Essentials to Pack on a US Road Trip?
May 2nd, 2008, 02:59 PM
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Essentials to Pack on a US Road Trip?
Any tips on 'must-haves' to remember to pack? DH and I are going on a lengthy road trip through Western US. We'll be staying at motels and trying local restaurants but also tailgating, picknicking in rest areas and parks. We're great at packing well for air travel but this is our first long road trip in awhile and we would appreciate any helpful hints. We'll have room as will be driving a medium sized SUV (I know-will need lots of money for gas!!!) Advice would be appreciated.
May 2nd, 2008, 06:13 PM
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Toilet paper, paper toilet seat covers, and lysol. Seriously. At some point, you're going to HAVE to stop for a bathroom break and you WON'T like it. Having those things will help you feel much cleaner.
I'd also throw in some rags (never know when you need to clean up a spill, wipe something off, etc.).
A smallish cooler that you can throw some waters or sodas in with a small bag of ice. When the ice melts, pick up a new small bag. Place it on the floor of the backseat where you can reach into it from the front as needed.
Some offbeat items for "it's getting boring" moments. Make a CD of off-the-wall songs, or songs you haven't listened to in years, to pop in as a surprise. In fact, have each of you make a CD and then you can compare them.
A ball, frisbee, etc. that you can use at rest stops to move around a bit and get some exercise.
A mix of sweet, salty and healthy snacks. Repack them into smaller portions so you don't end up eating the WHOLE bag of Cheetos in one day.
I'd also throw in some rags (never know when you need to clean up a spill, wipe something off, etc.).
A smallish cooler that you can throw some waters or sodas in with a small bag of ice. When the ice melts, pick up a new small bag. Place it on the floor of the backseat where you can reach into it from the front as needed.
Some offbeat items for "it's getting boring" moments. Make a CD of off-the-wall songs, or songs you haven't listened to in years, to pop in as a surprise. In fact, have each of you make a CD and then you can compare them.
A ball, frisbee, etc. that you can use at rest stops to move around a bit and get some exercise.
A mix of sweet, salty and healthy snacks. Repack them into smaller portions so you don't end up eating the WHOLE bag of Cheetos in one day.
May 2nd, 2008, 07:51 PM
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We did the same trip last summer. Had a ball.
I packed one tote bag of picnic items--paper plates, cups, napkins, plastic silverware, tablecloth, hand sanitizer, good knife, can/bottle opener, trash bags and a good supply of Ziplocks of assorted sizes. When we stopped for a picnic lunch, I just pulled out the tote bag and set the table. And then put it all back after we ate. Very handy.
I packed one tote bag of picnic items--paper plates, cups, napkins, plastic silverware, tablecloth, hand sanitizer, good knife, can/bottle opener, trash bags and a good supply of Ziplocks of assorted sizes. When we stopped for a picnic lunch, I just pulled out the tote bag and set the table. And then put it all back after we ate. Very handy.
May 2nd, 2008, 09:01 PM
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A good supply of audio books. I try to pick something that goes with the landscape. For a trip through Arizona and New Mexico we listened to Dead Man's Walk by Larry McMurtry. (sp?)
Of course the obvious:
Kitchen knife
cutting board
flares
first aid kit
Of course the obvious:
Kitchen knife
cutting board
flares
first aid kit
May 2nd, 2008, 09:37 PM
#6
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In my car at home, just driving around town, I carry a small spritzer bottle filled with water. It helps keep me cool on hot days. Along with your other picnic supplies, pack straws, so you can drink juice and other bottled drinks easily as you drive.
May 2nd, 2008, 10:23 PM
#7
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Thanks everyone. Each of you has mentioned items we hadn't thought of.
We really enjoy driving and we're planning interesting, scenic routes and stops thanks to all the tips from Fodorites on the US Forum. But there IS one long deserted stretch (south from Twin Falls through Nevada on 93) where the audio books and 'off the wall' songs will come in handy!
What sized cooler seemed to work best for you, or you would recommend for 2 people?
We really enjoy driving and we're planning interesting, scenic routes and stops thanks to all the tips from Fodorites on the US Forum. But there IS one long deserted stretch (south from Twin Falls through Nevada on 93) where the audio books and 'off the wall' songs will come in handy!
