Check List for Road Trips

We had a request, in another forum, for a trip packing check list. I keep such a list handy on my computer at all times. Each trip, I print it out, cross off anything that isn't needed for that particular trip, and we check off as we go. Bear in mind, if you choose to use my list as a start, that we often travel in a pickup with a camper shell, so we have loads of room to carry stuff without cramping us in the cab. Feel free to highlight, copy (Ctrl-C), and paste (Ctrl-V) onto your own word processing software. Then edit to meet your own needs (for instance, you may not travel with your own coffee pot and makings, like we do).

CAR

maps, Tour Books
GPS/charging cords
snacks
sunglasses
Bluetooth (2)
journal (long trip), pen
cooler (see food)
First Aid Kit
rags, tools
Windex, paper towels
“meds bag”

CLOTHING, COSMETICS, PERSONAL CARE

ELECTRONICS/HOBBIES

laptop, charging cord, mouse
Ethernet cord
cameras, batteries, charging cord, USB cord
blank DVD-R's or CD's (long trip)
cellphones, charging cords (AC/DC)
Kindles, charging cords
reading material (other than Kindle)
puzzle books
pen and notebook
iPod & charger
CD Walkman/adapter for truck
2-to-1 adapter 12-volt car charger
pedometer, USB cord

OTHER TO CONSIDER

medications
vitamins
OTC medications
hiking type backpack
water bottle fanny packs (2, hiking)
camping type chairs
pool towels
sunscreen

FOOD / PREPARATION

induction burner
fry pan, saucepan, lid
spatula
plastic measuring cup
plates/paper plates
bowls
plastic cups/paper cups
silverware
serving spoon, can opener
coffee maker
coffee mugs
travel mugs
sugar / Blue Sugar
creamer / powdered creamer
coffee grinder
coffee filters
coffee
dressing for salads
ketchup,mustard,mayo,sauces (pkts)
salt and pepper
onion powder, garlic powder
juices – grape, V-8, orange
bottled water
soda
commuter cups (for water/soda)(for coffee)


THINGS TO DO BEFORE DEPARTURE:

get maps, books, from AAA
clean out vehicle
hold mail (must do at PO if more than 30 days)
get neighbors to pick up weekly paper & flyers
deal with pet
get vehicle serviced
call bank, file Travel Plan
light on timer
security company

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(Mod Edit: There is a longer list of gear that many of us carry on road trips and that list can be viewed here. This link was originally a car camping gear list -- but as you will discover as you read through it, it has morphed into a general road tripping gear list)

Donna,

It's nice to have new thread started on the road tripping gear list. Several things are different from the one we started in April, 2007!

A couple more items...

- National Park Pass
- Passport (for any out-of-U.S.A. travel). Is it up-to-date (does not expire within 6 months of
intended end of travel)?
- Address book or emergency contact list (including credit card companies)
- Prescriptions for any prescription meds you might need.
- Photocopies of the above for placing in suitcases, etc. You'll want it. Likewise
spare passport photos; you will need them if your passport has to be replaced.

- Duct Tape (take a small roll and save on the weight/bulk, mini rolls are available in Michaels and elsewhere)
- Hats (baseball cap & wide brim floppy "trail hat")
- Flip Flops (cheap, disposable are always useful for public showers)
- Bug Repellent
- Zip lock bags
- Clothes Pins and Parachute Cord
- Mosquito Netting

- Keyfob RFID Signal Blocking Bag (if you have one of those new fangled FOBs for cars--hide your FOB in the bag somewhere obscure in your car and remove the waterproof key and take it with you)

- Multiple device charging station for your vehicle. I bought a Wagan (EL2886) Travel Charge Series USB 6.2 Amp Quad Power Cup for my recent road trip. This model had one cigarette lighter slot and 4 USB slots (2 faster charging and 2 slower). Worked like a charm. I probably wouldn't recharge my laptop with this model but it is fine for tablets/pads, cell phones, MP3 players, etc. It plugs into the vehicle's cigarette lighter. Worked like a charm!

For me add- eyedrops, hand sanitizer, chapstick.
All valid choices of eyeglasses and sunglasses (I have several)
earplugs

Programmed scanner with notecard showing assignments.

