When I was growing up in the ‘90s, family road trips were defined by paper directions, arguments with my sister over CDs (Good Charlotte or Celine Dion), and shameless begging for McDonald’s.
Love you, Mom and Dad. Don’t know how you did it.
Luckily, parents today have far more tools at their disposal to make road trips more comfortable, quiet, and effortless. From GPS navigation to disinfecting wipes, healthy snacks to travel pillows, a handful of road trip essentials can make your next road trip with the fam feel like flying first class.
Navigation and Communication Essentials
Smartphone with offline maps
When it comes to navigation on family road trips, there’s nothing wrong with using ol’ reliable: your smartphone.
Some say the best navigation app these days is Waze, since it offers crowdsourced incident reports, speed limit warnings, and other handy features.
But if you ask me, Google Maps is better for family road trips since it offers an “offline maps” feature. Tap your profile in the top right > offline maps, and you can download maps of entire states.
Then, you can search locations and start navigating anywhere in that state without using 5G or wifi!
Chargers
Car chargers have come a long way since I was a kid. You can now get one that offers multiple USB-A, USB-, or Lightning ports and a regular AC plug so you can charge laptops and other big gadgets.
I’d recommend getting two — one for the front seat passengers and one for the back, with plenty of charging ports in each so there’s no conflict over who needs it more.
Wifi hotspots
“Hotspots” convert 5G signals into wifi so that devices without 5G connection (e.g., laptops, tablets) can connect to the internet while you’re on the go.
Your phone can actually act as a hotspot if you have the right data plan — just be mindful that hotspotting can rapidly drain your battery.
I wouldn’t consider a hotspot essential on a family road trip since you can always download movies, offline maps, audiobooks, etc., before you leave, but it’s still an option if you want to stay connected.
Comfort Essentials
Travel pillows, lumbar pillows, and blankets
On long family road trips, a $15 travel pillow can make the difference between arriving tired and cranky versus relaxed and refreshed.
For kids, a U-shaped pillow can support their neck and allow them to conk out in the backseat without protest.
For the adults upfront, a lumbar + neck pillow combo can instantly make you feel like you’re cruising in a $400k Rolls-Royce, preventing pain and giving you much more endurance for long drives.
Backseat organizers and trash cans
If you’re traveling with family, you’re probably going to generate lots of trash along the way.
That’s why a simple $10 backseat trash can with a lid can be a godsend, containing smells and making cleanup an instant, effortless affair.
In a similar vein, a backseat organizer that hangs on the back of the front seats can give you a massive boost in storage space for all the other stuff on this list. Better still, it makes things like snacks and wipes readily accessible to front-seat passengers without taking up anyone’s precious legroom.
Window shades
Finally, a $20 pair of magnetic window shades for the rear windows can offer your kids some privacy and darkness for sleeping, and perhaps most importantly, block harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Food and Drink Essentials
Healthy snacks
The ideal family road trip snack is one that’s nutritious, non-messy, and provides healthy, happy energy.
Here are some that we love:
- Blueberries
- Trail mix
- KIND bars
- Dried fruit
- Snap pea crisps
- Baby carrots
- Pre-sliced apples
- Baby food pouches
- Kids’ protein shakes
- Acai juice
A great way to buy these items in bulk and low-cost is from the big box stores: Sam’s Club, Costco, and BJ’s. Fun fact: You can buy stuff from Costco.com without a membership for a 5% “non-member surcharge,” which is often worth paying for the right deal.
Reusable water bottles
A good $15 reusable water bottle will pay for itself 100 times over. But what material is best for family road trips?
- Plastic should be avoided since studies have found microplastics and harmful chemicals in reusable plastic bottles.
- Glass is great for adults who want to track their liquid intake, but less ideal for kiddos for obvious reasons.
- Stainless steel is the best overall option for family road trips since it’s cheap, durable, and can retain hot or cold temperatures.
Size-wise? 12oz to 16oz is generally ideal for kids under 10.
Coolers and airtight containers
If you’re traveling with perishables or pharmaceuticals that need refrigeration, a ~$40 thermoelectric cooler can be handy to have (although they’re a bit bulky).
Alternatively, a well-insulated cooler bag with a bag of ice works nearly as well.
For food storage on the go, I’m a big fan of the Rubbermaid Brilliance airtight containers. You could throw these things out of an airplane and they wouldn’t leak a drop. The tradeoff is that they’re difficult for small hands to open without help (although some parents may see this as a feature).
Entertainment Essentials
Travel-friendly toys and games
Similar to snacks, the best road trip games are non-messy and provide happy, healthy energy to all involved.
