packing list road trip toddler

The Ultimate Toddler Packing List With Free Printable

Traveling with a toddler can be both exciting and overwhelming. It’s crucial to ensure your toddler is comfortable and happy during your trip, but you don’t want to pack too much stuff. Creating a toddler packing list that includes all their necessary items is essential for a successful trip.

We recently took our toddler on our first road trip of the year, and I was amazed at how quickly our suitcase filled up. I didn’t want to forget anything important, but I didn’t want to overpack for our short trip.

When preparing a packing list for your toddler, it’s important to consider the length of your trip. If it’s a long journey, you may need to bring extra supplies to ensure you have enough for the entire duration. 

Additionally, the mode of transportation is another necessary factor to consider. Traveling by car means you’ll have more space to bring more than when flying. However, if you’re flying, you’ll need to be mindful of the airline’s baggage restrictions and pack accordingly.

Let’s get started!

Note: Remember to grab the free printable toddler packing list at the end of this post! 🙂

This post contains affiliate links to products I have used and enjoyed. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To find out more, you can read my disclaimer here .

Toddler Travel Packing List: Clothing

Daytime Outfits: Toddlers are known for getting into a mess in the blink of an eye. Plan on packing one outfit for each day of your trip and then a couple of extras because you never know when they might accidentally spill something on themselves.

One thing to consider is if you can do laundry while on vacation. If so, you can get away with packing a little less and washing your toddler’s clothes after a few days.

Pajamas: When packing pajamas for your toddler, you’ll want to bring one pair for every night you’ll be away, plus a couple of extras, just in case. Again, if you can do laundry, you can skip the extras and wash what you bring if need be.

Underwear: If your toddler is potty trained, you’ll want to pack a pair for each day, plus a few extras for backup in the event of an accident.

Socks and Shoes: Remember to grab one pair of socks for each day of your trip to your toddler packing list. Then, you’ll want to bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes and/or sandals.

Swimsuit: If you are going to a beach, waterpark, or staying near a pool, don’t forget a swimsuit for your kiddo!

Weather Appropriate Jacket/Coat: Remember to bring a suitable jacket for your toddler. If you are traveling to a warmer climate, a light hoodie or sweater would be appropriate, but if it’s cold, you should pack a thicker jacket. It’s just as important as packing an appropriate hat.

Weather Appropriate Hat: When traveling with your toddler, pack a hat suitable for the season and your destination. For instance, if it’s winter, bring a warm hat, while a UV-protecting sun hat would be ideal for a warmer beach vacation.

Planning a trip with your family? Check out these articles:

• The Ultimate Packing List for Baby

Toddler Travel Packing List: Sleep

Sound Machine: Keeping your child’s sleep routine as close to normal as possible is crucial. Well-rested kids equal a more fun vacation! One thing both of my kids love having is their sound machines. 

Both of my children love this sound machine , and it’s been so helpful in creating good sleep habits. It’s undoubtedly one of the things I would hate to forget when packing for a trip!

Cozy Blanket: Bringing your toddler’s coziest blanket will help them feel comfortable and familiar. Also, having a cozy blanket for your toddler to cuddle up with when going on a road trip can be nice.

Pillow: Bring your toddler’s pillow to ensure they can get the best rest possible while away. My son has this toddler pillow , and he loves it! It’s the perfect size, and it doesn’t flatten out.

Travel Blackout Blinds: Blackout blinds are crucial for maintaining a consistent bedtime for your toddler. Consider bringing travel blackout blinds like these ones, which will keep your baby’s bedtime routine as close to normal as possible. 

These blinds are easy to set up as they have suction cups to attach to the window. They are also affordable, with the option of purchasing a pack of one or two, and available in a variety of colors and patterns to choose from.

Baby Monitor: If your toddler will be sleeping in a separate room from you, be sure to pack your baby monitor.

Toddler Travel Packing List: Gear

Car Seat: Clearly, you’ll need a car seat when taking a road trip. But you also must remember to bring it when flying so your toddler has a safe seat when you reach your destination.

Backpack/Diaper Bag: Bringing a diaper bag or backpack is a very beneficial thing to do. It allows you to have some essentials with you wherever you go! 

When we travel, I tend to pack an extra outfit and some things we often need, like snacks and small toys. Also, if your toddler isn’t potty trained yet, you’ll want to bring diapers and wipes in your bag.

Travel Cot With Sheets: If you’ve moved your toddler out of their crib and into a big kid bed, bringing a travel cot can be a lifesaver! Not only will you have your bed to yourself, but a travel cot is much lower to the ground, making it easier for little kids to use it safely and independently.

We got our toddler this travel cot , and he absolutely loves it! It comes with a soft sheet to protect the cot and has plenty of room for him to grow into. 

Stroller: Depending on where you’ll be going and how much waking you’ll do, you’ll want to consider if you need to bring a stroller. 

Toddler Travel Packing List: Play

A Camera: One of my toddler’s favorite items is this camera we got him for his third birthday. He loves taking pictures any chance he gets, and he can get some surprisingly good ones!

Giving your toddler a camera while on vacation is a fun way to get some pictures you might not have necessarily taken. 

Security Item: If your toddler has a security item like a lovey or blanket, you won’t want to forget it at home. 

3-5 Favorite Toys: Toddlers don’t always have the longest attention spans, so it’s ideal to bring a few toys you know will hold their attention. 

A Couple Books: Books are always a great option to have when traveling. Reading books together can help pass the time when waiting in the car or on a flight. And if you read bedtime stories, you won’t want to stop that routine! Check out this list of some of our favorite board books !

Toddler Travel Packing List: Mealtime

Bibs: If your kiddo still uses bibs, you’ll want to pack a few to prevent clothing stains while you’re away.  These ones are a great option that can be easily washed.

Utensils: Some might think bringing kid-sized utensils is unnecessary. But if you have enough room, small utensils can help your child eat more efficiently. 

Sippy Cups/Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is vital while traveling. Ensure you add sippy cups or water bottles to your toddler packing list. 

Snacks: Besides water, snacks are another essential thing to bring while traveling. Nobody wants a hangry toddler!

When packing snacks, you’ll want to bring easy options. Foods like bananas, crackers, and granola bars are a great place to start!

Toddler Travel Packing List: Bathing and Health

Diapers and Wipes/Pull-Ups (if needed): If your toddler hasn’t started potty training or is in pull-ups, you’ll want to ensure you bring enough for at least your travel days. 

To save space in your suitcase, you can always buy a small pack of what you need when you get to your destination. 

Portable Potty Seat: If your kiddo is potty trained (or is working on it), you need this portable potty seat ! This little seat folds up quickly to fit in a diaper bag or backpack and secures most toilet seats.

Plastic Bags: Plastic bags are handy for many things when traveling, especially with a toddler. I carry these ones with us so we can easily use them for garbage, wet/dirty clothes, or dirty diapers. 

Toiletries: You’ll need to add your kiddo’s toiletries to your toddler packing list. Remember things like soap/shampoo, lotion, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. 

Nail Clippers: I’ve found that it’s better to have nail clippers with you and not need them rather than need them and not have them. So throw some nail clippers in your purse or toiletries bag!

Hairbrush/Comb: Hairbrushes and combs are easily forgotten; I can speak from experience! Be sure to add them to your list so they aren’t overlooked. 

Also, ensure you pack any hair bows, headbands, or hair ties if your child uses them. 

Hand Sanitizer: Adding hand sanitizer to a bag that’s easily accessible is recommended. Hand sanitizer can be very helpful when you need to quickly clean your hands when there isn’t a bathroom nearby.

First Aid Kit: A first aid kit is important because you never know when you’ll need it. This one is a great option, especially if you are taking a road trip and can easily slide it under a car seat.

Free Printable Packing Checklist

Click here to download!

And there you have it, the ultimate toddler packing list. Overall, packing for your toddler is all about being prepared and anticipating their needs while you’re away. 

By bringing the proper necessities, you’ll be able to enjoy your trip with ease, knowing that your child is comfortable and their needs are met. So, take the time to plan and pack accordingly, and you’ll be ready for a stress-free journey with your kiddo!

Before you go, check out these related articles:

• Easy and Fun Hobbies for Busy Moms
• The Best Birthday Traditions To Start With Your Kids
• Simple Ways You Can Be a Fun Mom

What’s something you might have forgotten without a toddler packing list? I’d love to know in the comments below!

Love this article? Spread the word!

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How to Take a Road Trip With a Toddler

Fact-checking standards, latest update:, tips for taking a road trip with a toddler, consider your departure time, plan for breaks, read this next, map your route, bring out the entertainment big guns, but don't hand everything over at once, alternate drivers, if possible, prepare for queasiness, expect some stress, road trip essentials for toddlers, personal care items, entertainment, toddler comforts, best snacks for a road trip with a toddler, toddler road trip activities.

Long car trips with toddlers can certainly be taxing, and reaching your destination will likely take longer. But with a little advanced planning (and plenty of breaks!), you can navigate the inevitable speed bumps and reach your destination with a happy passenger. 

What to Expect the Second Year , Heidi Murkoff.  WhatToExpect.com, 9 Fun Travel Games for Kids on the Go , October 2021.  WhatToExpect.com, Healthy Snack Ideas for Toddlers , February 2021.  WhatToExpect.com, Toddler Air Travel: What to Know Before You Fly , January 2019.  American Academy of Pediatrics, Is It Safe for My Baby to Travel in a Car Seat a Few Hours At a Time? , August 2021.  American Academy of Pediatrics, Travel Safety Tips , August 2018.  KidsHealth From Nemours, Staying Healthy While You Travel , January 2021.   

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Your guide to packing for toddlers

Many travelers consider packing for a trip to be the most stressful part of the adventure, especially when little kids are involved and you have to decide what is truly essential and what isn't. There's no exact science to knowing what and how much to bring, especially if you're going on a longer trip. Weather can be unpredictable and, depending on your itinerary, you might need comfortable clothes and shoes one day and a more formal outfit the next. Adding a toddler or two to the mix certainly doesn't make things any easier.

Every kid and every trip is a little different, so preparation is key. It's also important to avoid overpacking as the extra weight is sure to cause more trouble than it's worth, especially if you're paying for checked bag fees . But being underprepared and going without crucial items isn't good either.

Related: Best luggage for kids who travel

Take the time to review (and then double check) what you plan to bring and whether it's a nice-to-have or a must-have item. Consider taking items that can be used for various purposes. For example, a fleece jacket can be used as a blanket on a flight. Or, a light receiving blanket can double as a towel in case of "emergency." Packing cubes are also a great option, especially if you and your child(ren) are using the same suitcase. Give each family member a different-colored set of cubes and you'll find that packing and unpacking becomes a lot less of a hassle.

Now, let's take a look at our best tips for packing with little kiddos in tow.

More than one outfit per day

When my kids were really little, I'd pack two comfy outfits per day, and I still follow that rule of thumb, to a certain extent with packing some extra items. I also bring items that can be mixed and matched. That way, if a shirt or pair of pants or shorts get dirty, I don't have to change the entire outfit.

You can get away with fewer clothes over the course of a multiday trip if you have access to a washing machine. But it's smart to pack extra and be realistic about how easily accessible a washing machine might actually be. Also, don't bring anything that you are going to freak out over if it gets stained and you can't wash it right away.

Pro tip: Bring an extra change of clothes for you, too, since the parents are the ones who are usually hit with collateral damage when toddlers implode into a ball of mess.

Again, bring extra, especially if you don't have easy access to a washing machine. Much like with the daytime outfits, you just never know when there will be a diaper malfunction or drink explosion and you need to switch into the backup jammies ASAP.

Toddler's feet grow crazy fast, so make sure the shoes you are bringing for a trip actually fit. Just because they did last week, doesn't mean they will this week. Double-check, and then bring an extra pair just in case. (Here are some of our favorite kid shoes for travel .) If you are using a seasonal shoe (such as a snow boot) that your kiddo hasn't worn since last year, it's almost certain that you'll need a new pair, so plan ahead.

Pack way more diapers than you think you'll need if your toddler is still in that phase of life. On one of our first plane trips years ago with my now nine-year-old, I packed what I thought to be enough diapers for the trip. It wasn't. We weren't able to get the diapers she was used to where we were, and while it wasn't the end of the world, it just wasn't ideal.

So, my advice is to bring more than you think you need, even if you are going to buy some (or ship some) to your final destination. They pack pretty easily and are just about the last thing you want to run out of. Also, remember some plastic sacks to hold diapers in case you have to change one where there isn't an immediately accessible trash can.

If your toddler is potty-training, bring more pull-ups than normal and use them more than normal as accidents on the road (or in the sky) just aren't pretty.

Related: Best credit cards for families

Lots of them. See above. And don't forget, wipes can be multipurpose. They can be used to clean messy hands, faces, tray tables or to get some food off of clothes in a pinch.

Hair accessories

Be sure to not only pack a brush or comb that will work for your kiddo, but for toddlers with long hair — rubber bands or barrettes, too.

If your child has longer hair, these hair accessories will keep the hair out of his or her face. Whatever you use at home, bring extra. Rubber bands break and barrettes magically disappear, so having backups is never a bad thing.

Pack your kids' shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, washcloth, diaper cream, comb, etc. Babies and toddlers don't typically use adult toiletries, so hotels won't always offer a good substitute if you forget your baby or toddler bath items. Make sure to throw them in the bag (contained in a plastic bag in case they leak).

When they were toddlers and babies, my daughters would both have upset skin if we tried to use adult soap and a rough washcloth for several days in a row. In the toddler years, we also didn't want to be caught without the miracle of all miracles, Boudreaux's Butt Paste . Seriously, we had to make a 3 a.m. run once while on vacation to try and find some of that magical stuff as our daughter woke up screaming in the middle of the night with a horrible diaper rash. It wasn't funny at the time to us, but I am sure it was humorous to those working in the drugstore at 3 a.m. when my husband made a mad dash there to frantically search for the Butt Paste. Essentials you need at home, need to come with you.

Favorite blankie

Lord, help us all if my oldest daughter's "pink blankie" didn't make a trip. If your kiddo has a favorite stuffed animal or blanket, bring it and guard it with your life. (And pro tip: Have a backup hidden at home, just in case.)

Toys and entertainment

Even though there may be tons to do at your destination, toddlers will often spend time chilling in the room around naps and such. Additionally, whether you are going by plane, train or automobile, toddlers need pretty much constant entertainment -- especially when strapped in.

If your toddler uses a tablet, then don't forget that, a charger and headphones. If they don't, here are some electronics-free entertainment suggestions .

Sippy cups, drinks and snacks

Thankfully, toddlers are often past the days of pumped milk, baby water, bottles, formula and baby food. However, assuming whatever food is around will work for a toddler's palate is a dangerous move. Empty sippy cups, crackers, packaged fruit, juice boxes or whatever your toddler snacks on at home are good to have on hand. If your kiddo is a milk drinker, plan to bring that along, too, as it isn't as readily available on planes and such as you might imagine.

Location-specific gear

Depending on where you are going, you may need certain types of gear. This could include items like a swimsuit, swim diaper, swim hat, goggles, floaties, jogging stroller, snowsuit, baby-sized parachute... whatever. If you're headed to a wintry climate, check out our packing tips for toddlers on a cold-weather trip .

Sleeping arrangements

This may not be something you pack so much as something you plan for since toddlers can be particular with routine. Some options to consider include:

• BYO pack-and-play or travel crib
• Request a crib from the hotel or Airbnb
• Bunk up together

All of these options have pluses and minuses, but think through where you believe your toddler will really sleep on the road and plan accordingly. (And don't just expect the hotel to have a crib without making prior arrangements.) Here are some other tips for keeping your sanity while sharing a hotel room with a little one .

Obviously, if your child is on medication, make sure to pack that and keep it handy at all times. But even if they aren't on any regular medications, it is a good idea to bring some common baby meds and Band-Aids just in case they spike a fever, start teething or get a boo-boo. Again, you never know.

Bottom line

If you're traveling with kids, be deliberate when deciding what to pack. Too much "stuff" in your suitcase could drive you crazy. But if you find yourself in the middle of a long flight with a toddler who's just spilled an entire drink on themselves and you forgot to bring an extra change of clothes, you'll be sorry. In the end, bringing what you can to keep your kiddos comfortable will help everyone have a more enjoyable trip.

Are you planning a trip with little ones? Here are some more resources:

• Getting ready for your child's first flight: A survival guide
• How to survive flights with kids of any age
• How to survive long-haul flights with kids
• Most family-friendly international air carriers
• How old should your child be before taking an international vacation?
• 4 things to know about U.S. passports for children

How to Have a Successful Road Trip with a Toddler

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Being trapped in a car with a toddler for an extended period of time might sound like some cruel form of torture. But let me assure you, you really can have a successful road trip with a toddler. 

We’ve been on many road trips with our toddlers over the years, sometimes more successfully than others. 

But through those experiences we’ve come up with some sanity-saving hacks to make the whole proccess go a lot more smoothly for everyone. 

In this post we have tips for an awesome road trip with a toddler and a toddler road trip checklist to make sure you aren’t forgetting anything important. 

If you’re planning a road trip with your toddler, you’ve got this! Read on for ideas to help!

For tips for road tripping with a baby, see this post and for more helpful travel items, see our ultimate list of toddler travel essentials !

Tips for a Successful Road Trip with a Toddler

Prepare before you leave

There is a lot to think about when you’re planning a road trip, especially one with little kids. Here are a few preparation tips to make sure that you are prepared and ready for your drive. 

First of all, make sure your car is in good condition for a road trip before you leave. It’s a good idea to get it checked out at the mechanic before going on a long trip so they can warn you of any potential problems. You don’t want to find out about needed repairs halfway into your drive. Also make sure you’re not due for an oil change.  

Second, check to see that your child’s car seat is properly installed before you head out as well. A properly installed car seat is essential for your child’s safety, especially when you’re going to be in the car for a long time.

If you need assistance, there are car seat technicians who can check it out for you, just do a quick search for a technician in your area. Sometimes fire stations can also check car seats. 

Also plan your food strategy ahead of time . Are you going to mostly eat out or bring your meals? How are you going to store your food? Do you need a cooler and ice? What foods do you need to purchase before you leave?

For tips on planning road trip food and a list of great road trip meal and snack ideas, see this post . 

Be organized

It’s easy for your car to quickly become a mess on a road trip. Have a system for how you want to organize your toys, food, etc to keep them accessible. 

We love using both seat back organizers and a floor car organizer when we’re road tripping to have a structured place to keep road trip food. 

These car seat trays are great for toddlers on a road trip because you can use the pockets to have activities accessible whenever they want them.

Tip: Have an accessible place to put everyone’s shoes while driving . Our kids will usually take off their shoes when we’re on a long road trip and then it’s so annoying trying to find that missing shoe when you stop for a bathroom break. We usually keep them under the driver’s seat so we know right where to find them when we need them. 

Have some awesome toddler road trip activities prepared

If you’re going to be in the car for a long time with your toddler, make sure to bring great activities to keep them entertained. You can bring some activities that they love from home, but it also helps to have some new toys or activities they’ve never seen before .

And the great thing about road trips as opposed to flying is that you often have room for a few extra toys, just to be safe…

Be sure to check out this list of tried and tested toddler road trip activities !

Set your toddler up to sleep on the road

Try to help your child keep to their regular sleep schedule to prevent a toddler meltdown on the road. Often being in the car will lull kids to sleep, but there are also some steps you can take to help them out.

Where possible, maintain elements of their normal sleep routine . If you’re driving into their bedtime you can put them in their pajamas and read them a bedtime story or put on some soothing music.

Another helpful tool is a sunshade placed on your toddler’s window . This will block out some of the sunlight so that your child will (hopefully) fall asleep and stay asleep easier for naps.

Probably the most important thing you can do for your toddler’s sleep is to plan ahead to keep naps uninterrupted. Take a potty break and get gas before nap time so that you don’t have to stop when your toddler is sleeping. In my experience, kids tend to wake up as soon as the car turns off and often won’t fall back asleep again.

Let your toddler stretch their legs

When you’re road tripping with a toddler, plan in breaks every couple of hours. First of all, you’ll want frequent breaks for your child to go to the bathroom. 

Breaks are also necessary for your child to have a chance to run around and get some energy out. Toddlers are constantly on the go, so it can be challenging for them to sit still for long periods of time. 

Frequent breaks are a great way to preempt meltdowns and whininess. 

Plan some activities when you stop to expend some of your child’s energy. While you’re stopped, do some sort of game that gets the kids moving, like seeing how fast they can run to a nearby tree or moving like animals (hop like a bunny, fly like a bird, pounce like a lion).

Account for these breaks in your total drive time so that you don’t get frustrated by the time added to your trip.

If we have time for it, we also like to plan a trip with fun stops along the way . If we stay the night at a hotel, we’ll get there early to use the pool. Or we try to see if there are fun activities our kids will enjoy along our route, such as a children’s museum or park.

Bring great food for the drive

One of the big keys to successful travel with a toddler is snacks. First and foremost, you definitely do not want a hungry toddler on your hands. That’s just a recipe for disaster.

But snacks also act as an activity and change of pace to help break up a road trip. 

Plan ahead to bring some awesome road trip food, both some favorites that you know your toddler loves and some new snacks to add novelty.

I would also recommend bringing a snack catcher so that your toddler can feed themselves snacks without accidentally dumping snacks everywhere. This can be a total lifesaver on a road trip to prevent food from ending up all over your car. I always recommend these snack catchers because they are collapsible, making them perfect for travel.

Also make sure your child is staying hydrated by bringing them their own spill-proof bottle and offering them drinks frequently.

Consider the best time of day to drive 

If your kids sleep well in the car, you might want to plan for part of the drive to be while they are asleep . 

One of our favorite ways to road trip with toddlers is to leave early in the morning and transfer them to the car while they are sleeping. 