Toolbox, work gloves.
Snow shovel (winter)
Tire chains (winter)
Wyoming Tuxedo (aka Wall insulated coveralls - winter)
sleeping bag (emergency blanket function any time)
Elbow pads (for resting driver elbows on console and window ledge as desired)
coffee/water mug

Quote:

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Originally Posted by landmariner

- Keyfob RFID Signal Blocking Bag (if you have one of those new fangled FOBs for cars--hide your FOB in the bag somewhere obscure in your car and remove the waterproof key and take it with you)

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Thanks for this tip. Perfect example of what I was referring to in the post above. In 2007, when we compiled the first list, no such hi-tech FOB existed.

Automotive Tech Guy -- has a clip that provides some info about this...

As most regulars here know, I always care 1-2 brand-new teddy bears somewhere in my road trip ride to give to people who might have been traumatized by a road side wreck.

On the subject of block ice -- the way I handle that is to carry two more plastic containers with resealable lids (the cheap ones) and I refill them with cubed ice from motels each night -- or re-freeze the water if the in-room refrig works well enough. Two such containers keep my cooler cold all day.

Thanks for the list!

Mark

Hi All!

It's nice to see a new thread about this. I was thinking about the differences between trips 10-15 years ago and now - technology has reduced the space needed for a lot of things, such as music and communications devices.

On the other hand, the essentials are fairly similar. My more recent trips have been mixed mode - flights into places and then renting a car - so I've learned to have a list ready for things to pick up when I arrive. For example, a trip that I took over the summer around the Great Lakes involved stopping at a sporting goods store and picking up a low-cost tent and sleeping gear. At the end of the trip, I donated them to a charity drop box.

I would not have half the things on that list..... but do have a lot of others. Always have a slab of small bottles of water. Box cereal, of course my plate bowl, mug, glass, cutlery, etc. are always in the van, as are my tiny frypan and small saucepan. Several milk bottles full of water in the sliding door-well are for dishes, washing and personal use - not drinking. Can only carry as much food as will fit in my fridge.

Lifey

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mass Tim

It's nice to see a new thread about this. I was thinking about the differences between trips 10-15 years ago and now - technology has reduced the space needed for a lot of things, such as music and communications devices.

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Howdy Tim, nice to see you on here!

Yeah, one of the things I no longer carry is a hand-held CB radio. Times, indeed, have changed!

Mark

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mark Sedenquist

Automotive Tech Guy -- has a clip that provides some info about this...

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That is all built into my Pacsafe luggage, as well as the anti-theft features..

Quote:

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As most regulars here know, I always care 1-2 brand-new teddy bears somewhere in my road trip ride to give to people who might have been traumatized by a road side wreck.

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Koalas work well too.

Lifey

Well, we still have a CB radio and antenna on our pickup, and until the unit goes (or we get rid of the truck), it will stay there. We don't use it so much for communication, as for the NOAA weather channels that are available through it. Those have been mighty handy!

The last trip, we did not bring our family radio set (we have a set of 4). At one point, it would have come in handy, but we "made do" with cell phones. The only problem with those is that you must dial. With a family radio, you don't have to dial, just press the button to call the other one/s.

I used to have a checklist for RV'ing, too. For a long time, it was posted online in a (former) website called RV101.net. I have a paper copy somewhere, but the computer version didn't get saved before my previous laptop went south.


Donna

Some great lists here as I plan to equip my RV for a looong road trip this coming summer, thanks.

Hi Major, and Welcome to the Great American Roadtrip Forum.

Just some of the great resources you'll find as you trawl around the site.

Should you desire any help or suggestions for your long trip, feel free to start your own thread.

Lifey

Yeah, there are a lot of stuff to bring for road trips. It's just like we load my all home into my car/travel trailer. LOL. Interestingly, I forgot some important things in every trip and just realized when being in need of them. Ah, one more thing I would like to add on your list is an RV TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system). This device would ensure our safety on the road especially when you usually take long road trips. It saves my life more than once and now it's an must-have device I will bring in every upcoming road trip to have a peace of mind and enjoy my trips to the fullest.

That's a good idea, the TPMS! Since we no longer have an RV, we aren't as familiar with what's on the newer ones. (We had a 1995 tent trailer for a while, and that brand is no longer making tent trailers. Then we had a 1994 fifth wheel, and that brand has been sold to another manufacturer. Weird!)

I still haven't found my RV packing list, but since that one was made 20+ years ago, it probably isn't relevant anyway. Our "tire pressure monitoring system" was a tire gauge and a lot of squatting down!


Donna