3 Things You Might Forget to Pack for a Road Trip

You’re about to hit the open road for a weeklong trip. The car’s all gassed up, you have the best snacks, and music all picked out, and you’ve written down every address and phone number you need in your phone. However, as with most trips, you keep feeling like you’re forgetting something. It might be nothing, or it might be something that could make or break your road trip. Some items might seem rather obvious to keep in your car, especially for a road trip, but it goes without saying that it’s always important that you have the best materials available to keep your road trip fun and safe.

A Blanket, and Warm Stuff

For those living in northern countries or states, it might seem rather obvious to keep warm clothes and supplies in your car, but this is an important thing to keep wherever you live and travel. Nighttime temperatures can often drop, even in the hottest of locations, and you never know if, and when, your car might break down. In that instance, you might find yourself pretty happy to find that you have things to keep yourself warm.

Gloves, a hat, a scarf, and a jacket are all important to keep in your trunk, or under the seat. They don’t have to be something that will take up a lot of space. As well, a blanket is never a bad idea. Some blankets can get take up too much space, or not provide enough warmth. A blanket made of fleece fabric can give you the warmth, and weight you’re looking for, and with several different kinds of weight, you can ensure that you have what it takes to stay warm, and save space if needed.

Food and Water

You’ve already figured out your snacks and drinks to bring along, but your car should already be stocked with non-perishable food and water for emergencies. It might take up a bit of space in your trunk, but you will be happy in an emergency to find that you have extra food and water that you can rely on. Consider putting a case of bottled water in your car to keep for those emergencies, or use a larger water container, filling it up at the start of every trip. As for food, sealed, and canned goods that don’t perish are the best way to make sure that you have everything you need in an emergency.

An Atlas and Maps

Everyone today relies on navigation apps, or GPS to find their way, but you never know when you’re going to lose cell service, or your GPS might break, or run out of power. In moments like this, it’s helpful to have a map of the location that you’re going to be traveling too. But more than that, it’s also important to have an atlas, or larger map that contains information about the larger area in which you live or travel. Maps and atlases are easy to store, and will be without-value in an emergency. If nothing else, you will be able to find your way to the nearest town or city where you can get help. Additionally, you never know what you might find on a local area map that would have escaped your notice had you gone with information solely found on the internet. Who knows? You might find a hidden gem you never would have visited otherwise.

Whatever country you’re road-tripping in, and wherever you’re going, it’s always a good idea to be as prepared as possible. You might think that accidents, and broken down cars happen to everyone else, but that’s exactly the kind of thinking that will get you into trouble one day. Instead of taking that risk, do a few things now, and before every road trip, to ensure that you will have the safest, and most fun trip possible. After all, the best vacation stories are the ones where you’re having fun, not where you’re stuck on the side of the road.