long distance travel checklist

Road Trip Essentials: Packing Checklist (with Printable PDF)

This is what I pack on every road trip. My printable packing checklist will help you get organized so you don’t forget anything at home!

Road-tripping is my favorite way to travel. With two dogs and now a baby, I’d much prefer to drive somewhere than fly. Also, there is an undeniable magic to a good road trip: the freedom of the open road, the opportunity to get off the beaten path, and the surprises that you stumble upon along the way.

However, packing for a road trip can be super stressful. While I consider myself a packing pro these days, I’ve definitely made the mistake of forgetting something really important, like the time I left my hiking shoes behind. I can’t tell you what a huge bummer it was to have to stop and spend $150 on new hiking shoes when I have so many pairs at home.

So, to help myself (and you!) stay organized, I created a road trip packing checklist that has all of the essentials you need for a successful road trip. I keep a condensed, printable version of this packing checklist on my phone to make sure I don’t forget anything.

Download a PDF version of my road trip packing checklist !

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In this post, I’m excited to share all of the details of what I bring on my road trips, including safety gear, clothing, food, and other gear.

Vehicle Road Trip Essentials

This is the basic safety gear that I always pack on all of my road trips.

• Driver’s License, Registration, and Proof of Insurance
• Car Operation Manual : Your car manual will come in handy if your check engine light comes on or you need to change your tire.
• Spare Tire and Tools : If you get a flat, you’ll need a lug wrench, a jack, and a portable compressor that you can use to pump up your tire.
• Jumper cables : If your battery dies, you can save yourself a call to roadside assistance by having jumper cables, or even better, a self-starting battery jumper
• Communication device : I’d argue that the Garmin InReach is a road trip essential if you plan on exploring remote backroads where there is no cell phone service. The Garmin InReach allows you to send custom text messages no matter where you are or to call for medical help if you are in an emergency situation. I once had a dead battery in my Sprinter Van and no cell sevice, and I used the Garmin InReach to text my dad who was then able to call a tow truck.

Road Trip Navigational Tools

While part of the fun of a good road trip might be getting lost and exploring remote back roads, it is crucial to have reliable navigational tools so you don’t end up utterly lost. Here are my recommendations.

• Atlas : Although we all know Google Maps is essential for directions, I personally like carrying a paper map too. Plus, hopefully some of your itinerary will take you off the grid and out of cell phone service. Paper maps are also better than phone apps for telling the difference between a well-graded gravel road and a gnarly 4×4 road. My favorite paper maps are the Benchmark Road and Recreation Atlases which also detail public lands, camping areas, National Parks, and more.
• GPS: A GPS is handy for navigation when you don’t have cell service. If you don’t want to purchase a GPS, download Google Maps for offline use.

Road Trip Apps

Before you hit the road, download these apps. These are the apps I rely on daily when I’m on a road trip for finding camping and other services.

• Gas Buddy App : This is a helpful road trip app that will help you find the cheapest gas prices so you aren’t wasting money when you fill up.
• The Dyrt App : The Dyrt is one of my favorite campsite finder apps that has reviews and photos, and you can even use it to make reservations at some campgrounds. Sign up for the Dyrt Pro and try it for free for 30 days.
• iOverlander : Another one of my go-to apps for finding free dispersed camping on public land. For details on how to use it, see my iOverlander review .
• AllTrails : The most popular trail finder app for hiking trails on your road trip. If you upgrade to AllTrails+ you can download trail maps for offline use which I find to be super handy when I’m are visiting remote areas.

Looking for more helpful apps? Check out our post on Must-Have Van Life Apps . Many of them are also great for road trips!

What to Wear on a Road Trip

Packing for a road trip means filling your bags with versatile, well-fitting, and durable clothes that allow you to do a little bit of everything. The key is to not overpack, otherwise, your luggage will be overflowing and your car will get messy quickly.

I like to pack clothing, footwear, and accessories that:

While crazy patterns can be fun, I prefer to pack solid prints that will go with everything. That way, you don’t have to really think about packing specific outfits. Here is a list of the types of clothes I bring on a road trip. If you click on the links it will take you to my blog posts with female-specific suggestions.

• Quick dry shirts (short and long-sleeve)
• Leggings / Hiking Pants
• Hiking Shorts
• Warm Jacket
• Wool Socks – Darn Tough are my favorite!
• Hiking Shoes

Road Trip Entertainment

Road trips are all about having a good time, right? Right. Make the drive fun with the following entertainment essentials. I also recommend keeping your day hiking essentials in your trunk too so you’re always ready for a spur-of-the-moment hike, should you need them.

