What to Pack for a Perfect Summer Road Trip
What to Pack for a Perfect Summer Road Trip
In Song of the Open Road Walt Whitman wrote, ‘Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road, Healthy, free, the world before me, The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.’
It’s a path (now mostly gray asphalt) that millions will tread, or more realistically, drive this summer, seeking escape from the daily grind on family vacations, cross-country road trips to meet long-distance lovers, or solo voyages of discovery.
No matter your reason to take to the asphalt, there are a few things that every road tripper should pack before setting out.
Tools and Tech
You know your car better than anyone except perhaps your trusted mechanic, so you’ll also know which bizarre metric hex bit you’ll need to carry just in case, but there are some key items we’d recommend that everyone carries.
Jump pack—These battery boosters are now incredibly compact, powerful and affordable. Just make sure yours is fully charged before you leave home.
Tire inflator—Also now much easier to carry and use. Whether you have a full-size spare, a space-saver or just a can or two of tire foam it could be the tool that keeps you moving.
Duct tape—It’s the universal temporary (stress temporary) fixer and can be used to patch split hoses, secure a saggy bumper or re-stick some interior trim. Tempting though it may be, you probably shouldn’t use it to silence an annoying passenger.
Dash cam—Not just for evidence in case of an accident, a camera that keeps rolling can capture those amazing fleeting moments when you can’t get to your phone or DSLR. A stunning sunset, a buffalo crossing or the maybe even the world’s largest ball of string.
Phone mount—If your car doesn’t mirror your mobile though Android Auto or Apple CarPlay then a reliable rugged phone holder that puts your cell in line of sight for easy access but that doesn’t block your view is a must.
Comfort and Care
To stay comfortable as the summer sun beats down, consider carrying the following:
Sunglasses—Proper polarized lenses with a strong SPF (and with your correct prescription if required) are a must for driving in the glare of summer, whether that’s in the bleak beauty of Death Valley or a highly-reflective city scape of skyscrapers.
Cooler—Unless you’ve got a fancy new car with a cooled center box or glove compartment then you’ll want to carry a cooler if you’ve got space. You can get 12-volt powered ones or stop at gas station to fill up with ice. There’s nothing better than picking up a can of soda, feeling the condensation dripping off the cold metal and taking a sip during a hot drive. It’ll keep your Hershey’s or Reece’s Pieces from melting as well.
First Aid Kit—Hopefully the only injury you may face is a bit of sunburn from driving with the windows or roof down, but carrying a first aid kit is certainly advisable. As well as some aloe vera, perhaps.
Route Planning
You may well have a clear destination, but exactly how you get there depends on your need for speed versus a desire for discovery. Stick to the Interstates and main highways, and the distances will disappear, but you’ll be missing out on serendipity—the chance encounters that make a road trip to remember.
Apps—Your preferred navigation might be from Google, Apple, Waze or TomTom and with some pre-planning you can certainly program a route that takes in minor roads and scenic spots, but the default setting will almost always be the quickest route. Apps will also divert around hold-ups, but could mean you also circumvent roads or places you were keen to see along the way.
Maps—Going old school with a paper map may actually be easier than trying to force some AI into adopting your desired route. It also presents the opportunity for your co-driver(s) to be a part of the journey, not just idle passengers, as they help plot directions and steer you on the right course.
Books—Before you head out on the highways and byways there’s plenty of reading matter to inspire your choice of route—including my own book, Detour 101: 101 of the World’s Best Driving Roads. Obviously, I’m biased but Hagerty’s Grace Jarvis was kind enough to note, “Read this book to expand your experience of your home country, to structure a trip abroad, or simply to dream.”
Entertainment—Perhaps the rumble of the road is enough to keep you awake and amused, but your passengers may well appreciate a pre-planned playlist, a selection of podcasts, or an old-school mixtape. If you’d like to learn more about your journey, you could also try Autio, which offers some 23,000 audio stories linked to your location, some narrated by Kevin Costner.
For the longer haul
If your road trip lasts longer than a few days or you’re just looking for a bit more independence along the way then, with a few extra accessories your car can become a mobile home.
Roof tent—Easy to put up or down and offering some protection from ground-based creepy crawlies and other critters, a roof tent gives you sleeping space without having to lose out on your car’s carrying capacity. There are plenty of manufacturers to choose from, offering both hard and soft-shell tents for all sorts of vehicles. Even OEMs like Porsche are in on the game.
