hour as us parents are appreciating the peace and quiet 😉 ).

Just avoid the magazine and books on windy mountain roads.

16. Audiobooks

Long car journeys are an ideal time to enjoy a good book but, with the potential for motion-sickness, it’s not always a success. A great compromise is listening to an audio book, a booming market with a seemingly endless supply of books on offer.

The most popular app is Audible (often with a free trial), with family favourites available such as Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, David Walliams and many, many more.

Depending on the book, you’re in for several hours of entertainment, often narrated by a famous actor. The file sizes can be surprisingly large, so remember to plan ahead and download before the journey starts.

17. Road trip games

With space at a premium, you might not bring the full-size version of classic games like Monopoly on your family road trip, but that doesn’t mean games are off the table. Most of the favourites are available in travel format, saving space in your vehicle without losing too much of the gameplay. Make sure the travel games are magnetic!

These games aren’t necessarily suggested to be played on the journey (although many can be), more as a way to pass the time at a service station or rest stop.

Our personal favourite has to be Uno , many an hour has been spent playing as a family, and it’s been the steady travel game staple for over seven years now. Although the days of the parents always winning are sadly over. And if you haven’t tried the upgraded version of UNO FLIP yet, then you must!

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• UNO FLIP! also includes fun new action cards, like Draw Five and Skip Everyone.
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18. First aid kit

Whilst it’s unlikely accidents will happen in the back of the car when strapped into their car seats, they are very possible at rest stops. Perhaps you’ve pulled over at a viewpoint, the kids are off climbing and jumping around after two hours in the car, and then…. “Muuuuuuuuummy!”

Have a first aid kit handy. Although I personally find that a shot of Calpol and a small bag of Haribos fixes the majority of kids’ injuries, so ensure these medical essentials are also packed away in your first aid kit.

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19. Quick-drying towel

Perhaps there’s a river or stream to play in, or more likely, you’ve been caught in a downpour. Having a quick-drying towel handy in the boot of the car will be appreciated.

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20. Coats, hats, and a daypack easily accessible

A family road trip is not about reaching your destination as quickly as possible. It’s about meandering along, taking your time to stop at interesting points along the way. Although, yes, there are days when you just want to get your foot down to your destination.

But on those days when you want to make a few stops along the way, make sure the coats and/or sun hats are easily accessible. It’s handy to have these all in the one bag in the boot of the car for easy access.

It’s also a good idea to have a small backpack already packed up with snacks ( always snacks), sunscreen, hats, and a water bottle, so you can grab it and go.

21. Football or frisbee

More often than not, your picnic or rest stop will have nothing there (a picnic bench and public loo if you’re lucky). Maybe just a patch of grass to run about on.

In these instances, it’s a good idea to have a ball or frisbee in the back of the car for kids to play with and burn off some energy.

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22. Comfortable car seats

You’ll already know that kids up to a certain age and height need to use appropriate car seats. Whilst safety is the number one priority, when planning a family road trip, do also factor in how comfortable the seats are because they’ll be spending a lot of time in them. Features you should look out for include: movable headrests, width, ventilation, fabric type, seat padding and cup holders.

For many years we used a foldable car sear . These were super handy for our campervan road trips as we could fold up and store away the car seats neatly to create liveable space.

But when hiring a car overseas (such as when driving in Morocco or Iceland ), the Bubblebum Inflatable Booster Car Seat is a brilliant space saver.

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23. Mini hoover

However tidy you try and keep your car on a family road trip, crumbs, dirt and sand will find their way onto your carpets and deep in the nooks and crannies of the upholstery. Have a handheld vacuum cleaner handy to clean up the car. This is actually a good job to get the kids to do!

When we’re on a long-term road trip, we try and put one day aside each week to reset the car. This includes cleaning up inside, making sure everything is where it should be, and stocking up on snacks (there you go, I’ve mentioned snacks again).

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24. All the important documents for the parents

And parents, after packing all the essential items to keep the kids happy on the road trip, make sure you don’t forget about the actual essentials to make sure you get to your destination safely.

Make sure the car has enough fuel for the journey (and you know what your fuel is called in the country you’re heading to). If you’re heading overseas, your insurance will need to cover you for driving in those countries and also check your license is valid. Some countries also require the original registration certificate.

It pays to put your vehicle in for a service before the journey, or at least check the essentials (oil, water, coolant, tyres, etc) yourself. On that note, make sure your breakdown cover includes national (and ideally European) recovery so you can all get home in case of problems.

Some countries require you to carry snow chains if driving through certain areas during winter, regardless of the current conditions. Practice fitting them before you leave, it’s not a good idea to try for the first time in a blizzard next to a foreign motorway.

We also pack a tyre inflator which plugs into the cigarette lighter; super handy if you find your tyres have lost some pressure during your trip.

You may also like to read: A Northern Spain road trip in a campervan: Santander to Barcelona Bongo Camper summer road trip in France (6 weeks) Why you should Road Trip with your Baby

Road Trip Essentials: Ultimate Packing Checklist

This is the most important resource you need for planning any sort of road trip.

We focus on family adventures, so there are quite a few family items here, but we have you sorted for road tripping with your partner or your mates too!

Get your notepad ready, or click here to download a printable version of this road trip packing list.

It’s important to note, not all road trips are created equal! It’s impractical to think you’ll need the same gear trekking through Europe in a hire car in winter as you’ll need for a summer RV trip across the United States; we’ll include here a very general checklist for all types of road trips, plus additional items to consider in extreme weather and certain locations.

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Car Essentials: Important Items to Pack for Vehicle Safety and Maintenance

Before we get on to personal comfort and entertainment, it’s essential to consider the road trip essentials for your vehicle. Whether it’s your own car, a campervan, or a rental vehicle, here’s what you need to ensure is packed in your road-tripping vehicle.

It should go without saying THE most important thing to have before you commence a road trip is travel insurance and car insurance.

Think not just any potential damage to your vehicle, are you insured for theft, delays, cancellations, or personal liability if you cause an accident? Will your travel insurance or credit card insurance cover these things, or do you need extra protection?

Roadside Assistance

What would happen if your vehicle breaks down mid-trip? If your vehicle is rented, your car hire company might have this covered for you – but do check the fine print when you’re signing your contracts about who is responsible for what.

If it’s your own vehicle, you may need your own coverage, separate from your insurance. Some premium credit cards include roadside assistance, but perhaps only with limited conditions (e.g. within a certain distance of home).

Check, double-check and make sure that phone number is saved somewhere you can easily grab in an emergency!

Drivers License

A valid driver’s license is a very important road trip essential! If traveling out of the jurisdiction where your license was issued, check if your driver’s license is accepted at your destination. Will you need to obtain an international driving permit ?

Vehicle Registration

You will also need evidence of vehicle ownership with you or a rental agreement showing ownership.

