A complete guide to road trip car essentials

So you’re planning a road trip. We’re all for it – road trips are a great way to see the world and enjoy not only the destination of your trip, but also the journey. But what exactly are road trip car essentials? What do you NEED to pack to make the most of the miles? Here’s are Orlando Toyota take on a car road trip checklist to help you prep.

Road trip car essentials: The basics for your Orlando Toyota

Before you hit the road, you need to make sure you at least have the basics packed up and ready to go. Here are the road trip car essentials we think you should start with.

• A spare tire kit – this means the spare tire AND jack. Make sure your spare is in good condition and fully inflated.
• A first aid kit for any injuries along the way
• A flashlight, work gloves, and a small tool kit for roadside repairs
• Jumper cables in case your battery dies
• Charging cords for all of your devices and a portable charging bank
• A paper map or road atlas (you never know when Waze will fail you)
• Extra blankets and pillows so everyone can get comfortable
• A designated trash bin or bag to keep everything organized
• A document holder with important paperwork like registration and car insurance
• Baby wipes and paper towels for spills
• Sunglasses to cut the glare and a sunshade to keep the car cool while you’re exploring
• A small amount of cash for emergencies

More (less basic) car essentials for a road trip

So now you’ve got the basics packed and can stay relatively comfortable and safe as you navigate the highways in your Orlando Toyota. But what about you and your passengers – what road trip car essentials do you need to elevate your time in the car? Here are some things we recommend:

• Headache and nausea medication – you never know when someone will get carsick
• Hand sanitizer and hand wipes
• Refillable water bottles and coffee mugs
• A cooler full of snacks (much cheaper and healthier than fast f00d)
• A dashboard mount for your phone (unless, of course, you’re using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto)
• Toilet seat covers for less-than-clean rest stops and gas stations
• A car diffuser or air fresheners to keep things smelling sweet as the miles stretch on
• A cargo area organizer to keep stray items from rolling around the back
• Car seatback organizers for backseat passengers – especially little ones – to keep their belongings where they should be
• A dirty laundry bag so you don’t have to repack dirty clothes with your clean ones

 Our top road trip essentials for kids and pets

Things are different when you’re hitting the highway with kids or pets. At Toyota of Orlando, we’re all about keeping them occupied and happy so everyone can enjoy the ride. Here are some of the road trip car essentials we recommend in addition to the above for this type of journey.

For kids: 

• A tablet mount so they can watch movies with ease
• Car window shades to keep the backseat cool
• A bag of toys, games, coloring supplies, and other activities to help pass the miles
• Headphones if you can’t handle listening to another episode of Bluey
• A travel tray that sits over their lap and gives them a flat space to color, draw, or read
• Extra clothes in case of spills or accidents

For pets: 

• A seatbelt set-up or traveling crate to keep them safe while you’re in motion
• Leashes
• Water bowls and drinking water
• Food bowls and food
• Poop bags for rest stops
• Treats and toys to keep them occupied
• A seat cover to protect your seats and keep your car cleaner
• Grooming wipes in case of spills or accidents

Complete your car road trip checklist at Toyota of Orlando

Need to shop for supplies or get your Orlando Toyota prepped for highway travel? We’re open seven days a week with extra-long service hours, and our parts store is open and waiting. Stop by Toyota of Orlando today at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Mall at Millenia!

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