Heading out on the open road for a family vacation? Well, make sure you’re prepared. From snacks to games to car supplies, here’s a list of things you need to make sure you have packed!
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1. Snacks
Fight the hanger games that often plague road trips by having snacks on hand. Trust me, you’ll be thankful for it when 2:30pm hits and the hunger comes a-knockin’. Here are some of our favorite homemade road trip snack recipes:Spicy Snack Mix
Not Your Mama’s Cookies!
Cracker Jacks Gone Wild!
Ranch Pretzel Bites
Game Day Pep-Corn with REESE’S® Minis
Roasted Cinnamon Sugar Almonds
2. Playlist
Keep your road trip full of music by having playlists or stations prepared of your family’s favorite music. Whether you love oldies, classic rock, country or top 40 music, make sure you have your Spotify or Pandora ready to rock and roll!3. Cooler Full of Drinks
Stopping constantly for drinks or snacks can take up a bunch of time, so it’s time to pack your cooler! Like this one we’ve linked to that can hold up to 50 cans, this is an awesome option for your road trip. Pack your favorite sodas, juices and such…but make sure you pack lots of water! It’s important to stay hydrated. Pro Tip: freeze some of the waters to act as extra ice packs to keep everything nice and cold!4. Car Games
Traveling with younger kids? Then make sure you have some road trip games on hand! You have to play the classics, like the “ABC Game” or the starts with/ends with categories game (ex: category = movies: Meet Me in St. Louis, Some Like it Hot, To Kill A Mockingbird…etc). Then there are some other fun games you can buy, like:Games on the Go
Travel Scavenger Hunt Card Game
5. Car Gear
Don’t be that car that breaks down on the side of the road without any supplies. Here’s what you need to make sure you have in your car (just in case):Jumper Cables (20 feet)
Backup Gas Can
Flashlight
Foam Tire Sealant
Warning Road Safety Triangles
Warm Blanket
6. Phone Apps and Technology
We’ve already mentioned music apps (Spotify and Pandora), but you can’t forget your map apps! Whether you’re team Waze, Team Google Maps or Team Apple Maps, all three are great options to have up while on your trip. Also – remember, your map app often drains battery so make sure you have a multi-phone charger for everyone in the car. Oh, and last but not least, make sure you have some good-smelling car air clip fresheners to keep your car smelling fresh!7. Stop and Smell the Roses
Don’t forget to take some time to rest, stretch and get some fresh air! Whether it’s just a random pit-stop or a planned overnight excursion, give your family a break from the stuffiness of the car with rest stops. It will keep you refreshed, safe and help crush any crabbiness!Happy road trip!