They’ll continue to sleep for a while, allowing us to get in several hours of peaceful driving in before everyone is up.

When they do wake up, they are usually content to sit and look out the window for a while while they eat the breakfast we packed for them. It’s a great way to get several hours into your trip without too much fuss. 

Another option is to drive through the night, which some people prefer because the kids will be sleeping the whole time. There are a couple of downsides though…

Cons to driving through the night

• First of all, you’re exhausted by the time you arrive at your destination, which isn’t necessarily the best way to start off a trip. 
• You have to make sure you are very well rested before you start so that you don’t risk falling asleep while driving. 
• Some kids actually don’t sleep very well in the car and there’s nothing worse than a tired toddler screaming while a tired parent is driving. 

If you do decide to drive at night, make sure you are well rested before you start, have something interesting to listen to to keep you awake, and if possible take turns trading off with another driver.

In the end, you have to decide what makes the most sense for your family and your trip.

Make the drive as comfortable as possible

Try to make the drive as comfortable as possible for your toddler to set them up for success. Dress them in light, comfortable clothes and take off their shoes while driving.

Set them up with a cozy little spot in their car seat with a blanket in case they get cold. This travel blanket is awesome because it is super compact and takes up hardly any room in it’s travel case, but it’s large and warm when open.

Tip: If you’re traveling with multiple children, try not to have them sitting right next to each other. This will make them less likely to bug each other or wake each other up while one is sleeping (whether on accident or on purpose…)

How to handle potty situations on the road

Most toddlers are somewhat newly potty trained and can’t wait quite as long when they decide that they really need to go. This can be problematic when you’re on a road trip, especially if you’re in an area where there aren’t facilities for long stretches.

You’ll definitely want to make sure to take frequent bathroom breaks along your drive. And make sure your toddler goes potty every time you stop , even if they don’t think they need to. Five minutes later they’ll probably realize that they do, in fact, have to go to the bathroom.

It can be tempting to reduce the amount of liquids your toddler is drinking to prevent frequent potty breaks, but this is not a good idea and can lead to dehydration.

That being said, don’t flood your toddler with all sorts of fun drinks or they will be drinking a lot even when they aren’t really thirsty. Have a water bottle for your toddler and let them decide when they need a drink.

You can also cover their seat with a car seat liner just to be safe. Then if they do have an accident, it won’t get the seat wet and it’s a much easier clean up. I like to bring a small spray bottle of stain and odor remover just in case there is a potty or vomit incident. That way you aren’t stuck with the smell in your car for the rest of the trip.

You might also want to consider bring a portable potty with you so that if you’re caught in a situation where your toddler needs to go NOW, you can pull over and take care of it. See this post for a breakdown of the best travel potties for toddlers .

Toddler Road Trip Packing List

Make sure you have everything you need for your road trip with your toddler. This comprehensive checklist will help you make sure you don’t forget anything important!

Hand sanitizer – Bring some travel-sized hand sanitizer for cleaning little hands before eating. 

Wet wipes- Extremely useful for wiping hands and faces after eating

Paper towels- Wipe up messes from food or any other accident that might happen…

Road trip food – Pack some awesome snacks and meals to keep your kiddo full and entertained

Snack catcher – Perfect for keeping snacks contained on the road.

Water bottle – Bring a spill-proof water bottle for your child to be sure that they are staying hydrated.

Change of clothes- Make sure to bring a change of clothes for your toddler. You never know if they might have an accident, get covered in food, fall in a mud puddle at a rest stop, etc. 

Stain and Odor Remover- I always like to plan for the worst and hope for the best. In that spirit, I like to bring a bottle of stain and odor removing spray for any accidents or vomit that could (but hopefully won’t) happen. 

Sick bag – If you happen to have a carsick toddler, you’ll be grateful you thought to bring some of these compact sick bags . Once again, be prepared and hope you won’t need it. 

First aid kit – You never know what scrapes or bumps your little one might end up with, it’s always best to be ready for anything.

Car window shade – This can be very helpful in getting your child to nap (and stay napping) while in the car.

Car seat liner- If you have a newly potty trained toddler, a car seat liner can be a total trip saver. It’s a waterproof mat that goes between the child and the car seat. That way if there is an accident, it’s much easier clean up.

Travel potty – Bring a portable potty along in case your toddler has an urgent bathroom situation where there are no facilities.

Travel blanket – A blanket is a great item to bring to help your toddler get cozy for sleep in the car or to warm them up if it’s chilly. This travel blanket is super compact and comes with it’s own travel case. Even though it packs down small it is plenty big (and warm) when you open it up!

Road trip toys and activities- And of course, don’t forget to bring your activities to keep your toddler entertained! See this post for ideas.

Final Thoughts

With a little preparation, a road trip with a toddler can be a great experience for the whole family. Honestly I think it’s harder to do a road trip with a baby than with a toddler, but that could just be me.

If you follow these tips and bring some great toddler road trip activities, hopefully your drive with your toddler will be smooth sailing!

Other posts you might be interested in:

Road Trip Activities for Toddlers (That They Will Really Love!)

50+ Road Trip Food Ideas- Easy Meals On the Go!

7 Essential Tips for Road Tripping with a Baby

Best Travel Potty for Toddlers

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17 Practical Tips for a Road Trip with a Toddler (From a Mom of 6)

NOTE*** The content on this page may contain affiliate links, we may make a commission. And, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.   More information: disclosure page .

Planning a road trip with a toddler might seem like a daunting mission. Let us give you some of our best road trip with toddler tips – from years of experience.

I’ll admit with our first baby, we rarely went more than an hour from home.

I mean, what if the child starts crying? Or will you be able to keep your child contented while on the road? A little planning (and practice) goes a long way. These are our best road trip with toddler tips – from packing to what to do in the car.

We are now seasoned road trippers, having gone more than 40 hours at a time with five kids in the car. We have been through all ages and stages – baby, toddler, preschooler, grade-school kids, tweens and teens. (Our oldest is grown up now). So yeah, we’ve been through the toddler stage a couple of times.

Here are 17 tips for a road trip with a toddler, which will ensure a smoother ride for everyone.

1. prepare your car for the road trip.

Since you will be spending lots of your time in the car, and driving many miles, it is essential to have it in the best shape possible.

There are various things that can occur on the road. We have had breakdowns, flat tires, freak snowstorms, vomiting kids, and more!

Always ensure everything is functioning well in the car. Schedule to have your car checked by a mechanic and regular maintenance before you leave.

If you are traveling during cold weather follow our detailed instructions and tips for driving in winter weather.

If you feel your car is not capable of going for a long road trip, renting a car or borrowing one is an option too.

Have you thought about renting an RV for your road trip? This is a hugely popular thing to do and you can reserve an RV on so many sites. Follow along with our series on renting and RV by starting with “Should I rent and RV (is it even a good idea?”

2. Have Road Side Assistance 

Usually, roadside assistance seems like an unnecessary expense, until you require it. I have been so thankful to have someone to call when we are stuck on the side of the highway.

Always confirm if you are covered before purchasing a standalone plan. We have had plans that came for free with a new car purchase or along with car insurance.

Other times, I have relied solely on my AAA membership. I have not found a plan for roadside assistance that is better than AAA.

There are some clubs that offer their members roadside benefits such as Sam’s and Costco.

You should always ensure that your plan covers as many of the road trip problems as you can foresee. Also, if you are driving a motorhome, towing an RV or boat you will need additional coverage.

3. Know Your Driving Route

It is important that you know the route to your destination. While at home map out your travel route, download the digital maps and make sure to have written copies of directions and maps.

Although you might be headed for the beach in California, you could drive over high mountain passes in the snow . Knowing this will help you to pack the essential items that you will require to carry during the road trip.

I always keep a duffel bag of snow clothes in the car just in case we get caught in the snow. Also, I take along swimwear if I think we will stop at a hotel with a pool or at a lake.

Also, because rules can change by state, check the driving laws, speed limits and car seat laws in each state that you drive through.

4. Fill your Gas Tank

Another comfort and safety tip that seems obvious is to always ensure that your gas tank is full. Of course for safety reasons, you do not want to run out of gas.

Here’s the other reason. Once your toddler falls asleep you will experience a good hour or more of driving … if you can keep driving. It never fails for us that the kids fall asleep and we have to stop for gas.

If you can keep everyone asleep, by the time they wake up, all of you will be ready for a stop where you will refill your car. (During this time, ensure that the kids take a potty break too.)

Pro tip for gas station stops: They can drag on forever, at least ours can. I now set a timer for 15 minutes and everyone has to race the clock. We all pile back in before the timer goes off.

5. Car Seat Safety

Road trips with toddlers mean car seats. I love car seats for safety but lo athe the inconvenience of properly strapping kids in every time we stop.

Having your toddler’s car seat inspected is essential for your child’s safety. If you haven’t already, you should have a certified child passenger safety technician to assess the seat and check if it is correctly installed. We usually get this done at the local fire station.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends having your child’s car seat rear-facing as long as possible.

In fact, 11 states (California, Connecticut, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia) now require children under 2 to be in a 5 point harness and rear-facing.

Related content: We talk more about taking a RV trip with a toddler and car seats in an RV here

6. Stock Your First Aid Kit

During a road trip with your toddler, you should always be ready for sunburns, allergic reactions, bites, bruises, bumps, and splinters, among other minor accidents. Since accidents occur on the road, it is advisable to be prepared for anything that comes your way, whether big or small.

If you are like our family, we go through a plethora of bandaids. My first aid kit is perpetually low on band-aides and some other necessities.

Before beginning your road trip, it is essential to equip your first aid kit with necessary supplies.

I keep a small first aid bag accessible upfront with me so I can grab a band-aide or eye drops quickly. Then, I keep a larger well-stocked bag stored in the back.

These are a couple of the basics that I include in my first aide bag –

• Triple antibiotic cream
• Anti-itch cream or hydrocortisone cream
• Thermometer
• Baby fever and pain medication
• Allergy pills – in case of an allergic reaction
• Children’s motion sickness pills
• Disposable eye drops.

Additional Resources : For a more detailed packing list and first aide kit see our ultimate packing list for a family vacation.

7. Pack Extra Road Trip Entertainment

Having entertainment onboard is essential for a road trip with kids. Not just enough for the scheduled time but enough for a long delay or huge traffic jam.

Having toys, books, and activities will help your toddler to pass the time during the trip. At some point, she will lose interest in those toys or books that she has at hand.

A lap book is easy and cheap to put together for kids. You can see the instructions for a free DIY printable lab book on this guest post on our site.

I keep an extra bag of activities to switch out the toys and books. We have favorite CDs with singing and sleeping music and some books on tape to listen to.

8. Consider renting an RV

We have rented an RV for a family road trip and it made meals, and potty breaks, and changing locations so much easier! RVing is an amazing way to see the road trip and see the country. You can say goodby to packing and unpacking every night along the road.

You can combine transportation, lodging, and dining in one self-contained unit. Especially for small children, consistency is helpful when traveling and resting. In an RV they get used to one routine and sleep in the same bed every night. In fact, road tripping with toddlers is what convinced me to rent and RV (and buy one shortly after) .

We got you covered with all the tips for your first road trip and RVing with Toddlers .

We loved renting so much that we have a whole series on the blog to help you rent and plan an RV road trip. Start here – Is renting an RV a good idea?

9. Don’t Forget the Binkies, Blankies and, Loveys

Family r oad trips are full of excitement for the whole family but toddlers will experience stress and insecurity.

Trust me, you don’t want to be 3 hours from home when nap time arrives and the favorite lovey is sitting by the front door…. at home.

(Even my big kids have favorite car blankets).

I know this is hard because you may be leaving early in the morning and their favorite comfort items are now tangled in their bedding. Make a list, use a sticky note or sneak in after they are asleep to pack it in the car.

Plus, you might consider bringing extra binkies and blankies in case something catastrophic happens like spilling milk everywhere.

10. Bring a Car Sick Kit

Unfortunately, we are very familiar with car sickness.  So far 3 of our little ones have been very car sick. Take it from us on this road trip with toddlers tip.

After a few times of pulling over and cleaning up a toddler, car seat and car and I finally got smart. I pack everything I need for heading off sickness and cleaning up if necessary. 

My kit includes the essentials like children’s chewable Dramamine, mints, ginger chews, sea bands, and minty gum.  I also have bags, wet wipes and trash bags in case a little one does throw up. 

Pro tip : If we do all have to pile out of the car for a clean-up, I look for a safe spot to stop. Sometimes this is a pull-off or rest stop so I spread our picnic blanket on the ground and everyone sits on it until I am done with the cleaning.

11. Keep Necessities and Activities within Reach of Toddlers

As a parent, the number one priority is to keep your family safe (and happy). Flailing your arm into the backseat to find a special blanket or digging through the glove compartment for a CD is not safe.

Keep things like favorite CDs, books on tape and wet wipes close to you in front, so you can access them easily. I drive with the kids alone a lot and keep CD’s on hand in a visor holder.

As for the backseat, keep blankies, activities, and toys close by so you can concentrate on the road and have your hands on the wheels throughout the trip.

I drape each kid’s blanket over the seat back and give each a bag of activities. I’ve seen other families have a little basket that sits next to the seat and full of toys.

On a long trip, I keep a separate bag in the back to switch out toys and activities at each stop. Same for snacks. If I give the kids all their toys at once, they rifle through them decide what to play with and what is boring. So set some aside for an element of surprise.

12. Don’t Stres s Over Spilled Milk … or Tears

Crying, whining and spills happen on a road trip. When your child starts crying or whining, the best option is to make a stop. I schedule stops along the way, but we also make plenty of emergency “I have to get out of this car or I’ll go crazy” kind of stops.

However, if you are not close to a rest stop or a safe place where you can pull over, try calming her down with stories or songs.

Remember though that safety is the first priority. So if you can’t stop or calm your child, stay focused on the road despite your discomfort. In this situation , I listen to my own music or think about something else.

Remember that your child is crying but is safe in the car seat.

13. Get Out and Run

Rest stops are essential for everyone, especially toddlers. They will get restless and need to get out and play.

We schedule pit stops every couple of hours and we get out and move! Adults and older kids might enjoy sitting longer or going for a nice sit-down meal but this is asking for trouble with a toddler.

We try to stop at playgrounds that are just off the highway. Check google for “playground near me”. Sometimes I can hold off a meltdown by letting my little one look at the pictures of the park we are headed for.

Our other option is open spaces with trails or near water like a creek or pond. Throwing rocks is one of our favorite break activities.

If you are in a tiny town or in the middle of nowhere look for nice rest areas, open spaces or roadside attractions.

I keep a frisbee and ball in the car, so we can all get out and run in an open field if we can’t find a playground. The nice thing about toddlers is they do not need much space, a small patch of grass or sidewalk along a creek to throw rocks will do.

14. Save the Electronics for Last

During a long family road trip, we take iPads and DVD players but we don’t bring them out right away.

Our kids don’t do well sitting for long periods of time and staring at screens. When the novelty of the screens wears off or we arrive, the kids are wild.  Plus, we have kids that get car sick so they can’t look at screens on windy roads.

However, the screens are invaluable at the end of a long trip to get that last hour or two in though. So we save the screens for last. 

We pack some of the favorite movies and a couple of new ones. The phones and iPads are good for playing games.

15. Stop at a Kid-Friendly Hotel to Rest

During a road trip minimizing the stress of being in the car is very important.

We have an ongoing family debate whether to leave early, break the trip up by stopping for the night, or leave at bedtime and drive through the night.

Some families find it very unrealistic to be on the road for five hours with your young one without having a stopover.

If your child is young and you are traveling during the day then spreading out the road trip can be a good option. You might consider stopping over certain towns or cities on your route where you can rest.

When I am the only driver we stop more often for the night because both I and the kids need a break. Sometimes I have a specific town and hotel in mind and other times I drive as far as we can get.

The easiest way for me is to jump on Booking.com and search the area that I will be staying for the night. They frequently have the best list of options, all the information I need and cheap last minute rates. (I have been known to book a room online from the hotel counter when the online rate is cheaper) Keep our link handy for the best rates.

Either way, I find an affordable hotel that is good for kids and preferably has a pool.

Read More: How to Find Affordable Accommodations that Your Family will Love – tips from our family travels with babies, toddlers, kids, tweens and teens.

16. Nighttime Driving Tips

Some people prefer traveling during their child’s bedtime. We have done this when we have 2 drivers. Sometimes we can drive just 3 – 4 more hours after bedtime before stopping for the night. That helps us to make a better time than when everyone is awake.

Keep in mind that if you plan to stop at a hotel, you risk everyone being awake at midnight when you check-in. So we try to check-in and then bring the sleeping toddler in under a blanket.

(Side Note: This is one of the things I love about driving the RV. You pull over and carry the kids from the car to their own bed Read more about RVing with kids here.

We have driven straight through the night but this is not advisable with a baby. New research has indicated that an infant should not be in the car for longer than 2 hours due to the risk of breathing problems and strain on the spine ( source ).

Also, remember that without sleep, you will be worthless the following day. So we have only driven through the night with 2 drivers and when returning home from a trip where we can rest the next day.

17. Toddler Snacks, Drinks and Meals

You will need to carry enough amount of water which is capable of serving both of you during emergencies. Having extra for cleaning accidental messes such as juice spillage is essential. Snacks are exceptional in keeping the toddler happy and prevent him or her from being cranky.

Food and drinks are absolutely necessary for the road trips with toddlers. You want to carry enough water for you to drain during your trip an extra in case of an emergency.

I have a spillproof water bottle for each child in the car. I reserve juice and sweet drinks for a treat when we stop. This will help in preventing sticky spills as well as excess sugar consumption.

I learned my lesson by handing a toddler juice box at the very beginning of the road trip. Which she proceeded to squeeze all over herself and her car seat.

Snacks and extra food are important to stave off meltdowns due to hunger. They keep toddlers happy and prevent him or her from being cranky. Plus snacks can keep kids busy in the car.

Before leaving a pack a cooler with each meal that you plan to have in the car separated and snacks for along the way.   I found that serving meals and snacks in a basket helps keep everything together and minimize the crumbs.

18. Potty emergencies

When having a road trip with a toddler having a good supply of diapers or pullups and wipes at your disposal is very critical.

Even if your child is potty trained, using disposable pullups is helpful since it can be tricky to find a bathroom while on the road. At nap time my toddlers always wear pull-ups because accidents in a car seat with 500 miles to go are no good.

You might consider bringing a travel potty for situations such as this also. Especially if you are traveling through a city alone with kids and don’t want to get everyone out at a gas station. I have to admit though that when we travel through remort areas we generally just pull over in a safe place and let kids pee off the running board on the truck.

Final Thoughts on a Road Trip with a Toddler

When having a road trip with a toddler, be prepared before you even leave the driveway. You can help avoid emergencies and be ready in case of one with a little preparation.

Pack all the necessities for a comfortable car ride including extra activities, blankies and lots of snacks. Furthermore, all the essential things you will use while on the road should be within reach.

You now have our best road trip with toddler tips from a large family. When on the road stick to the plan and be flexible when necessary.

Additional Resources for a Road Trip with a Toddler :

• Should you rent an RV for your Family Vacation
• Which Type of RV Should You Rent
• RV Road trip Destination Moab to see the Arches
• Essential Driving Tips for a Winter Road Trip

What are your best tips for a long road trip with toddlers? Leave your best tip in the comments or ask a question about road trips.

**Note – Unless otherwise noted all the photographs on this post are taken by me of our family and all rights are reserved by Shauna Kocman.

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Hi, I’m Shauna – Welcome to Family Travel Fever.  We are a large family, that was bitten by the travel bug!  I take the kids by myself because I don’t mind flying or driving solo with my crew to discover the coolest places.

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22 Essentials For A Road Trip With A Happy Toddler

What are the Packing list essentials for a road trip with a toddler? Going on a road trip is one of the best ways to spend time with family. Whether just going on a single-day excursion, or taking a few days and heading out of town; a road trip is a quick and easy way to get out and have fun.

To ensure that everyone has a good time, it’s very important to make sure that your toddler is well taken care of. Especially if you plan on being in the car for longer periods of time. Be sure to have enough food and ways to keep your toddler entertained. Also, try and break up the trip into shorter segments where possible and take breaks often.

Below we’ve created a set of essentials for a road trip with a toddler. We’ve grouped the items into some basic items, what you’ll need for cleaning, entertainment, food and drinks and overall comfort.

Packing list essentials for a road trip with a toddler:

Table of Contents:

First Aid Kit

There are tons of great options for all in one First Aid Kit . Not only essential for a road trip with a toddler. This is something we always have in our car. You never know when someone has a small fall and needs a band-aid.

A good car seat is absolutely essential for a road trip with your toddler. It is even required by law in Canada and the US. After Celine outgrew her infant seat, We elected for the Graco Children 4Ever All-In-One , as it had gotten lots of great reviews and would last her till she no longer needed a car seat.

As awesome an activity as driving is, ultimately, there should be a destination for your road trip. Be sure to bring your stroller with you. We use the Mountain Buggy Nano . Read the full review here – > Mountain Buggy Nano Review

Pop-up Booster

Having your own pop-up booster is an essential item to add to your packing list for a road trip. Although, most restaurants will have their own booster and high chair there are situations, like eating outdoors on picnic benches, where you will need to bring your own .

Cleaning and Changing

If your little one is not toilet trained yet, be sure to add extra diapers to your essentials for a road trip. We always have a bunch in our car just in case. Make sure to bring more than enough for the time you’ll be away.

Diaper sacks

As well as having diapers, having special diaper sacks to store your soiled diapers is key. Especially when going into less populated areas, you may not always be around a waste bin.

Changing Pad

Be sure to add a changing pad to your essentials for a road trip. As you never know what type of surfaces you may need to change a diaper on.

