The Ultimate Packing List For Any Road Trip

No matter the destination or hours spent inside your crumb packed vehicle, there’s a trunk full of necessary items you need to make your journey worthwhile.

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Road trips are the ultimate form of travel. There’s nothing quite like the whispering views outside your window, the silky breeze sifting through your hair, or the wild sense of wander your heart tends to brink between the reflective and still fleeting feelings. Time passes by as if everything and nothing exists all the same while. We sit in our seats, bums numb with twinkling stars, thinking about the ones we love, what’s for dinner, and when the next bathroom stop will be. What we do with our waiting time justifies our actions and who we are.

No matter the destination or hours spent inside your crumb-packed vehicle, there’s a trunk full of necessary items to make your journey worthwhile. Preparation is key to a successful voyage. From car care to personal care, this is your quintessential list of all things #vanlife. From personal experience, I’ve thought of everything you need to make your time on the road an easy, peasy routine.

Bookmark this page for future reference, should you must.

Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco

1. For The Car

Firstly, the most essential care unit you must consider to have a successful road trip is the vehicle itself. AAA isn’t available in every remote location around the nation (though it’s pretty darn close), so be sure you are extra cautious of the materials brought to help your car in need.

  • Spare Tire
  • Emergency Car Kit
  • License and Registration
  • Car Insurance
  • Driver’s ID
  • Your AAA Card (or equivalent)
  • Tire Chains
  • Hands-Free Phone Mount
Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco

2. Navigation and Accessories

Additional accessories, including maps and sprays, can be equally as important. This way, you won’t have to spend a bunch of money on meaningless items at the local Walmart for what you accidentally forget. Mark each item on this list with the intention of ensuring you have everything you need.

  • Bug Sprays
  • Large Reusable Water Bottles
  • Reusable Straws
  • Paper Maps (we all need to learn how to read them)
  • Toilet Paper (you never know)
  • Flashlight
  • Umbrella
  • Reusable Shopping Bag
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Reusable Travel Film Pouch - 1L (~15 rolls)

$20

Protect your film with our travel-friendly, reusable storage pouch. Its super durable construction keeps your rolls protected from fridge to bag, with transparent TPU sides that make it quick for airport security to hand-check your precious rolls. Not shooting film? The travel pouch is the perfect lightweight stash option for tech accessories, cables, or anything else you want to keep clean and dry. 

Photo By @camreacaleb
Photo By @camreacaleb
Photo By @camreacaleb
Photo By @camreacaleb
Photo By @camreacaleb
Photo By @camreacaleb
Photo By @camreacaleb
Photo By @camreacaleb

3. Entertainment

Sometimes, rational thoughts linger for only so long. The kids in the back will become cranky, and maybe your best friend’s dry conversations become loose with tragedy and boredom. When your phone no longer has service, it’s time to bust out a few items, so aim to stay connected with a different approach.

  • Books
  • Notebooks and Pens
  • Phone (obviously)
  • Phone Chargers
  • Your Favorite Camera (DSLR or Film)
  • Camera Batteries
  • SD Cards
  • A Deck of Cards
  • iPad w/ Downloaded Movies or Games (Netflix, anyone?)
  • Headphones

Everything Battery Organizer Pouch

$10$50

The organizer pouch made specifically for filmers and photographers who travel with camera batteries. With dedicated, color-coded pockets for fresh batteries, spent batteries, and a charger, this pouch helps you keep your power in check. Best of all, the pocket is designed to shift volume so as you use fresh batteries, it makes more space for the used ones. Built with durable, weatherproof recycled Kodra material and YKK zippers, it’s ready for long travel days and hectic shoots. Highly requested by our filmmaker friends, this is the battery pouch we’ve always wanted. Wrangle your precious power, stay organized, stay charged.

Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco

4. Stay Comfortable

Sitting in the same position for long periods of time can be detrimental to your body and mind. Items like mints and extra pillows help ease the tension we experience over the long haul.

  • Sunglasses
  • Pillow
  • Your Favorite Travel Mug
  • Extra Blanket
  • Socks
  • Flip Flops
  • Sunscreen
  • Painkiller / Nausea Medication
Photo By @nilesgrey
Photo By @nilesgrey

5. Personal Care Kit

Self-care is important, particularly for quick grabs you might need out of your bag from the trunk. This list runs anywhere from smaller needed items, like toothbrushes and deodorant, to more unthinkable products like face wash and baby wipes.

  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Feminine Hygiene
  • Baby Wipes (this is for everyone, okay, not just your babies)
  • Day Bag (something bigger than a “purse” to carry one-off items for day use)
  • Hairbrush
  • Tissues
  • Hair Ties
  • Toilet-tree bag (toothbrush, deodorant, makeup, etc.)
  • Face Wash (wipes are easiest)

Jumper Photo Backpack - Triple Black

$169.99

The Jumper Backpack is simple, minimal vibe on the outside. Camera protection on the inside. Its minimal design on the outside is perfect for city exploration. While it’s organizational options on the inside makes it easy to carry any combinations of a dslr, single lens, drone, or small tripod. With a dedicated sleeve for your laptop and enough space to fit some clothes, this is our new go-to day pack. The design is super pared back. No extra bells or whistles. And with 10 super fun colors, we might need one for every day of the week!

Photo By @bellenoel
Photo By @bellenoel
Photo By @bellenoel
Photo By @bellenoel

6. For The Cooler

C’mon. We all have our favorite snack, our beloved beverage of choice, and an even more well-deserved can of beer waiting for us until we turn into the hotel parking lot or camping spot. We long for the crunch of Taki’s or Trader Joe’s tenderly sweet cherry plums. Here are some food groups to consider when packing the cooler full of ice before you head out.

  • Fruits (bananas, apples, and frozen blueberries are a fan favorite)
  • Chips and dip (try hummus for a cleaner diet)
  • Carrots and celery
  • Canned drinks of choice
  • Kettle Corn
  • Protein packs: meats, cheeses, and nuts
  • Almonds
  • Smoked Jerky
  • Sunflower Seeds
  • Homemade Cookies (because homemade just tastes better)
  • Pickles
  • Boiled Eggs (if you’re fancy)
Photo By @natalieallenco
Photo By @natalieallenco

7. Be Minimally Conscience With Your Suitcase

The purpose of travel is to chase that fleeting feeling of wonder, experience new and refreshing cultures other than your own, and regenerate yourself away from the monotony of daily life. Don’t make things more challenging for yourself with your packing list; travel is supposed to take the stress away.

Wyoming  countryside shot by Natalie Carrasco on a Canon camera with 70-200mm lens.
Happy Road Tripping!