Summer is the perfect season for the classic American road trip. We Americans love our cars, and we love hitting the open road in search of adventure. That adventure can take many forms. But if you are not prepared for what lies on the road ahead of you, your best adventures could be cut short. So it’s important to pack the right stuff.
Classic road trips are decidedly different compared to overlanding. So rather than talking about gear, a better word to describe the things you might need on a road trip is ‘kit’. With that said, let us get into it. Here are six pieces of road trip kit I am willing to bet you probably don’t know you need:
1. A Printed Road Atlas
Who uses printed road atlases in the smartphone and GPS eras? Smart road trippers, that’s who. The thing about road trips is that you never quite know when you will not have enough bars to make your trusted cell phone work. You could be in the middle of nowhere when Google Maps suddenly cannot give you any more directions. Then what are you going to do?
Learning to read and utilize a printed Rhode atlas may seem rudimentary. But when you are traversing interstates and national parks, an up-to-date atlas could be the one thing that keeps you from getting lost.
2. A Selection of Tie-Down Straps
Next up is a nice selection of tie-down straps. While I personally recommend cam straps from Rollercam, you can also invest in ratchet straps and ropes. The point is to always have tie-downs to secure things in or on your vehicle.
For example, one of my family members loves to stop at antique shops during long road trips. On more than one occasion, she has fallen in love with an antique that joined her for the remainder of her trip. She had to have tie-down straps to secure it to the top of her car.
3. A First Aid Kit
Experienced road trippers have been recommending first aid kits for as long as I can remember. And yet, a kit is an easy thing to forget when you are packing the car. You don’t realize you have forgotten it until you’ve got a splitting headache in desperate need of some aspirin or ibuprofen. Put the first aid kit at the top of your packing list.
4. A Basic Tool Kit
There is always the possibility that your car is going to need some first aid. It comes with the territory. So just like you will bring a first aid kit for yourself, bring one for your car. The kit should include basic hand tools along with spare belts, coolant and wiper fluid, and bulbs for your turn signals and brake lights.
5. Hats and Sunglasses
Being out in the hot sun for a couple of hours can be exhausting. Believe it or not, it can be equally exhausting in the car. It is a good idea to wear sunglasses and a hat during those periods of the day when direct sunlight would otherwise shine on your face. If you’re the one driving, it’s even more important. Keeping the sun out of your face could actually save your life.
6. Cash
Finally, never embark on a road trip without having at least some cash in your pocket. You never know when an emergency will strike. Not only that, but you might also find that you need help you cannot pay for with a credit card. It is all part of the fun that comes with the great American road trip.