Tissues, Towels, Wipes, Stain Removers

Unfortunately, spills will happen during your trip, so it’s always good to be prepared. Along with an extra set of wipes, we also bring an array of tissues , paper towels and stain removers .

Mini Vacuum

Along with having an array of tissues and towels, we also bring along a mini vacuum to suck up any tiny crumbs that we aren’t able to pick up with our hands.

Extra Clothes

As with diapers, we always have an extra set of clothes in the car just in case. Make sure to bring an appropriate number of clothes for your trip.

Soak & Save Bags

As well as bringing an extra set of clothes, be sure to bring some extra bags to store away any soiled clothes .

Food and Snacks

A fed baby is a happy baby. Making sure that your little one always has an assortment of snacks available is essential. Make sure to bring a variety of fresh fruit , cookies and chips .

Bottle / Sippy Cup

As well as being fed, make sure your little one is well hydrated as well. Make sure to add your toddler’s bottle and/or sippy cup to your essentials for a road trip. Our little one used to drink from her cup during the day and bottle just before bed, so we had to bring both for a time.

Along with having your toddlers’ bottle or cup for the trip, be sure to bring extra to drink. We bring a few Thermoses filled with hot or cold water and extra milk for the day.

Depending on how long you expect to be out, an extra cooler may be necessary. Especially during the warmer months, if you’re bringing milk or something else that needs to stay cool.

Entertainment

Toys and books.

Long road trips can be tough for your little one, especially when they are still rear-facing, or too small to look outside. Be sure to bring a good array of your toddler’s favourite toys and books to keep them entertained during the trip.

Smart Device

Although we hate to admit it, screen time is the easiest way to keep our little one entertained. On top of that, it helps calm her down when she’s upset and easier to feed during mealtime. It’s a good idea to download all your child’s favourite shows onto a separate device for them during the trip. This will save on data later on.

Chargers and Battery Packs

Be sure you have all your charging cables and adapters for all the devices you are bringing. We also bring a few battery packs with us, depending on how long we expect to be on the road.

If your road trip coincides with your little one’s nap time, it’s good to bring an extra blanket or two. If we’ll be in the car a little longer, we’ll remove our little one’s jacket, and use a blanket to keep her warm if needed.

Our little one hates getting the sun in her eyes. Especially during her sleepy time, having the sun in her eyes can definitely set her off. Be sure to have a good set of sunshades , so you’re able to block the sun from shining directly onto your little one.

Always be prepared. This is another item we always have in the car with us. Be sure to have extra rain gear in the car just in case. If you know you’ll be exploring in the rain, we recommend using a raincoat or poncho instead of just an umbrella. We always have a few in the trunk, as they are quite compact when they fold down. Also bring a good pair of rain boots , cause we know your little one will want to go splashing around in the puddles.

Car Organizer

As you’ll have a lot of items to manage during your road trip, having a good car organizer is essential for a road trip. We have a few types in our car that hold our devices, extra cups and wipes.

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6 Replies to “22 Essentials For A Road Trip With A Happy Toddler”

Such a great list! We just did an 11 hour road trip with a 1 year old, 3 year old, 7 year old and 9 year old through Thailand… needless to say, I’m good for a while!!!

What a great list! We love to roadtrip with our kids and there is so much stuff that is useful to have along.

We love road trips with our toddler. These are great tips, a mini vacuum is on our to buy list for our next road trip.

I remember those days, and it was always a good idea to prepare for a trip beforehand. This list is great for those parents who are not quite sure where to start! 🙂

Great list. We used most of these items on road trips when our son was still a toddler.

Omg I need this mini vacuum. Our car is such a mess after even short trips with a toddler 😀

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2024 Ultimate Family Road Trip Packing List (+Free Printable Checklists)

Packed for Life contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Disclosure policy for more info.

Planning a family road trip can be exciting but also overwhelming, not knowing exactly what to pack. That’s where our experience road tripping comes in handy.

We’ve created the ultimate family road trip packing list and FREE printable checklists to make things easier for you on the open road. Drawing on our years of experience from countless road trips with our kids from babies to teens. Including cross country adventures, and week long road trips, to everything in between.

This guide covers everything. From road trip essentials for the whole family, to car and safety gear, plus tips on what to leave behind. Which you can easily adapt for wherever you’re traveling to.

With our travel-tested advice, and free printable checklists, you’ll be perfectly prepared for your adventure, making packing stress-free, straightforward, and do we dare say even fun!

Table of Contents

ROAD TRIP PACKING LIST FOR FAMILIES

Road Trip Essentials for the Car

When heading out on a long road trip, there are a few car essentials we think are important to add to your family road trip checklist.

We’ve found this road trip planning App , to be a fantastic tool for planning our routes & collaborating with others on the road.

• Driver’s License, Car registration and roadside assistance info – Check your glove compartment box before leaving your house to make sure you have any (and all) information you may need in a very worst case scenario.
• Extra Set of Car Keys – make sure to store it somewhere you won’t lose it, or give it to another family member. One of my fears is losing our car keys in the middle of no where, so having an extra set is peace of mind for me.
• Rental Car Agreement – If you are renting a car for your road trip, make sure to bring the agreement with you in the glove box.
• Sun Shades for the Windows – The sun can get a bit overwhelming, especially if you have really young children in the car. We’ve found Sun Shades like these super helpful.
• Cell phone holder – Especially when using GPS, having a Cell phone holder can be a game changer for your road trip.
• Car Seat or booster seat – Choose one that’s suitable for the ages of your kids, and somewhat comfortable for a long drive. We’ve found that stopping every two hours max keeps everyone happier.

Emergency Vehicle Kit

A Roadside Emergency Kit is one of the most important things we bring. It’s better to be safe than sorry and be prepared to handle the unexpected, like a flat tire is our motto.

It always gives us peace of mind knowing we have the basics, and think it will for you too.

Plus I don’t know how many times it has come in handy for helping other travelers out along the way during our own trips. It should include:

• Jumper cables
• Tire Pressure Gauge
• Flashlight & batteries ( we prefer head lamps)
• Jack & Tools
• Food / Energy Bars
• Matches / Lighter

What to pack “Just in Case”

Accidents happen. But, how you handle them can be completely different if you are prepared. Not to mention there are certain things you just don’t want to forget for a long car ride. 

Add these to your road trip with kids checklist:

• Map  – You may not ever need it, but make sure you have a paper or book road map. In case your phone dies, google maps steers you wrong, or anything else happens, you will be glad you have it.
• Paper Towel & Toilet Paper – Keep these handy for unexpected bathroom stops, or unexpected spills. Well with kids you can expect a mess!
• Wet wipes –  Whether you have a baby or not, we think baby wipes are life savers & road trip necessities.  You can clean up spills, hands, and even clothing with a few baby wipes. My daughter is 10 and we still use baby wipes for all our travels. Not just for kids!
• Small trash can – To keep your car clean, and organized with a small spill-proof car garbage can. Don’t forget the trash bags.
• Plastic bags – No one wants to talk about this, but you need to have extra bags in case anyone gets car sick. We also like to have a designated car garbage bag we empty out every day. That way the mess stays somewhat in check.
• Towels – As a safety precaution, it never hurts to add a few towels to your packing road trip. This can help in various situations of spills, sickness, and comfort.
• Licenses & wallets – Just as a reminder, make sure you have everyone’s licenses, wallets and debit / credit cards before you even walk out your front door.
• Health Care Cards / Medical Insurance Info – Also make sure to have your health care cards or medical insurance info handy.
• Extra food, water & games – In case you get stuck somewhere unexpectedly. Water is also good in case of overheating.
• Family First Aid Kit

Family First Aid Kit Essentials

If you are traveling anywhere, I highly recommend keeping a First Aid Kit in your car, and a smaller one in your backpack if you are off on hikes for the day.

Besides, if your kids are anything like mine, they go through bandaids like they are going outta style.

Here are some items we include in our family first aid kit, in addition to the usual suspects:

• Extra Band aids
• Blister Band Aids
• Disinfectant
• Polysporin / Antibiotic cream
• Acetaminophen & Ibuprofen (Kids & Adults)
• Prescription Meds
• Gravol / Motion Sickness meds
• Allergy Meds
• Rehydration Tablets
• Medical Tape
• Mosquito Repellent
• Hand Warmers
• CPR pocket mask
• Small Flashlight
• Small Pocket Knife
• Hand Sanitizer
• Plastic Gloves

PRO TIP : Buy a small cloth first aid kit, or toiletries bag and fill or switch out with your preferred Family First Aid Kit items. Keep First Aid Kit and medications handy and within reach.

Family Road Trip Essentials

When packing for your entire family, you may find that you don’t need (or want) as much as others. Or, on the flip side, you may find that you like to bring everything but the kitchen sink, just in case. No judgment here!

Do you have to bring everything we recommend on this list? Absolutely not! Specific items you pack for your family road trip will vary based on preference and destination.

Here are some family road trip essentials that can useful supplies for your next trip:

• America the Beautiful Park Pass – If you are planning on visiting USA National Parks, then a park pass will save you $$.
• Mouthwash – If you plan on bringing snacks, or even stopping to eat, having mouthwash is a must. Between having fresh breath and smelling fresh breath, you don’t want to forget this. Mints or minty gum also does in a pinch.
• Portable Charger / Power Bank   – Save yourself trouble with a pre-charged battery pack. If you have teens, a portable power bank is a must for a successful family road trip. Or in our case keeping a device addicted adult happy.
• Car Chargers  – Not only should you have a portable power bank, but bringing extra chargers that can be plugged directly into your car are a good idea. Don’t forget your device cables too for when you are in the hotel room. (Kindles, cells, tablets, gaming devices, laptops etc.)
• Camera / Go Pro – While you are out creating memories, be sure to document the fun, silly and sometimes ridiculous and unexpected moments along the way.
• Walkie Talkies – When traveling with friends and family in a convoy, we find walkie talkies are a great way to stay in touch.

Entertainment Essentials

The thought of packing for a road trip with kids can be overwhelming. But, it doesn’t have to be.

Keep in mind that you want to be including items for them to keep your trip stress-free as well. Road trip activities to keep them entertained.

• Tablet – For those moments when you just can’t take hearing another “are we there yet?”
• Headphones -You do not want to hear everything everyone is listening to on your road. A symphonic cacophony is not the most relaxing of sounds. So, save yourself the trouble, and pack headphones for everyone. If you are bringing wireless headphones , make sure to charge them before the trip.
• Books – If no one is prone to getting car sick, pack a few books or a Kindle for your family members to enjoy on your road trip. You can include learning books, entertainment, or even coloring books.

PRO TIPS: Make sure you charge any devices before you leave. Also, you will want to download any games, music, or apps beforehand.

PRO TIP : We’ve found it helpful to make sure each kidlet (and adult) has their own small travel backpack or bag with their own activities, devices, snacks, waterbottle & a change of clothes. Keep it beside them so they can easily reach it.

Kids Road Trip Essentials: Road Trip Activities for Kids

• Road Trip Bingo
• Coloring Book & Activity Pages
• Road Trip Kit
• Travel Magnetic Tangram Puzzles
• Entertaining Questions to Spark Conversations
• Paper/ journal – If you have creative kids, I recommend packing some journals, a sketchbook or paper to practice art, writing, and crafting with. Let your kids keep their own memories of their trip, with a kids road trip journal.
• Crayons / Pencil Crayons : Pack a few different crayons / pencil crayons and let them go at it! You can also add markers or pens in your overnight bags, so they can “fill-in” later if you’re worried about felt pen marks in the car.

PRO TIP: We’ve found these twistable pencil crayons are perfect, so you don’t have little bits of shavings all over your car.

• Road Trip Activities – Bring a variety of age appropriate activities. Especially if you are traveling with toddlers & preschoolers.
• Outdoor Games – Bring a few outdoor activities like a frisbee, or bubbles. We’ve found this really helps to get the wiggles out at rest stops and provides entertainment at campsites along the way.
• Road Trip Playlist – While you could just listen to the radio, making and playing a road trip playlist will up your parent cred, and make groovin’ in the car a hit. Don’t forget to embaress your kids by singing at the top of your lungs. We do 😉
• Audio Books or Audible – Perfect for keeping everyone from young kids to the older kids entertained on long trips. 

PRO TIP : Use a Back seat organizer that fits over the front seats keeps all the snacks, electronic devices, books, small toys contained and in reach of the kids.

Comfort Items

• Change of clothes – The last thing you want to happen is to have a mess with all of the extra clothes packed deep in your luggage. To alleviate the chance of this happening, pack an extra outfit in one small bag that stays on top of everything else.
• Pillows for Kids – A little comfort during your road trip can make all the difference. You don’t have to pack king size pillows, but letting each child bring a neck pillow (at minimum) is a great start! My daughter loves this bcozzy travel pillow.
• Travel Pillow for the adults – Just like for your children, the passenger also needs to be comfortable. Don’t forget to pack a pillow for you and/or your partner!
• Blankets – Kids love them & you’ll be happy to have them in winter months, or if you are driving overnight.
• Diaper bag –  Include an extra in car diaper bag for  easy access with young’uns. Fill with extra diapers, wipes, a plastic bag or a resuable wet bag, a couple of changes of clothes that is easy to grab and carry at rest stops.

Bring Road Trip Snacks & Meals

Packing road trip snacks and meals will save you time and money while heading to your final destination.

Avoid the nasty gas station food and have healthy travel snacks on the go. Making a family vacation meal plan will make your meals easier.

• Cooler – If you have extra room in your car, or you are trying to save money on food costs, you can’t go wrong with packing a cooler. Just make grocery store stops along the way to pick up supplies.
• Road trip meals: Check out our Easy Road Trip Meal ideas
• Snacks – Healthy snacks are a must. This will save you hangry kid and partner moments and money. The best road trip snacks to pack are things like nuts, granola bars, sandwiches, beef jerky, protein bars, and string cheese. Avoid packing sticky and messy snacks.
• Drinks – Just like snacks, you need to pack some of the drinks your children like. We use resuable water bottles, and refill them as needed.

⭐️ Grab some easy travel snack recipes here for your next trip.

PRO TIP: Freeze a water bottle or two full of water, then you can have cold water as it melts. It can also double as an ice pack in your cooler.

🚙 Check out our delicious road trip snack ideas .

Road Trip Packing List: Clothing

I will highlight a few key pieces of clothing for family road trips.

• Rain jackets – Instead of carrying an umbrella, pack some light rain jackets for everyone. Keep everyone warm & dry. We like this one for kids , this one for men and this one for women .
• Footwear – Bring a few options. Walking / hiking shoes, easy slip on sandals for the car and warm weather, then boots for rainy and winter season. I admit I love my Crocs for road trip travel days. Easy to slip on and of and comfortable for walking around all day if needed.
• Sunglasses – Sunglasses will cut the glare, protect your eyes, and keep you in the height of fashion.
• Hats – Sunhats, ball caps, garden straw hats, water hats. The possibilities are endless to keep the sun off your face.
• Seasonal Gear – Depending on the time of year you road trip, you may want to bring ski equipment, bikes, boogie boards, kayaks etc. What you bring will depend a lot on the size and type of vehicle you are traveling in.
• Packing Cubes – For keeping your clothes organized
• Swimwear, suits, coverups – Check out our full Beach Vacation Packing list here

PRO TIP : If you are moving around a lot on your road trip, pack each days clothes into a ziploc bag or in a packing cube . Then you can just bring into the hotel with you, rather than bringing all the bags in and out each time.

What NOT To Pack for A Family Road Trip

Now that we have our road trip essentials list, let’s get into some things we think you don’t need to pack on a family road trip

• Everything but the kitchen sink – Once you pack in the kids, cooler, dog, clothes, road trip activities you may not have as much room as you think. Consider if you can rent gear, & what’s absolutely necessary for your families enjoyment, comfort, and safety.
• Lots of toys – Inevitably with too many toys, pieces get lost, favourite toys get left behind, or there are fights amongst siblings. Pack a few car games, and maybe one small toy, but leaving most of them home.
• Too many sweets – While it is fun to have some treats, too many sweets can bring everyone’s mood high and then low. A bad combo in a confined space! Balance it out with combo of whole fruit, and protein (nuts, jerky, trail mix).
• Avoid large & hard shell suitcases – Because they’re space hogs. We much prefer small duffels, or backpacks. I have even been known to just bring my clothes in a reusable shopping bag. You can pack them in tight around stuff.
• Messy car snacks – need I say more?

Road Trip Destinations:

• Big Sur Road Trip: Epic Places to Visit & Hike
• 7 Day Family Friendly Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon Itinerary
• Yosemite National Park, Awesome 2 Day Itinerary
• Vancouver Island Canada Bucket List
• Boston to Bar Harbor & Acadia Road Trip

✅ Kids travel backpacks are perfect for holding their road trip activities, snacks & water

Free Road Trip Checklists for Families

FINAL THOUGHTS: What to Pack for A Family Road Trip

There you have our list of what to bring on a road trip. Although you may need to be a bit more mindful when packing for a road trip with your family, it doesn’t have to be too complicated.

When making your packing list, ask yourself:

• How long will we be in the car?
• What necessities can my children not live without during this time?
• What will provide the most comfort for my family on this road trip?

Once you answer those questions, you will have a solid road trip packing list for your family.

Donna Garrison is the founder of Packed for Life, an ever curious traveler with a passion for making memories with her family. With a unique perspective on travelling on a budget gathered over 30 years, 20 countries and 5 continents she gives families the tools & resources they need to experience the joys of travelling more for less through practical solutions. She helps over 20,000 families a month plan & take the family travel, camping and road trip adventures of their dreams in Canada, the USA and around the world. Contact her at: Donna [at] packedforlife.com

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Family Road Trip Packing List (+Essentials for Kids & What Not To Pack)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: September 8, 2023

Looking for a family road trip packing list or wondering what are some of the road trip essentials for kids ? This packing list should give you a good overview of the things to pack (but also the ones to leave at home). Take a look!

We have a standard packing list for all kinds of trips: beach vacation, city trip, skiing holiday, and, of course for our favorite way of traveling – road trips with kids. But I recently looked at our family road trip packing list and realized how outdated it was. So it’s high time to update our family road trip packing list , and I thought I would share it with you as well.

This road trip packing list contains all the items that make our life easier and road trips with kids more enjoyable. At the same time, it’s not a complete road trip packing list.

I guess you don’t need someone else to tell you how many socks or t-shirts to pack for your upcoming road trip, or to remind you to carry car registration and insurance documents or a passport if visiting a foreign country…

There are two types of road trips – the ones you make with your own car/ campervan, and the ones where you travel overseas and rent a car. Needless to say, you will be able to pack much more if you are traveling close to home. After all, you are probably not going to carry a huge cooler or a car seat organizer on the plane.

So use this ‘road trip essentials’ packing list as a guideline , to check if you haven’t forgotten any of the useful items that will make your family road trip more comfortable. Find out!

READ ALSO: Top Tips for Traveling with Kids

Before I tell you about the more traditional items you need to pack for a family road trip, let’s start with the most important things first. You may not have needed any of this ten years ago, but now it’s unthinkable to set on the road without these items.

This is our road trip packing list for families:

Tech gear and entertainment

• Smartphone and charger
• Battery pack  to charge all your electronic devices. It’s a true life-saver if your phone tends to run empty long before you reach your hotel for the night. Check out this best-selling battery pack !
• Tablet/ DVD player/ or an MP3 player to keep your kids entertained in the car. I’m not going to tell you to pack your favorite CD collection for a family road trip. If you are road tripping with kids, you will never get a chance to listen to it anyway. Instead, make sure you have plenty of DVD’s with children’s movies ( check here for some popular kids’ DVD titles ).
• Alternatively, pack a tablet with some games (but you’ll likely need one tablet per kid). Or – my best suggestion – an MP3 player with audiobooks for children  (our kids’ favorites are Harry Potter audiobooks ). Here you can read more about our experience with audiobooks during long car rides with kids .
• Make sure you also pack chargers for each of these devices. That’s where the battery pack comes in handy. We also always pack a USB-charger for in the car .
• GPS or Google Maps app on your smartphone . Make sure you download the maps of the area where you will be road-tripping. In the past, we used to pack our TomTom GPS for every trip. Nowadays, we usually rely on Google Maps, unless traveling to a place where it doesn’t work well.
• Camera gear . A tripod and wireless remote control for your camera  are nice to have when road tripping with the family. It allows you to easily take nice pictures of the entire family. Extra batteries and memory cards , etc.

First aid essentials

The following items are among the most important road trip essentials for kids. So put these on your checklist and make sure you always have them at hand!

• First aid kit  (such as this compact first-aid kit ) is good to have on any trip. But it’s literally a life-saver on a family road trip!
• Ice spray.  Ice spray or a cold pack is a must when traveling with young kids. Our boys are so active and adventurous, so when they were little, they used to fall all the time. But on a road trip with kids, you don’t have an ice pack or ice cubes at hand. An ice spray is a real life-saver!
• Band-aids . Make sure to pack some in different sizes and always keep at least a few of them within easy reach.
• Disinfectant.  We use iodine antiseptics for wound treatment.
• Pain medicine (for kids and adults) .
• Mosquito repellent. We usually pack mosquito repellant spray , but recently we bought mosquito repellent bracelets and they seem to work well too.
• Sunscreen lotion. We always pack SPF50 sunscreen lotion for all our trips.

Road trip essentials for kids

Here are some of the main items for your road trip with toddler checklist:

• Comfortable car seats for kids adapted for their age. When traveling in our own car, we use Britax belt-positioning boosters for all our kids. When children sit in a car for hours, it’s important that they are comfortable, safe, and also have good head support. When we rent a car overseas we never rent children’s car seats. We carry our Trunki BoostAPak for each of the kids instead.

