We are forever looking for ways to be more fulfilled in our everyday lives. One thing that springs to mind which isn’t particularly complicated to plan is a road trip. Road trips are good for your soul and offer you time to be able to reflect and explore. There are some road trip essentials you would need to pack, but then you should be good to go.

Road Trip Essentials

Most families use their cars on a day to day basis, whether be the school run, going to work or shopping.

But with the Summer coming to an end, you might decide to get a last road trip this year, before the weather gets bad.

Let’s talk about the 5 driving essentials you will need before you go on any road trips. Whether your family car is your hand me down old banger, or your brand new just off the forecourt motor.

Having the essentials in the car will help make you feel safer on these journeys.

Refreshments on a road trip

Having something to eat and drink in the car is always a good idea for your journey

Obviously, if you are only travelling for a couple of hours you won’t need much more than a snack and a small drink, if that. But best to always take extras in case of traffic jams. There could be huge delays, you just don’t know what lays ahead of you.

Being able to have a snack or a drink should help with your concentration too and keep hunger at bay. If you are travelling with children in the car some light snacks will break the journey up for them too.

This will also save you money from having to stop at service stations en route.

Using a road map

What I really mean is a Satnav

Actually, it is a good idea to have an actual road map in your car too, they are small and can easily stay in your boot or glovebox.

After all, you never know when you might need one. Signal strength on some satnavs isn’t the greatest. You can feel more reassured seeing the directions in black and white in your book.

First aid kit

Now you might think this sounds a bit drastic to take a first aid kit with you. But did you know, in some European countries you are required to have a first aid kit in your vehicle?

You never know when someone might get hurt. Doesn’t have to be someone you are travelling with, it could be at an incident, and you are on the scene to help with your trusty kit.

There are plenty of ready made first aid kits available to buy, but basics such as sterile gloves, plasters and large sterile gauze dressings are a good idea.

An at home first aid kits will be slightly different to what you need travelling in your car.

Phone charger

Now this could be a good device to have in your car anyway, a charger that charges your phone through your cigarette lighter

If you don’t have a mobile charger, then a power bank like this one would be just as good, as long as it is charged obviously

Back to those traffic jams or delays, if you need to phone ahead and let someone know what is happening then you want to make sure you have a battery to make that call.

I always have one in the glove box of my car.

Extra clothing

I’m not referring to dinner dresses and high heels, but basic warm clothes, a tracksuit or loungewear.

If the worst happens and you break down, the car is cold and you only have 1 layer on. You can sometimes be waiting hours for recovery, depending on where you are. A thick jumper and a set of gloves would help keep you warm.

A blanket is also a good item to keep in your boot for such situations.  It will be just as good if not better, at making sure you stay warm than layering a jumper on top.

A reflective jacket can make sure you are visible to other road users, this is also a requirement in some European countries too.

If you like cars and driving take a look at Essential Car Maintenance For Beginners 

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