• Music Playlists : What’s a road trip without music? Load up your phone with plenty of tunes ahead of time in case you’ll be driving through areas with limited service.
• Podcasts and Audiobooks : If music isn’t your thing or you need a break from rockin’ out, download a couple of audiobooks or a bunch of episodes of your favorite podcast. For suggestions, check out my favorite outdoor podcasts . The Libby App and Audible are also great resources for downloading audiobooks.
• Book : A book or two is always nice to have along on a road trip so you can read in your downtime. I prefer a Kindle since I can load it up with a few different books just in case I get bored with one.
• Travel Games : If you’re traveling with kids, games are a great way to keep everyone happy and entertained. But games aren’t just for kids! Bringing along a deck of cards or your favorite road trip games for entertainment in the evenings.
• Headphones : A set of headphones or AirPods are nice to bring on a road trip in case you need a little alone time.
• Camera : I like to bring a camera to capture the memories on my trip. Of course, you can always use your phone too.
• Notebook : If you like to journal or make notes about the places you travel to, pack a small weatherproof notebook .
• iPad or Laptop : An iPad or laptop is nice to have along for evenings when you just want to Netflix and chill. Download a few movies ahead of time for easy viewing.

Packing Food on your Road Trip

One of the best parts about a road trip is tasty road trip snacks, wouldn’t you agree? Whether you’re a salty or sweet person, having quick and (mostly) healthy snack options can make or break a long drive.

It’s also a good idea to pack some kitchen and cooking gear even if you’re not camping so you can whip up that impromptu picnic. If you are camping, check out my car camping packing checklist which has additional gear like a stove, cookset, etc. Here is the food and cooking essentials I pack on a road trip.

• Cooler : A cooler will keep your fruit, veggies, dips, dand other snacks cold so you can eat fresh on the road.
• Reusable Water Bottle : An insulated water bottle will keep your water cold in the hot car and is key for staying hydrated. You can fill it up at gas station soda fountains, which will also save you money on having to buy water.
• Water Jug : Having a full 5-gallon water jug makes it easy to fill up your water bottle on the go and is also important in case your car breaks down or you run out of gas.
• Coffee Mug : Consider bringing an insulated coffee mug for keeping coffee and tea hot on sunrise drives.
• Multi-tool : A multi-tool or versatile knife like this Swiss Army Camper Knife is always good to have along, whether for slicing apples, cutting rope, or opening that nice bottle of wine at the end of the day.
• Utensil set : This To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensil Set comes in a handy holder and is perfect for on-the-go meals when you’re road-tripping.
• Quick Dry Towels : A set of small quick-dry towels is a great zero-waste alternative for wiping your hands and cleaning up messes and spills. A roll of paper towels works too.
• Reusable Bag : A reusable bag will come in handy for those grocery store stops along the way and once you arrive at your destination.

Healthy Snacks

Having healthy snacks easily accessible will stop the hanger from creeping in and help you avoid gas station temptations like chips and candy (no judgment though if you want to indulge)! Some of my favorite road trip snacks are:

Staying Organized on your Road Trip

Nothing drives me more crazy when I’m road tripping is a trunk full of clutter. I like being able to quickly find things that I need without having to pull everything out of my car. Here are some of the things I use to keep organized.

• Luggage : Try to fit all of your clothing in a carry-on sized piece of luggage. That will make it easy to carry it in and out of your hotel (or tent), and it also wont’ take up too much room in your trunk. I love the REI Co-op Roadtripper Duffel .
• Packing Cubes : I use packing cubes to keep all of my clothing organized inside my duffel. Underwear in one. Socks in another. Pants. Shirts. Each category of clothing gets it’s own cube. That way it’s easy to pull out a new shirt without unfolding all of my clothes.
• Toiletry Bag : Having all your toiletries and smaller essentials in a toiletry bag makes it easy to find them when you need them.
• Day pack : I love this comfy 30 liter hiking pack that has lots of pockets and straps that I can adjust for the perfect fit. I keep all of the stuff I need for my hikes and other activities in my pack so it’s ready to go.
• Plastic Bins : I always organize the rest of my gear by category in plastic bins that are easy to stack and pull out of my car. I’ll put all of my food and kitchen stuff in one and any camping gear in another.

