Type A Road Trip Packing Tips

Whether it’s a family trip, a girl’s getaway, a romantic escape, or even a solo trip, the promise of adventure that a road trip offers is a sure-fire way to get out and have some fun this summer. But nothing kills the mood faster than being unprepared for what the road throws at you. Head off problems and potential issues by packing the solution to any eventuality in the trunk of your car. To help you out, here are several indispensable tips on how to pack for a long-distance road trip as divulged by a Type-A.

Keep Your Car in Mind

Cars are safer than ever, but if you don’t look out for them, they can’t look out for you. Start your defense of roadside calamities by packing a car emergency kit. Some kits are already pre-packed and available for purchase, which makes it even easier. Just make sure your kit contains jumper cables, a flashlight and extra batteries, a tool kit, road flares or flashing signals, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, duct tape, a gallon or two of fresh water, and a few blankets. And of course, double check that your car has a spare tire that’s intact and fully inflated, as well as a jack and tire tool in case you end up with a flat. While AAA or roadside service is always nice, it’s even nicer to know you don’t have to rely on a stranger if you’re stranded somewhere. If you don’t know how to change a tire, find someone to give you a quick lesson before you head out - it’s far less daunting in practice than it is in theory (ps we’ve done it in 4 inch heels more than once in our past, so we have confidence in you!)

Water and a Cooler of Snacks

Unless you’re going off-roading, you’ll probably always be only a few miles away from the comfort and safety of a hotel, motel, convenience store, or restaurant. Even so, it’s always smart (not to mention thrifty) to pack a cooler full of water and healthy snacks, especially when traveling with children (or anyone who acts like a child). On top of it just being safe to have water and food with you at all times fighting hunger in the car also helps to prevent too many unhealthy stops at fast-food restaurants or convenience stores along the way. Packing sandwiches and wraps, dried fruit, nuts, protein bars, beef jerky, carrots and celery with small packs of hummus, and the likes will keep you healthy and happy. Plan your rest stops and keep the food handy for long stretches of road. If your trip is over a few days, re-upping at a grocery store will help cut costs along the way and will help keep your choices health.

Chargers and Extra Batteries

If your car was made in the last few years, it’s likely equipped with jacks that let you charge your phone and access Wi-Fi. If not, an adapter you can plug into a car lighter to keep your phone, laptop, tablet, and other devices charged will do the trick. However a portable power bank is a great backup option and puts less strain on your car’s battery. No one wants their navigation device to cut out in the middle of nowhere. As a side note, pick up a road atlas in case you’re off the grid sans service and need to find your way back to civilization. And if you’re like us, you might want to relearn how to read maps. It’s probably been a while…

Pack Light

When considering how to pack for a long-distance road trip, it might sound like a tall order to pack light. But the less you carry, the less pressure you put on your car, which means you spend less on gas, oil, and potential repairs down the line. Pick a few comfy basics to wear for your trip, and always remember that you can pick up anything you need along the way. Besides, you need to leave room for souvenirs!