Road Trip Packing:The Ultimate Guide for Comfortable Travel

Are you ready to hit the road and explore new destinations? Whether you’re travelling solo, with family, or friends, a road trip is a great way to travel and create lasting memories. 

There are so many aspects to planning a road trip; from your destination, budget and the must-see sights. By preparing for your trip in advance, you get to relax so much more when you’re actually experiencing it.

For the complete article on how to plan your road trip, check out this article: Planning The Perfect Road Trip.

But what do you pack? Whether you’re travelling solo or with others, packing really is a crucial part of the road to success. See what I did there? 

To make your road trip as smooth as possible, it’s important to pack everything you need, and be organised. In this guide, you will know all the essentials (and comforts) to take plus some tips for a stress-free experience.

From clothing to safety items, entertainment and essentials, this guide will ensure you have everything you need for a comfortable and safe trip. But don’t worry, there’s no tent or BBQ being packed in this guide. It’s all about fun travel and sleeping in a comfy bed each night in a cabin or motel.

First Up – Who is this guide for?

Ready for a road trip in comfort and style? Then you’ve come to the right place! This guide is all about hitting the open road, taking in the scenery, and experiencing all the amazing destinations along the way – without sacrificing comfort.

Forget about roughing it in a tent or sleeping bag. This road trip is all about staying in cosy motels or cabins, so you can kick back and relax in between adventures. Whether you’re travelling solo, with family, or friends, this guide is for anyone who wants to make the most of their road trip experience.

This guide is broken up into several sections. It may seem like a long list but I’ve tried to think of everything, so if it’s not for you, then just leave it out. Have a think about it first though. If you have room, it doesn’t hurt to throw a few extras in – there’s no airline staff weighing your luggage here!

So, let’s get packing! Oh, and stick with me to the end for some bonus packing tips!

Essentials

Quick Questions To Cover Before You Pack

• Does your car need servicing before you go?
• Is your insurance and road assistance current?
• Do you have a spare tyre?
• Have you checked the reception where you are going?

Licence and Insurance Details

Even if you’re not the driver, take your ID.

Have your insurance details printed out as well as saved on your phone.

Roadside Assistance Details

Make sure you have the details again printed and saved on your phone.

TIP: Scan and keep a copy of all your important documents in the cloud, and leave one at home with a friend, neighbour or family member. Also leave a copy of your itinerary with someone you trust.

Roadside Emergency Kit

Much of this will depend on the type of trip you are doing and how remote you plan on going. I’m not going to be advising on trips that are super remote that no one drives by after hours of breaking down. You really need a specialised site for that if it’s beyond being able to call your roadside assistance service.

Having said that, there are a few sensible things that should live in your vehicle for this. I would even go so far as to say they should live in your car whether you are travelling or not:

• Spare tyre: besides checking your tyres before you go, make sure your spare is also in good condition. Many cars don’t have a full sized spare now, you may want to reconsider this and buy a proper one.
• Fire extinguisher and blanket
• Torch with spare batteries
• Basic toolkit
• Emergency blanket
• Umbrella
• Waterproof poncho/jacket

EXTRA: Take a reflective windshield cover to help keep some of the heat out of your car when you leave it parked.

Personal and Medical Supplies

• Cash and Cards. Don’t just rely on your phone here. Have a spare card and a bit of cash with you – you never know when you’ll need it.
• First Aid Kit – a basic first aid kit should include band-aids, pain relievers, and any necessary prescription medications.
• Medications

GPS and Paper Maps

Consider a dashboard mount for your phone if you don’t have a screen in your vehicle.

If you’re like most and relying on apps for navigation and not carrying paper maps, make sure you are able to access them offline.

Map TIP: Go to all the Visitors’ Centres that you see. They often have free road maps; not to mention information and advice on everything in the area.

Basics

Clothing and Footwear

Pack comfortable, versatile clothing suitable for layering. Plan for different weather conditions.

Think comfortable, particularly for any long drives. Also throw in a large wrap or sarong. These are lightweight and great for an extra layer or protection from the sun.

I always recommend an extra pair of shoes. Shoes can take a long time to dry if you get them wet, and there’s nothing worse than cold, wet feet.