READ ALSO: Best Booster Seats for Travel

• Car seat organizer . Car seat organizers are really useful if your family likes road trips a lot. They will hold all the kids’ stuff in one place and will save you lots of frustrations (‘mom, where is my…’ or ‘dad, could you pass me my… ‘).
• Activity books and coloring books.  Check these Amazon bestsellers for preschoolers ,  kids ages 7-9 , and for older kids .
• Crayons, pencils, and pens . We usually pack twistable crayons since they last longer than any pencil or pen.
• Road-trip games and books , e.g. Travel Scavenger Hunt , Spot It! on the road , Mad Libs on the Road , and more … Just don’t pack too many of these. Often, a simple car game played by the whole family is much more fun for the kids than any game you can buy.
• Magnetic car games . If you are planning to pack any games to play in the car, go for magnetic versions !
• Extra diapers/wipes/clothes/quiet toys for the youngest ones.
• Sickness bags and an easy-to-access clean pack of clothes for the kids. Motion sickness bags are ideal to pack for a road trip.
• Ball or a frisbee . If you have some space in the car, pack a ball. It’s a great way to tire out the kids during short stops on the road. Alternatively, pack a frisbee or a foldable frisbee .

READ ALSO: Toddler Car Travel Tips & Best Travel Gear for Kids

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Food and drinks

Here are some useful items that should be on your family road trip packing list as well:

• Reusable water bottles . We usually pack one reusable water bottle per family member. In most places in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Europe you can easily refill water bottles with tap water. It’s free, it’s healthy, and it’s environmentally friendly. On top of that, water doesn’t leave any stains if the kids spill it in the car. We always buy a few large bottles of water as well, so that we can refill the bottles if there is no good tap water available.
• Cooler . If you have space in your car, then a cooler might be a nice thing to pack for a family road trip. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty waterproof and leak-proof cooler that has plenty of space to store food and drinks for the whole family, check this portable travel cooler . Not only does it have a practical and stylish design, but its advanced cooling performance with high-quality insulation also promises to keep your food and drinks cold for up to 3 days. There aren’t many other coolers out there that can do that! And yes, quality has its price, but we had to throw away several cheaper coolers (and the food inside) after just a few days of use, so now we rather go for quality and certainty.
• Snack containers with separate compartments (something like this ).
• Dried fruit, nuts, cookies, etc. Small snacks should always be on your family road trip checklist! There’s nothing worse than a couple of tired hungry kids stuck in a traffic jam for a few hours…

Miscellaneous

• Printed map, a road atlas,  and a travel guide of the area you are traveling to. Do you really want to drive on the main highways all the time when there might be an alternative scenic road leading to your next destination? Plan your trip well: include some stops for the kids to play, add a few off the beaten path places to your itinerary. When you use a good old-fashioned map, you can see so much more! GPS is important in order to guide your family to your hotel or camping at the end of the day, but it can ruin the joy of a traditional road trip.
• Roadside assistance emergency pack and a Swiss knife . We never ever leave on a trip without our Swiss knife. We have used it on more occasions than I can remember and it served many purposes, from peeling apples and carrots in the car, to repairing a broken air pipe of our car’s engine. And while we always have good travel insurance , without that Swiss knife we would have probably been stuck in the middle of the highway in France on a rainy Sunday evening… Since that trip, we always have a  Swiss knife and a  roadside assistance pack or at least a couple of screwdrivers in the car.
• Flashlight .
• Instant stain removers like this one from Tide .
• Paper tissues, wet tissues, kitchen towels , and – if you have some space – a picnic blanket . You will need all of these when road-tripping with kids.
• Quick-drying towel.  Microfiber travel towels are very handy for any road trip.
• Trash bags .
• Sunglasses .

Best bags for road trips

• Duffel bags . Pre-kids we always traveled with hard-shell suitcases. But if you ever tried to squeeze more than two suitcases in the trunk of the car, you know that they are pretty useless. No matter if we are making a road trip close to home or flying overseas, we always use duffel bags with wheels. Here you can read more about the travel bags that we have used for the last 3 years – Thule Subterra luggage .
• Day backpack and rain cover . We have many backpacks in various sizes, but the ones we tend to pack for most road trips are our 30-liter backpacks . If you plan on spending lots of time outdoors, get a universal rain cover (if your backpack doesn’t have one yet).

READ ALSO: Best Travel Bags for Kids

Clothing that is always in our car

As already said, I’m not going into detail on all the clothing you should pack for a road trip. So here are just the main, essential clothing and footwear that you should always have with you when road-tripping with kids:

• Rain jacket . We never pack umbrellas when we travel, but a good light waterproof rain jacket is a must.
• Sneakers or walking shoes . Also Flip flops or crocs .
• Sun hat and swimwear.

Nice to have for road trips

• Binoculars. We have small binoculars for each of the kids and it keeps them busy on the road. We used them in Africa , in Australia , in Yellowstone , and pretty much on any road trip ever since.
• E-book.  Kindle e-reader is always in our bag.
• Headphones.  My husband likes to pack his noise-canceling headphones for those moments when the kids get too loud in the car.
• Travel mug , in addition to a reusable water bottle. We only pack these when driving in our own car from home.
• Neck pillows and blankets. We always pack light fleece blankets in the car for kids if planning to drive at night. They are also very handy for those winter road trips to the mountains! If you are looking for a compact neck pillow that doesn’t take up too much space, take a look at this highly-rated best-seller .

What not to pack for a road trip

Here are some items that you better leave at home:

• Hard shell suitcases.
• Too many toys for kids . Definitely leave all the noisy toys at home.
• Umbrella . We never pack an umbrella for a road trip. Take a rain jacket instead.
• Too many clothes and shoes . Pack less and make sure you can layer when needed.
• Sweet food and drinks , or anything else that gives too much energy and makes their hands sticky.
• Too many food containers or other items that take a lot of space in your car.

So, these are our road trip packing tips for families road-tripping with children. Do you have any tips or packing essentials to share? Feel free to leave a comment below!

READ ALSO: Most beautiful road trips in the world

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Tuesday 19th of December 2023

Thank you !!!!

Saturday 25th of June 2022

Very helpful! Thank you!

Monday 27th of June 2022

Glad to help. Have a great trip!

Tuesday 6th of October 2020

A very comprehensive travel list Jurga. Thank you so much for taking the time to share essential items and reasons for bringing them.. It did help me remember a few things I had not thought of.

Wednesday 7th of October 2020

Glad to hear that, Al. That's how we use our packing lists too - to quickly check that we didn't forget something essential. Happy road-tripping!

Wednesday 1st of July 2020

Thank you for sharing these packing tips. It is so helpful for this summer as we are planning to take our first road trip EVER.

Glad you found this useful, Jennifer. Enjoy your trip!

Wednesday 15th of May 2019

This is a very comprehensive list to have a successful and smooth road trip. Having a road trip means that you want to have fun, relax and enjoy your vacation which is why it's very important to check almost everything to avoid any hassle along the way. The least we wanted is to get stuck on the road due to car problems instead of enjoying our trip. That is why I make sure that my car is in great condition before the said date. What I usually do is to visit my car shop at least a week before to have my car checked for possible repair and maintenance. I think this would be a great addition to your list.

Hi Erwin, yes, absolutely - checking that the car is in good condition is vital before any road trip.

Motherhood: The Real Deal

A uk parenting & lifestyle blog revealing the truth about parenthood, road trip with toddler checklist: essential packing list.

A road trip with a toddler – like many things in the world of parenting – is no walk in the park. And like with most things in parenting – it’s the end result which keeps you going – namely in this case some form of a holiday at the end. If you are looking for a road trip with toddler checklist then look no further.

Safe to say, that to survive, say a 4 hour car journey, strategy, stealth and patience are required. It is also a good idea to set some ground rules before you leave which will help to manage everyone’s expectations and create a checklist so that you don’t discover something mid-way that will cause the mother of all toddlers tantrums.

With that said, here is my road trip with toddler checklist featuring all the essentials you need to keep everyone happy and sane.

Car essentials – car seat/booster seat

A car seat or booster seat that is appropriate for their age, height and weight is an absolute must for any car trip with a toddler. It’s a good idea to check that everything fits and is comfortable before the big departure today so you can ensure you have a happy and comfortable toddler. It’s best to find out that your toddler has outgrown their seat with plenty of time to do something about it so you have enough time to check the latest price and availability/delivery times of a possible replacement.

Comfort items

You want your toddler to fee as comfortable as possible, especially if you want them to nap. Equally they will need to have enough room to move around, something to be especially mindful of if your car is full to the brim!  If they’re uncomfortable, they’re more likely to be disruptive. So bring a snuggly blanket and if they like to use a travel pillow, then bring that too as well as anything else that helps them feel comfortable.

Snacks & drinks

Pack plenty of snacks and drinks. Road trips can be long, and a toddler can get hungry and thirsty quickly and also very frequently! Make sure to pack snacks and drinks for the entire trip, not just for when you first start out. It’s also a good idea to bring sucky sweets especially if they suffer from car sickness.

Nappies, wipes & first aid kit

If your toddler is still in nappies/diapers then be sure to have a supply ready at hand. If they are potty training, be sure to have their travel potty. And of course, wipes are necessary always whether they are still in nappies or not. Our saviour for wiping up a plethora of messy scenarios.  First aid kit because yes, even a car it is possible for a toddler to have an accident!

Games & activities to pack

Bring along a variety of toys and activities. A toddler can get bored quickly on a road trip, so make sure to bring along a range of toys to keep them entertained. This will also help to keep them from being too loud and disruptive. Some ideas of things to pack include:

• Colouring book & pens/crayons
• Water colouring book
• Activity books
• Stickers (+ something to stick them in)yes
• Stamping kits
• Favourites toys
• A list of car games (great list here)

Invest in a car organiser that sits on the back of the seat in front of them to help keep everything as tidy as possible (although know your car will probably look like a bomb has gone off in it by the end!).

Albums, Books & Podcasts

Going down the audio route is a great way of avoiding overreliance on screens during a road trip. Spend some time picking some favourites from Amazon’s Best Seller’s Children’s Albums or check out this list of the best podcasts for kids under 5 for inspiration. As for their favourite books, let them pick three or four for the road.

Tech – iPad etc

This only comes out either towards the last hour when I’m all out of entertainment ammunition. Be sure to bring their headphones too, especially if you are travelling with more than one child.

Emergency supplies

Because you just never know – make sure you have emergency supplies in the back including maps (in case GPS goes down), torches, water, blankets, breakdown kit and the like. And be sure that your roadside breakdown/insurance/driving license is all up to date and that you have a spare tire in the boot.

And finally, a road trip with a toddler can be a messy affair so be sure to bring rubbish bags so that you can tidy up all that mess and chaos left behind at the end.

11 comments

haha! Love your disclaimer. Really? I so thought you were telling us to let the kids drive…..so much more interesting ;). Yep, totally agree with all those. Except, haven’t tried bubbles in the car…..but so are going to try it now!! It’s a stressful thing, travelling with kids. But as long as you have HEAPS AND HEAPS of food, that drive won’t be too bad. #TwinklyTuesday

Well that would really be how NOT to survive a road trip with a toddler – and a very short blog post lol. Bubbles – seriously get busy with them!

We have a long car journey to do next week and my iPad does the trick but I do try and delay it for as long as possible so it’s effect is maintained until hopefully the journey is older! 🙂 x

We have a long car journey next week combined with potty training. Wow that is going to be fun. NOT! Good luck with yours! x

Great list here. We haven’t tely done any long long journeys with Zach since he’s been aware of journeying! Not on purpose, we just haven’t needed to! I’d definitely use all of these tools though if we did! Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

Well we’ve just come through the other end of one and have to say this list is tried and tested over and over and works a treat! Thanks as always for hosting hon x

Great advice, we have done many with our two tots and it can be tough. Always good to be prepared in a long journey. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme

great tips iPad all the way just make sure the damn thing hs enough charge or there will be trouble! thanks for linking up to #sundaystars

absolutely! we failed to charge one time…hell hath no fury like a toddler stuck in a car without an ipad #firstworldproblems x

Great suggestions! We have a 3 hour car journey next week and I will be using every one of these. I had no idea there was a Cbeebies album! Will be buying this before we go as it should definitely kill at least an hour (although I may end up demented!).

[…] then. We could have managed passing up a thing or two yet with children, that too on their first road trip, it is no alternative by any […]

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The essential road trip packing list with kids

There’s nothing like the lure of the open road to give you itchy feet – but tempting though it is to just jump in the car and go, for a trip to remember, don’t set off without reading my road trip packing list with kids first.

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Driving can be a great way to explore as a family: my daughter ventured down the Pacific Coast Highway before she turned four, while there’s so much more road trip inspiration to be found, from Route 66 and the American Midwest to Ireland and a drive along the Great West Way in England.

So whether you’re starting slow and staying close to home or finally ticking off your bucket list adventure, this family road trip packing list is full of tips, essentials to remember, ideas of what to pack and more advice to avoid being asked ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ before you get five minutes from home.

Contents - click to jump to a section

Car Essentials

When you get in the car for a road trip, there’s plenty that might come in useful (because it’s easier than stopping a million times to grab the things you forgot!) but before don’t forget the essentials that you really need to have with you for a road trip with kids.

So the first step in this family road trip packing list is those things you absolutely shouldn’t forget to make your journey more comfortable, safe, and fun.

For more tips on planning a road trip with kids , check out my top tips

If you have small children, it goes without saying that you’ll need a car seat that is appropriate for their age, height, and weight.

If you’re planning a family road trip abroad and want to take your own car seat, make sure it complies with local law – otherwise you’re probably limited to hiring one along with your car.

Booster seats

For older children who no longer need full car seats, but are not yet tall enough to sit in a seat with a seatbelt.

High-back booster seats are the best option but if you’re looking for options which take less space, check out the MiFold booster seat and Bubblebum inflatable booster seat

Whether you prefer to use a separate satnav, Google Maps or another app on your phone, having a good GPS system to give directions is pretty well essential if you’re unfamiliar with the area you’re visiting – and handy even if you’ve visited before.

Even if you have a GPS system, it is always a good idea to have a map of the area you are visiting, in case your GPS system fails or you lose reception.

If you don’t want to buy a book of maps for a single journey, consider printing out directions as a back-up, but if you’re planning a long road trip, a map of the area is good to have to hand.

Snacks and drinks

Having snacks and drinks available for your kids (and yourself!) will help to keep everyone happy on your road trip – c heck out my tips for the best road trip snacks for kids

Activities for kids

I’ve got a whole post on the best road trip activities for kids , with over 50 ideas of ways to entertain everyone on a long drive.

Run out of time to plan? Bring along some fidget toys as an easy solution – small, quiet and they won’t make a mess!

First-aid kit

No one likes to think you’ll need a first-aid kit, but from unexpected teething to minor injuries as well as travel sickness or illness, it pays to have one to hand in the car.

Check out my essential first aid checklist for ideas on what you need for your family travels

Emergency supplies

Just like the first aid kit, it’s a good idea to hope for the best but plan for the unexpected, so always keep some emergency supplies in your car, such as a flashlight, a whistle, and a blanket .

Some countries also require you to have a specific breakdown kit – if you’re driving in Europe , check this list.

Although it’s not a legal requirement in many countries (although it is in Spain, interestingly!), having a spare tyre in your car – and one that’s road legal – is definitely a good plan in case you get a flat during your trip.

Car insurance

Unlike the spare tire, it is a legal requirement to have car insurance – make sure you’ve got any necessary paperwork before you set off on your road trip.

If you’re driving abroad, check your insurance covers you there, or that you’ve got suitable cover for any rental car.

Essential paperwork

It goes without saying to make sure you have your driver’s license (and that it hasn’t unexpectedly expired) – but make sure you also have any other documents you need ( scroll down for more tips ).

If you’re driving abroad, this could be anything from an International Driver’s Permit to travel insurance .

How to make the car journey comfortable

Whether you’re in your own vehicle or a rental, car rides can be anything but comfortable – and uncomfortable kids (or adults!) are unhappy ones.

From practical essentials to ideas for entertainment, this family road trip packing list is just what you need to make sure the whole family is as comfortable as possible along the route! 

Portable DVD player

If your kids get bored easily, a portable DVD player can be a lifesaver on a long car journey.

If your family suffers from travel sickness, audio books can be a good alternative: a subscription from Audible is my top recommendation!

iPad or tablet

If your kids get to use a tablet as you travel, make sure it’s charged and any apps or content you want are already downloaded before you set off.

Coloring books and crayons

These are always a classic way to keep kids entertained, and they don’t take up too much space in your car. Washable crayons and washable markers are always a good plan though!

For my complete set of road trip activities for kids , check out this list

Games and puzzles

With lots of choice, these are always a fun way to pass the time on a long car ride, whether you choose family games , traditional car games or something for the kids alone.

Check out some of my ideas for toddler travel toys and for age 5+

Travel pillow and blanket

Travel pillows and blankets are great to have, whether you’re hoping your kids nap and sleep, or simply want to make them more comfortable along the way,

You can also get some great seatbelt pillows for kids to make it comfier to rest their heads on long drives – as well as these simple seatbelt pillows , younger kids will love these plush animal versions or the animal-themed Yondi neck pillow .

Memory foam pillow

If you want more support than a travel pillow, a memory foam pillow can help keep kids more comfortable, including smaller sizes that are handy for road trips.

Car organizer

Having a car organizer can be helpful for storing all of the snacks, drinks, toys, and other items you need to bring on your trip, as well as for safety reasons.

I’ve got a Diono Travel Pal which has space for bottles and room to store books, games, tablets and more.

Portable speaker

A portable speaker can be a great way to keep everyone in the back entertained (or headphones if you prefer not to be!)

if you’re traveling with more than one child, headphones can be a helpful way to keep them from fighting over what to listen to.

For younger kids, child headphones with a volume limiter can be a good option.

it’s always a good idea to have plenty of snacks and drinks available for everyone, whether you’re looking for something easy, something to help kids with motion sickness, something for picky eaters or healthy options.

I know I’ve said it before, but you can’t have too many snacks!

Check out my tips for the best road trip snacks for kids

Chewing gum

If your kids (or you) are affected by ear pain on long car rides, chewing gum can be a good solution once they’re old enough.

Ever got out of your car at the end of a road trip and sighed at the mess left behind? (Of course you have, we all have).

So having some spare bags available can be helpful for keeping your car clean along the way.

Essential documentation for a road trip with kids 

In addition to your driver’s license and registration, there are a few other things you should make sure to bring with you on your trip

Car insurance information

In case of an accident, you’ll need to have your car insurance information available.

International documentation

If you’re travelling overseas, make sure you have an International Drivers Permit if it’s needed, or any other required information for the destination, along with travel insurance .

If you’re renting a car abroad, some countries may need proof of insurance or official confirmation that you don’t have points on your driving license, for example.

Roadside assistance details

if you have roadside assistance, like an AAA membership in the US, Green Flag, RAC or the AA in the UK, make sure you have your details to hand, just in case.

Emergency contact information

It’s always a good idea to have any useful contact information with you in case of an emergency – again, if you’re travelling abroad, make sure you know the relevant numbers and that your phone will work.

Map and directions

If you’re traveling to a new area, it’s be helpful to have a map of the area with you, including an old-fashioned paper map in case GPS or reception fails.

It’s also worth printing out directions to your destination or accommodation if you’re not familiar with the area – having a string of landmarks to look out for can help if you’re asking for help, or to save you searching street names on a map.

Always, always, always let someone know where you’re going and what time you think you’ll be there too, for added security.

Clothing and toiletries for a road trip with kids 

Needless to say, clothing and toiletries are a must-have for road trips too! But it’s not just what you pack, it’s how you pack it…

If you’re stopping for a single night along the way to your final destination, try to keep a separate small bag full of overnight essentials rather than having to unpack all the bags.

Check out my tips on clothing and toiletries to consider for a road trip with kids or for a more in-depth packing list, check out my 23-page travel planner .

A change of clothes for everyone

It goes without saying that you’ll have spare clothes packed, but it’s a good idea to have a change of clothes for everyone in the car (or very easily accessible) in case of spills or accidents.

Place the extra pair of clothing in a resealable bag, so it’s both easy to grab if needed and means you have something to put the soiled clothes in when you change. 

If you’re traveling during the summer or you’re going to be near any bodies of water (which are safe to swim in), swimsuits can be a lifesaver to break up a long journey.

Even if you don’t plan on swimming, it can be worth bringing a swimsuit (and towel) with you for unexpected stops or extra pool time.

Sun hats and sunglasses

So easy to forget when you’re focused on the big things, but sun hats and sunglasses are one of the most important things you can bring on a family road trip.

It’s not just for the destination either, although for summer breaks, they’ll be essential to protect everyone from the sun. On bright days, you’ll likely want sunglasses in the car for during the journey too.

Rain jackets

If you’re hitting the road when there’s rain forecast, don’t forget your raincoat – and this is one you really do want to have to hand inside the car (you’ll be grateful when you don’t have to race round in the pouring rain to fish it out!)

Warm clothing/layers

On the same note, make sure you pack clothing for cool weather, whether that’s extra layers, scarves or warm clothing available for everyone in the car once you reach the destination.

Unless you’re heading somewhere with guaranteed sun, better to be prepared so dressing in layers is always a good plan when the forecast is promising sun, cloud and rain!

Comfortable shoes

Having a comfortable pair of shoes is always a good idea for long car journeys – ideally ones which are easy to pull on and take off as needed.

While you can usually stop and pick up essentials along the way, there’s no fun making a huge detour just to buy toothpaste.

Even if you’re planning to stock up on everyday items later in the journey, if you have particular products for your kids’ sensitive skin or your own favourite brands, it’s worth making sure you’ve packed enough for the whole trip.

And for shorter breaks, it makes life easier to pack everything you need on a daily or regular basis – from shampoo and conditioner to deodorant – as well as any extras like remedies for travel sickness. Having a roll of toilet paper is always a good plan too, even if you don’t expect to need it.

