When we were in college, we would look upon road trips as a way to escape the drudgery of college exams and homework and studying. We would take off on a whim to unknown destinations with no road map, only a quarter tank of gas and little, if any, money in the bank. Now, we can look back on those days in horror and wonder how in the world we survived. As we grow older and more responsible, road trips need to be designed and planned in advance, and side trips to Starbucks have become necessities. So what responsible items do we need to pack when going on road trips?
* This is not necessarily a packing item, per say, but you will want to have a full tank of gas before the trip. In addition, make sure your automotive maintenance is up to par, meaning you have had a recent oil change and you have tires that still have tread on them.
* What would a road trip be without any money in the bank? Probably the most important thing you will want to pack is your source of money, whether it be cash, credit card or checkbook. Do not store these items in luggage cases. Rather keep them close to you in a wallet you have in your back pocket or in a purse you will carry with you at all times. In addition, if you are only carrying a credit card, have about twenty to thirty dollars in a safe place for those potential cash expenses, like toll booths.
* More than likely, you are not taking an unplanned road trip with no final destination, so be sure you have printed out directions to your different destinations. There are several wonderful online mapping utilities that allow you to type in a starting address as well as a destination address. This will give you a street by street reference on how to get to your destination. If you are visiting several places or staying at different hotels, print out several different sets of driving directions. In addition, you will want to be carrying an updated road map for the area you will be visiting. In case you get lost, you cannot rely solely on the printed direction sheets, so you will want to have a map with you at all times.
* If you own one, take your cell phone with you, as well as a car charger for it. You may hate the idea of a cell phone, but they really are great devices in case you get lost, run out of gas, or have automotive problems in areas you are not familiar with. Also keep an address book handy with important phone numbers (like family members and friends, as well as hotels you will be staying in and other destinations). For ease of use, you can program these numbers into your cell phone before the trip.
* On any normal day, but especially when taking a long road trip, you will want to carry an emergency car kit and a first aid kit in your car with you. These types of kits can be purchased at most automotive stores.
* The prices for snacks and drinks at gas stations and convenience stores can be pretty expensive, so pack enough snacks and drinks in a cooler to tide your hunger while driving.
* In addition to your suitcase of clothes and toiletries, pack a jacket (in case the weather or car gets cold) and an umbrella or poncho.
* If your road trip is going to be a long one, you will want to pack your favorite music CDs. If you are going to be a passenger, pack some light reading (if you do not get car sick while reading in the car) and your DVD player with some favorite DVDs, if you have one.