Don’t forget your sunglasses, oh and a hat!

Clothing TIPS:

• ALWAYS pack good comfortable walking shoes, even if they’re ugly. Ugly shoes have never ruined a trip, but sore feet sure can!
• Comfortable is better than wrinkles
• Less is generally more
• Layers are essential
• Don’t stress if you forget something – retail therapy anyone?

Toiletries and Personal Care

Bring essential personal care items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and sunscreen.

Tissues/Wipes

Always have a supply of these in the glove box for unexpected spills (and cleaning the sunnies).

Water and Snacks

Stock up on snacks and drinks for the road. Way cheaper to buy from a supermarket than petrol stations.

Car and Device Chargers

These come in particularly handy if you’re using these for your navigation.

Rubbish Bags

Super handy for snack wrappers and tissues/wipes etc. Makes keeping your car clean and tidy so much easier.

Reusable Utensils

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve needed these. I always carried cutlery and just added a plate, bowl and small chopping board to the list. I stayed at a motel recently that supplied a toaster but no knives or plates. I’m still a bit confused by that one!

If you’re finding this guide useful, take a look at these other handy guides and resources:

• Planning The Perfect Road Trip
• Funny & Inspiring Road Trip Quotes
• Choosing Your Perfect Travel Destination
• Managing Travel Expectations
• Overcoming Post-Travel Blues

Food Storage Containers & Wraps

These come in handy for leftovers, or packing your lunch for the day. This really helps save some money and prevents waste.

Kitchen Stuff

Have a separate bag stashed in your boot just in case. Each accommodation is different, and you don’t want to get caught out:

• Dish cloth
• Wine and bottle opener
• Cutting board and covered knife
• Plastic glass
• Lighter
• Freezer/ziplock bags

Reusable Water Bottle

Not just economical and good for the environment, a good quality one will keep your water cooler for longer. To save money I also buy large bottles and refill as needed.

Travel Mug

Definitely  one of the first things I pack. Again it saves money and places aren’t always open when I hit the road early. A good quality one will keep your beverage warm for hours. Perfect for in between that sunrise photoshoot and breakfast, particularly in winter!

Toilet Paper 

Not all rest stops are created equal. For extra protection, keep it in a ziplock bag so it stays dry and clean.

Pop some hand sanitiser in there while you’re at it. You can thank me later.

Notebook/Journal

While you can record your journey on your phone, I still like good old pen and paper.

Esky/Cooler

These are great when moving from one location to another and don’t want to lose any leftovers – cheese platter anyone? Also essential for keeping water and snacks cold for longer drives. Throw a couple of ice blocks and you’re good to go.

Shopping Bags

Throw in a couple of reusable shopping bags for when you grab your supplies. They take up hardly any room – I keep them in the glove box so I’m never caught out.

Towel

Bringing a towel on a road trip is a must! In fact, one should always live in your car. Even more specifically, a microfibre towel. They come in handy for all sorts of things: an impromptu swim, getting caught in a downpour, or any myriad of messes.

Comfort Kit

This is as personal and unique as you are. Things to consider include:

• Pillows and Blankets – for the ultimate home away from home comfort
• Ear Plugs
• Scented candle – always adds a nice personal touch to wherever you are staying
• Favourite slipper socks or summer slides for comfy feet

Technology/Electronics

Charge your phone, camera and any other devices before you leave. Pack a car charger to charge on the go.

Entertainment

Music

Books/Magazines

Games

Bluetooth speaker

Headphones

Portable Wi-Fi

This can come in handy as I’ve found the service and availability at many motels is less than ideal.

Laptop

An essential to backup/store your photos, do some editing, research and update plans as you go. Also a good time filler if you get stuck inside due to bad weather.

Portable Hard Drives

Don’t risk losing those precious memories. Back up as you go – daily if possible.

Power Bank/Chargers

Just mentioning these again so you’ve got them for standard power as well as in your car. You can never have too much charge.

Portable USB/C  Dock and Card Readers

For plugging in those essential hard drives and memory cards for your photo transfers and backup.

Powerboard and Extension Cord

These I find useful on almost every trip. Many motels just don’t have enough power outlets. And they are never where you want them.

