Travel Tips: Essential Lists for Long Car Trips
Cross-country car trips can be exciting, entertaining, and even a bit educational (shudder!). On the flip side, they can also be a non-stop nightmare of forgotten keys, jumbled clothes, and missing essentials.
Your first task? Check and re-check the car. Nothing will turn a trip into family horror story quicker than car trouble. Click here for a pre-trip car checklist.
For advice on packing for the trip, click here.
Click here for a printer-friendly version.
Before you leave:
- Make necessary hotel, restaurant, & event reservations
- Give contact info to family, neighbors in case of emergencies
- Get a cell phone if you don't have one
During the trip:
- Maps & travel guides
- Flashlight
- Medications
- Credit cards and/or Traveler's Checks
- Cash (enough to cover small emergencies)
- Scissors/knife (collapsible)
- Small cooler w/snacks, variety of drinks
- Extra Car Keys (someone other than driver should have)
- Pillows (small)
- Motion sickness drugs (Dramamine tablets and Scopamine patches)
- First Aid Kit
- Auto info (drivers license, insurance & registration paperwork)
- Games, books, & magazines for the kids or other passengers
- Moist towellettes
At your destination:
- Maps & travel guides
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Camera & film
- Events tickets
- Credit cards and/or Traveler's Checks
- Cash (enough to cover small expenses)
- List of at least 3 local fun "things to do" (print out from travel sites)
When you get home:
- Door keys (you'd be surprised...)
- Contact info for hotels/resorts (for items left behind)