No doubt this bulky item spends 99% of the time taking up space in your glove compartment but do not dream of leaving it behind on a long journey. Just imagine a scenario where you are stuck on the side of the road with no internet, cell service, or roadside assistance; when all else fails, check the manual!

Emergency Roadside Kit

Even with roadside assistance, there may be a few running repairs you can take care of yourself. Consider packing your own jumper cables, spare bulbs, small torch, screwdriver, and tape – or even easier, invest in an emergency kit you can keep in the trunk.

62 Piece Roadside Emergency Assistance Kit

127-Pieces Roadside Car Emergency Kit

Roadside Assistance Emergency Kit

See more below on extra safety gear considerations for cold-weather road trips.

So often, our pre-road trip checks go as far as we can see inside the car and ensure your oil and water levels are OK, but never forget about your spare tire!

Ensure it will still be roadworthy and get you out of trouble when you really need it – and that your car is equipped with the appropriate tools, including a jack and bolt remover if you get a flat tire.

Smart Phone

We can all agree that smartphones are needed for almost every aspect of our lives now, and road-tripping is no exception. From navigation to music, QR Code reading, camera – oh, maybe even making a phone call?!

There’s no hard and fast rule on the best road trip smartphone; it’s down to whether you’re camp Apple or Android. We would suggest a phone with tons of storage space or the ability to add external storage.

Traveling overseas, you may want a phone capable of dual sims – and don’t forget to have your phone unlocked if you want a sim on a different network.

Road Tripping Apps

Of course, a smartphone is only as good as your downloaded apps. Here are some essential road tripping apps to consider:

Roadtrippers

This app is a total game-changer if you’re a regular road tripper, particularly at the planning stage. Load it up on a big screen first and play with all the different routes you can take. You’ll get driving distance estimations, add filtered layers for roadside attractions, food and accommodation options, and even a fuel calculator. ( Google Play | App Store )!

Once you hit the open road, use the offline maps and look out for any last-minute detour planning; it even has guided navigation. Currently, detailed maps are available only for the USA, Canada, Australia & New Zealand . It’s one of the few “free apps” we’ve tried, and immediately saw the value of upgrading to Plus. The free version is good but limited in how many stops you can add.

Get $5 off the plus version here ! Code: BTR5QTP

Google Maps

We do still keep Google Maps as our backup navigation tool. Just remember if you will be out of range to download maps in advance (many apps will require you to upgrade to the pro feature if you use this feature). Be mindful that downloading maps can be heavy on your phone’s memory, so delete the maps you no longer need.

You’ll find our complete guide to essential road trip apps over here .

Loose Change

Parking meters, tolls, tips. We might be heading further towards a cashless society, but we’re not quite there yet. Always handy to have some local currency coins rattling around in your car for emergency situations.

Notepad and Pen

Likewise, as much as our smartphones manage our lives these days, a good old fashion pen and paper at times never go astray as a handy emergency item.

Charger / USB Cord

With all the handy uses for smartphones these days, you can see just how quickly you’ll drain the battery once you hit the road.

You’ll want some sort of charging device in your car, whether this is through an in-built USB port in your car or on older models, an adaptor that can fit in the cigarette lighter socket.

4 in 1 Multifunctional Charger Cable Adapter

Fast USB C Car Charger Adapter

iPhone Fast Car Charger, Veetone 48W Dual Port USB C

Just check if you need a USB, USB C, or a combination of both and the right cords for connecting your devices.

Phone Holder

Even better than having your smartphone floating around the car, get a purpose phone holder that can attach to your dash. You can then easily use your smartphone for navigation; these holders can also act as a charger, meaning you will need one less car accessory.

Magnetic Phone Holder for Car

Air Vent Cell Phone Holder Car

Cell Phone Holder for Car Phone Mount Long

Super handy when your car battery has died, or you’re seeking out lost items under seats. Keep a torch or small flashlight in an easy-to-grab part of your car.

Lepro LED Flashlight with Clip

LE Black Light Flashlight

EDC Small Rechargeable Flashlight

Multitool/Pocket knife

Another handy item to always have in easy reach is a multitool or pocket knife. Be it minor running repairs, mini scissors, or taking off bottle caps. An indispensable family vacation packing item!

Mini Hand Tools Pliers Multitool Knife

Camping Hunting Multitool Pocket Knife

Multitool Pocket Knife Accessory Gift

Windshield Sun Shade

If you are road-tripping in hotter climates, you’ll quickly realize just how essential a windshield sunshade is for your car. Look for a design that covers the entire windshield and can easily fold back into a convenient pouch.

A1 Shades Car Windshield

EcoNour Car Windshield Sun Shade with Storage Pouch

EcoNour Accordion Windshield Sun Shade for Car

If you are driving a truck or larger SUV, be mindful that you will need larger shades than regular cars.

Road Trip Essentials for Families

So now we’ve got everything you need to keep the vehicle going and navigate your way; here are all the items you need to keep your family clean, fed, and cared for.

You may also want to check in on our guide, “ road tripping essentials for kids .”

First Aid Kit

We all know accidents can happen anywhere – literally anywhere! You can probably have a full first aid kit tucked in your trunk, but an easy-to-access first aid kit for road trips should be kept inside your vehicle, most likely in your glove compartment. Think items such as Band-Aids, children’s Panadol, and diarrhea tablets.

Tissues & Water Wipes

Snot, spills, spit-up; you know the drill if you’re a parent. We always keep tissues for the front and back of the car and a good supply of water wipes for those heavy-duty cleanups on the go, not to mention constant hand cleaning!

Motion Sickness Tablets

Don’t let long windy roads impact your road trip enjoyment. If you have a motion sickness sufferer , plan your route carefully and bring a few different remedies. Just be aware many motion sickness tablets make you tired, so don’t pop one right before you need them to make a roadside stop!

Dramamine Motion Sickness for Kids

Bonine Motion Sickness Tablets

Dramamine Motion Sickness Less Drowsy

Trash System

Keep your car organized and clean with an appropriate spot to keep your trash. This can simply be a reused plastic shopping bag or if you love your car clean and neat, try these purpose-made car trash bins .

HOTOR Car Trash Can with Lid and Storage Pockets

SUN CUBE Waterproof Car Trash Can with Lid

Car Garbage Bag Hanging with Strap

Water Bottles

Hydration on the road is essential, but don’t overdo it! The larger the bottle you give kids, the greater your propensity to pull over every 30 minutes for bathroom breaks.

Pick a good insulated bottle for every family member (if possible, assess the size of the beverage holder everyone will have in the car).

Thermoflask Double Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle

Swig Savvy Sports Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Takeya Originals Vacuum-Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Bottle

Reusable Coffee Mugs

Do the environmentally friendly thing and cut our plastic cup waste on your road trips. If you love your hot beverages for the taste of keeping alert , BYO it! Just check though; some coffee travel mugs come with handles that may not fit in a car beverage holder.