Entertainment ideas for a road trip with kids

Taking a road trip with kids can be a great bonding experience for the whole family, making some fantastic memories and also be a whole lot of fun!

But it can also be a bit challenging to keep everyone happy and entertained during those long car rides. Here are some entertainment ideas to make your next road trip packing list with kids complete – or check out my complete list of more than 50 of the best road trip activities for kids . 

Audio Books

Download some audiobooks for the kids to listen to during the drive – this is better than books or movies if they suffer from travel sickness too. As well as their favourite stories, you can check out non-fiction titles so they could learn something new while also passing the time.

We have a subscription to Audible which has been a lifesaver on car journeys long and short.

Bring along some portable games that everyone can enjoy, especially if you have siblings who’ll play in the back as you drive.

Travel versions of classic games like Monopoly or Scrabble are always popular, if you don’t fancy trying something new.

If you have a portable DVD player, bring along some of the family’s best-loved movies to watch for a spot of downtime. This can be a great way to relax and unwind after a long day of driving as well.

Make sure to bring along some fun music for the car ride, both to entertain and help keep everyone’s energy up.

You can stick with your best-loved tunes or singalong favorites, but for some added fun make a playlist that links to your destination, so whenever you hear the track again, it’ll take you straight back to your family adventure.

One word of warning: you need more songs on there than you think, or you’ll end up hearing the same ones over and over and over…

Crayons/drawing

Drawing or puzzle books and crayons/markers are always a hit with kids, with lots of different options to help them stay occupied during the drive and also create some artwork inspired by the trip as a souvenir.

Lap books/activity books

If you have small children, then lap books can be a lifesaver, with a variety of activities to keep toddlers and small children busy – everything from lift-the-flap pages to other hands-on fun.

Essentials for road trips with babies & toddlers

Babies and young children can be a handful at the best of times, so the last thing you want to do is be stuck in the car with them for hours on end without being prepared.

If you’re lucky, when they’re younger, they’ll nap once you set off: planning your drive around naptime and bedtime is always a good plan too.

But you can’t always rely on little ones to sleep when you need them to, so here is a list of essential items you should make sure you have in your car before setting off on a road trip with babies and toddlers.

• Portable Potty – as parents know, young children often have trouble holding it in for long periods of time, so a portable potty is a must-have on any road trip. Needless to say, plan plenty of breaks to try to avoid any emergency stops!
• Diaper/nappy changing essentials – make sure you have plenty of nappies/diapers, wipes, bags and cream packed and easily accessible.
• Plenty of baby toys – grab a few teething toys to help keep little ones distracted during the drive. If your baby is teething, keep the first aid kit close to hand as well.

How to get everything organized in the car for a road trip

Once you’ve got all your essentials, from documents to packing, take a bit of extra time to get organized before your road trip with your family.

Planning a road trip with your family shouldn’t stop at plotting the destination into your route map, so here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Keep a list – from notes of what you’ve got to take to what you’ve got to sort out, a planning list (or lists!) will help ensure you don’t forget anything important. Check out my complete family travel planner for ideas of everything you might need for your trip – available in bright colors and more neutral shades
• Pack an overnight bag – include items such as a change of clothes, toiletries, and any medications you may need.
• Pack a cooler/cool bag – this is essential for long drives. Fill it with snacks and drinks to keep everyone fuelled up.
• Organize your car – make sure everything has a place so it doesn’t end up scattered all over the car. Use car organizers to keep things in place in the back, or small bags for those ‘just in case’ back-ups.
• Leave room for everyone – you might have crammed in all the packing, but being squashed into a tight space won’t be a great start to your trip. So as you pack up the car, keep in mind everyone else that’s traveling with you and leave enough legroom.

When you’re planning a long road trip, there’s always a lot to keep in mind, so these tips are intended as a starting point to help you make sure you’re prepared for a road trip with your family.

Check out some of my other posts for more ideas of planning a road trip with kids , how to keep kids entertained on a road trip , road trip snacks , as well as travel checklists .

This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission

Images courtesy of Depositphotos

Award-winning family travel blogger and mum to the mini traveller, aka Minnie. Together we've visited Europe, America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, tried a cruise and a road trip, and survived countless long-haul trips. London (UK) based. Serious beach habit.

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Home » Traveling » The Ultimate Packing List: Road Trip Essentials for Kids

The Ultimate Packing List: Road Trip Essentials for Kids

June 9, 2021 by Lauren 2 Comments

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How do you plan a long road trip essentials with kids?

Long road trip essentials with kids require some planning and packing, but long trips with the whole family can be fun! Before hitting the road and starting a long drive, talk to your kids about where you are going and the anticipated time in the car. If you have older kids, let them help pack their car bag with favorite books, audio books, toys, activities, and a few healthy snacks. Young kids can also go through their toys and select a few favorites. Allowing them to fill the back seat with their favorite things and comfy items is always a good idea.

All family members can get excited about the trip ahead and feel like they have a sense of control over their activities in the car. You may want to pull out some special books set aside just for the trip or grab some exciting snacks from the grocery before you leave is a great way to build anticipation. Consider packing your car, visiting the gas station and prepping snacks before travel day to save time.

“This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more details. “

Consider sharing a map of your route with your kids. You can highlight cities you will be traveling through and talk about landmarks you will see along the way. This can serve as a distraction during your trip, and will remind your kids of the progress you are making along the route. You may also want to map out pit stops along the route if you are traveling for a long time.

For instance, when we travel through Louisville, we always point out the huge bridges, the Louisville Slugger museum with the giant baseball bat, and the horse pastures. This teaches our kids a little about some Kentucky history while reminding them that we are closer to our destination.

When thinking about road trip essentials for kids, consider eating and sleeping schedules and how your children will travel best. Some families swear by traveling at night to ensure less traffic on the roads and children sleeping in their seats. That doesn’t work for our family, but we do find that starting out early in the morning ensures more chipper moods. 🙂

We have the kids set out their clothing the night before and make sure all of our bags are packing ready to move in the morning. Breakfast is served in the car, and we attempt to roll out before 9 AM, if humanly possible!

Of course, remind all of your kids to visit the restroom before you leave and make sure babies/toddlers have on fresh diapers. I also make sure my big kids understand that once the toddler falls asleep in her car seat, we stop for nothing, so be prepared for the long haul during naptime!

How do I organize my own car for a road trip with a toddler?

Important road trip essentials for kids and toddler travel include considering seating. Think about your toddler’s car seat position in the car and make sure you can easily reach him or her. If you have multiple kids, think strategically about which older child will be the most helpful to the toddler. I usually put my oldest and youngest together in the middle aisle with our two middle kids in the back row. That way, my oldest can help the toddler with getting snacks, reading books, or singing songs and help ensure the best road trip outcome.

If you don’t have older children to help keep your toddler entertained, consider leaving an extra spot open next to the car seat. You may need to move to the back to sit next to your toddler to keep them distracted and comfortable during the drive.

Toddler Road Trip Essentials

Packing for a toddler or little kids on a road trip means you need a whole list of things including toys, snacks, and activities. Most toddlers have an attention span of 2-3 minutes, so consider that when you are planning your trip. Toddlers are also enjoying their newly gained independence, so just plan on needing some stretch breaks where your little ones can run around and be free. Road trip breaks are never a bad idea!

You may want to consider stopping at a rest area with lots of grass for toddlers to run around versus a restaurant where they will be confined to a high chair. Pack an easy picnic and take advantage of the fresh air. You could also scope out local playgrounds along your route and plan a stop there to break up the trip. Also, remember to pack a change of clothes for any accidents that occur.

Best Travel Toys for Toddlers

The following items include some of our favorites when road-tripping with toddlers or young children.

Magnetic Doodle Pad

Melissa and doug sticker sets, melissa and doug water wow, lift the flap books, little people, travel tray.

If your young kids or small children need a flat surface for drawing or playing on the open road, consider having a car seat travel tray on your family road trip packing list. I like the one below because it keeps snacks, art supplies, a sippy cup, books, and more easily accessible for young children, ensuring a more successful road trip!

How do I make my child comfortable on a long car ride?

In order to make your kids comfortable on a car ride, have them put what they are bringing in the car the night before you leave and check out their space. If they overpack, they may feel claustrophobic so help them edit their packing.

Consider including a small soft blanket on the trip to keep them warm and cozy. Help them select comfortable clothing and shoes that slip on and off easily for getting in and out of the car. Include any stuffed lovies and favorite items that remind them of home.

Prep the car by emptying out trash and cup holders and filling thermoses with cold water. You might also consider purchasing a car seat organizer to provide easy access to toys, games, snacks, and drinks.

What should a tween bring on a road trip as a Road Trip Essentials for Kids?

The great thing about tweens is they can pack their own bags! Our 12-year-old typically packs several books, gum/candy, a sketch pad, fresh colored pencils, a Nintendo Switch with several games, and a pack of colored postcards that she can color and send to our friends during our trip. We also bring along a charged cell phone with some downloaded movies and podcasts that she enjoys, along with headphones.

What snacks should I bring for a long car ride with kids?

Car rides are all about fun snacks! This is when we pull out favorites that our kids don’t normally have at home. I usually run to the grocery store before travel day to grab snack bag-sized portions of animal crackers, cheese crackers, breakfast bars, gum, gummy bears, cheese sticks, Pop-Tarts, lollipops, and chips. You may also want to buy a quick sandwich option, like Uncrustables or Lunchables if your kids prefer those. Consider your younger children’s fine motor skills when packing their snacks. The last thing you want is a frustrated toddler on the road!

I also grab easy plastic lunchbox containers and use them for picnic lunches. Typically, we pack turkey and cheese sandwiches or peanut butter with cinnamon, baby carrots, apple slices, raisins, cheese, and pretzel sticks for a portable lunch option. If you choose to pack juice boxes, also consider grabbing some juice box holders . That way, you aren’t dealing with squeezed juice all over car seats or clothing!

Remember to also pack garbage bags to corral trash during your family road trip. You can throw them away along the route at your next pit stop or public restrooms.

Kids can fill up their water bottles before we leave, and I will throw in some lemonade pouches for a quick, fun drink to have on the road. Soft sided coolers provide a nice, easy option for transporting food during your trip and don’t take up as much space as their hard plastic counterparts. Also, include ice packs for food that needs to stay cold.

What do I need for a long car ride for entertainment in Road Trip Essentials for Kids?

For entertainment for your kids, I think it’s different depending on the child and the age category. Here are some of our favorite general items to pack for entertainment on a road trip:

• Coloring books, crayons
• Little People, small animals
• Doodle Pads
• sketchbooks
• sticker books
• colored pencils, crayons
• portable charged devices with movies and games downloaded on them
• Nintendo Switch with charger
• portable DVD player with charger
• DVDs from the library
• Blow Pops, Twizzlers
• gel stickers for car windows
• snack bags to hand out snacks easily
• snack cups, sippy cups, water bottles
• downloaded books on devices or books on CDs for Mom and dad

What should you wear on a long car ride?

Think comfort when dressing your kids on long car rides. Breathable clothing that can be layered is best. Cotton shirts, soft shorts/pants, socks, and slip-on and off shoes make the trip easier. Consider packing an extra set of clothing for little ones in case of spills or accidents.

Throw in comfy blankets and favorite loveys for nap times in the car. Be sure to throw in wipes and hand sanitizer to keep things clean during your journey. I also like to have extra grocery bags available for trash pick up and in case of car sickness.

If you have a toddler who is potty training, be sure to pack extra diapers or pull-ups, outfits, and perhaps a portable potty seat. Lining the potty with a diaper can ensure absorbency if you have to use it during your travel and can be tossed easily along the route.

Extra Road Trip Essentials with Kids

Here are a few more items to throw in the car when we travel with kids:

• plastic zip baggies – I find all sorts of uses for these: doling out snacks, sealing up stinky trash, leftover snacks, etc.
• First-Aid Kit – fill this with band-aids, Neosporin, Children’s meds, and pain relievers for adults
• small scissors
• atlas – I use this to point out our travels for our kids and as a backup, in case our phones fail and we need to plan our route
• headphones for each child with backup batteries
• portable device chargers and headphone splitters
• flashlights
• jumper cables
• waterproof picnic blanket
• napkins, tissues, Wet Wipes
• Dramamine chewable for motion sickness
• jump rope and a beach ball for rest areas, truck stops, and breaks

I hope this list of Road Trip Essentials for Kids helps you in your planning your next travels with your family! Hop over to my other post on more tips for traveling on a plane with your kids!

Reader Interactions

June 15, 2021 at 5:23 am

Great list and just in time for our upcoming week long traveling vacation, thanks for the tips!

June 15, 2021 at 5:48 pm

Thanks for reading!

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How To Take A Road Trip With Toddlers: Helpful Tips, Packing Checklist, And More

3   Oct   2022 | 5 min Read

Helpful Tips For Taking A Road Trip With Your Toddler

In brief, successful road trips with toddlers involve making plenty of stops and bringing loads of snacks and toys to keep your little one distracted. We have mentioned a few tips in this section to help you streamline and plan the journey to ensure your toddler’s comfort.

Consider Your Departure Time

Try to start the journey at a time when your tot is likely to fall asleep quickly. For instance, starting early in the morning, or after bedtime can put your toddler off to sleep for at least some part of the journey. 

Departing during their nap time might work too, but you may want to steer clear of the rush hour traffic. The constant stop-and-go will only add unnecessary time and stress to your trip.

Plan for Breaks

It’s essential to take frequent breaks while taking long-distance car trips with your little one. Be prepared to make a stop after every two hours or so, and use this time to encourage your toddler to stretch a little bit and walk around. You can also take your tot to a safe place during breaks, and let them burn off some energy by playing with a toy ball. 

Map Your Route Beforehand

Instead of planning on the go, figure out your route before you start the journey. Figure out a path that has plenty of snack and picnic spots, public bathrooms, and restaurants. Also ensure that there are hotels along your route, just in case you have to make a stop for the night. Planning will avoid having you drive extra hours in search of suitable spots.

Keep Your Toddlers Games and Toys Close 

Your little one might enjoy gazing out the window at the scenery for a little while. But at some point, they may start to get antsy and fussy, and that’s where toys and games can help distract them.

Therefore, pack a lot of toys and game activities to distract them during the trip. You can consider packing their soft toys, crayons, colouring, storybooks, and miniature toys that they usually play at home with. Avoid bringing toys with small pieces that could easily fall or get misplaced, such as lego bricks.

Prepare for Queasiness

If you sense that your little one is starting to feel nauseous, pull down the windows, and encourage them to look out the window, instead of focusing on their toys and books. Also, carry a tummy relief roll-on with you, formulated with organic and plant-based actives like ginger oil, nutmeg oil, and peppermint oil that relieve gas and flatulence problems in your little one, and ease their digestion to curb nausea.

Must-Have Road Trip Essentials For Toddlers

We have created a toddler travel checklist to help ensure a safe and comfortable journey for your family. Take a look at the essentials to pack, and make sure to keep them handy, and close to you in a space that is easily accessible. 

Personal Care Items

• Diaper rash cream
• Mosquito and insect repellent spray
• Changing pad
• Hand sanitiser

Toddler Comforts

• Pillow and blankets
• Toys and books
• Spare change of clothes

Apart from these essential items, don’t forget to pack some tasty homemade snacks to enjoy during your stops on the journey. Some healthy snacks that you can pack include yoghurt, sandwiches, bite-sized fruit pieces, vegetable chips, fresh-cut veggies with a side of hummus, and mini crackers and biscuits.

Road trips with toddlers can certainly be a little taxing, but with a little advanced planning, you can navigate this journey smoothly and comfortably. Follow our toddler travel checklist to navigate your trip, and make sure to pack all the essentials that we’ve mentioned at least a few days before the travel to avoid last-minute stress and panic. 

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Family Road Trip Packing List (+ Free Printable Packing Checklist)

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy .

Are you looking for a family road trip packing list printable to read and cross-check before your upcoming road trip?

Look no further, because as seasoned-road trippers we’ve developed the ultimate road trip packing checklist that includes all of the important items you’ll need for the best road trips!

Our family road trip checklist includes the perfect combination of road trip essentials, as well as food, fun, and entertainment!

By using this guide, we’ll ensure that you bring just enough and never too much when planning the ultimate family road trip.

Use our FREE printable road trip packing list pdf , and expert travel tips to feel confident while gearing up for your next family road trip!

The links on this gift guide are Amazon Associate affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Planning a Family Road Trip

Despite the rising gas prices, road trips are still an ideal way for families to travel and to explore the beautiful countryside.

Along with being able to be on your own schedule, road trips allow you to pack more things, as well as to make pit stops and see other places and communities along the way.

With so many amazing benefits to family travel in general, ask yourself the following questions when planning a family road trip:

Who is going on this family road trip?  What are your children’s ages and how well do you think they’ll do being confined to sitting in one place for a lengthy amount of time?

What type of vehicle are you driving?  Is there enough room for everyone, including all of your gear, to ride comfortably to and from your destination without being too squished?

What type of road trip are you looking to take?  Will you be making stops and doing activities along the way, or is your road trip simply a means to get to your final destination?

How far will you be traveling on your family road trip?  How many hours will you be on the road, and how can you best split up the trip to make it into an enjoyable experience?

By answering these questions while planning a family road trip, you will identify any obvious red flags.

Once you’ve gotten the preliminary kinks worked out, it’s time to move on to packing for the most epic family road trip experience ever.

Road Trip Packing List For Families

When stressing over the road trip essentials that must be packed for adults, kids, and pets, it’s easy to forget about preparing the most important thing – your vehicle!

In other words, when crafting the perfect road trip packing list for families, think first and foremost about the safety and maintenance of the car, truck, van, SUV, or RV that you’ll be traveling in.

Taking care of your vehicle and bringing along the following items to ensure your safety are essential components of a successful family road trip!

In fact, being prepared for the potential of a roadside emergency or flat tire is one of our most recommended tips for planning a family road trip !

Along with checking your tire pressure and all fluid options (radiator, windshield fluid, brake, oil, and transmission) prior to departing, it’s a good idea to bring the following packing list essentials:

• Driver’s license
• Credit card
• Car insurance and travel insurance information
• Spare set of keys
• Rental contract (if applicable)
• Roadside assistance contact number
• Reliable jumper cables
• Roadside emergency kit

Winter road trips come with their own set of challenges and successes.

When traveling during the winter when driving conditions are much more unpredictable, be sure to follow a specific winter road trip packing list for optimal preparation and safety.

General Essentials For A Road Trip

These family road trip essentials are the bread and butter of comfortably navigating yourself to and from your chosen destination.

It is very important to have an adequately charged Smartphone for the entire duration of your trip, especially if you are using a navigation app for directions.

Having both a phone charger and a supplemental battery pack provides additional security when relying on battery power for any and all of your electronic devices.

Likewise, comfort items such as pain relievers, sunglasses , and neck pillows are basic road trip necessities included on our printable road trip checklist.

• Luggage (clothes, shoes, jackets)
• Car seat and baby gear
• Smartphone and charger
• Car mount phone holder
• Portable battery charger
• Navigation app(s) for directions (Our favorite is Google Maps and the Waze app.
• Pen and notepad
• Cash and change for tolls
• First aid kit
• Toilet paper (for bathroom emergencies)
• Sunglasses (I always wear these! )
• Neck pillow and blanket

Here are the clothes we recommend for each person, stored in packing cubes , of course:

• A pair of shorts per day
• A t-shirt/tank top per day
• 1 pair of underwear per day
• 1 pair of socks per day
• 2 pairs of lounge pants
• 1 long sleeve shirt
• 1 sweatshirt
• Running/hiking shoes

Along with using  packing cubes  for our clothing, we use these clear multi-purpose  organizer pouches  (size large) to store all of these loose extras:

• Travel size body spray /perfume
• Razor/shave gel
• Face wash/moisturizer
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Hair brush/comb
• Hair ties/clips (I love  these ones for fine hair !)
• Styling products/hairspray
• Curling iron/straightener  (if needed)
• Contact lens solution/supplies  (if needed)
• Prescription medication (if applicable)
• Over-the-counter pain relivers and stomach medications
• Motion sickness medication
• Sunscreen + LipBalm with SPF (This is  one of my favorites  because it smells like summer!)

Baby and Toddler Gear

If your baby or toddler is still rear-facing in their car seat, be sure to equip your vehicle with a crash-tested,  shatterproof car mirror  that can be used to keep your child in view.

Other road trip baby items include:

• Diapers, wipes, and changing pad
• Change of clothes
• Bottles, milk, formula
• A cordless bottle warmer
• Blanket or special toy
• Car window sun shade
• Infant/child doses of pain relivers

In addition, if your baby or toddler uses a pacifier, purchase a  washable pacifier clip  before road tripping.

This will save you from having to strain to reach the pacifier should it fall from their mouth.

Next, if you happen to be taking a road trip during the process of potty training your toddler, the most essential item to bring along is a  portable potty chair .

Select a travel potty chair that takes up minimal space and has an inner container that is easy to empty and clean.

Last, road trip snacks for toddlers have to be easily portable, not too messy, not too crumbly, and somewhat healthy in order to prevent sugar overload.

Be sure to pack dried cereal or crackers in  spill-free snack cups .

Likewise, store all liquids in a  spill-free sippy cup .

Food & Drink Packing Lists for Road Trips

A good amount of time and effort should be spent planning the food and meal components of your family road trip packing list.

Bringing along the best road trip snacks and meals serves many important purposes in ensuring a more seamless road trip.

Not only do road trip foods help fight boredom, but they cut down on the cost associated with buying food at gas stations or somewhere else on the road.

Likewise, portable meals prevent prolonged pit-stops for dining and help you avoid the not-as-healthy fast-food trap.