Personal Items

Getting out of your normal routine can make it a bit more of a challenge to keep up with personal care, but if you can pare it down to the necessities, you won’t have to pack as much.

• Sunscreen : UV rays can come through your windows so bring a tube or two of good mineral-based sunscreen , especially if you’re road-tripping in the summer.
• Lip Balm : Lip balm is always nice to have along in case your lips get extra dry. I prefer lip balm with SPF for sun protection.
• Toothpaste / Toothbrush : Any old toothpaste you have at home will do, but if you want an eco-friendly, travel-size option, Hello toothpaste bites are a great pick.
• Other Toiletries : Bring the toiletries you need from home, like soap, shampoo, and conditioner, in these refillable 2.5 oz  humangear GoToob+ Medium Squeeze Bottles that help save room in your bag.
• Kula Cloth : This is a reusable pee rag that I bring on every hike and road trip. That way if I have to pop a squat, I’m not having to drip dry.
• Hair Brush : A small, travel-size hair brush for taming that windswept hair
• Body Wipes : Sometimes it’s nice to freshen up with a body wipe after a long drive, or maybe you’re hiking and camping on your road trip as well.
• Electrolytes : I like to pack electrolytes that are easy to throw into my water when I need an extra boost.
• Hand sanitizer : I keep hand sanitizer in my center console so I can sanitize after filling up my gas tank or using a pit toilet at a trailhead.
• First aid kit : This  My Medic MyFAK First Aid Kit  is equipped with all kinds of expert-picked first aid and trauma supplies. You can strap it to the back of a headrest for easy storage or just toss it in the back so it’s there when you need it.

Other Road Trip Essentials

If you have extra room in your car, these are some additional things I like to pack on my road trips.

• Pillow : Ideally I’m bringing my pillow from home since hotel pillows often suck! But if I don’t have room, I bring a lightweight, compressible camping pillow that makes riding in the passenger seat just a bit more comfortable.
• Headlamp : I always pack a rechargeable headlamp . It makes rummaging around in your car at night so much easier.
• Blanket : A small blanket is a nice item to have along in case you find the perfect picnic spot or if you just need a little extra warmth at any point on your road trip. I love Rumpl’s cozy, packable blankets – they won’t take up much space in your car and they come in all kinds of fun colors and patterns.
• Large quick-dry towel : Be ready for those impromptu swimming hole dips or beach hangs with a lightweight, quick-dry towel
• Phone charger : You’ll be surprised how quickly your phone battery will drain when using navigation mode and a variety of apps on your phone so it’s good to be able to charge from your vehicle.
• Cash : Have a little bit of cash on hand in case you come across a farmers market or a roadside stall, or if you plan on camping at more remote campgrounds, which are typically cash-only.
• Camp Chair : It’s nice to have a small, packable camp chair so you can have somewhere to sit when you’re enjoying a snack or a nice view.

I hope this road trip essentials checklist helps simplify packing for your next epic adventure. Now tell us: where are you headed and what’s on your road trip packing list?

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With two decades of hiking and seven years of van life under her belt, Kristen has dedicated her life to helping people experience the positive effects of nature. As a pioneer in the outdoor blogging space, she founded Bearfoot Theory in 2014 and has since authored more than 350 blog posts about outdoor travel, hiking, camping, and van life. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Outside Magazine, and Backpacker, and when she’s not on the road, she lives in Park City, Utah with her partner Ryan, their son, and two adventure pups.

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16 Comments

Thanks for sharing such a great checklist, I Believe anyone who read this post will be valuable for him for sure. Regards, Team Yugo.pk

I love these lists! As busy as a work week can get, lists like this will help get me outside sooner and more often. I think it would be great if you had a PDF document in the form of a checklist, so I could gather items on the fly and know that I have them ready or loaded into the car/truck/van/camper. Just an idea for this page and great lists.

I like your advice about bringing a spare tire and knowing how to change should be part of the road trip necessities. We won’t know what would happen to us on the road during our trip. One possible problem that might arise would be a flat tire. Having a spare tire will allow us to change it immediately. However, if you’re not capable of doing it on your own you can call someone to assist you. This happened to me a few years ago, good thing I keep the contact details of my roadside assistance service provider which responded to my call immediately. Having this will lessen our worries. You might want to check the blog I’ve read a few weeks ago which provides a list of tips on handling a road trip like a pro. here is the link: https://blog.beepbeep.ph/road-trip-essentials/

I found your article interesting to read the must haves list for the road trip. There are lots of thing which I never remember to bring with me on the road trip. Thank for sharing these checklist.