BrüMate Toddy 100% Leak Proof Insulated Coffee Mug

Life’s Easy – Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug

Congela 18oz Premium Stainless Coffee Mug

Snacks, Snacks, and More Snacks

A healthy supply of road trip snacks is KEY to keeping the hangry’s at bay. They are the ultimate pick me up, and kids really look forward to this part of a road trip.

However much you think you’re going to need, pack double. Oh, and as cute as those trays of food in one big tackle box look, do think practically too; if one child knocks it over, will you lose your entire journey’s supplies? If you’re going bento box-style, keep it compact.

We have a huge list of 40+ Healthy Road Trip Snacks for kids over here .

Polarized Sunglasses

Make sure the driver has good 100% UV protection sunglasses. You’ll likely want a set for your passengers, too, especially in warm and sunny climates.

Women’s Sunglasses UV400 Mirrored Lens

Lightweight TAC Polarized Tinted Retro 70s Sunglasses

KUGUAOK 2 PACK Polarized Sports Sunglasses

Car Organizers

Keeping your car organized can be an ongoing challenge for a road trip, but certainly, a sanity saver if you can put some good systems in place.

Back of the Seat Organiser

These are great when taking your own vehicle for having an organized system in the back seat of your car for the kids. Find a home for tissues, wipes, snacks, and toys that can stay in the car. Some even come with fold-down trays and tablet holding systems.

CAR KANGAROO Back Seat Car Organizer 2 Pack

VENFOREST Black Car Backseat Organizer

Tidify Car Front Seat Organizer

Sun Visor Organizer

These sun visor organizers for the car are a great convenient spot for keeping things like parking passes, loose coins, insurance documents – even a handy spot for things like tissues, wipes, and face masks.

Da by Car Sun Visor Organizer

Car Sun Visor Organizer

Car Truck Visor Storage Pouch Holder

Travel Tray For Kids

Great, especially for your preschooler and younger children in a forward-facing car seat. A travel tray expands the number of car games that a child can play and gives them a flat surface for eating snacks and somewhere to hold their drink bottle and tablet.

Trunk Organizer

These trunk organizers are great on long road trips where you may not want to pull everything out at every stop. You can have compartments for picnics and trail stops, another for food, and a quick and easy-to-reach spot for toilet emergencies.

Oasser Waterproof Collapsible Trunk Organizer

Mega Racer Black Trunk Organizer for Car

Collapsible Trunk Organizer for Car

Road Trip Essentials Babies and Toddlers

As you’re no doubt acutely aware, babies and toddlers add a whole extra element of complexity to our travels! We won’t necessarily call them challenges – but just a little extra thought and space – tend to be needed when road-tripping with very young children.

Infant Car Seat

Family Road Trip 101. Every child needs the appropriate safety restraint in a vehicle until they reach the height and weight to move into a grown-up chair (which may be much later than you think!)

You will need to check the local regulations on where you’ll be road-tripping, as some countries are much stricter than others on the appropriate type of restraint.

If you are looking to use your car seat on a plane, too, there are extra considerations to consider – you’ll find a good guide here on what car seats are appropriate for cars and planes .

Even if your child has outgrown their infant car seat, they may still sit too low in their seat to use the seat belt properly. There’s a long in-between phase where kids still need a booster seat .

You will likely start with a high back booster that can convert from a 5-point harness to a lap belt, then as they grow, downgrade to a portable backless booster that just gives them a little extra height and support.

When your newborns and infants are still super small and unable to communicate with you – particularly when still in a rear-facing infant seat – it’s vital you have some way of keeping an eye on them. One way is to install a car mirror above their seat that you can see from your rearview mirror.

Wide Shatterproof Baby Carseat Mirror

Fully Assembled Baby Mirror For Car

Shatterproof Newborn Safety Mirror

Car Baby Monitor

Alternatively, a portable car baby monitor may give you a clearer vision of your child without needing to strain in a mirror or distract you from the road ahead. The disadvantage of a camera in the car is that you have extra wires to deal with, and they take up a plug point – which may invaluably be needed for your smartphone or navigation device!

There are pros and cons to both car mirrors and car baby monitors but they can certainly bring you peace of mind, particularly traveling with a newborn .

Side Window Shades

We talked earlier about keeping the sun off your dash while parked but don’t forget your side windows too. Young children can be distressed by the light coming through the window, especially if they’re trying to nap so a great addition to keep your backseat guests cozy is a properly fitted side sunshade .

Enovoe Car Window Shade

kinder Fluff Car Window Shades

GOODYEAR Self Sticking Car Sun Shades

SUVs and larger vehicles consider you may need a larger shade or two shades on each window to get full coverage.

Portable Bottle Warmer

This is probably more of a “nice to have,” but if your bubs are especially fussy and like their bottles at a certain temperature, you’ll find it a total lifesaver!

There are plenty of portable bottle warmer models made especially for cars (though, be mindful that they’re all competing for that valuable in-car plug point!)

Don’t forget an insulated breastmilk bag if you’re taking pre-pumped breastmilk bottles in the car with you.

We talk more about drinks & cooling systems below in gear you need for roadside stops!

Quick Change Diaper Kit

You don’t need to pack your entire diaper bag in the car with you for a road trip! Sure, make space for a full change kit in the trunk, but in the car, we prefer to have an easy access grab and go change mat for roadside stops – or even in the front seat if you need to!

Include spare diapers, wipes, disposable baggies, and diaper cream that fold inside a changing mat that doesn’t take up loads of space.

Travel Portable Diaper Changing Pad

SIMBOOM Portable Changing Pad

Enovoe Portable Diaper Changing Pad

Porta Potty

On to the next stage… potty training parents will sometimes know you simply need to go NOW!! Often bathrooms are not readily available when you need them, so do consider having a simple travel potty seat in your car, preferably one you can bag up the mess and deal with at your earliest convenience.

Portable Potty Training Seat for Toddler Kids

Travel Potty Chair for Kids

On The Go Potty Travel Potty Chair for Camping

Also, consider whether a freshly toilet-trained child might need to wear “special car pants.” There’s no shame or regression in suggesting to a child they need their special pants for longer journeys until you’re certain they can go longer stretched and their warning system improves.

Graduating again to the next stage. Even with our well-trained preschoolers, we kept a liner in their car seats for years to come. They will put an extra layer of protection between your child and the seat and are much easier to clean in case of an accident than spend days with the smell of a urine-soaked seat.

INFANZIA Piddle Pad for Carseats Strollers

PudCraft 2PCS Piddle Pad Car Seat Protector

COOLBEBE Thicken Carseat Piddle Pad

Psst – do you regularly suffer from the dreaded car stench on a long journey? We share our top tips for removing bad odors from your car and how to keep your car smelling pleasant throughout a long journey.

