We haven’t included a section on vehicle specific items because what you need differs from vehicle to vehicle. We’ve taken what’s worked and what hasn’t and distilled all the gear you need down into one mega list-with one exception. That way, you can worry less about rummaging through your stuff and focus more on those classic road trip experiences.Ĭollectively, our team has driven thousands and thousands of miles. But we believe this list will help you pack what you need (while staying comfortable) without being burdened down with a bunch of excess gear. We don’t guarantee that this packing list will prevent misadventures-which are part of the fun, anyway. On that note, we’ve kept this list as minimal as possible while keeping comfort and convenience in mind.

Additionally, you won’t have to go digging through a trunk full of stuff to pull out the few things that you actually use. Beyond ensuring more legroom, we’ve found that packing minimally helps to keep a clear mind. Now, it can be tempting to pack a lot of gear for a road trip-you’re not limited by airline restrictions, after all-but we suggest packing the least amount of stuff possible. (But you can adapt it to fit your needs.) While road trips can last anywhere from a weekend to a year or more, we’ve formulated this list to work for trips that span from a week to a month or so.

Welcome to the Road Trip Packing List where we’re going to cover everything you need to make your road-tripping adventure worthy of the big screen.

Long drive must haves