What a great, comprehensive list. You can also add roadside assistance, it can be a lifesaver when we broke down 9 days into our trip. Loved the roadtrippers app as well. However, we made the rookie mistake of not getting a gas card until halfway through.

What do you normally have in your First-Aid Kit? We are crafting a blog post on our blog and we would definitely mention your website in it.

Its Nice., Thank you for your Necessity guides. These are useful to many.

Great checklist! One addition that we were glad to have on our recent road trip was our checkbook. During the Covid era, we prefer not to handle cash, and some campgrounds didn’t take cards, but writing a check and leaving it in the envelope worked great.

That’s a great tip, thanks Tom!

These modules are all great Lots of information and quite a few things i wouldn’t ever have thought of. However, why do i need to resubscribe every time i want one of your checklists? Seems like there one subscription should “do” and there should be a place i can just download what i want.

After requesting 3 or 4, it now tells me my request is successful but wont sent the mail with the download link.

This is irritating for me and would seem to create lot of duplicate ‘subscriptions” for you.

Hi Linda! Thanks for sharing that with us and our apologies for the inconvenience. There’s not a straightforward solution to this unfortunately as it would require us building out some sort of a membership page where people can login and download all the resources they want. At this time the way we have it set up is the easiest way for our readers to get the specific resources they want delivered to their inbox. It doesn’t result in duplicate subscriptions on our end as your email address is only added to our list once, and I am seeing that the emails for the checklists you’ve requested have been sent. Perhaps check your spam folder or try doing a search for Bearfoot Theory? If you’re still having issues please email me at contact (at) bearfoottheory.com and I’ll help get this resolved personally. Thanks again – we’ll keep your feedback in mind and will see if there’s a way we can improve this process 🙂

thank you, it was very helpful.

A night hike, river tubing, or secret single-track – you never know what adventure may arise while traveling. Don’t miss out because you don’t have the gear. Below are gear staples for us on any adventure:

Rain jacket Daypack Headlamp Water bottle Compass Swimsuit Dry bag (waterproof) Bandana or Buff headwear

Great list – you never know what adventure you could find yourself on!

Thanks for your wonderful work! Fun and practical — a breath of fresh air!

I’d like to add two items that simplify and improve road trips for us:

— A small (maybe 8-inch square) “front-seat bin” for each traveller. Keep your small personal items — sunglasses, reading glasses, snacks, medicines, phone, and so — on in one designated place to ensure that you don’t have to root around to find your things.

— Small waterproof duffle for each person’s shoes — hiking shoes, sandals, comfy campsite shoes. Keeps the car cleaner and, again, ensures that things are “where they’re supposed to be”!

Hi Roy, these are great suggestions! We love tips for staying organized. Thanks for sharing!

89 Road Trip Packing List Essentials for Hitting the Road

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Long stretches of open highway, a sense of total freedom, good tunes, an epic adventure at your fingertips… the road trip is a classic travel experience for good reason! In this post, you’ll find all the essential items for your road trip packing list to help you plan your trip.

Written in partnership with Toyota

Michael and I have been taking road trips together for nearly a decade—from weekend jaunts to a year-long exploration of North America—so we’ve had thousands of miles to dial in our road trip essentials. 

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If you’re feeling the itch to hit the road, this post is for you! We’re sharing our complete road trip packing list with everything you need for a comfortable, fun, and safe road trip. A little planning and preparation go a long way so that once you start cruising down the highway, all you have to do is let the adventure unfold.

Before you go…

Bring your vehicle to a mechanic for a pre-trip inspection .

If your vehicle has given you, shall we say, “cause for concern” in the past, then it might be worth bringing it to a mechanic for a pre-trip check before embarking on an extended road trip. 

We often bring our vehicles in to our local Les Schwab Tire Center before a big trip to have them check the state of our brake pads. This is offered as a free service and most mechanics will offer something similar. 

Quick Home Maintenance Check: 

• How do the treads on the tires look? 
• Are your tires at the proper pressure? 
• When will you need another oil change?
• Is the windshield wiper fluid topped off?

Clean your car

The cheapest and easiest way to improve the quality of your road trip is to start with a clean car. We’re not kidding, it makes a huge difference! 