Road Trip Essentials for Entertainment & Comfort

With all the safety and practical items dealt with, it’s time to get you all cozy and entertained, ready for your next long road trip.

Travel Toys

No matter a child’s age, they still need car toys! For babies, these can be simple items they can kick and chew on, through to more complex puzzles and coloring for your older kids.

Think about items that can’t be choked on without direct supervision, won’t roll away, and get lost between seats if you’re buying road trip toys for toddlers and younger children. And don’t forget to throw something in that can be used at roadside stops, like frisbees or balls.

You’ll find our favorite toddler car toys here

Tablets/Portable DVD Player

A savior for us on the very long driving days has been allowing the kids to use their tablets or electronic devices.

Each family will need to determine its own rules once it comes to screen time on the road. Just remember you may not have WIFI or an internet connection once you hit the road, so anything on their devices needs to be downloaded in advance.

Music, Audio Books, Podcast

Music is a given on any road trip, but why not mix it up with some family audiobooks and podcasts ? There are plenty that are suitable for families that you can either listen to together or download onto each family member’s device so they can listen to them alone.

We’ve found Amazon Audible invaluable for this.

With electronics, music, and audiobooks, these go hand in hand with the whole family having their own headphones!

Elecder i37 Kids Headphones

Kids Wireless Earbuds

Headphone Splitter

Remember, younger kids will still need something that is volume limiting to protect their hearing, whilst older kids may prefer to graduate to smaller earbuds. Children can still watch something together if you get them a headphone splitter.

Portable Power Banks and Battery Packs

Now we’ve seen just how vital our electronics are these days when we travel by road, don’t forget all these items need to be charged at some point!

Sometimes it simply can’t wait until you are back at your accommodation and have a power source. We strongly recommend having for your car a multi-power adaptor that can work through USB, or having several battery packs , pre-charged and ready to help when a device is running low.

USB Car Charger Adapter

Super Fast USB Car Charger

SUNDAREE 60W 4 Ports USB c Car Charger

You can get smaller units each that will easily fit in their car trays or seat organizers, or go with a big family model 20,000 mAh that will surely last you al an entire day on the road – one of the most useful but often forgotten items for a family road trip!

Family Games

Away from screens and devices, think ahead to games you can play in the car that don’t need any additional props or accessories.

Younger kids can easily pick up a game of I-spy and counting games, whilst your older kids, I’m sure, can enjoy a few rounds of “Would You Rather” or more challenging alphabet games to pass the time.

You can find plenty of games to play in the car with family here, or for older kids after more of a challenge, you might want to check out our collection of road trip trivia games .

Seat Belt Cozies and Neck Pillows

Once kids move out of a high back booster, they have much less support for their heads. Fine when they’re awake and chatting, but you’ll want something that adequately supports their head for nap times – likely on longer trips.

This can be attaching a comfortable cushion over the seat belt they can snuggle into, or even better, a neck pillow that can completely wrap around their head, giving a comfortable fit.

We compare the best car seat pillows for toddlers here .

Drivers cushion

Particularly if you are prone to sciatica back pain, a comfortable car seat cushion for long-distance driving is another essential for drivers.

Road Trip Essentials for Roadside Stops

Traveling long distances with children will require regular rest stops, be it for gas stations and a restroom, or a longer stop to stretch the legs and explore the trails en route. Here’s what we always keep handy in the car for those essential road trip stops:

Smal l Day Bag

Ready to grab and go when you leave the car, we keep a small backpack ready with the essentials we might need for snack stops, short hikes, and play parks. This can double as the bag you keep snacks in and the important little things like a first aid kit , sanitizers, and fresh face masks.

AOTIAN Small Lightweight Hiking Daypack

SKYSPER Small Hiking Backpack

Wraifa Waterproof Oxford Small Backpack

A post-COVID world brings this precautionary measure to the top of our list. Regardless of the rules in your location, it’s a sensible traveler’s precaution in the 2020s to bring a face mask when you’re road-tripping from one destination to the next.

Wecolor 100 Pcs Disposable 3 Ply

Egook Black Disposable Face Masks

Adult Multicolored Disposable Face Masks with Nose Clip

We keep a cloth mask in the car and a stash of disposables ready when needed for any emergency stops.

Hand Sanitizer

Goes without saying, right? A small sanitizer tube comes everywhere these days, with every child having one clipped to their own day packs, plus the first aid kit, the purse!

6 Empty Travel Hand Sanitizer Bottles Holder

5 Pack 2oz Keychain Empty Squeeze Bottle With Holder

5 Pack 1 oz Keychain Empty Squeeze Bottle With Holder

Sanitizing Wipes

I am sure these have been in every Mom Bag well before COVID germs were a thing. We have long been rubbing down tables and cleaning grubby hands on the go. We do like to keep stronger surface wipes separate from those wet wipes we use on their faces and more sensitive parts of the body.

Lysol Disinfectant Wipes

Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes

Nice ‘N Clean Moist Flushable Wipes

Spare Toilet Roll

How many bathrooms have you stopped at on a long road trip only to discover there’s no toilet roll? A roll of spare toilet paper is always a handy road trip essential to pack. (And depending on the country you’re in, a few coins, too in case it’s a pay toilet).

Bamboo Toilet Paper by Nature’s Call

Coghlan’s Tissue On The Go

4 Ply Soft Toilet Paper RV Essential

Important for meals on the go, keep your food fresh using a cooler box . The size really depends on whether you are camping and the cooler will be housing all your food and drinks, or are you simply needing to get the most perishable food from one fridge to the next?

Ivation Electric Cooler & Warmer with Handle | 24 L

K-Box Electric Cooler and Warmer for Car and Home – 34 Quart (32 Liter)

K-box Electric Cooler and Warmer with Wheels for Car and Home – 48 Quart (45 Liter)

On larger camping trips or with a campervan, you may have a plugin fridge that runs off the car battery. All you will need then is a smaller snack pack size cooler needed for day trips. Look to add soft ice packs with your small cooler box to keep drinks cold all day, and restock with ice cubes when you can.

Small Blanket

Easy to grab and go with your picnic lunch stops. A great range of sand-proof and waterproof blankets can fold down extra small, so small they should fit in your daypack and help prevent sand and dirt from making their way back into your vehicle.

Beach Blanket Sandproof Adults Waterproof

KuoSEN Outdoor Picnic Blanket Beach Blanket Sandproof Waterproof 

Beach Blanket, 79”×83” Picnic Blankets Waterproof Sandproof

While we hate to do the dishes on the road, we hate how environmentally damaging plastic waste can be even more. If we’re going disposable, make sure it’s made from recyclable material like bamboo cutlery. Better yet, it’s a great idea to pack your own picnic set if you think you’ll be making frequent roadside stops.