What sized cooler seemed to work best for you, or you would recommend for 2 people?
May 2nd, 2008, 10:56 PM
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The size of the cooler will depend on your vehicle. If you can easily reach the cooler sitting on the back seat, then you can go with a larger size. If you have to set the cooler on the floor then you'll be limited to the area dimensions. Preferably, you want it big enough to hold 3-4 drinks per person plus one small bag of ice. If you can't fit all the ice, put the rest in some empty milk cartons and use them for clean ups, emergency water needs, etc. Why waste what you're paying for.
If you need to store foods that you won't access during driving times, get a second cooler rather than one big cooler. You want those liquids within reach while you're driving so you don't have to make unnecessary stops.
P.S. I would eat the WHOLE bag also - that's why I repack them into smaller packaging.
If you need to store foods that you won't access during driving times, get a second cooler rather than one big cooler. You want those liquids within reach while you're driving so you don't have to make unnecessary stops.
P.S. I would eat the WHOLE bag also - that's why I repack them into smaller packaging.
May 3rd, 2008, 06:49 AM
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Hi J,
A compass for the car
A corkscrew
A Swiss Army knife
20 ft of 1/8" cord
A pair of scissors
Band aids
A nylon duffle bag or tote bag
An extra flashlight (I like the no-battery windup kind)
Q tips
Nail clippers
A small cooler chest
A can of Fix-A-Flat or similar product
Poison Ivy stuff
Anti-itch stuff for bug bites
Aspirin or other NSAID
An ace bandage
Spray bottle of glass cleaner and a roll of paper towels
A bottle or can of motor oil
A can of Freon for the AC
WARNING:
Out West many gas stations will have Diesel and Gasoline at the same pump.
Carefully check that you have the right fuel.
A tank of diesel can ruin your whole day.
Hint: If you do accidentally fill up with Diesel, you will have to be towed to a garage.
It is not necessary to remove the gas tank.
Have them disconnect the fuel line and run your fuel pump to get the Diesel out of the tank and into a proper container.
Flush with a gallon or so of gasoline.
Reconnect and refill.
The voice of experience
A compass for the car
A corkscrew
A Swiss Army knife
20 ft of 1/8" cord
A pair of scissors
Band aids
A nylon duffle bag or tote bag
An extra flashlight (I like the no-battery windup kind)
Q tips
Nail clippers
A small cooler chest
A can of Fix-A-Flat or similar product
Poison Ivy stuff
Anti-itch stuff for bug bites
Aspirin or other NSAID
An ace bandage
Spray bottle of glass cleaner and a roll of paper towels
A bottle or can of motor oil
A can of Freon for the AC
WARNING:
Out West many gas stations will have Diesel and Gasoline at the same pump.
Carefully check that you have the right fuel.
A tank of diesel can ruin your whole day.
Hint: If you do accidentally fill up with Diesel, you will have to be towed to a garage.
It is not necessary to remove the gas tank.
Have them disconnect the fuel line and run your fuel pump to get the Diesel out of the tank and into a proper container.
Flush with a gallon or so of gasoline.
Reconnect and refill.
The voice of experience
May 3rd, 2008, 07:32 AM
#10
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Ira, thanks for the crucial Diesel/Gas alert on the gas pumps! We tend to quickly pump and go at times-would hate to see a grown man cry as they tow away his new "baby". DH finally got his dream car (Infiniti FX), part of the reason for the road trip.
May 3rd, 2008, 11:11 AM
#11
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Lady and others, on your trips in the West were there many insects? We'll be visiting Bryce, Zion, Grand canyons? Really don't have to contend with bugs where we live on west coast but Ira's packing list reminded me.
PS Have also been reflecting that DH's long awaited dream car for road trips should have been a Prius. We will have to be greener in other ways!
PS Have also been reflecting that DH's long awaited dream car for road trips should have been a Prius. We will have to be greener in other ways!