Remove all the extra clutter, random receipts, old coffee cups, etc. Vacuum out the interior, Armor-All the plastic surfaces, and clean your windows with vinegar.

It’s easier to try to stay clean and organized if your car starts out that way.

Vehicle essentials

These are the basic items you should keep in your car (regardless of whether or not you’re road-tripping!) 

• License, registration, and insurance cards: Keep these together in an easily accessible place.
• Spare tire + tools: In addition to the tire, you’ll need a jack and a lug wrench. These are usually stored underneath the spare, but it wouldn’t hurt to double-check that they’re still there. Take five minutes to brush up on how to change a spare tire , too! 
• Jumper cables: Forgot to turn off your lights before heading out to explore, and returned to a dead battery? Jumper cables to the rescue! If you’re going to be traveling on lesser-used roads, you might want to consider a jump start battery booster so you don’t have to wait for a friendly traveler to stop to help you.
• Tire pressure gauge: Many cars will have internal pressure monitoring systems, but having a manual tire pressure gauge is still nice so you can quickly and accurately check each tire. 
• 12v tire pump: If you discover a slow leak in a tire, a 12v tire pump can fill the tire back up until you can resolve the problem. 
• Tire patch kit: You can pick up a tire patch kit at any auto store or gas station. If you get a puncture in the middle of your tread (not near the sidewall) you can usually plug the hole yourself using a patch kit. 
• Flashlight or headlamp: If you have car issues after dark, a flashlight or headlamp will help you see what you’re doing as you troubleshoot.
• Windshield sunshade: A sunshade makes a huge difference in keeping the interior of your car cooler while it’s parked.
• AAA membership: Hopefully you won’t have to use it, but the peace of mind that a AAA membership is absolutely invaluable. Unlock your car, jump your battery, or arrange a tow. As people whose campervan stopped running while parked on a desolate forest service road in Wyoming, we really can’t imagine road tripping without it.
• Fix’d device: This is an optional device that can be really helpful in diagnosing potential issues. This plugs into your car’s OBD-II port , and if the check engine light goes on, it will run and diagnose the code for you so you know what you’re dealing with (or know if you have to get to a mechanic pronto ).

In the glove box

• Napkins: Invaluable for soaking up spills, wiping sticky hands, and any number of minor cleaning tasks.
• Extra TP (store in a ziplock bag): Just in case the one bathroom in a 50 mile radius is out of stock!
• Hand sanitizer
• Tissues: A small pack of tissues are nice to have in case allergies kick up or you start having deep conversations with your travel partner.
• Quarters: Spare change will come in handy if you encounter toll roads or bridges, old school parking meters, or need to run a load of laundry at a laundromat.

Organization

One of the keys to a comfortable road trip is to keep your vehicle and gear organized and tidy. You don’t want to have wrappers piling up in your drink holders, or have to dig through all your stuff every time you need to find something. You don’t need everything on this list—just pick and choose what will work best for you and the type of things on your road trip packing list.

• Trash bag/bin: A small trash bag or bin in an accessible location will really help in managing wrappers, fruit peels, receipts, etc. We like to use an empty protein powder container because the lid helps prevent spills and smells.
• Over the seat organizer: A small organizer that clips to the back of the front seats is a great way to keep things like maps, headlamps, snacks, kids’ car games, and charging cables organized. If you have kids, this larger organizer has an iPad sleeve.
• Packing cubes: We love packing cubes to keep our clothes organized. Tops go in one cube, shorts or pants in one, socks and underwear in another, and one for miscellaneous items like swimwear and other accessories. We each have our own color to make things easier to find.
• Duffel bag: Large soft-sided duffel bags like the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel or REI Road Tripper Duffel are perfect for storing your packing cubes and bulky items like jackets. These tend to be more space-efficient in your trunk than suitcases since they don’t have a rigid shape.
• Storage bins/action packers: Action packers are great for storing camping equipment, extra snacks, shoes, and other gear.
• Roof cargo box: Very optional, but we are big fans of storing as much of our gear in a roof cargo box as possible, especially items we won’t use daily. This helps free up room for backseat passengers and helps open up space in the car, making it feel a little less like driving a mobile storage unit.
• Day pack: Whether you plan on hiking or are sticking to urban adventures, a comfortable day pack is essential for carrying extra snacks, water bottles, layers, maps or guide books, etc.
• Laundry bag: Having a separate laundry bag means your clean clothes stay fresh in your duffel, and when you’re ready to do laundry, all you have to do is haul the bag in—no more sorting through all your clothes trying to figure out what is clean and what isn’t.
• Reusable grocery bag: Stash a few of these in your glove box or over-the-seat organizer for stops at the grocery store during your trip.