PURPLECLAY Disposable Wooden Utensils Set 360 PCS

Treeatery Compostable Cutlery Set – 380 Value Pack

Weemium Disposable Wooden Cutlery Set – 300 Count 

It doesn’t take long for the bugs to find you on those roadside stops! Flies, mozzies, midges, gnats, keep yourselves protected with bug spray; look for those gentle on kids’ skin.

US Organic Mosquito Repellent Anti Bug Outdoor Pump Sprays

Bug Soother Spray (2, 8 oz) – Natural Insect, Gnat and Mosquito Repellent & Deterrent

Badger – Anti-Bug Shake & Spray

Sun Hats & Sunscreen

And don’t forget the sun’s harmful rays too. Even on a short trail, playground, or roadside stop, the sun can catch you out on a hot summer’s day. Keep little heads protected with sunhats, and out in the midday sun, remember sunscreen too.

Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Sunscreen

Connectyle Outdoor UPF 50+ Sun Hat

Two Peas Organics – All Natural Organic SPF 50 Sunscreen

Pssst – worried about sunscreen stains in the car? We know; it happens! Follow our tips here for removing those sunscreen stains and a few extra tools you may want for car maintenance, especially on a beach road trip .

Raincoats & Umbrellas

On Winter road trips , you will no doubt have the opposite issue with kids getting wet no matter what you try! You must get everyone out of the car regularly to stretch their legs, so make sure you pack appropriate provisions to deal with the weather, including raincoats and umbrellas.

Repel Umbrella Windproof Travel Umbrella

Columbia Youth Girls’ Switchback II Jacket

ZOOGS Kids Glitter Rain Boots for Girls and Toddlers

You may also want separate rain boots that are kept in the trunk so as not to dirty up the back of the car.

Quick-Dry Towel

You can be sure if there’s any pond, river, or even a puddle on your roadside stop, kids will find it! We love having a few quick-dry towels within easy reach in the trunk (plus a couple of spare outfits) ready for inevitable dampness that happens en route, no matter the season!

Travel Towel – Compact & Ultra Soft Microfiber

ECCOSOPHY Microfiber Beach Towel for Adults

BOGI Microfiber Travel Sports Towel-Quick Dry Towel

Ladies with long hair will know exactly what we mean! Heading out on a trail, it’s always handy to keep one of these on your wrist – ideal for MacGyver-style repairs on the move, too!

Black Hair Ties for Women Girls

Goody Ouchless Elastic Hair Tie

Hair Ties for Girls Women, Funtopia 30 Pcs

Walkie Talkies

Traveling in convo with another vehicle? A great way to keep in touch with your comrades is a walkie-talkie for your road trip . On the lookout for a great place to stop? Radio on to your next vehicle when you need to pull over or to alert them to any hazards or interesting things to point out along the way.

Motorola T100 Talkabout Radio, 2 Pack

Midland 50 Channel Waterproof GMRS Two-Way Radio

Retevis RT628 Walkie Talkies for Kids

While they can be a novelty fun for the kids and may not be seen as essential, heading anywhere off-road or remote, we think they’re a must-have for a road trip.

Winter Road Trip Essentials List

Traveling in icy or snowy conditions will require you to have a few more road trip essentials to hand. We recommend you also include on your checklist:

De-icer & Scraper

In colder climates or areas prone to frost, it is wise to have de-ice your car with a brush and scraper attachment.

AstroAI 27 Inch Snow Brush and Detachable Ice Scraper

SEAAES 51 Inch Ice Scraper and Snow Brush with Squeegee

EcoNour 27″ Car Snow Brush and Ice Scrapers

These anti-slip devices are a requirement in certain places. You’ll want a set of these handy to grab in your trunk ready to go in snowy and icy conditions.

WEIZE Snow Chains

Tire Chains for Suvs, Cars, Sedan

Tire Anti-Skid Snow Chains

Defogging Spray

Internal screen fog can be caused by extreme temperature differences. A defogging spray will assist you in quickly clearing screen fog.

Anti-Fog Lens Spray

Car Glass Anti-Fog Rainproof Spray Agent

Visbella Anti Fog Spray for Glass, Windshield of Car

Collapsible Shovel

When all else fails, you may need to get out of the car and make your path in the wintery conditions. These collapsible shovels and gloves are a winter road trip essential for anyone in cold and snowy climates.

Printable Road Trip Checklist

Save time packing for your next family road trip, and get this road trip packing list printed out, ready to check off items as you go!

Disclosures: We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can read our full privacy and disclosure policies here .

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Here are the things to pack for a road trip that always come with us, whether in the car or RV. These family road trip necessities always help our road trips with kids go much more smoothly!

Child Restraint

Of course, the most important thing when taking a road trip with kids is to ensure they’re properly restrained. This is definitely at the top of the list for baby and toddler road trip essentials! Be sure to check into legal requirements wherever you’re traveling in addition to the safest situation for your child. If you’re uncertain, child passenger safety technicians can provide invaluable advice so it’s great to check in with them. Here’s more on the car seats for travel that we use.

Snacks + Cooler

Number one on this list of road trip essentials for toddlers and kids has to be snacks. There’s nothing that will ruin a road trip for us faster than having hangry, grumpy kids. We like to have mostly healthy foods they already love. We find we all feel better and act better when we’re not just eating tons of junk. But of course we always have some fun snacks that we wouldn’t have regularly at home, too!

Here’s a list of some of our favorite healthy road trip snacks for kids . We also like keeping fresh foods handy in a soft-sided cooler. This one keeps things cold for forever and is great to add to your road trip must haves.

Books: Kids Kindles + A Few Physical Books

I try not to overpack entertainment because I find that my kids tend to actually use the items less when there are too m ≤e category: BOOKS.

My older 3 kiddos (currently ages 11, 9, 7) love their Kids Kindles , which makes it easy to take lots of books without packing tons of stuff. They also allow us to download more along the way if needed. They tend to be best for kids who enjoy chapter books, but aren’t great for picture book readers. (More about the Kids Kindles for travel in this post .) Here’s a list of a few diverse novels for road trips that we love. And here are some kids books about the world that would be great for a road trip.

Here are some tips that have helped us raise kids who love reading to prepare for this must have on our family road trip packing list.

Audiobooks (Yoto Player)

Speaking of books, we also always stock up on audiobooks before a road trip. We usually use the Libby app to download them through our library, but also use the following audiobook services:

• Audible free trial  and get up to 2 free book credits
• Libro.fm membership  and get a free audiobook credit for  Aru Shah  (this supports local bookstores!)
• audiobooksnow.com free trial  and get it for $7.88 (or  $15.75 without signing up for the free trial )
• audiobooks.com free trial  and get 3 free book credits
• 30 day free trial of Scribd

We also LOVE using our Yoto player . It’s especially great for our younger kiddos because it’s so young-child-friendly. One of the road trip must haves for toddlers! They love being able to control exactly what they’re listening to with the cards. Seriously such a lifesaver on family road trips. This also allows my 4 year old, for instance, to listen to a different book than what the older kids are listening to in the car. ( More about the Yoto player here .)