Camera Gear

For me this section would really belong in the Essentials section, but I do understand not everyone is a photography nut like me. But I’m still insisting on giving this its own section, so if it’s not your thing you can skip this section.

However, do please reconsider. Travel and photography do go hand in hand so at least think about it …

• Camera and lenses
• Tripod
• Spare batteries, memory cards, card reader and battery chargers
• Torch/headlamp
• Remote shutter release
• Filters
• Cleaning gear
• Allan keys/tripod tools
• Rain cover or plastic bags

Looking to improve your travel photography? Check out this guide to getting great photos when travelling.

Extras

• Wet weather gear
• Sunscreen and insect repellant
• Spare jacket, shoes and socks
• Towel
• Beanie and scarf
• Torch
• Sewing kit
• Umbrella
• Day Bag: great for when you head out for a big exploring day

Don’t Forget …

How many times have you gotten an hour from home and realise that you forgot to pack something important???

This has happened to me way too many times, so I designed a checklist that I use to pack on every road trip. I’m sharing that list for you FREE, so you don’t make that mistake either! 

It’s a super handy list and also includes lots of tips like in this article, so grab it for free here:

Looking for more road trip ideas? Check out these great itineraries to inspire you to hit the road:

• Blue Mountains
• NSW South Coast
• NSW Snowy Mountains
• Tasmania 10-Day Itinerary
• Great Ocean Road, Victoria

Packing Tips

To keep things as easy and stress-free as possible, it’s important to pack efficiently. Here are some tips to make the most of your packing space:

Use Two Or Three Smaller Bags Rather Than One Large Suitcase

This is particularly handy if you’re only staying a night in each place for a few days. It saves you plugging everything in and out each day, plus they are lighter to carry. Consider having a separate bag for your shoes, and one for jackets and wet weather gear for example.

Pack A Separate Bag For Valuables

Keep all your important documents and valuables in a separate bag for extra peace of mind when you’re on the road.

Use Packing Cubes

These help not only to save space but are great to keep your stuff organised. Allocate different packing cubes to different items. For example toiletries, underwear, chargers etc.

For longer trips I tend to pack a couple of days in each cube. This reduces so much unpacking and even lugging bags in and out every day.

Roll Your Clothes Instead Of Folding

This can help save space and reduce wrinkles. It also makes it easier to see your items.

Pack An Extra Smaller Cooler Bag

Keep this up the front of the vehicle so you’ve got easy access to cold drinks and snacks as you go.

Match Your Outfits

No, this is not about being a fashion model. Pick colours that work together so you can mix and match. That way you can grab any top and bottom, and know you’ll be good to go. One less thing to think about.

Laundry Bag and Detergent

If you’ve booked all your accommodation in advance (and I always do), you can check when and where you can do your laundry. This helps to reduce how many clothes you need to take.

Laundry ‘tablets’ take up hardly any space, and no risk of leakage.

Don’t Over (or Under) Pack

You definitely need to be prepared, but you also don’t want to overpack. It’s a balancing act! Depending on the type and length of the trip you’re planning, you may not need everything listed here. Simply leave it out if you don’t need it, but please let me know if you add anything so I can include it here!

Consider A Boot/Trunk Organiser

How you pack your car is a personal thing, but having a boot organiser is a game changer. Things stay where you put them so it’s much safer. And if you organise it right with the most common things at the front it’s a time saver as well.

Final Note

Don’t forget to pack your smile and relaxed attitude. Your mindset can make or break a road trip when things go wrong. Go with the flow, do what you can and know that tomorrow is another day.

Road trips are one of my most favourite ways to travel. You are in total control of your journey and you can take your time and explore as much or as little as you like.

Make sure you allow for some downtime; it’s a holiday after all.

Conclusion

Packing for a road trip doesn’t have to be stressful, but it CAN save you lots of stress on the road. By following this packing list and tips, you’ll make the most of your trip and ensure it’s comfortable and enjoyable.

What’s on your road trip packing list? I’d love you to let me know in the comments below.

Get ready to hit the road with confidence and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Prepare and then relax – have a fabulous and safe road trip!

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Note – Unless otherwise stated, all photos are mine and remain my copyright images – Sam Wilson Photography.