Posted on: October 1, 2018 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Getting ready for a long car trip after buying a new ride from a car selling website? The open roads can give you a lot of freedom, as you have nowhere to go but forward. But what exactly do you need to bring with you? Here are 12 essential items that you should always bring on long road trips:

  1. Jumper Cables

Your car’s battery tends to die at the most inconvenient of times, such as on a road trip. Simply having jumper cables on hand can get you out of a sticky situation if your battery dies, and they have the benefit of being inexpensive to buy. These are also good to keep in your car for day to day commutes.

  1. First Aid Kit

Hopefully you won’t have to use it, but it is always comforting to know that you are traveling with a fully stocked first aid kit. Fill this with all of the essentials, including gloves, disinfectant, band aids, burn cream, and anything else you might need. Depending on where you are venturing, the conditions of the geography may determine some of the items you include in this kit. For example, if you are driving across a more dangerous, barren area it can be helpful to bring antibiotics, sutures, and blood clotting solution.

  1. Knife

Honestly, you just never know when you’ll be in need of a good knife. Whether it is for a serious situation or just to crack open a stubborn snack bag, this is a helpful tool. Just be sure to keep it far away from children and move it into a checked bag if it is going to go on a flight.

  1. Flashlight

These are another item that are just good to keep in your vehicle at all times. There are many occasions when street lights are sparse, and if you step out of your car to check on something or need to look for your dropped keys, this will come in handy.

  1. Portable Trash Can

A lot of trash can accumulate in your vehicle, especially when you are in it for extended periods of time. Keep the space from becoming too much of a mess by using an old cereal box or a plastic bag to collect all of your unwanted receipts, wrappers, and anything else you may be discarding.

  1. Phone Charger

Having both an outlet and a vehicle phone charger with you can be very helpful for both your communication and navigational needs. Depending on the length of your trip, it could even be beneficial to pack a couple extra.

  1. E-Cigs

If you smoke cigarettes, replace your stash with your favorite e-cigs. These take up less space and last significantly longer.

  1. Snacks

Everyone has their favorite car snacks, especially those who are picky and refuse to eat gas station sustenance or fast food. A few healthier options to stock your vehicle with include almonds, protein bars, and fruit, although chips are also fun to munch on while driving.

  1. Water Bottles

While avoiding plastic waste is important and you should definitely keep a reusable bottle with you, sometimes it can be hard to find safe water refill areas. Keeping extra bottles of water with you will make sure you stay hydrated across your whole journey.

  1. Lighter

If you’re going camping, a lighter is a necessity. If you’re not going camping, this is still an inexpensive item that can be useful when you least expect it, so it couldn’t hurt to bring along.

  1. Blankets

Blankets, pillows and other comfortable things are good to have in case you need to crash in your car for a night or are traveling with a companion or children who want to sleep in the back.

  1. Umbrella

A travel-sized umbrella is good to keep on you in case it rains. Nobody wants to get soaked when they need to step out of their car to fill up on gas or make a food or beverage run.

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