We love these toddler headphones for our younger kids (and my older daughter still uses hers because they’re so soft and comfortable). Perfect to use with the Yoto player or to listen to something on a tablet if needed. We also like these for older kiddos on our family road trip checklist.

Trash Bags (and/or Vomit Bags)

It’s frankly quite incredible just how much trash manages to accumulate on road trips. Like, where does it even come from??

A trash bag in each row of the vehicle is one of our road trip must haves for kids. That way, there’s easy access while kids are buckled. We usually just use plastic grocery bags (the Target and Walmart ones tend to be really sturdy). You could also use something fancier like this .

They’re also useful to have on hand if you happen to have kids who tend to get motion sick. We don’t generally, but we’ve had once or twice on a very windy road where a kiddo has been reading and suddenly felt sick. We were very grateful to have some bags handy. (I’ve also heard good things about disposable vomit bags if you have kids who puke regularly.) Add this to your family road trip packing list!

Baby Wipes/Cleaning Wipes

I’m convinced it is impossible to have too many baby wipes. I shall purchase them until all my children are grown adults, forever and ever, amen. They’re just so darn useful in so many situations! Spilled drink? Baby wipes. Scoop up crumbs? Baby wipes. Clean the floor of the RV? Baby wipes. No toilet paper in the public restroom? Baby wipes.

And yes, I have actually used baby wipes for every one of these situations and many more. They’re a staple on our road trip packing list. You’re welcome. It’s even one of those road trip essentials for couples!

Sanitizing wipes are also helpful, especially during pandemic times, for cleaning anything and everything.

I have oddly strong opinions about the thickness and texture of baby wipes and quite like these . I personally love the cucumber scent but the regular works just fine, too.

Travel Backpack

I love having each of my kids pack their own travel backpack with their activities, water bottle, and a few personal snacks. This helps keep some fighting to a minimum and my kids are usually more excited about things they personally picked out and packed. The biggest benefit is that things tend to stay tidier when they have a specific space to contain their things. This is also one of those great road trip essentials for teens so they can be sure to have what they like handy.

Here’s what our kids usually pack in their travel backpacks – all great things to add to your road trip essentials with kids.

As I mentioned above, I try hard to not go overboard with the activities because I find that my kids tend to use them less the more there are. But we do like to pack a few things that keep them engaged for longer periods of time. Here are some of our favorite road trip activities for kids when putting together your packing list for family road trip.

Water Bottles + Bento Style Containers

Nothing makes me feel more ragey on road trips than spilled drinks and food. I know I should anticipate it, yada yada, but it still stresses me out. We find that everyone having their own water bottle helps significantly with keeping spills to a minimum and is one of our road trip necessities.

I like this hard spout insulated sippy for babies and young toddlers. THIS and THIS are great travel water bottles for younger kids. I also like this one (which is surprisingly spill-resistant, but the straw can get dirty since it doesn’t have a cover).

My older kids absolutely LOVE this water bottle – it’s a great size, fits in a side pocket, and keeps drinks cold for sooo long. For adults, we really love THIS one and THIS one.

We’ve also had a few trips where we’ve taken the kids’ Bento-style school lunchboxes as part of our road trip checklist for family. These are great for keeping food neat, especially if you’re having a whole meal while moving. It also makes it easy to close up leftovers without them spilling everywhere. We love these lunchboxes because they’re leakproof, both to the outside and between compartments.

We don’t often drive super late at night as neither Dan nor I is great at staying up to drive. But we do sometimes we do drive past at least the younger kids’ bedtimes. We find it’s easier for everyone to fall asleep if they have similar sleep cues to what they’d have at home or in a bed. So we include pajamas, pillow, stuffie, and possibly an eye mask in their road trip essentials list. We usually turn on some calming music ( this is our go-to) or white noise over the car speakers to help them drift off.

First Aid Kit + Medications

It’s amazing when kids manage to get injured, and it’s definitely happened to us on road trips before, too. We always like to keep a first aid kit handy – this is for sure a road trip essential that you always want to not need but will be very grateful to have it if a need does arise. These are our very favorite bandages that actually stay on so they always stay on our road trip packing list.

Don’t forget any specific medications you might need to add to your road trip essentials with kids, as well – we always carry a pain relief roller since a couple of our kids get growing pains. We always take children’s melatonin, as well, if we need help adjusting to sleep, especially if we’re changing time zones. ( This one isn’t specifically made for children but it’s the exact same formulation and dosage, cheaper than kid-specific ones, and works faster. Be sure to check with your medical professional before using.)

Sunblock/Insect Repellent

I always like to keep these two things handy in the door of the vehicle on road trips so we can find them easily as we’re leaving.

This is our favorite sunblock for kids – it’s a mineral sunblock that blends and protects so well (and is reef safe). It also comes in stick and spray form . I personally love this facial sunscreen to go under makeup, and this brush on mineral sunscreen is great for refreshing over makeup during the day. We always have this in our vehicle for summer adventures and on our summer road trip packing list.

When we’re in very buggy areas (or in areas where mosquitoes have a greater risk of carrying disease), we always use this Deet-based lotion repellent . It works super well and stays on for a long time. When we’re not as worried about diseased mosquitoes, we typically use this kind .

An Easy Outdoor Toy

Everyone gets a bit stir-crazy on a long road trip, so it’s nice to get in as much movement as possible when you stop. We like to head to a playground or even an empty field. We always keep a ball or frisbee on hand, and possibly even a couple of baseball gloves, for some easy and fun movement. Usually, we just keep this with our other road trip supplies so we don’t forget!

Extra Diapers

One of those things that’d I’d rather have too many of than too few! Especially if you’re road tripping through more remote areas, be sure you have a good stash handy with your road trip car essentials. For my younger kids who are toilet trained, I try to make sure to put them in a diaper before napping or if there’s risk of them falling asleep in the car; washing car seat covers is absolutely no fun, especially while on the road.

Binoculars/Scope

It’s so fun to spot wildlife, buildings, and other landmarks while on a family road trip. We recently got these mini spotting scopes for kids for summer travel and I think they’ll be great for entertaining the kids on all kinds of road trips. They’re powerful enough to not just be a toy, but small enough that they’re easy to pack. Each of our kiddos got their own and I think they’ll quickly become one of our favorite fun road trip essentials, especially in places with lots of animals.