Additional planning tip: When creating your road trip list, be sure to plan for the expected mess or accidental spill that is bound to happen when eating with kids in an unconventional space.

• A large cooler and ice
• Reusable water bottles
• Paper towels or napkins for spills
• Hand sanitizer
• Ziplock bags
• Our favorite homeade snack mixes
• Non-sticky, mess-free snacks and treats in individually portioned bags like dried fruit, granola bars, beef jerky, string cheese, crackers, and veggies. Organize the snacks into 2 bins (as pictured above) , one for the way ‘there’, and one for the way ‘back’.

Bonus! Click here for your very own printable Road Trip Food Checklist pdf that includes the best on-the-go road trip snack and meal ideas!

Tips for Traveling with Food

1. Use up your most delicate fruit first when going on a road trip.

In other words, start by eating bananas and berries, then move on to more sturdy products such as apples and oranges that don’t spoil as easily.

2. When it comes to road trip food, tortillas, pitas, or other sturdy flatbreads work better to bring along than do loaves of bread. They take up a lot less room and do not risk getting smashed.

3. When packing a cooler with items that need to stay chilled, be sure to lay the ice on the top, versus the bottom of the cooler.

This is because cold air sinks and will, therefore, disperse itself more evenly if laid on top of the food.

4. Aim to open the cooler only 1 or 2 times a day in order to maintain its refrigeration and keep the ice from thawing.

5. Also, make all food, including snacks, easily accessible throughout the duration of your family road trip.

This prevents someone (likely mom or dad!) from having to constantly bend over the back seat or stop to open the trunk every time hunger or boredom hits.

6. Avoid bringing anything made of glass on your road trip, including glass food containers. Glass is heavy, bulky, and very dangerous when broken within the confines of your family vehicle.

7. Assemble and bring along a road trip kit with the following road trip essentials for spills, clean-ups, and car sickness:

• Anti-bacterial wipes
• Garbage bags
• Napkins/paper towels
• Saltine crackers and  motion sickness medicine

8. Each time you stop while on a road trip, don’t forget to pitch any garbage that has accumulated.

This prevents build-up and smelliness.

Fun Things to Pack For A Road Trip

The best way to happily survive long drives is to pack entertainment items such as road trip games and activities that are kept within easy reach.

Depending on the ages of your kids, the activities to bring on a road trip will vary, which is why we’ve dedicated an entire article to road trip activities for toddlers !

Perhaps our best tip for children of all ages, however, is to assemble road trip goodie bags filled with age-appropriate trinkets and treats to surprise them.

A great option is to give them a new goodie bag every hour to keep their anticipation and curiosity high.

*Get our complete guide on how to make road trip goodie bags here!

Also, bring:

• Audiobooks and podcasts
• A music playlist
• Tablet/electronic device
• DVD player and DVDs
• Kid-size Bluetooth headphones
• Favorite stuffed animal
• Hand-held toys that don’t have small parts
• Car-friendly activity and coloring books
• Crayons, pencils, and pens

Additional Road Trip Games

Along with books, electronics, and our infamous road trip goody bags, our family loves to play good old’ fashioned word games while cruising the countryside.

The best word games to play in the car with kids have flexible playing rules and can be played by all ages.

Likewise, they are meant to be more of a time-filler versus an actual competition in order to keep things fun and lighthearted (which will keep the bickering at bay!).

If you are into keeping points, however, all of these word games to play in the car can be adapted to have a winner and loser.

Check out our article on our favorite Road Trip Word Games that include detailed instructions for these classics:

• The Alphabet Game
• Going on a Bear Hunt
• Think Fast!
• Would You Rather?
• Car Spotting
• Name That Tune
• 20 Questions
• Celebrity Name Game
• The License Plate Game

Miscellaneous Road Trip Items

There are many other important things to bring on a road trip that should be included on your road trip packing list.

Consider the weather, where you are going, what you will be doing, and how much space you have in your vehicle.

After all, with the limited space offered by a family vehicle, packing for a family road trip can be a daunting task.

Remember, the key is to pack just enough, but not too much, while still remembering all of the essential road trip items listed above.

Miscellaneous road trip packing list items may include:

• Destination specific items (i.e. items from our family camping checklist and additional things to bring to the beach )
• Pet supplies (kennel, food, leash)
• An umbrella
• Window shades
• Travel binoculars (especially if road tripping through National Parks!)
• A Ball or frisbee
• Duct tape (it fixes everything, right?)
• Swiss army knife
• Folding chairs

Winter Driving Items

As mentioned, though we have an entire article dedicated to our winter driving checklist, key items include:

• De-icer windshield washer fluid  and  aerosol windshield de-icer
• A snowbrush and ice-scraper due
• Car battery booster pack
• A  folding emergency snow shovel and traction mats
• Fuel line antifreeze
• A waterproof blanket
• Jacket, hat, mittens, and snow boots
• Extra food and water

1 Week Road Trip Packing List

Planning ahead is especially important for long road trips.

If you’re going on a cross-country road trip, or plan to be on the road for a week or more, you’ll still need to account for the size of your vehicle when deciding just how much you can bring along.

In addition, if you don’t plan to stay in a hotel room along the way, you’ll need to account for car camping or camper van supplies.

Car camping supplies include:

• A tent (Did you know that they make tents that actually connect to your personal vehicle?)
• Sleeping bag
• An eye mask to block out light
• Sleeping pads or a light air-mattress
• A reliable cooler that keeps food cold longer

Keep in mind that you can usually park overnight at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Home Depot, Camping World, and a few other big box stores.

Rest stops are a good choice too.

RV and Camper Van Supplies include:

• Bedding, blankets, pillow
• Hanging toiletry bag
• Eyemask and ear plugs
• Hanging storage
• Bag for dirty clothes
• Portable fan
• Deck of cards

Long Road Trip Planning Tips

It is essential to have a detailed itinerary for long road trips, but don’t overload your timetable with too many activities so that you feel rushed.

Keep a flexible schedule so you can stop wherever you want, and still have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.

For more scenic routes, try traveling on backroads instead of the highway.

If you love natural beauty, this is the perfect road trip for you.

Next, for road trips lasting longer than 1 day, it is extremely important to have a fully-charged Smartphone in your car, as well as a backup paper atlas or paper map.

Use your Smartphone to check the weather condition as well as to navigate and avoid road accidents and closures. You can also use your Smartphone to find local businesses and restaurants or to book a hotel room mid-route.

After all, having a great night’s sleep is another essential long road trip tip.

A minimum of four hours of sleep is needed to avoid drowsy driving, and a full eight hours or more is recommended.

Depending on the length of your trip, if you’re unsure about the amount of sleep you’ll need, you can delay your journey.

If you’re not sleeping well, consider waiting until the morning before you start the trip.

Finally, when driving long distances, find a single place to stop at every 100 miles or two hours. You can use apps to find the best gas station, eat a meal, and take a break.

Road Trip Packing List Printable

In conclusion, before you start packing for your road trip, consider the weather and how long the journey will take.

Perform an inspection and maintenance check of your vehicle and put safety at the forefront of your mind.

Once your vehicle is fully loaded with all of your gear, be sure that you have full visibility out of your mirrors and through the rear window.

In other words, don’t stack things too high, and don’t pack so much that your view is obstructed.

Last, if you’re on a true road trip, you shouldn’t be in too much of a hurry to get from Point A to Point B.

Slow down and prevent yourself from becoming distracted while driving by silencing your phone and by driving with 2 hands on the wheel.

Along with food, water, snacks, and a phone charger, our other road trip essentials are found here!

Do you have a favorite road trip in mind? Likewise, can think of any additional items to add to this road trip packing list? Please leave a comment below so that we can be sure to add them! Jen

If you enjoyed our Family Road Trip Packing List , click here to check out our related posts:

• Top 10 Tips for Planning a Family Road Trip (And Enjoying it Too!)
• 18 Amazing “Are We There Yet” Road Trip Activity Bags
• Best Road Trip Activities for Toddlers to Keep Them Entertained
• Road Trip Food List: Best Meals and Snacks When on the Road
• Top 16 Tips for Flying With Kids & Ways to Keep them Calm

*Before leaving, be sure to check our  Travel Resources Page  to find our exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

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14 Comments

This list is quite helpful. This will undoubtedly be helpful because we have more summer road excursions planned around Europe. In addition, I’ve read a blog ,that features posts regarding travel tips.

Thank you! I hope that you are able to put this helpful list to use with your upcoming road trips!

This is such a great family road trip packing list! We’ve forgotten a spare set of keys before and this is a great reminder!

Thanks for reading! My husband is the one who is always very conscious about bringing the spare keys 🙂 Losing keys would put a huge damper on any family road trip 🙂

This is such a useful list. We’re planning more road trips around Europe for Summer so this will surely come in handy.

Awesome! Road trips around Europe….that sounds so amazing! Happy and safe travels to you!

What a great checklist! I’m always forgetting things whenever we go on road trips.

Astrid, thanks for reading! I’m glad that this road trip checklist will come in handy for you!!

We sure do love a road trip!! And this is a fantastic resource! Very thorough and helpful- thanks Jen!!

You’re welcome! I know that you are a fan of packing lists too – they are so helpful!

I am literally sitting here taking notes- had to add meds to my list, dramamine for my son and advil for all just in case. For summer 2020, add face masks to the list. I bought a box of disposable ones to keep in the car just in case (we have resusable ones otherwise)

Ooo….having a box of disposable masks on hand is a GREAT idea! I am going to have to remember that when we take our road trip in July not knowing what places will still be recommending vs. requiring masks then. THANKS for the tip!

This is such a comprehensive list. We never go on a road trip without snacks and water! Plus wet wipes and good playlists and audio books are a must too.

Thanks for reading Debbie! I remember when our kids were younger and their hands would get messy from food and snacks in the car – Wet Wipes really came in handy then 🙂

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The Ultimate Family Road Trip Packing List with FREE Printable!

A family road trip can be an incredibly fun way to not only reach your destination, but have the opportunity to explore multiple spots along the way. The key to a successful road trip with kids is organization . Being prepared is the number 1 most important aspect of any road trip, but especially one with kids. Below, we’ve provided the ultimate family road trip packing list, for free!

Whether you’re planning on a quick couple-hour drive to visit family, a day long drive to a sunny beach location , a multi-day trek across the country , or absolutely anything in between, you are going to want to be prepared.

We’ve taken our two kids (ages 11 and 4) on many road trips over the years. We’ve gone from our home in Boston to all the neighboring states for camping trips, visits with friends, day trips, and more. We have taken them for weekend trips from Boston to Pennsylvania to see Philadelphia and visit Hershey Park and Sesame Place, to see the cherry blossoms in Washington D.C , up to Canada for one day in Niagara Falls , and we’ve even taken them all the way down to Orlando for a wonderful Christmas holiday in Disney World.

Suffice it to say, we are pros at family road trips and have all the family road trip hacks you’ll need! If you happen to be taking this road trip during the Thanksgiving season, be sure to check out our top tips on stress free Thanksgiving travel .

Read on for our comprehensive packing list for family road trips. We’ve included a free printable family road trip packing list for your convenience!

Know The Necessities

So how do you get started packing for a family road trip? First and foremost, know your audience. Which should be easy enough if you’re the parents- no one knows your kids better than you!

Start thinking about the things your kids use every day. They might have certain toy preferences, perhaps they need a special blanket or stuffed animal, maybe they have a favorite pair of PJs. Bring those!

When our daughter was little, she couldn’t go ANYWHERE without her little lovey, “Susie”. The disaster that would ensue if we dared leave the house without “Susie” was enough to make sure we never left it behind. We even went so far as to buy a spare “Susie” just in case it was ever lost. Which actually happened when we were in Alaska. Let me tell you, we learned our lesson then, and always kept a spare!

If they use it every day, or it is a comfort item for them, make sure you have it.

Comfort Is Key

Speaking of comfort items, you are going to want to make the car itself as comfortable as possible. Pillows, blankets, and comfy clothes are essential. A sleeping mask is great to block out the sun or streetlights.

You also will want flip flops or some other easy on/off pair of shoes for bathroom and snack stops. You don’t want the hassle of dealing with socks and lace-up shoes every time your kids need to go in and out of the car!

A comfortable car means your kids (and you!) will be more likely to sleep. We personally like to start our long road trips in the dead of night. This allows us to get a head start on the miles, and if the kids sleep in comfort through the night it means less cranky kids in the morning.

Just Here For The Snacks

I cannot, I repeat, I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH the importance of snacks!! We all know someone who gets hangry if they haven’t eaten in a while. Nobody wants to deal with that in an enclosed space.

The thing is, crackers and chips aren’t going to cut it. You need nutrient-dense, protein-packed foods to make it work.

Pack a cooler with deli meat rollups, fresh fruit, cheese, veggie slices, hard-boiled eggs, sandwiches, etc. Beef jerky and protein bars are great snacks too. Our son loves peanut butter, so we usually have the little to-go packs of Jif on hand.

I’m not saying don’t bring crackers and chips and stuff, just don’t only rely on those things to keep the hanger at bay.

Make sure you also have some caffeine for the adults. On our road trips we try to switch off between the two of us, alternating between driving and napping. It doesn’t always work out that way, so make sure to keep some form of caffeinated beverage in the car.

Overnight Bag

Depending on the length and details of your road trip, you may wind up staying in a hotel before you reach your final destination. Or maybe the journey IS your destination!

Either way, you don’t want to have to drag all of your luggage in and out of every hotel, every time you need to spend the night. So pack one smaller bag separately, with a change of clothes, toiletries, and a swimsuit just in case, for everyone. That way you only have to bring one bag in and out with you when you stop for the night.

Keep It Fun

Now let’s talk entertainment. It can be tricky to keep kids occupied on long car rides. And adults too for that matter. So our solution to this is multi-faceted.

First off, on a road trip with kids, everyone gets their own backpack filled with books, toys, word game puzzles, coloring books, crayons, notebooks, etc. Whatever age-appropriate things each person needs.

Secondly, we always play car games like I Spy, the License Plate game, Categories, I’m Thinking Of, etc. We always start off the trip by predicting how many big trucks we can get to honk at us with an arm pump, and then we all have a blast pumping our arms at the truckers hoping they’ll see.

It’s also a good idea to listen to a fun audio book too. Harry Potter is always a favorite.

Our 11 year old daughter packs her own bag and she usually puts a couple chapter books, a notebook for drawing or writing, her iPad and phone with chargers, headphones, some fidget toys, a stuffed animal, and a puzzle book. If she’s going to be missing school then we’ll have her bring some schoolwork too.

Our 4 year old son has his backpack filled with the toys he had been using the most lately. Usually for him that’s some Disney character figurines or monster trucks. He also gets a few books, a coloring book with a little box of crayons, and a few smaller toys that he likes to steal from his sister. We add those as a wow factor for him and it seems to keep him occupied for longer. “Wow you get to play with your sister’s toys, aren’t you so lucky she’s letting you do that! So cool!” Fortunately, big sister plays along by selecting the toys he can borrow and it works out great for everyone.

We also download content for ourselves and the kids on Netflix and Disney+. They can watch a show or movie together, or separately if that’s what they want.

Flexibility Is Not Just For Yoga

Perhaps the biggest key to a stress-free successful road trip with kids is staying flexible. This means you don’t rigidly adhere to your pre-planned itinerary, but instead keep a more go-with-the-flow sort of attitude. By all means, have a plan. But keep it general.

For example, last Christmas we took the kids from Boston to Disney World. We knew we had resort reservations starting on a specific day, and park tickets for specific days. We knew we had to be back in Boston by a specific day. So with our timeline in mind we set out on our road trip.

We decided to leave at a time of night that would enable us to make a leisurely stop to eat breakfast and see the Statue of Liberty. We all got to take a nice walk and get some fresh air before we continued down the coast. Later on in the afternoon, the kids were getting antsy so we pulled off the highway and found a playground nearby. Everyone got out some pent up energy, and we continued on our way.

By being flexible on our road trip, we were able to attend to the physical needs of everyone and avoid meltdowns from being cooped up for too long.

Although the game plan is to alternate sleeping and driving between the two of us adults, it doesn’t always happen that way. On our road trip down to Disney, by night time we were both tired and figured we could all use a bed to sleep in. So I simply searched for hotels in the area and booked one on the go.

Instead of being stressed that we HAD to get to a specific hotel by a certain time (what if there was traffic, or an accident, or construction? Or what if we made better time than we assumed, and could get further down the coast than we thought?), by being flexible in our arrangements, we took the stress out of the trip and were able to get exactly what we needed, when we needed it.

Family Road Trip Packing List

So without further ado, here is our family road trip packing list. This list is going to cover the things you need specifically for a family road trip. These will be in addition to whatever items you may need for your particular vacation’s destination.

Car Necessities

Most of these generally will already be in your car, but it’s a good idea to double check them anyway! Also, double check that your oil change and other maintenance items are sufficient to make it through your trip.

• Driver’s licenses
• Car registration
• Spare tire, jack, tools
• Jumper cables
• Owner’s manual
• Cleaning wipes (both disinfecting wipes and baby wipes)
• Paper towels
• Freezer bags (in case of food leftovers or car sickness)
• First aid kit
• Toilet paper

Comfort Items

Remember, comfort is key. If it’s going to make the trip run smoother, bring it!

• Special stuffed animal or blanket
• Sleep masks

Use this list as a guide as you plan the foods that will fit your family best. Remember, protein is key!

• Cheese sticks
• Veggie sticks
• Fresh fruits
• Protein bars
• Granola bars
• Squeeze pouches
• Peanut butter to-go
• Hard boiled eggs
• Individual salads
• Soda, iced coffee, or energy drinks

In this bag have one set for each person, as needed.

• Complete outfit
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Any eye needs – glasses, contacts, contact case and solution
• Makeup/cosmetics bag
• Cell phone charger
• Perfume/Cologne
• Shampoo/Conditioner

Personal Bags

Each person gets a bag customized to their individual needs.

• Coloring book and crayons
• iPad and charger
• Cell phone and charger
• Activity or puzzle book

Medications/First Aid

Bring both adult and children’s formulations of medications whenever possible.

• Tylenol/ibuprofen
• Cold medicine
• Allergy medicine
• Any prescriptions
• Bandaids in various sizes

For Road Trips With Babies

Definitely make sure you have a little more than what you think you’ll need.

• A couple changes of clothes
• Diaper rash cream
• Changing pad
• Video camera
• Playing cards
• Travel games
• Tablet/laptop with downloaded content

So there you have it! With this family road trip packing list, you should be well prepared for your family road trip. Go enjoy the ride, make some memories, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss out on helpful travel tips and tricks!

Hi there! My name is Rachel, and I'm a travel enthusiast, writer, and lifelong learner. With over 16 years of marriage and two amazing kids, I've learned that traveling is one of the best ways to bond and create lasting memories with loved ones. I'll share everything I learn, from tips and tricks to specific product and business reviews, so you can make memories around the world too!

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Ultimate Road Trip Packing List: 60+ Essentials (With a Free Checklist)

In this Article

Nothing says family vacation in the US quite like a road trip. They are an affordable way for American families to transport 3.1 children to the beach, the mountains, or Grandma’s house. So it’s no surprise that nearly 70% of all American family vacations are road trips.

But packing for a road trip can be overwhelming, especially when you are packing for kids and pets in addition to yourself. whether you plan to drive from coast to coast or travel just a few hours to visit family, this road trip packing list will help ensure you don’t forget any of the essentials..

When “ The Bigs ” (my three oldest kids) were little, it was easy for the four of us to pile into the car and take off on a two-week-long road trip at least once a year. We called it our “big adventure,” and we tackled one unanimously selected region of the US at a time.

From Mount Rushmore to the American Southwest to the Land of Lincoln to driving the Pacific Coast Highway, it was nothing but us, the big open road, and an unquenchable sense of adventure.

With The Bigs off at college, road trips today are limited to just Louise (currently 14) and me. While the car is a lot emptier (and quieter) than in years past, our road trip essentials checklist remains constant.

Road Trip Packing List

Put packing for your road trip on auto-pilot with this free packing list.

Please check your email for your copy of the ultimate road trip packing list. 

Do You Love to Road Trip?

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To help offset the costs of running EverydayWanderer.com, you’ll find affiliate links lightly sprinkled throughout the site.   If you choose to make a purchase via   one of these links , there’s no additional cost to you, but I’ll earn a teeny tiny commission.   You can read all of the legal blah blah blah (as my little niece says) on the   full disclosure page .

Road Trip Packing List for the Journey

Sage Advice:  If you’re driving a long distance on your road trip, be sure to check out these helpful tips .

Paper Map  – Half the fun of a road trip vacation is all the memories you make along the way. So ensure things go smoothly on the road less traveled even if your digital maps stop working or are out of cell/satellite range. Download your route from Google, pack an atlas , or buy a map for the destinations you’ll be visiting.

Sage Advice:  If you are a AAA member, be sure to take full advantage of the free maps and travel guides that come with your annual membership when packing for a road trip.

Cash and Coins  – While more and more toll roads and parking meters offer a credit card or digital payment option, some places still require old-school cash and coins .  

Notebook and Pen or Pencil  – Whether you want to keep a travel journal or need to exchange insurance information with another driver, toss these pre-Internet communication devices in the glove box so you have them if you need them.P

Trash Bags  – Whether you stash a few plastic grocery store bags or bring a small roll from home, these come in handy for storing everything from wet clothes to, um, trash.

Reusable Shopping Bag  – Great for toting snacks from the car to a picnic table during a pit stop or carting  a few souvenirs to the car.

Flashlight and/or Lantern – Even if your roadside emergency kit contains a flashlight, it’s always a good idea to store at least one more. I keep a  small flashlight  stashed in the glove compartment and at least one  camping lantern-style flashlight in the trunk.

