Lady’s 7 Road Trip Packing Tips

I love a good road trip. Maybe it’s the American in me, always desiring to explore the open road. Or maybe it’s just the (occasional) British sunshine that tempts me to get in a convertible and go. Whatever the reason, when it’s road trip o’clock, I need to get packing. So here are my road trip packing tips.

Road Trip Packing Tips

If you’re wondering what to pack for a road trip, this list will help you sort the essentials. From shoes to snacks, it has you covered.

1. Flip Flops

Being from California, I have an innate desire to wear flip flops year-round. Living in London has made that a bit difficult, but in the summertime I relish every opportunity to dust off my collection and make good use of it.

My list of road trip packing tips wouldn’t be complete without a trusty pair (or three). They’re comfortable, versatile, and perfect for the outdoors.

As far as what kind, I love Reef’s Ginger flip flops. I’ve gone through many pairs over the years, and they win on both comfort and style. If you’re in the UK, you can get them here. If you’re in the US, you can get them here.

2. Camera

As a professional travel blogger, I can’t leave home without my camera. This is particularly true on a road trip, where good photo opportunities abound. So next on my list of road trip packing tips is a camera.

My camera has been a beloved companion for years, and having it on a road trip means I’ll have good photos to document the journey. If you want to get the same one, you can find all the information on my blog post about my camera equipment.

3. A Small Sheep

A sheep…on a list of road trip packing tips? I know, it seems a bit odd. But this little sheep is a wily one, and she somehow manages to achieve stowaway status on all my road trips.

She’s traveled with me on road trips from the California coast to Chilean Patagonia, and although rather taciturn, she makes a great travel companion.

4. Noise-Canceling Headphones

A good soundtrack is essential for any road trip, and while I usually listen over the car speakers, sometimes my noise-canceling headphones step in if I’m in the passenger seat and my music choice is vetoed by my travel companions.

If you’ve read my other packing lists, you’ll know I always go on about how much I adore my Bose noise-canceling headphones.

I couldn’t travel anywhere without them. If you’re in the UK, you can get them here. If you’re in the US, you can get them here.

5. Road Trip Journal

Next on my list of road trip packing tips is a journal. I’ve always been a writer, and although I document all my travels on the A Lady in London blog now, I can’t help keeping a travel journal as I drive along the world’s most famous highways. Because, you know, there are just some stories that are too scandalous to print.

6. Road Trip Snacks

Being a food lover, I can’t make a list of road trip packing tips without including an adequate supply of snacks.

My love of all things salty usually means tortilla chips and other savory foods are plentiful, but sometimes I can’t resist bringing a few chocolates treats. Granola bars always come in handy, too.

7. Road Trip Clothes

I know I started this list of road trip packing tips with flip flops, but obviously you’ll need to bring more than just shoes when you hit the highway.

A lot depends on where you’re going and what time of year you’ll be traveling, so you’ll need to use your judgment on this one.

Still, there are a few things that can come in handy no matter when or where you travel. In addition to the usual suspects, I recommend bringing layers like scarves and a light jacket in case it’s cold in the morning or at night.

Given you’ll be driving, sunglasses are another good thing to pack for a road trip. And if it’s summer, a hat (and sunscreen) won’t go amiss.

Road Trip Packing List

I hope you’ve found these road trip packing tips helpful and that you enjoy your time on the road wherever you travel.

If you need some inspiration, I’ve written a great British road trip itinerary, an England road trip itinerary, a Scotland road trip itinerary starting and ending in Edinburgh, a list of 5 of the best UK road trips, and a list of 7 scenic drives near London.

I’ve also published detailed accounts of my Mendocinco road trip in California, my road trip in North Wales, my Oregon road trip, my New Zealand road trip, my road trip from Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay in California, and my road trip from Oakland to Sacramento in California.

I’ve even written about road trip movies, so you can get more inspiration there if you need it. Happy travels!

How about you? What are your road trip packing tips? Is there anything you can’t leave home without?

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