In the past, a good old-fashioned road trip was the only way that families could take vacations. It involved loading up the family station wagon and hitting the open road. In the fast-paced world of deadlines and itineraries, however, road tripping has become a lost art as there are more efficient ways of traveling. Loading up the minivan and plotting a journey out on the road, however, is making a comeback today. In fact, an RV boom has recently taken place in America and recreational vehicles have hit record sales. The biggest appeal to most people is that a road trip offers flexibility. Out on the open road, there are no departure times or bag fees.

When thinking about how to plan the perfect road trip vacation, you will want to consider your packing list. Aside from your clothing and attire that will be needed for your trip, there aren’t really any rules to what you must bring on your trip. There are a few tried and trusted essentials, however, that you should consider. Along the way, we have made numerous road trip packing failures, but we have also had a lot of success. Let’s take a look at some things that you should pack for your next road trip.

Expect the unexpected.

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The first rule of road tripping is to expect the unexpected. When packing the van up for your next trip, you need to consider some of the things that you might need, should things not according to plan. While this is the less exciting part of road tripping, thinking about the not-so-fun situations will give you peace of mind. You should be sure to include first-aid kits, flashlights, extra medications, an extra junk food stash, and other essential items on your packing list.

These things might come in handy in an emergency or if you find yourself stranded somewhere for an extended period. While you have already had your car serviced and checked before you leave, it’s good to make sure you have some jumper cables, a spare tire and tools, and a roadside emergency kit. Also, be sure to bring the number for your AAA or other roadside assistance plan!

Bring the essentials.

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When we say that you should bring the essentials, we mean that you should bring what is important to you. What are the things that you will not be able to live without while you are out on the road? Do you have a favorite blanket or an eye mask that you need to be able to sleep? Perhaps you are the one that gets your nails done every week.

You might need to bring a nail kit from a company like TrySprig to keep your nails in good shape. Snacks are also probably an essential item that most of us require when road tripping. There are certain things that we all use in our daily lives that we will need when out on the road. Whatever essential items that you and your family require, you will want to be sure to put those on your list.

Don’t forget the fun.

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On your ultimate road trip, it is always a good idea to remember to bring the fun stuff. There are a ton of games, activities, and entertainment options that can be a great way to enhance your road trip. Many of these can be accessed with apps on things like your apple or android devices. Also, be sure that you bring all your charging devices so that you can check-in with your social media friends along the way.

When you are in the middle of nowhere you will want to make sure that you keep the trip fun going! When you are visiting roadside attractions or national parks, photos are the best way to capture all of the fun and excitement of your trip. Be sure that you have devices for unlimited storage options. Photo storage will be important and you may even want to invest in one of the best online photo storage devices that will give you easy access to all of your photos.

Whether this is your first time or hundredth time planning a road trip to national parks, a beach retreat, or other fun destinations, you will want to be sure to pay attention to your packing list. The things that you put in your suitcase and your car will be the key to a successful trip.