I also pack my BioLite Alpenglow lantern . About the size of a coffee cup, this lightweight portable lantern has been a life saver when the power has gone out in my hotel room. It’s also been a comforting nightlight for my daughter.

Headlamp  – One of my best tips I can share is to pack a few headlamp lights on your road trip. From unloading the car after arriving at your destination after the sun goes down to making s’mores over a campfire, it provides hands free illumination like no flashlight or lantern can.

Sage Advice:   Don’t forget to pack enough AA, AAA, and other batteries needed to power your flashlights and other electronics for the duration of your road trip.

Road Trip Packing List for Your Passengers

Emergency Contact Information – Nothing on this comprehensive list is more important than the passengers who travel with you. I believe that preparing for the worst means that everything will go smoothly. So print out emergency contact information for your parents, siblings, or whoever else you’d want contacted if something horrible were to happen on your journey.

First Aid Kit  – Similar to the roadside emergency kit for your car, this kit is for the people and pets along for the ride. I like  this first aid kit  because it’s fully stocked and in a hard plastic (rather than soft-sided) case. But you can easily make your own first aid kit by filling any container with bandages, pain reliever, burn cream, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, a thermometer, a pair of safety scissors, antacid tablets, and antihistamine. I also keep motion sickness pills in my first aid kit, because my daughter Charlotte tends to throw up at least once every road trip.

Yucky Bucket  – Charlotte, the one who always gets car sick, is now a freshman in college. But we still plan for her to have motion sickness when we travel. (And, yes, we still call it a “yucky bucket” from when she was a toddler.)

Most Essential of Oils  – Because they help clean cuts, heal burns, and keep seasonal allergies at bay, I never travel without  these three essential oils .

Bug Spray and Sunscreen  – Keep your passengers (and their fearless driver) free of bug bites and sunburn during your road trip.

Sunglasses and Hat  – Keep the sun further at bay with these road trip essentials.

Umbrella and Rain Ponchos  – From a spring shower in the  Arizona desert  to a torrential downpour in the Midwest, it’s hard to know what Mother Nature has planned every day of your journey. And without these road trip essentials, it can be a chilly and uncomfortable ride until you can properly dry off.

Blankets and Pillows  – Since I’m always the one behind the wheel, I forget about these road trip necessities. But my kids don’t. I can always count on them to have a full-sized pillow and comfy blanket with them in the car.

Sage Advice:   Get more into each passenger’s suitcase by using  compression packing cubes .

Related Article:    14 Super Easy Ways to Avoid Getting Sick While Traveling

Road trip essentials for four-legged friends.

Spoil your fur baby with treats, toy, and more from

If at least one of your road trip companions is a furry, four-legged friend, then don’t forget to pack:

• A leash, collar, and name tag with your contact information
• Vaccination records, especially proof of a rabies shot
• Pet food and bowls
• Bed or crate
• Seat Belt Harness

Sage Advice:  If you plan on traveling with your dog, be sure to check out this petiquette guide. It details  dog etiquette rules for traveling  with your four-legged best friend to ensure a “pawsitive” experience for all.

Road Trip Packing List for Your Entertainment

Phone Chargers and Car Adapters  – From navigating your journey to capturing photo memories along the way, you need your phone to be fully charged and ready to work hard for you. One of the ways your phone can work hard for you is by leveraging these  road trip planner apps .

External Battery  – What I like most about  this power bank  is that two road trippers can quickly recharge at once.

Road Trip Playlist  – From Katy Perry’s  California Gurls  to Taylor Swift’s  Welcome to New York  and from Blake Shelton ’s  Sunny in Seattle  to Will Smith’s  Miami , the right tunes can help the miles fly by fast.

Tablets Loaded with Movies and Games  – Before you hit the highway, be sure your  Netflix shows and movies are fully downloaded and your digital games are ready for the road. (My current Netflix addiction is  Schitt’s Creek , so…)

Sage Advice:   To help everyone enjoy the movie, music, or game of his or her choice without 100 decibels of distraction circling the driver, be sure to pack a set of headphones for each passenger.

Audio Books  – These digital discoveries are the best thing to happen to road trips since cruise control. No matter who is riding shotgun, there will be a point in your road trip when you need a break from each other. (When I traveled with my teenage daughters, that moment often arrived at the end of our driveway.) Nothing makes endless miles of open road move  faster than an audio book !

When the kids were younger, we loved listening to the adventures of the Cahill family in  The 39 Clues  series together. Now that it’s usually just Louise and me in the car, we both disappear into our own stories via our phones. See, another reason you want to keep your phone charged!

Sage Advice: Here are 20+ of the best audiobooks for family road trips .

Games  – If you want to digitally disconnect, but you’re not up for a rousing chorus of  100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall , then be sure to plan or pack road trip games. If there were an Olympic event for license plate bingo , I’d have a gold medal. At least that’s what I always tell my kids. (And, yes, they usually roll their eyes, just like you’d expect.)

Sage Advice:   Spot the state and color the plate with this  free license plate bingo download .  

For a more traditional game that isn’t too tough to play in a moving vehicle, we love the  Five Second Rule Game . I picked it up for a road trip with my sister and nieces, and it’s harder than you think to come up with three related items in five seconds or less!

Road Trip Packing List for Your Belly

Drinks and Containers  – From a  reusable water bottle  to a travel coffee mug, be sure you are prepared to stay hydrated (and caffeinated) on your journey.

Collapsible Car Cooler  – We keep everything from drinks to snacks to my son’s medication in a collapsible cooler that fits easily around us in the car on road trips.

Food and Snacks  – In the cooler, we pack cut vegetables (like celery and carrot sticks), hard-boiled eggs, and yogurt. Our favorite snacks that don’t have to stay chilled include nuts (like almonds and cashews), apples, bananas, peanut butter (to eat with the celery or fruit), and granola bars.

Related Article: My Favorite (Mostly Healthy) Road Trip Snacks

Sage Advice:   Don’t forget to pack a small paring knife to slice apples, share something with a road trip companion, or open tricky packaging. It’s also a good idea to tuck some paper plates, napkins, and a tablecloth in your vehicle for tailgate and picnic table snack breaks.

Related Article:    8 Ways to Eat Healthy While Traveling

Road trip essentials for winter travel.

While the majority of Americans embark on road trips between Memorial Day and Labor Day when kids are out of school for the summer, there are plenty of road trips tied to Thanksgiving, winter holidays, and the ski slopes. If you’re traveling  during the winter months , be sure to add winter travel necessities to your road trip packing list. Don’t forget tire chains, a small bag of sand or kitty litter, extra blankets, and  warming packs .

Related Article: Winter Road Trip Essentials

What’s on your packing list for road trips.

Do you like to road trip? Is there anything you’d add to this comprehensive list? Share your advice in the comments section below.

Ready to Go? Use These Helpful Links to Book Your Trip!

• Find low fares with  airfarewatchdog and Skyscanner
• Book your plane ticket with   Expedia or Kayak
• Or take the scenic route on an epic road trip in a rental car or an RV from Outdoorsy
• From hotels to private homes, find the perfect accommodation with Hotels.com or Vrbo  
• Travel in style with a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, or handbag from eBags
• Save on tickets to attractions, sightseeing tours, and more with CityPASS , Tiqets , and Viator
• Don’t leave home without travel insurance from AXA
• Discover the sights, history, and culture of your destination with an interactive scavenger hunt
• Need something else to plan your perfect trip? Visit my travel resources page for more trusted partners. Happy wandering!

Thank you for sharing!

24 thoughts on “Ultimate Road Trip Packing List: 60+ Essentials (With a Free Checklist)”

I can tell these are mom tested and approved. 🙂 I love it. I especially love the practical tips, like an extra set of car keys…so important!

Was it the yucky bucket that gave it away? 🙂

Great advice you cover it all. My favorite is your Sage advice! Very clever.

Thanks so much! (I am pretty proud of my “Sage advice” concept!) 🙂

What a great packing list. Sounds like you are definitely the voice of experience here. I love that you included and linked to your own recipe for hand sanitizer. Happy Trails to you and yours!

Thanks! I love that hand sanitizer recipe!

I love the audiobooks part! A definite necessity since you can’t rely on the radio!

Right?!? The miles just fly by with a good audiobook!

Great list and I appreciate that you included road trip essentials for your car on the list. Sometimes people forget that their car should be included on their check list and packing list for their car to ensure a smooth road trip. Keeping things on the list will allow us to handle the situation better on the road. Another thing that I do for my car before a road trip is by bringing it to my trusted car shop to have it checked for possible repair and maintenance. Doing this will lessen the chances of experiencing an unexpected car breakdown while having a road trip. Also, it will give us peace of mind knowing that our vehicle is in good condition. A few days ago, I also found a similar blog post but this is focus on car’s checking before hitting the road. You might want to check it, here’s the link: https://blog.beepbeep.ph/road-trip-essentials/

What a great travel list! A couple of things I would add for the pup’s list…a harness for extra safety when traveling as some dogs may slip their collars. It is also a good idea to hook them into the seat belt on the back of their harness rather than their collar for neck protection. If you are hiking or doing outside activities in hotter weather, you may want to consider paw protection for your pup. We like MuttLuks, but now there are many boots on the market to choose from. (Something to consider for ice and snow also).

These are great additions to the pet list! I wish I’d known about MuttLuks when my old golden, Kavanaugh, climbed A Mountain in Las Cruces with us a few years back. My poor boy got a cactus needle stuck in his paw. Poor thing!

This surely seems like an extensive list! I always have so much problem packing and always end up forgetting one thing or the other. I feel having a list will definitely be helpful.

Checklists work like a charm for this momma! 🙂

Great list! I’d love to do a long road trip in the near future, so I’ll keep these things in mind!

You KNOW I love my road trips, and this is a fantastic list! I also pack a bucket of homemade trail mix with a few individual-sized containers that we can refill. I also put the grocery bag in a plastic container (cereal or pet food) to keep it from getting trampled on and spilling. Now excuse me while I go plan another adventure.

Outstanding additions to the list from the Road Trippin’ Queen! 🙂

I love roadtrips, especially when I am not the one driving, tee-hee 🙂 Great tips, and if you have roadtrip tips for pre-ados, pretty please make a post about it. My two pre-ados are by far the hardest passengers to entertain XD

How old are your kiddos?

I LOVE road trips, every year my husband and I are sure to take at least one! Now that we have a little one on the way, I’m so glad that I read your post! I’m the person who never forgets a single snack, but definitely forgets all of the essentials. I am especially never prepared for snow. So, the idea of the ice scraper is a must. I should probably always just leave it in my car so I never have to think about it! I like the idea of doing a two week trip to one region of the US. The Southwest is high on my list! Thanks for sharing!

Congrats on your little one on the way! I highly recommend a road trip in the Southwest in the spring. Absolutely gorgeous! Maybe you can sneak one in as a “babymoon” before your wee one arrives?

I love roadtrips and have enjoyed a few in the USA, it’s such a GREAT country to self-drive, with wide open roads, not too much traffic once you’re out of the big cities, and the most wonderful vistas and natural landscapes. We’ve also found some amazing places to stay and eaten well too. The first time I visited was with my parents, and the packing was a big deal, for sure, your list is going to be a huge help for first timers. We definitely missed some things out but of course, we could find and buy them from local stores once we landed.

I’m always exited to find a fellow road tripper. Yes, our roads (and vehicles) are way wider (and bigger) than what I experience in Europe. That’s for sure! 🙂

Food is definitely a priority for us! And entertainment gadgets! These are great checklists for people!

I have a soft spot for fellow travelers who make food a top priority! 🙂

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travel with kids, one small step at a time...

Family Road Trip Packing List

Are you getting ready for a family road trip? Packing list, here we come! Because when you’re traveling with a family, you need to take ALL the stuff. Amiright?

The best way to keep track of all the gear you need for your road trip, is with a packing list. So here is a downloadable packing list for your family road trip.

Click through for the list, and notes on the most useful items for a road trip with kids!

This post may contain affiliate links . Thank you for supporting our work.

Skip ahead!

Making a Family Road Trip Packing List

When traveling with kids, it is so much easier to do some planning for your road trip ahead of time. To minimize stress about forgetting items, put together a checklist for your road trip!

A road trip with kids can be such an adventure (as we well know>>>see NYC to TX road trip )! But kids need so much “stuff”. Or rather having the right gear makes traveling as a family so much easier.

Whether you are minimalists or maximalists, getting the list of items you need out of your head and onto paper (or a device) is one of my top tips for preparing to travel with kids .

Family Road Trip Checklist + Road Trip Printable

Here is the complete list of items we are taking on our family worldschooling road trip! I have everything in a checklist form, or click on the image below to be taken to a pdf of our family road trip packing list printable.

As we’ve now been on the road for over a month, I have added notes on the items that have been most helpful, and those that are just nice to have.

Road Trip Packing Basics (Clothes, Shoes, Toiletries Etc)

Clothes and shoes.

For a road trip we recommend 1-2 weeks worth of clothes. Adjust according to your destination and expected weather or dressing needs.

For example, we each have a week of casual summer clothes, but also a small selection of long sleeves for our time up in the mountains, and beachwear for when we get down to the beach.

Could we get by with less? Yes, but it is easier to have at least a full week’s worth to not worry about having to do laundry more than once a week.

Each kids has one pair of barefoot shoes , and one pair of sandals. Our daughter has a couple extra pairs since that makes her happy.

Here’s our list:

• 7-10 t-shirts
• 7-10 shorts / skirts
• 2 long sleeve shirts
• 2 long pants
• 4-5 dresses (for the ladies)
• 1-2 dress shirts (for the men)
• 7-14 underwear
• 5-10 pajamas
• 1 light sweater
• 1 fleece jacket
• 1 rain coat
• sandals/flip-flops

You can get by with pretty minimal toiletries if you are ok with using those provided by hotels and vacation rentals. But if you have brand preferences, bring your own!

Also, do bring at least one bar of soap with you! We have arrived at airbnbs that haven’t had any soap at all! Having one bar to wash your hands until you can get more will go a long way.

Same note on toilet paper: Have one roll with you at all times, because you never know when you will arrive in a place that decided to be stingy on the TP. Also super helpful for roadside stops and gas station restrooms.

Here’s what we brought:

• Dr. Bronners liquid soap
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Hair brush/ hair ties, bows etc
• Toothbrushes
• Hand sanitizer (we keep it in the car)
• Contacts/glasses
• First Aid Kit

Beach items

If you’re heading to the beach, add these to your list. We like to keep all of our beach stuff together so that it’s easy to find when we need it.

• Bathing suit/ rash guard
• Swim diaper, if you have a baby
• Goggles, 1 per person
• Thin microfiber towels (just good to have in general)
• Floaties, if you have little ones that can’t swim yet
• A wetbag (to store wet bathing suits in transit)

If you’re traveling with a little one, consider some or all of these items. Our 1 year old has been sleeping in our pack n play and it’s so nice that he always know what to expect and feels safe in his own bed!

• PacknPlay or Travel Crib + sheets
• Hiking carrier
• ( Cloth diapers , if you’ll be in a place you can wash.)

Cold Weather Gear

We didn’t bring any of these items, since our road trip is in the summer time, but if you will be traveling long term, consider adding these.

• Warm jacket

Road Trip Electronics (for the Digital Nomad)

Having all of our electronics with us is essential. We couldn’t work without laptops, phones and charging cables. But what has surprisingly been really nice to have is our Roku! We connect it to the tv, and have access to our US based subscriptions.

To make sure it works well, it is best to use a VPN which blocks your actual location and replaces it with your desired location. This way you can see content that is unavailable in your geographic location.

A flashlight is surprisingly handy and you never know when you’re going to need it. Like digging through the car in a dark garage, or looking to see if a water tank is filling. Adventures on the road!

Here’s our list of road trip electronics and photography equipment:

• Laptops + chargers
• Laptop accessories: SD card slots, adaptors etc
• Hard drives
• Phones + chargers
• Power banks
• Headphones (1 per person, essential!)
• Camera + charger
• extra SD cards
• Camera remote
• Tablets for kids (optional but useful for travel times)
• Roku + remote
• Headlamp and/or flashlight
• Dash Camera (optional)
• Car battery booster

Kids Packing List

Depending on the length of your road trip, you may or may not need to bring some activities for the kids. On a short trip I would bring close to nothing, but for an extended trip like ours, it’s been nice to have things to do “at home”, during rain or quiet time.

Here are the kid specific items we are including in our kids’ packing lists. We have had some input from the older kids, and sorted through to find our favorite games for each age. When we make our packing list for kids, we prioritize toys that are small and/or are good for open ended play.

Even though these are in the kids category, some of the most fun things to bring on a road trip are card games, for enjoying in the evenings after a long day on the road. Here are the toys we are bringing for four kids ages 1-10.

• Legos (age 5+) – I always suggest buying directly from Lego.com because you can get small bonus sets for free with your order. We brought one quart ziplock full and it has been the perfect amount.
• Sushi Go! (age 4+)
• Taki (or Uno )- we love Taki more!
• Rat a Tat Cat
• Spot it – lots of versions, choose your favorite
• Dolls and stuffies (just a few small favorites)
• Cars (age 1+) – small matchbox cars or pull back cars are favorites for all ages from toddler up to tween.
• Stacking cups – for a toddler. These double as a bath toy!
• Shape sorter – for the toddler. We have had so many different types…I’ve linked our favorite. Even though it is bulky it has gotten lots of play, so worth it!
• Stacking rings – This classic toy is so incredibly useful, not only for the toddler! The big kids use the rings for imaginary play (“powers”) or as hoops in an obstacle course.
• Ticket to Ride
• Books- we have 5-10 each (yikes!)
• Workbooks, notebooks, writing and drawing supplies (the best, and they’re flat so don’t take up much space).
• Collapsable storage cube! A cube, like the one you would put in a bookcase, is an amazing item to have for keep toys tidy while in a vacation rental. These fold flat for packing up and moving to your next destination.

Kitchen Items for Vacation Rentals

If you’re going on a short road trip, feel free to skip this section. However from those embarking on a longer trip, consider taking some kitchen items with you. We are staying primarily in vacation rentals or suite type hotels, so that we can do the majority of cooking “at home” while traveling.

We heard from other roadschooling / worldschooling families, that we should take our absolute must-have kitchen items with us, because many rentals only have the basics: plate, mugs, silverware and minimal cooking gear. This has turned out to be very true and essential advice.

Here are kitchen items we have with us, the small items at the top have been especially important!

• Spatula (most commonly missing item apparently…?!)
• Wooden cooking spoon
• Bottle opener
• One good pot
• One good pan (We didn’t bring, but should have…)
• Hand blender- this one is the best hand blender for the money. We have used it from blending soups and smoothies, to chopping fresh ginger and even grinding up cloves!) Because it is so small, it’s an item that I recommend even though we could technically do without.
• Measuring spoons, if you like to bake
• Snack cups for the toddler. These cups have handles for the toddler to hold and the cap has flaps that open easily. This way your toddler can stick their hand in the cup to get the snack. However if they knock it over, the snack won’t spill. They double as small bowls, which we never seem to find.
• Toddler cup + baby utensils, if you have a little one
• Reusable Water bottles (a travel basic always worth mentioning)
• Coffee thermos or insulated water bottle. We LOVE ours.
• Bottle cleaning brush….for your bottles and thermos.
• Small dish soap and sponge (good to have for hotels)
• French press (optional but nice to have; most places have had coffee makers but not all).
• Electric kettle (We didn’t bring one, but wish we did!)
• Stainless storage containers (for leftovers, picnic lunches, etc.)
• Kitchen towels (2, you’d be surprised how many places don’t have them!)
• Soft sided coolers (to hold the above + actual food)
• Reusable shopping bags…for shopping, collecting last minute items and more!

Click the image to go to the printable PDF packing list.

Road Trip Food List

I’ve written a lot about how to find healthy food on the road . To start off a cross-country road trip (or in our case an international road trip), we will take some pantry items with us. Of course after the first few weeks, we will need to buy food to cook in our vacation rentals .

Here are the foods I am packing to start us off. (Note the absence of fresh produce and meat because we are crossing a border).

• Almond Flour (for paleo baking)
• Honey (whatever we have left)
• Avocado oil, Olive oil and Ghee for cooking (whatever we have left)
• Healthy ketchup/mustard
• Dry lentils
• Canned fish (whatever we have left)

And then there are some snacks, a category of their own. We all know that having something to snack on while you are driving, can help distract from long driving times. It is also essential so you don’t need to stop to eat as often. Here are a few ideas:

• Larabars  (Cherry Pie, Pecan Pie, Cashew Cookie are our favorites)
• Dried fruit: mangoes, dates, figs, raisins etc.
• Nuts: almonds, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, etc.
• Dried seaweed
• Unsweetened applesauce

How to Pack for a Family Road Trip

There are many ways to pack for a family road trip. Depending on the length of the trip, the amount of bags you are taking and the type of car you have, here are two main methods:

Each Person has a bag

This is a pretty straight forward method, and the default for most people that are planning a family road trip. Each person packs a bag with their own personal items. Then communal items like kitchen gear can go in a cooler.

This method works best when kids are older and can carry their own bags. It is also best if you are not moving around too often.

Shared bags

In this method, you use packing cubes or ziplock bags to pack 1 day’s worth of items for each person. Then rather than bring all the bags inside to your accommodation, you can bring a shared bag that has items for every person in the family.

The remaining bags can stay in the car overnight, making both getting settled and checking out much easier!

Our Experience

For our road trip so far, we have used both methods. For one week stays, we bring in all the bags. This keeps our car empty for exploring and leaving in parking lots in various places. It also means that it takes us a solid 3-4 hours to repack everything before we check out of our rental.

However if we will have some short hotel stays, we pack some packing cubes to make for a quick in and out. This is definitely the way to go if you are moving around every day.

Do you have any more questions about packing for a family road trip? Any other lessons from the road you would like me to share?