May 3rd, 2008, 07:51 PM
#12
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Oh, yeah, there are bugs, but since I live in Florida, they're a way of life with us
and I didn't notice them any worse than usual on that trip. I do remember one trip to West Yellowstone the mosquites were big enough to carry us off and thick enough block the view! So I guess how bad they are could go either way, depending on the weather.
and I didn't notice them any worse than usual on that trip. I do remember one trip to West Yellowstone the mosquites were big enough to carry us off and thick enough block the view! So I guess how bad they are could go either way, depending on the weather.
May 3rd, 2008, 07:59 PM
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Maybe the best thing we took on our trip was our GPS. It's not just for finding your way in unfamiliar territory, though that's help enough. Ours lists gas stations, hotels, restaurants, major attractions, shopping, etc, all with telephone numbers.
It was especially valuable for us since we were traveling with a dog. If we didn't have reservations, we could plug in the town we planned to be in that evening and pull up a list of hotels/motels, call ahead and ask about pet policies, make reservations, then plug in the address and drive right to it. Never leave home without it, now.
It was especially valuable for us since we were traveling with a dog. If we didn't have reservations, we could plug in the town we planned to be in that evening and pull up a list of hotels/motels, call ahead and ask about pet policies, make reservations, then plug in the address and drive right to it. Never leave home without it, now.
May 4th, 2008, 07:37 PM
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Duct tape. Don't travel without it, because you'll find uses for it. I've ended up duct taping a friends pants back together as we had no sewing kit handy. Yes, you can fix pants with neon green duct tape
Tiny sewing kit.
Individually wrapped wet wipes - much handier than the tubs or stopping to wash you hands after that bag of cheetos.
Ziplocks - I like the gallon size. Throw in a handful held together with a rubber band. They hardly take up any space and can be used for a million different things.
Sunblock.
Bug spray.
Tiny sewing kit.
Individually wrapped wet wipes - much handier than the tubs or stopping to wash you hands after that bag of cheetos.
Ziplocks - I like the gallon size. Throw in a handful held together with a rubber band. They hardly take up any space and can be used for a million different things.
Sunblock.
Bug spray.
May 5th, 2008, 07:45 AM
#15
As it's your own car, be sure to have contact numbers for your insurance agency for auto and homeowners. Remember to take the phone number of whoever will be watching your house. Don't rely only on the data in your cell phone, as it won't be available if it is lost or not charged. And don't forget the charger at home or in a motel room!
Carry xeroxes of your driver's license and registration and credit cards, in case of wallet theft or loss.
Get a list of banks allied with your own so as to minimize ATM fees.
A roll of paper towels fills many needs. (Not as many as duct tape!)
And relax, you can buy stuff along the way.
Carry xeroxes of your driver's license and registration and credit cards, in case of wallet theft or loss.
Get a list of banks allied with your own so as to minimize ATM fees.
A roll of paper towels fills many needs. (Not as many as duct tape!)
And relax, you can buy stuff along the way.
May 5th, 2008, 03:34 PM
#18
Driving through the west, you'll be in the wide open spaces for miles at a time. You will often not find restaurants of any kind when you are hungry so carry sandwich makings, yogurt, fruit in your cooler, a knife and a cutting board. We prefer a plug in cooler that uses the same outlet as a cell phone charger.
Whe we get to a motel at night, we take it in the room and add ice to it, and replug it in the car in the morning.
Whe we get to a motel at night, we take it in the room and add ice to it, and replug it in the car in the morning.
May 5th, 2008, 08:46 PM
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Jojo46, even in summer we learned the hard way to either have coats or blankets. A long story I won't bore you with except to say after being in Canada and a strike with the Vancouver Island ferry which we did manage to get on the last one and arrive north of Seattle around midnight we could not find a hotel/motel room. It was freezing cold and we only had jackets with us..not enough to keep us warm. Lesson learned.
May 6th, 2008, 11:35 AM
#20
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We also like to take a table top gas grill on road trips - this way for our picnics, we have the option of making burgers or other hot foods. We do a lot of picnics on road trips since a lot of time, the most scenic places aren't near any type of restaurant or town and we like to be able to stop anywhere and have something besides sandwiches and salads.
We take 2 coolers - one that fits behind the front seat for drinks and snacks and one that goes in the back for picnic foods.
We take 2 coolers - one that fits behind the front seat for drinks and snacks and one that goes in the back for picnic foods.
