bestillandwrite Earlier this month we took a 16 hour road trip with our three year old to Gulf Shores, Alabama. She did incredibly well on the drive considering the distance, but I’m still not sure we could ever drive that far again. Below are The Best Things to Pack for a Long Road Trip based on our journey. Most of these items are for kids, so if you are taking a family vacation this summer, hopefully this list will be of help!
1. Books!
The number one thing we always have in the car is books. We were going to the beach for our vacation, so I compiled a list of beach/ocean-themed books for our trip. Remember to pack paper-back books, so they take up less space, you can bring more and they weigh less.
2. Tray
I knew we would be in the car more than we every had before, so for this vacation I bought our daughter a small tray to use with some of her toys. She loved having her own little table and it kept pieces from falling on the ground.
3. Magnet Toys
One of the toys that kept her attention longest were our magnet toys. You could create little scenes from the magnetic characters. We ended up buying a second one in Alabama, because she liked them so much.
4. Stickers
Stickers are always a win. You can get a coloring book with stickers included or just a sheet of them. Expect the stickers to be EVERYWHERE, but whatever keeps them entertained, right?
5. Food or a “Snackle Box”
My sister had at the best idea for our snacks on the drive. We each created a little snackle box with our favorite things. I loved how we got to customize them. They were easy to store and even fit in the side of the door. Creating these boxes was also a fun family activity the night before our trip.
6. Blankets/Pillows
Everyone gets sleepy at some point on a road trip. Although a neck pillow and blanket might take up some space, you won’t regret packing them.
7. Tiny Potty
Nothing is worse than being stuck in the middle of nowhere with a a three-year-old who needs to pee. You don’t always have easy access to a bathroom while on the road, so we always pack the emergency kid potty.
8. Wipes
Speaking of the potty, don’t forget the potty accessories. Things like toilet paper, bags, and wipes are important to have in the backseat.
9. Matching Toy
Another toy that kept our daughters attention for quite some time was this Minnie Mouse matching toy. You can change the face and outfit in a dozen or more ways. She had a great time creating new ensembles for Minnie.
10. Busy Book
We bought this beautiful busy book for Ronia to have on our last trip to Disney. It was just as fun for her on the road! I love that all the pieces have a place to be put away. It’s soft and stores easy as well. The Etsy store that sells these busy books has several different options, from farming to ocean life.
11. Tablet
As always, the tablet is our last resort. On a nine hour travel day we would save it for the last two hours. That way our daughter could watch a movie just before we got to our destination and we all got some peace.
Finally, for some more boring items…
12. Sunglasses
You will need them when you’re driving for hours on a sunny day.
13. Water
Drinking water on a long trip can help with all sorts of problems. It’s tempting to grab a soda, coffee or tea, but don’t forget to hydrate!
14. Basic Car Tools
Obviously anything could go wrong, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for car trouble. Keep the basics in your trunk for emergencies.
15. A Plan
If you are going on a long road trip, it’s important to have a plan. Know where you might be able to stop. Nothing is worse than not knowing where you can stop for lunch or to pee. Everyone starts getting cranky and then the road trip turns sour. Come up with a loose plan for your drive, and maybe have some backup ideas. Take a break every 2-3 hours and have grace for yourself and your family. You’ll get there eventually!
Thank you for reading about The Best Things to Pack for a Long Road Trip. I hope they will help you on your next family vacation. For more helpful tips, be sure to read the additional content below:
Helpful Things to Pack for a Trip to the Beach
A Review of the Contemporary Resort at Disney World
How to Save Money Going to Disney World
If you have any questions feel free to send me an email or message on Instagram. Follow @gentryjourneys on Pinterest for more travel tips and tricks and don’t forget to subscribe below for new content every week!
Safe Travels,