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10 thoughts on “Family Road Trip Packing List”

Taking a first aid kit is so important, and yet so overlooked!!

Absolutely! We actually have two with us: a mini first aid kit with just some alcohol swabs, neosporin and bandaids that I keep in my bag. Really good for bumps and scrapes when out and about with the kids, and then of course, our complete first aid kit in the car. I know that technically we can get the basics anywhere, but for peace of mind it’s nice to have it ready to go with us.

Thank you for sharing this amazing packing list! Books and games are super important to bring on a road trip! I also love that you included essentials to bring to an AirBnb or vacation rental that may not be included!

Yes, we end up doing a lot of reading on the road, especially when we are without wifi (although that doesn’t happen often these days). I also brought a couple extra novels that I’ve already read, for exchanging at a book swap, since it’s not always easy to find English books in Mexico. The kitchen essentials have been super necessary. We’ve stayed at close to a dozen places already and none have had everything we needed. So if you plan to cook on the road, bring your personal kitchen basics with you!

I am so impressed with how organized you are! Do you let each child help choose the clothes they are going to bring so they feel part of the process and get excited for the road trip!?

Staying organized is the only way with four little ones! We have SO much stuff it kind of drives me nuts but there hasn’t been much that we haven’t used, if that makes sense. And yes, definitely the older kids chose their own clothes. I gave them rough numbers for each item and we sorted through their closets before we left so that we weren’t bringing clothes that were already too small or weren’t fitting for the weather. I also did end up buying a few items before we left so that we were all set for the first few months of our trip.

This is such a great packing list! I found it super useful.

Thanks, I’m happy to hear it was helpful. I was looking for a similar packing list before we left for our road trip and just couldn’t find one that included everything for a longer trip. That’s what inspired me to put this post together and hopefully some other worldschool families can use it!

I am leaving for a road trip this weekend and thank God I came across this packing list. Gotta go and pack my first aid box 😀 Thanks for this informative post. 🙂

This is a great list! I especially love the tips on how to pack for each person. Thanks so much for sharing! We’re Guadalajar bound (by way of Minnesota).

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Road Trip Essentials for Kids: Packing Lists and Ideas

• Date: July 18, 2022
• Time to read: 6 min.

Packing for a long road trip can be an enormous task and you never want to forget something important. 

It can be really overwhelming when you start planning a vacation with a family and road trips mean you are packing a lot in with you. 

I like to separate things into three main categories:

• Toiletries 
• Entertainment

When you break it down it is easy to plan and pack in a way that will make your trip run very smoothly. 

Pack clothes, entertainment and snacks for kids in a small day bag that is easy to access. Keep kids bags small so they can carry them for themselves and you can quickly find a spare set of clothes or special toys. 

Pack family toiletries all together to make stops easier. 

Use my packing timeline advice to help you decide what to pack ahead of time and what to grab as you run out the door. 

You can read down to the bottom to find the list of things I always forget, so you don’t make the same mistake1

Road Trip Packing for Kids Planner

I love packing for my family’s trips and I have a few helpful printable worksheets that I like to use for planning. 

You can find the printable packing list worksheet versions linked here and the online editable packing list versions linked here, just make a copy and fill it in.  

I hope these are helpful. 

If you are planning well in advance I totally recommend you check ou t my packing timeline to get you and the fam ready with time to spare!  

Road Trip Entertainment for Kids

Every kid is different, but I think they will all reach a boredom limit on a long drive. Plan ahead with some toys tucked into your kid’s bags. 

Keep a few toys set aside for the return trip so you have some new surprises for the ride. 

Some of the best road trip entertainment are:

• Magnet Tiles
• Lacing Shapes
• Coloring Pages
• Cloth Books
• Water Activity Books
• Handheld Games
• Velcro Blocks
• Yarn Crafts 

Depending on the ages of your children, a few of these things can keep them engaged all the way to the beach. 

Road Trip Clothing for Kids

How many outfits do kids need for a road trip?

Pack one outfit per day, plus one for kids over 3 and plus 2 for kids under 3. 

Now, if you are like me and you have a mud magnet, grab a few extras or plan a laundry stop. 

Be sure to remember:

• Light jacket
• Sunglasses (even in the winter)
• Extra Shoes
• Extra Underwear

These things are often forgotten in my family, so this list can be helpful to keep everyone happy and comfortable on the trip.

Plan Pajamas 

Don’t forget to pack appropriate pajamas for your kids. 

Hotel rooms can be colder than you home and your littles may sleep better in warm PJs. 

If your kids generally do not wear pajamas, you may need them for the trip for modesty. This is something I often forget for myself! 

Road Trip Toiletries for Kids

When you are packing the toiletries, I recommend that the whole family has the toiletries in one brightly colored bag or packing cube. 

This makes it easy to stop and grab just the one bag so that you can all brush teeth and fall into bed. 

In this bag:

• Toothbrushes
• Conditioner
• Body Wash or Soap
• Extra Hair Elastics or Barrettes
• Mouthwash/Fluoride Rinse

Pack these all together and keep extras in the car. I keep an extra set of toothbrushes, toothpaste and bar of soap in a storage container in my car. This has really saved us a few times.

We like to be spontaneous, so having this stuff at all times allows us to stay with friends or visit a new city on a whim (yes, even with 4 little kids). 

Road Trip Snacks for Kids

I love to plan the snacks, I obsess about snacks. You can find my Ultimate Road Trip Snack list printable in the linked post. It is the result of a very large survey of seasoned road trippers and it will give you all the inspiration you need. 

Pro Tip: When you are planning snacks for your trip, pack two bags and stow one away for the trip home. 

Mess Free Snack Ideas

Choosing snacks that will keep your car clean is a great idea for a road trip. 

Help your kids keep the car clean by putting a small trashcan (affiliate link) or trash bag in the back seat, and try not to pass back any trash. 

While n o snack is perfect, these are the best ones I have found:

• Fruit Roll-Ups 
• Graham Crackers
• Lunchmeat Rolls
• Cheese and Crackers
• Marshmallows and Chocolate
• Pretzels and Dip
• Apple Slices
• Water Bottle
• Applesauce Pouch
• Cucumbers and Hummus
• Cheese Sticks

Snacks to Avoid with Kids on a Road Trip 

Some snacks just do not work well in the car for kids. They are too messy, too sticky or too dangerous. 

Road trips are not a great time to try a lot of new foods in case of an allergic reaction or choking hazard. 

These foods should be avoided in the car. 

• Small Hard Candies
• Open Drinks

I also really warn against styrofoam containers as they are so fun to pull into a million pieces and make an enormous mess. 

I like to carry Benydril in my diy first aid kit in the car. We have family members with serious allergies and we know how scary it can be to have an allergic reaction. 

Road Trip Snacks for Babies

When you are traveling with a very young baby, they should not be fed while in their carseat . Plan to stop every two hours and take your baby out of the carseat to feed and change them. 

Stop the car to feed your baby formula or breastmilk. You can find great rest stops or plan to do the feeding in the front seat, but be sure to stop for baby’s meals. 

I find it really helpful to use a manual breast pump when on a road trip, so I can pump breast milk while we are driving down the road. This is my favorite manual pump (affiliate link) and I have tried several brands and this one is the easiest to clean and most comfortable to use . 

If your baby has started solid foods there are several good options for road trip food:

• Pouch baby food
• Puff Snacks
• Rice Rusks 
• Apple sauce
• Cucumber Slices

Do not try new foods while you are on the road and be sure to observe your baby while they are eating to be sure they are safe and comfortable. 

A small portable high chair can really help you keep the car seat clean and keep baby more comfortable. 

Things You Might Forget On a Road Trip with Kids

There are a few things that can ruin a trip with kids! Sunburn, hurting feet or special blankets can all ruin a family trip. 

• Blankets from their bed
• Extra shoes and shops
• Food in the fridge
• Phone Chargers
• Special Toys or Lovies
• Snacks for the trip home
• Important Phone Numbers (for pet sitter or house sitter)
• Charging Cables for ALL devices 

This list will be specific to each family, but every family has it. 

I suggest keeping a notepad on the counter the week of the trip and each time you think of something that you want to be sure to remember, write it down. 

As you pack things in the car, cross them off and check the list ONE LAST TIME before you pull out of the driveway.  

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The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for a Smooth Ride

If you're hitting the open road for a long trip, you don't want to forget something important. This is your ultimate road trip packing list for everything you need - and some things you might have never thought of before. With these road trip necessities, you'll be prepared for every situation.

Make Road Trip Packing Easy

Know all the items you'll need for a great road trip, plus get our picks on extra items to make everything more comfortable and convenient, with this handy list. You can also use the printable version to check off what you've packed and add other items specific for your travel needs.

Basic, Vehicle, & Emergency Items

Before you pack the car with all the bags and items you'll want for the ride, make sure you've covered all the items you might need for traveling in a car and to be prepared for an emergency, whether it be a flat tire or a weather-related issue. (These are items that can also come in handy anytime, not just on long road trips.)

• Spare tire & changing kit
• Jumper cables
• IDs & car registration
• First aid kit
• Cash & spare change
• Flashlights and batteries
• Paper towels, wipes, & spare toilet paper
• Bag for trash

Ice scraper

Spare tire & changing kit.

You'll be spending a lot of time in your car for a lengthy road trip, so it's important to make sure you have everything you might need for an emergency. Equip your vehicle with a spare tire and a changing kit so you can replace a flat if you need to. Also, make sure you or someone else in the vehicle knows how to change a spare tire.

Jumper Cables

Speaking of emergencies, hopefully you won't need a jump on your exciting trip. But if you do, it's best to keep jumper cables in your trunk. It's much easier to find someone who can help jumpstart your car if you already have the cables on hand.

IDs & Car Registration

This might be an easy road trip item to remember, but it's worth a double check before you leave home. Make sure all of your IDs are on hand and your car's registration is within reach should you need it.

First Aid Kit

You have your car prepared for every unplanned situation. Make sure you also prepare your family for unexpected situations like minor injuries. A basic first aid kit helps you treat minor scrapes, burns, and other injuries that could happen in nearly every circumstance.

Cash & Spare Change

Debit cards are accepted virtually everywhere, but it's a good idea to have some spare change and cash on hand just in case. Tolls, rest stop vending machines, or gas stations might require cash in some areas and you'll be glad you came prepared.

Flashlights & Batteries

File this one under the emergency car item list. At least one flashlight, but preferably a few, comes in handy for late night stops, low-lit rest areas, or a tire change after sundown. Make sure you have a pack of batteries on hand as well.

Paper Towels, Wipes, & Toilet Paper

One thing you can count on for a long road trip is at least one mess in the car. Whether it's sticky fingers after a snack or a small spill, make sure you're prepared for small clean up jobs. Keep a roll of paper towels and a pack of baby wipes near the driver or passenger seat for those inevitable messes. Also keep a roll or two of toilet paper on hand for rest stop bathrooms that aren't fully stocked. A small bottle of all-purpose cleaner might also come in handy.

Food is important in case of an emergency, but water is essential. Keep a pack of water bottles in your trunk so you can stay hydrated in an unexpected situation. A stainless steel water bottle that's reusable is perfect for quenching your thirst during a long drive.

You know you won't forget your phone on a long road trip, especially if it's your source of tunes and directions. But you could easily forget your car charger. Make sure you have all of your device chargers accounted for before you hit the road.

Trash Can and/or Bags

Even a short drive might produce a bit of waste or trash. Keep a mini trash bin lined with a plastic bag in your car for keeping the space clutter-free. Have extra bags on hand so you can ditch the used bag at gas stations or rest stops and add a new bag to the bin.

Even if you never find a need for an ice scraper at home, you never know what sort of weather you could encounter during your travels. Pack a scraper for clearing your windshield on a frigid morning and look for one that also includes a brush for freeing your car of debris.

Extra Car Keys

Locking yourself out of the car is also an unplanned road trip obstacle that occurs more than you might think. If you have at least one other passenger with you, give them an extra car key to keep in their pocket. If you find yourself locked out at a pit stop, you'll have a spare key to get you back on track.

No one actually plans to run out of gas on the highway, but it happens. Keep a gas can in your car for an emergency trip to the gas station. For your road trip, you might have a bit of gas stored in the can, so you aren't going on a long hike if you run out of fuel. With a little gas on hand, you can top off your tank until you get to the next gas station.

No one wants it to rain on their road trip parade, but the weather is unpredictable. Keep an umbrella or two in your car for quick dashes inside a restaurant or other establishment should a downpour come your way.

You don't want to stop for every single meal, especially snack time, so keep some on hand. Having road trip snacks in the car is important for emergencies as well . If you find yourself stranded for any reason, you'll want something nutritious to keep your energy up.

Pack your favorite snacks for the drive but also keep a bag of emergency non-perishable food on hand for emergencies. Protein bars, granola, trail mix, and beef jerky will stay fresh for a while and give you a mini meal option if you need to improvise.

Items for Comfort & Convenience

Long road trips are loads of fun, but they can get uncomfortable after a few hours. Add some essential comfort items to your list and a few extras that make the trip feel more luxurious.

Small Cooler

• Blankets and hoodies
• Phone mount
• Eye masks and ear plugs

Sunglasses are famous for getting lost or breaking at the most inconvenient times. Pack an extra pair or two for yourself or any passengers who need to borrow some shades during the drive.

You may stop for most of your meals or just keep a reusable water bottle on hand for hydration, but a small cooler will still come in handy. Keep restaurant leftovers fresh and store a few chilled snacks and beverages for your trip in a small cooler that fits neatly into your back seat.

Blankets & Hoodies

Even if you're on your way to a warmer climate, some passengers might get chilly during the trip. Pack blankets and a hoodie for each person on the trip so everyone can stay warm with the air conditioning on blast or just feel comfortable during a car nap.

Passengers might want to tune out of your favorite podcast or just have some time alone with their thoughts on a long trip. A few pairs of headphones will keep passengers of all ages happy.

Phone Mount

If you're using your phone for a GPS or to play those road trip jams, do so safely. Use a hands-free mount to keep your phone on the dash so you can see your map, incoming calls, and other details without compromising the safety of your passengers.

Handheld Fans

Passengers might find your preferred temperature too warm or you could encounter an air conditioning issue along the way. With a few handheld fans , you'll keep everyone cool in any situation. A cooling fan is also helpful for calming motion sickness. This is another reason you'll want some extra batteries on hand.

Pillows & Car Pillows

Speaking of naps, you'll need a pillow if you want a good quality nap that doesn't strain your neck. Regular pillows are great, especially if you're packing them for your destination, anyway. Car or neck pillows are also helpful for keeping you cozy while you catch a snooze.

Eye Masks & Earplugs

Naps are inevitable for passengers on a long road trip and you make sure your fellow travelers are extra comfy when catching up on sleep. Eye masks to block out the light and earplugs to drown out the sounds of the road will help your passengers get some quality road trip rest.

It's not a road trip without some of your favorite travel tunes. Get everyone in on the playlist creating action and have a few options to choose from as you're making way down the road. You might also find podcasts or audiobooks to keep everyone entertained.

Health & Hygiene Items

For unexpected messes and freshening up between car naps, these items will help you feel clean and healthy throughout your trip.

• Medications
• Hygienic wipes
• Spare toiletry bag
• Laundry bag
• Plastic zip bags
• Toilet seat liners
• Mints and gum

Hand Sanitizer

Whether the rest stop bathroom is out of soap or you need to kill germs after a stop at the gas station, hand sanitizer is an actual life saver. Keep a bottle or two handy for stopping the spread of bacteria on your trip.

Bag With Medications

A zipper pouch - picture a small cosmetic bag - is perfect for packing all the medications you might need on your journey. Include all of your necessary prescriptions, of course, but don't forget to pack some of the over-the-counter medications you might find a use for. Pain killers, decongestants, antihistamines, and medications for nausea and indigestion are a few basics that could come handy.

Hygienic Wipes

A toiletry bag is helpful, but if you're trying to keep stops at a minimum, a pack of hygienic wipes will help you feel (and smell) like you were doing anything but sitting in a car for hours on end.

Some messes call for more than just a paper towel. Pack one towel for each passenger on your trip. This will come in handy for large messes, impromptu swims, torrential downpours, and catching crumbs during a road trip meal. Microfiber towels are useful for absorbing large amounts of liquids.

Fully Stocked Toiletry Bag

While you're thinking about ways to feel refreshed on your trip, pack a small toiletry bag. This would be a smaller, more compact version of the one in your suitcase. Keep it stocked with travel size essentials so you can freshen up at a rest stop or in a bathroom after a long drive.

Mesh Laundry Bag

Messes are bound to happen during your travels, and that includes spills and other messes on your clothes. A mesh laundry bag will help you keep soiled towels and clothing in one place until you can give them a wash at your destination.

Plastic Zipper Bags

Plastic zipper bags also help stash soiled clothing. The main reason you'll want to keep plastic bags on hand, though, is to keep leftover food items fresh or to seal away any garbage items that might produce an odor. Bags are also helpful for sharing snacks among passengers, so you don't have to pass around the same large bag of pretzels for everyone.

Mints & Gum

If your drive is long, especially overnight, you're going to want a quick and easy way to refresh your breath during stops. Gum and mints are a great way to feel fresh after a long drive or car ride snooze. Gum and mints also help you stay alert during a drive after sundown.

Toilet Seat Liners

If you really want to be prepared for any situation that might arise during your road trip, a few toilet seat liners will make you the travel prepping champion. You never know when you might end up at a rest stop or gas station that has a less-than-sanitary bathroom, but you just can't wait until the next stop. A few liners will help you feel secure wherever you take a restroom break.

Extra Road Trip Packing Items for Families

If you have kids in the back seat, your road trip might require more careful planning. This list will help you prepare for any sort of situation, including boredom. With the right items in tow, your kids will just be happy to be along for the ride.

• Back seat organizer
• Toddler potty/liners
• Window screens
• Backpack for each kid
• Games/word games
• Extra clothes
• White noise soundtrack
• Handheld vacuum
• Tablets and chargers
• Motion sickness bag

Back Seat Organizer

Kids are famous for untidying your perfectly tidy backseat during a long drive, but a backseat organizer will keep the clutter to a minimum. Plus, it's helpful for storing tons of your packing list items for easy reach. Snacks, wipes, games, and sunglasses all tuck away neatly in your organizer so kids can grab exactly what they need without disturbing the driver.

Toddler Potty & Liners

Kids are also famous for doubling the amount of stops you'll make on a road trip and asking for a bathroom break right in the middle of nowhere. Pack a portable potty - like the ones toddlers use for potty training - to make bathroom breaks quick and possible practically anywhere. Don't sweat over emptying the potty because you can bring disposable liners that actually absorb liquids and keep odors out until you can make a pit stop to toss them in the garbage.

Fast Food Trays

If you're making a list of must-have road trip items for kids, this one comes in second only to the portable potty (because that is truly a life save). A food tray that neatly sets in your child's lap or attaches to their booster seat helps them enjoy a meal on the go without getting most of it on your car's floor. You can also find middle console versions of food trays that will help you enjoy a meal while you drive.

Window Screens

Nap schedules are important no matter where you are and sticking to them is much easier when you can control the amount of light coming into the car. Window screens that block the sun will help dim the interior so your little one can grab a snooze.

A Backpack for Each Child

If you have kids of various ages or just need to stop potential arguments before they start, a backpack designated for each child comes in handy. Include a change of clothes, personalized snacks, favorite games, a blanket, and toiletries in the pack. This way, kids have access to their basic needs and an easy grab-and-go bag for pit stops.

Games without pieces or boards are the best games for long car rides . Plan for a few rounds of classic word and word association games. Choose a few games to fit each age group in the car so everyone enjoys the friendly competition.

Simple Games

Word games are great, but your kids might look for something more interactive to keep them entertained on the drive. A few car-friendly card games will help your kids play together and stay occupied as the hours roll by.

Extra Clothes

Accidents happen and with kids in the mix, those statistics double. Bring an extra change of clothes - one that isn't stuffed into the depths of a suitcase - for any little mishaps that might occur. For toddlers and babies, more than one extra outfit might be in order.

White Noise Soundtrack

You have the light covered for naps, but you might need to consider the sound as well. If your little one is accustomed to dozing to the sound of white noise or a sound machine, bring along a white noise soundtrack to make car naps as cozy as possible. You can use a CD or a playlist on your phone to drown out the sounds of big trucks and honking horns.

Handheld Vacuum

Snacks and meals in the car mean crumbs everywhere. A small handheld vacuum will save you from a cleaning overhaul after your trip. Keep one on hand for catching small messes as they happen or just freshening things up at pit stops.

Tablets & Chargers

When you run out of word games or you just want to listen to your own music for a change, you're going to want to break out the tablets. Screen time can be a lifesaver on long road trips. Make sure you have a tablet for each passenger and portable chargers to keep the entertainment going.

Motion Sickness Bags

Car sickness can strike at any time and you may not be in the perfect position to pull over when it does. Motion sickness bags will help contain the mess until you can safely pull over and address the issue.

Download Helpful Apps for Your Road Trip

You've packed everything and you're ready to go. Your family is practically bouncing off their seats in excitement. The final thing you need to do is download a couple of apps that make the trip easier and more fun.

Plan your entire trip for an organized journey with Roadtripper .

Use an app like Sleep Sounds to help little ones nap with noise or just help yourself stay calm and at ease in the middle of intense traffic jams.

Large coffee companies like Starbucks and Caribou Coffee have apps that help you track down a location for your caffeine emergencies while on the road.

Find the cheapest gas station along your route with GasBuddy.

Never miss an interesting attraction along the way with the Roadside America app.

Plan & Pack for a Stress-Free Road Trip

Whether you're traveling to a dream destination or just seeing where the road takes you, you can be be prepared for anything. The adventure of a road trip is much more exciting when you have a plan in place for any need you and your road trip pals might have.