Navigation and electronics

We’ve lumped these categories into one since so much navigation is done electronically. However, cell service isn’t guaranteed in many rural areas of the US, so paper and offline navigation are still a road trip essential.

• Road atlas or paper maps: In case you find yourself turned around in an area without service, you should always be prepared with paper maps. We like the Benchmark Maps Road Atlases and have one for the states we frequently road trip through. Alternatively, you can pick up paper maps for free at AAA locations if you’re a member!
• Offline maps: Maps.me is an awesome offline map that is perfect for creating routes and turn-by-turn driving directions on the fly, even if you’re completely out of service. Download the area maps ahead of time and you’ll be able to access everything—including gas stations, public restrooms, hospitals, points of interest, etc. Before your trip, you can bookmark all your stops or things you’re interested in and create “Lists” so you can pull them up on the road.
• Hands-free phone mount: One of the best car accessories we have ever purchased is a hands-free phone mount . No more interpretive re-telling of the directions from the passenger to the driver. Just plug in the directions, mount the phone in your field of view, and you’re golden. 
• USB Cords: We like to have dedicated USB cords that we leave in our vehicle. This way, we’re not shuttling them in and out and potentially forgetting to bring them.
• Small inverter: A 12v to 120v inverter can plug directly into a cigarette lighter and charge AC items like laptops and camera battery chargers. We’ve used this one for over six years of road trips!
• GasBuddy : We use this app to find gas stations—it has user-aggregated price data, too, so we can save money by price comparing nearby stations.
• Maps.me : As mentioned above, this is our favorite offline map app for driving directions.
• Alltrails : Our favorite app for finding hiking trails. Sort by length, elevation gain, and difficulty.
• The Dyrt : A great app for finding campgrounds (complete with photos, reviews, and amenities). The PRO version allows you to access everything offline, has public land map layers, and includes a great trip planner tool.
• Seek by iNaturalist : Identify plants, animals, and birds, and tracks by using your camera or uploading a photo—the app will identify it for you!
• Merlin Bird ID : Enter bird features like size, color, and environment to generate a list of potential birds—includes sound recordings and photos for easier identification.
• The Outbound : A great app for finding all kinds of outdoor adventures.
• Nativelands : Identify the native tribes that traditionally lived in the area you’re traveling in.
• Sky Guide : Dynamic constellation, planet, and star identification.
• PlugShare : If you’re driving a plug-in hybrid like the Toyota Prius Prime , or an all-electric vehicle, this app will be invaluable in locating charge stations along your route. 

Entertainment

Let’s face it: long stretches of driving can get monotonous, no matter how dynamic the scenery is. This is where some in-car entertainment becomes important. 

Download everything to your phone ahead of time. It’s not a matter of if you’ll lose service, it’s when…   And it is never at a convenient time. Once everything is downloaded, you’ll be able to access it any time.

We loved the CarPlay integration that the Toyota Prius Prime came with—it made it so easy to navigate between our music and podcasts while on the road!

• Audiobooks: Use Libby to download audiobooks from your public library for free, or use Everand which gives you an unlimited reading subscription for less than $10 a month ( try it for 2 months free! )
• Spotify playlists: There are thousands of playlists to choose from, but we think the best place to start is with the “Soundtrack My Ride” feature which will build a custom playlist for you.
• Podcasts: We love bite-sized podcast episodes because they give us lots of new topics to talk about, in addition to (usually) learning something new. Here are some great road trip podcast recommendations from Conde Nast Traveler and AFAR .

Comfort essentials for road trips

This is a list of little items we consider to be road trip essentials simply because they make the trip a little more comfortable and enjoyable.

