Southerner Says
Road Trip Packing Checklist
This checklist is a companion to my road trip articles on Southerner Says. Bookmark it before your next trip and check things off as you pack.
Before You Leave Home
✓
Vehicle inspection done✓
Oil and fluids checked✓
Tires inflated and spare checked✓
Gas cap attached and secure✓
Lights working✓
Battery checked✓
Registration in glove box✓
Insurance card (digital or paper)✓
Driver’s license✓
Extra car key packed✓
Roadside assistance card or app
Tech & Staying Connected
✓
Phone chargers — all of them plus extras✓
Car charger✓
Portable power station✓
Offline maps downloaded✓
Road atlas or state maps✓
Earbuds or headphones✓
Camera and charger
Navigation & Planning
✓
Google Maps lists saved✓
Route planned✓
Key overnight stops booked✓
Confirmation numbers saved offline✓
Weather checked for route
Safety & Emergency Kit
✓
First aid kit✓
Flashlight and extra batteries✓
Jumper cables or jump box✓
Fix-a-flat✓
Tire gauge✓
Blanket✓
Water✓
Non-perishable snacks✓
Cash✓
Emergency medications✓
Solar light✓
Safety hammer and seatbelt cutter
Food & Cooler
✓
Cooler packed with ice✓
Sandwich supplies✓
Snacks within reach in front seat✓
Reusable water bottle✓
Travel mug for coffee✓
Zip lock bags✓
Trash bags
Comfort & Organization
✓
Bins or boxes for car organization✓
Pillow and blanket✓
Sunglasses✓
Sunscreen✓
Hand sanitizer✓
Lip balm✓
Paper towels and wipes
Entertainment
✓
Spotify playlists downloaded✓
Podcasts downloaded✓
Audiobooks downloaded✓
Road trip games
Clothing & Personal
✓
Layers for temperature changes✓
Comfortable driving shoes✓
Change of clothes accessible (not buried)✓
Toiletries bag within reach✓
Medications