While we often rely on map apps on our phones, it’s always good to double check with a physical map of the area where you’re driving, especially if it’s a more remote spot. Plus, map-reading is a great skill for older kids to confirm routes, detours, stops, etc.

We don’t do a ton of electronics or road trip movies, but it’s always nice to have this as an option when needed. we just use an old iPad if we’re in the car or our DVD player if we’re in the RV. Nothing fancy. It’s not highest on our list of road trip essentials with kids but definitely useful in a pinch.

Travel Journal

I love having my kids keep travel journals of our adventures. I don’t have them necessarily write about days when we’re just driving, but it’s such great practice to have them write details about the special adventures and excursions. Plus, it’s delightful to read about the experiences through their eyes, and I hope they’ll enjoy reflecting back on them when they get older.

I let each of my kids pick out their journal – we chose thick, sturdy ones that have a strap to hold it closed. We have this one , this one , and this one (in 2 colors) so far.

Portable Charger

It seems something is always running out of charge (or someone forgot to charge it) while on the road. This portable charger is powerful and fantastic for road trips. This is another terrific one that charges really quickly. And I love this tiny but powerful little power bank for on the go.

Car Seat Protector

It is truly remarkable just how gross cars get beneath car seats. We like to have these especially under our younger kiddos’ car seats to protect the actual vehicle a bit.

Travel Towels

We usually like to keep a few quick dry travel towels handy when road tripping with kids. These are great if there’s a spill, but also if we go out and someone gets wet and needs to get cleaned up. In the RV especially, we love these Turkish bath towels . They dry fast and don’t take much space (and everyone has their own color). We also always take a few of these microfiber towels to pack along on hikes or to the beach. We always fly with a couple of those, as well!

Trunk Organizer

What kind of post on road trip essentials with kids would this be if I didn’t include some sort of trunk organizer solution? Like everyone else, we love these things , and not just for the trunk. We love storing one under the table in the RV to hold books and activities. Smaller ones are great to go on an empty seat in a car. Basically, anything that can keep all the STUFF that comes along with road tripping with kids somewhat organized and available to find when needed is a lifesaver.

There you go! Some of the road trip essentials with kids that we never travel without. How about you? Are you a road trip family? And if so, what is crucial to your road trip with kids success?

A Few Other Useful Items:

These items aren’t really for kids, but they’re super useful for a road trip!

• Portable Car Jumper (Car Battery Booster) (also available at Home Depot )
• Spare tire + tools
• Car top carrier & protective roof liner

IF YOU LIKED THIS POST ABOUT ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS WITH KIDS, YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE POSTS TOO:

• Toddler Road Trip Tips
• Toddler Road Trip Activities
• 50+ Healthy Road Trip Snacks for Kids
• Tips for Travel with Baby or Toddler

DON’T NEED THESE FAMILY ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS QUITE YET? PIN THIS POST FOR LATER!

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32 road trip essentials for adults and kids.

Travel more comfortably with these road trip must-haves.

Road Trip Essentials

Getty Images

While you don't necessarily need a lot of things for a successful road trip, certain items can't be overlooked. Read on to discover which items you should consider adding to your road trip packing list, or jump to the section on what to pack for kids .

Road trip essentials for adults

From roadside emergency must-haves to multipurpose gadgets you can use throughout your journey, these are some of the most helpful items to have on a road trip.

"Hanger" can make a road trip go south pretty quick. Pack your favorite snacks and put them in an easily accessible spot.

Courtesy of ICEMULE

You might want to bring a small cooler for any snacks and drinks that need to stay cold. If you don't already own one, the best cooler bags include the ICEMULE Classic (available in a variety of sizes) and the CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag .

A seat organizer like this one by YOOFAN can help you keep snacks, tissues and any other essentials close at hand. Plus, it can double as a reusable bag for any small purchases you make during your road trip.

USB charging cables

If you have USB ports in your car, buy a set of charging cables so you can keep your devices charged and also play music and podcasts from your phone. Compatible with Apple devices, this two-pack of Amazon Basics cables is well rated; for Samsung devices, try these Anker cables . Both sets have 3-foot cords, which are the perfect size for car travel.

Portable charger

Courtesy of INIU

Even if you have charging ports and cables in your car, a portable charger is good to have on hand, too. Travelers rave about the INIU Portable Charger for its slim, lightweight design and overall efficiency.

Jumper cables

A set of jumper cables is essential to have in your car at all times, whether you're driving 2 miles down the road or 200 miles away from home. The Energizer Jumper Cables are especially well rated. Available for less than $20 on Amazon, the 12-foot-long cables are perfect for any car type and come with a travel bag for easy storage. Longer cables are also available.

Portable tire inflator

A portable tire inflator can be a lifesaver if you find your tires have a slow leak during your trip. The AstroAl Air Compressor Tire Inflator is compact, so it won't take up much space among the other gear in your trunk, and it includes an LED flashlight with independent switch control. It is programmed to stop automatically once it hits the preset tire pressure and it comes with a 36-month warranty.

Other travelers prefer the ViAir 88P - 00088 Portable Compressor Kit , noting it works well with a wide variety of vehicles. In addition to a 12-foot air hose and a 9-foot power cord, the kit comes with alligator clamps that power your air compressor by attaching to your car's battery.

Courtesy of Snow Joe

If you're traveling during the winter months and/or to a destination where you might encounter snow and ice, make sure you have a snow broom in your car. The Snow Joe 4-in-1 Telescoping Broom is especially convenient for travel because of its lightweight, foldable design, and recent buyers confirm the foam head prevents any scratching. This snow broom also features an ice scraper and LED lights with a blinking functionality for emergencies.

Dashboard phone mount

Avoid distractions by installing a dashboard phone mount before your journey starts. The iOttie Easy One Touch 5 comes with a telescopic arm, a magnetic cord organizer and a strong-hold suction cup. Plus, its easy one-touch lock-and-release mechanism (a feature that is much appreciated among recent customers) makes taking your phone on and off the holder a breeze. If you don't like the rigidity of traditional dashboard phone mounts, consider choosing a phone mount with a flexible arm instead.

Car document holder

In the event that you get into a car accident or are pulled over by the police, having easy access to your car's registration, insurance information and owner's manual is crucial – whether you're traveling or not. This two-sided holder , which comes in a pack of two for less than $5 on Amazon, does the job.

Roadside emergency kit

For peace of mind, many travelers recommend an all-purpose roadside emergency kit . These kits are typically equipped with a tire pressure gauge, a utility knife, safety gloves, cable ties, a tow rope, tire repair tools, first-aid supplies, rain ponchos and other useful items.

Courtesy of Busy Co

Freshen up with the extra-large body wipes from Busy Co , which are suitable for dry, oily and combination skin types. They address a variety of skincare needs, including clarifying, toning, soothing and nourishing. Recent customers appreciated the large size of the wipes and said using them made them feel refreshed while traveling.