• Snacks and drinks cooler: Keep a small cooler or insulated lunch tote within reach filled with any perishable road trip snacks and cold drinks.
• Coffee mug or tumbler: Make an extra cup of coffee in the morning and save it in an insulated coffee mug or tumbler . This will not only save money, but we bet you can make a much tastier cup of coffee than what you’ll find at a gas station!
• Water bottle: A reusable water bottle is absolutely essential for road trips! It’s so important to stay hydrated when traveling, and if you have water easily within reach, you’re more likely to sip throughout the day. Cycling through bottled water generates so much waste (of resources and your money), so pack along a durable, reusable bottle to fill up.
• Reusable utensils + straw: While we’re talking about reusables, we’d like to suggest throwing in a set of reusable utensils and drinking straws so you can ditch the plastic stuff when you grab takeout or stop at a food truck.
• Blankets/pillows: Catnaps in the passenger seat are so much more comfortable and restful if you have a pillow and a blanket. These are also nice to have to lay out on the grass at a rest stop for some shut-eye.
• Quick-dry towel/Turkish towel: Quick dry towels are a summer road trip necessity! Personally, we love jumping in lakes and rivers and a quick-dry towel is a way better option than regular bath towels. They are less likely to get mildewy and they’ll dry out before your next stop! A Turkish towel is similarly a great item and can double as a picnic blanket, sarong, or shawl.
• Sunglasses: Squinting into the sun as you drive is a recipe for fatigue, headaches, and it’s just plain bad for your eyes. A good pair of sunglasses with UV protection is a must-have for road trips. We love Sunski sunglasses , which come with a great warranty.
• First aid kit: Backroad Ramblers has a great post on putting together your own road trip first aid kit .

Toiletries and personal items

These are the self-care items that are on our road trip checklist to keep us feeling good throughout the trip.

• Sunscreen: While car side windows block UVB rays, they still allow UVA rays through —the ones that cause deep skin damage (but not sunburns), so it’s important to wear full-spectrum sunscreen, particularly on the side of your body next to the window. 
• Lip balm: Prevent chapped lips by using lip balm, preferably one that has some SPF to it.
• Bug spray: You may not need it in the car, but bug spray is nice to have if you’ll be outdoors hiking or hanging out. This is a good travel-sized spray , and they have a DEET-free version as well. 
• Prescription medications and OTC Med Kit: In addition to any prescription medications, put together a small over-the-counter med kit that includes painkillers for headaches and achy joints, Benadryl or Allegra for allergies, Imodium in case your lunch doesn’t sit well, etc.
• Car/Motion Sickness remedies: Either OTC or a non-medication option like ginger chews or those pressure point bands.
• Body wash/soap
• Wet wipes: These will come in handy in case you need a quick “bath” on the road (see the below section on showering during a road trip for more ideas).
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• Wrinkle release spray: Your clothes are going to sit folded up in your luggage for days at a time, so having a travel-size wrinkle release spray can be super helpful on a road trip.
• Tide stain pen: Stains happen, and since you won’t be able to immediately throw your clothes into the wash, having a Tide stain remover pen can help prevent the stains from really setting in.
• Scrubba: Alright, this is totally optional, but this portable wash bag could be useful particularly if you’re traveling with kids and you want to be able to wash out stains and dirt from clothes without spending your time at the laundromat.

What to wear on a road trip

The clothing section of your road trip packing list is going to be pretty personalized based on where you’re going, the time of year and expected weather, and your personal style.

The key to packing clothing for a road trip is to balance comfort and versatility based on your planned activities, while keeping in mind the kind of weather you are likely to encounter. 

Try to choose clothes that will serve multiple purposes, for instance, a warm jacket you can wear in the evening at your campsite but will still look good enough to walk around town on a brisk day. A good tip for pants is to choose ones that are good for hiking but that you’d also grab dinner in. prAna has a lot of good options for versatile pants .

Consider packing clothing that have helpful features while traveling such as antimicrobial or quick-drying fabrics, or UPF clothing that offer built-in sun protection.

Basic road trip packing list

• Short sleeve tops or tanks: one per day in the summer, or fewer in cooler temperatures
• Long sleeve tops: one or two in the summer, or more in cooler temperatures
• Pants, leggings, and shorts
• Activewear for hikes and outdoor exploring
• Warm jacket or sweater: extras if it’s going to be particularly cold
• Rain jacket
• Windbreaker or lightweight jacket
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Hiking shoes , if necessary
• Hat (sun hat/warm beanie)
• Activity-specific items (rashguard, water shoes, etc)

Camping basics

If you’ll be camping, there are a few additional things you’ll need to put on your road trip checklist. These are the bare essentials from our weekend camping checklist —we leave some of the “extras” behind knowing that we’re going to pack up and move frequently.