A favorite is Mad Libs. All you need is a $5 Mad Libs book, a pencil, and some creativity — and soon, everyone in the car is giggling.
Card-based games like UNO, Go Fish, and Settlers of Catan can also keep backseat passengers occupied for hours without causing a mess.
Toy-wise, don’t forget your little ones’ favorite blanket or stuffed animal, which can provide comfort and improve their sleep quality throughout the trip.
Audiobooks and music playlists
For pre-teens and older, giving them control over the music (at least, temporarily) can make them feel more engaged in the trip.
Also, speaking from personal experience, listening to audiobooks on low volume (or through Bluetooth earbuds) is a great way to keep the driver engaged, especially when everyone else in the car inevitably conks out.
READ MORE: Creative Ways to Keep Kids Busy During Long Trips
Sanitation Essentials
Baby wipes
Representing part one of the “wipe trifecta,” baby wipes are an essential part of any family road trip since they keep both mouths and bums nice and clean.
You’ll be extremely glad you had them when you visit the gas station bathroom with single-ply toilet paper (or none at all).
Disinfecting wipes
Baby wipes on steroids, disinfecting wipes kill bacteria and can help prevent family members from getting sick.
Plus, the CDC found alcohol-based hand wipes to be “significantly more effective” than hand sanitizer at killing bacteria and spores on hands.
So toss a few cans of wipes in the car, and try to get everyone in the habit of wiping their hands as often as possible.
Glass wipes
Last but not least, the most underrated member of the “wipe trifecta” is the glass wipe. You don’t often think about glass while traveling, but it’s everywhere: windows, windshields, touchscreens, tablets, prescription eyewear, and more.
And if you’re on a road trip with kiddos, it’s gonna get filthy, with bugs, fingerprints, and bacteria.
Luckily, glass wipes are $3 for a 20-pack and can make all your screens and windows crystal clean again.
RELATED: Packing Tips for Traveling with Babies & Toddlers
Emergency and Safety Essentials
First-aid kit
Aside from everyone’s medications, it’s good to have a basic first-aid kit on hand. It doesn’t have to be fancy, either — a $10 kit containing bandages, antiseptic wipes, and medical tape will do.
Sleep aids and painkillers
Having bottles of melatonin and Aleve can be a huge blessing on a long road trip.
Anyone, regardless of age, can suffer from aches and sleeplessness while traveling, so it’s good to have a little micro pharmacy ready in your backseat organizer.
Roadside emergency kit
If you’re traveling in an older vehicle or somewhere treacherous, like snowy mountains, consider adding some roadside emergency gear in the trunk. That might include:
- Flashlights
- Jumper cables
- Tire repair kit
- Reflective warning triangles
- Thermal blankets
Hopefully you’ll never need them, but if you do, you and the fam will be glad to have them!
Locally compliant car seats
Oddly specific? Well, there’s a reason for that.
Families who travel overseas are often surprised to learn that their U.S.-compliant car seats are not compliant in their destination country — or that their older child suddenly needs one again.
In Germany, for example, all children under 12 and 150cm tall (~59 inches) must be restrained in a car seat. Contrast that with the laws in Georgia, USA, where the cutoff is age 8.
So if you’re heading overseas with the little ones, be sure you have the right car seat(s) ready to make them safe and compliant with local laws.
FAQs About Packing for a Family Road Trip
How often should you stop on a road trip with kids?
Generally speaking, on family road trips, it’s best to stop at least every two to three hours during the day and every four hours at night, assuming the little ones are sleeping.
This gives everyone a chance to stretch, check diapers, take potty breaks, eat snacks, and eventually arrive feeling more refreshed.
How many hours can you drive in a day with kids?
The golden rule is roughly eight hours with young kids and 10 hours with older kids who can entertain themselves for longer. By hour eight, everyone — but especially the driver — will start to feel some fatigue, so a rest stop at a hotel or Airbnb will be money well-spent.
TL;DR: Packing for a Family Road Trip
A successful road trip is all about preparation. Pack smart with essentials like multi-port chargers, wipes, window shades, and healthy snacks. Portable games will keep kids entertained, and a first-aid kit and roadside kit will ensure you’re prepared for emergencies.
And remember that the journey is part of the adventure! Plan for regular breaks every two to three hours and be ready to adjust your schedule — sometimes unexpected detours become the memories your family cherishes most.
With the right preparation and mindset, your next family road trip can be less “Are we there yet?” and more “I’m enjoying this!”
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