Lysol wipes

Disinfecting Lysol wipes are a must-have on your travel packing list. These cleaning wipes kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, so you can feel protected while on the road.

Disposable toilet seat covers

Using disposable toilet seat covers can help you avoid germs and stay clean when you stop for restroom breaks at gas stations, port-a-potties and campgrounds.

Nausea relief

Courtesy of Sea-Band

Long hours in the car might sound daunting to anyone prone to motion sickness. In those cases, having preventative nausea medicine like Dramamine can be a lifesaver. If you prefer a drug-free alternative, Sea-Bands are anti-nausea wristbands that use acupuncture as a natural remedy to reduce motion sickness. Travelers say these bands are highly effective at reducing nausea.

Hand sanitizer

From gas pumps to ATMs, you never know what germs you may encounter on a road trip. Protect yourself against viruses by keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer in your car.

Book or e-reader

Sitting in the car for hours can be painfully boring at times. Bring a good book or an e-reader like the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite , which puts thousands of books at your fingertips. The device boasts up to 10 weeks of battery life, adjustable warm light and a glare-free display, which recent reviewers said made marathon reading sessions a breeze. Meanwhile, kids can enjoy the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids , which offers a special font for children with dyslexia and comes with a two-year warranty.

Rooftop cargo carrier

Save some space inside your vehicle by opting for a car roof cargo carrier. With an anti-slip mat and reinforced adjustable straps, the waterproof FIVKLEMNZ 15 Cubic Car Roof Bag Cargo Carrier from Amazon is suitable for any car type. Recent customers say that they had no problem getting it to stay in place even on high-speed roads.

Car trash can

Courtesy of Hotor

There's no doubt about it – road trips can generate a lot of trash. Keep your car clean on your next adventure with this Hotor car trash can from Amazon. Complete with an adjustable strap, mesh side panels for storage and a leakproof interior lining, this useful accessory comes highly recommended by travelers who find themselves frequently on the road.

Dog waste bags

Even if you don't have a dog, hear us out: Dog poop bags are useful for a variety of needs, from general waste to dirty diapers to unexpected accidents caused by motion sickness. The Earth Rated bags are 100% leakproof, and buyers agree they're effective at eliminating odors.

If you'll be sitting in the passenger's seat or backseat, bring a pair of earbuds or headphones. For kids, consider the fleece CozyPhones , which are volume-limiting for little ears and come in a variety of animal themes.

Travel pillow

Courtesy of Cabeau

Car passengers can get a bit more comfortable with the help of an ergonomic neck pillow for travel . Top-rated options include the Cabeau Evolution S3 and the MVLOC Travel Pillow .

Shield your eyes from the sun by picking up a good pair of sunglasses before your trip. Choose sunglasses that protect against the sun's UVA and UVB rays, and are polarized to block glare. Travelers love that these Ray-Ban Aviator Classic sunglasses come in a variety of tints and can even be customized to fit your needs. For a more budget-friendly option, check out these SUNGAIT Ultra Lightweight Rectangular Polarized Sunglasses from Amazon, which recent customers say are very comfortable and perfect for road tripping.

Beach blanket

Courtesy of WEKAPO

A large beach blanket or towel is one of the most versatile accessories you can bring on a road trip. You can use it to have a picnic lunch, to clean up a spill, to dry off playground equipment after a rainstorm and more.

Reusable water bottle

Skip the plastic bottles and opt for a high-quality reusable water bottle on your next trip. This  40-ounce bottle from Hydro Flask  keeps drinks hot for 12 hours and cold for a full day. It also comes with a lid with a built-in straw, which consumers say makes it convenient for driving. For kids, a durable water bottle like this  12-ounce YETI Rambler  fits the bill: Its stainless steel bottle is dishwasher-safe and shatter-resistant, a feature that parents love.

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Road trip essentials for kids

In addition to snacks, headphones, reusable water bottles, sunglasses and – depending whether your kids are in a car seat or not – travel pillows, the following items are essential to a successful road trip with kids.

Seatback organizer

A car seatback organizer lets you arrange road trip essentials on the back of the driver's or passenger's seat, where they're within reach of small hands. Many buyers said this seatback organizer from Amazon took some of the stress out of traveling with kids, thanks to its multipurpose storage compartments, including a place for a tablet and plenty of other spots to store key items for your trip.

Travel tray

Courtesy of LUSSO Gear

If your co-pilot is constantly turning around to pick up toys or pass out snacks, a backseat travel tray is in order. The LUSSO Gear Kids Travel Tray comes with a safety strap that can be secured to any car seat, and includes a dry-erase board table, a cup holder, a storage compartment for toys and a no-drop tablet viewing stand. Reviewers loved the tray's whiteboard area and said it was a great way to keep kids entertained on long car rides.

Window shade

Protect your backseat drivers from UVA and UVB rays with some window shades. Many parents like the shades by Enovoe , which come in a two- or four-pack.

Bag of small toys and activities

Load up on small toys you can surprise your kids with throughout the journey. Wikki Stix , Melissa & Doug Water Wow pads and sticker books are all good, low-cost activities, and you can find other cheap options at your local dollar and thrift stores. You might even add some candy to the mix, especially for that last leg of the trip.

Most parents want to keep screen time to a minimum, but all bets are off when it comes to travel. Consider a tablet like the Amazon Fire Kids , which comes with a protective case and one year of Amazon Kids+. Amazon Kids+ features thousands of ad-free books, games and apps; for any streaming services you have at home, you can download TV show episodes and movies so the kids don't need Wi-Fi to watch them.

Small blanket

Courtesy of Cubcoat

Bring a small blanket and/or other comfort item from home to ensure the kids are cozy and content in the backseat. You could also bring a Cubcoat , which is a two-in-one stuffed animal that transforms into a hoodie. Your child's furry friend (think bunnies, sloths and puppies) doubles as a soft, zip-up sweatshirt, and you get to save some space in your suitcase.

Kids travel journal

A kids travel journal makes it easy for your child to document their road trip and all the fun things they see and do. Plus, many kids journals feature world maps, puzzles, fun facts and more activities to keep boredom at bay.

Road trip tips

Plan your stops.

It can be helpful and fun to plan your road trip stops ahead of time. Break up the trip with stops at a pretty park, a quirky roadside attraction or a top-rated restaurant.

Debit cards and Venmo may be the way of the world nowadays, but you may still run into a few places on your journey that are cash-only. Be on the safe side by keeping some spare cash on hand.

Download a fuel savings app

You can save some money on fuel by using apps like GasBuddy , which will show you the cheapest gas prices in your area. Go the extra mile by signing up for a gas rewards credit card to get the most bang for your buck.

You might also be interested in:

• Vacation Packing List
• The Best Kids Luggage
• The Best Carry-on Luggage
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

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