• Sleeping mats
• Sleeping bags
• Camp chairs
• Folding camp table (optional)
• Camp stove and fuel
• Packable camp cookware set
• Spatula / spoon
• Knife and cutting board
• Plates, bowls, and utensils
• Camp coffee maker
• Collapsible dishwashing bucket (optional, depending on campsite selection)
• Sponge and campsuds
• Microfiber towel
• Bin to store kitchen items in

Essential road trip planning tips

Route planning.

One of the allures of road tripping is the freedom that comes with the open road. As soon as you get behind the wheel, you feel like everywhere is within your reach and you’re in a real-life “choose your own adventure” story. And while that feeling of freedom is real, it truly is a good idea to spend some time planning out an itinerary (however loose or detailed) before you leave.

At a minimum, it means that your co-pilot will have to spend less time looking up what to do and where to go on the fly, and at best it means you won’t have that post-trip regret of finding out you drove past the best waterfall in the state and you didn’t even know it.

We like to take a “planned spontaneity” philosophy when it comes to planning a road trip. After deciding on how long our road trip will be and choosing a general area for the trip, we start looking into the attractions and activities that we’d be interested in and start saving them to our Map.me bookmarks. Then, we can pull up the map that has all the points on it and see what our basic driving route might be, eliminating any real outlier stops.

From there, we’ll spend a little more time thinking about how long we want to drive per day and the time needed to explore different locations. This is how we determine where we plan to sleep each night, and book campsites or hotels/Airbnbs. 

We might add coffee shops or restaurants we want to check out, or do a little more research into different points of interest once we have a more solid route planned.

That’s usually it. What we end up with is a rough timeline so we don’t get behind, and a lot of ideas to choose from when we’re on the road depending on how we’re feeling that day.

We like to budget extra time instead of planning down to the minute, because the beauty of road trips is that even when you have a plan, you’re likely to stumble on fun, spur of the moment stops and you’ll want to have time to stop for those spontaneous adventures.

Make a budget

To an extent, a road trip can cost as much or as little as you have a budget for. If you make most of your own meals, get savvy at finding free camping , and choose free or inexpensive activities, you can really keep the costs of a road trip down. Or, you can book nights at Airbnbs, eat at local restaurants, and splurge on activities if it’s in your budget! We personally do a blend of both on most of our trips.

While you’re planning your trip, keep a total budget in mind, and then allocate it into different categories based on your priorities. Eating great food might be more important than where you lay your head at night, or perhaps you want to be able to book a fun adventure tour and are happy cooking at your campsite most nights.

Where to sleep

You have a few options for overnight accommodation on your road trip. You can camp, stay at Airbnbs, hotels, or hostels, or stay with friends or family if they are along your route and up to hosting you.

During busy travel periods or in popular destinations, you’ll probably want to book everything ahead of time. It sounds free and romantic to go where the wind blows and decide where you want to stay on the fly, but we’ve found that it adds unnecessary stress to our trips.

Campgrounds in particular are important to book in advance because they have limited space and in many cases, if it’s full when you get there there may not be a lot of other camping options nearby.

What to eat

Nothing ruins a road trip quite like a hangry passenger—or worse yet, a hangry driver! Failure to make plans for what and where you’re going to eat means you’re already halfway to Crankytown, so be sure to plan ahead and pack ALL THE SNACKS.

You can opt to eat out for all your meals and not have to worry about cooking at all, in which case, you may want to spend some time looking up interesting restaurants or food trucks along your route so you already have some to choose from when you roll into towns. If you’re camping or staying at Airbnbs or hostels with kitchens, you can make your own meals or pack to-go lunches.

Pack a small cooler or insulated tote with things like fresh veggies and hummus, cheese, sandwich supplies, and cold drinks like sparkling water, iced coffee, or kombucha so they are easy to access during the day.

Stash snacks like peanut butter-filled pretzels, nuts and trail mix , dried fruit, jerky , granola bars , and other non-perishable road trip snacks in your center console or in a bag so there’s always something ready when you start to feel hungry.

If you’re planning on making some of your own meals, it’s a good idea to keep things pretty simple so you can spend more time exploring and less time cooking. Here are some of our favorite road trip meals:

• Overnight oats with a bit of maple syrup and chopped fruit and nuts
• Made-ahead breakfast burritos warmed up on the camp stove
• Granola, milk, and fresh fruit
• Yogurt with berries and granola
• “Charcuterie spread” of sliced cheese and salami, crackers or bread, olive packets , dried fruit, and nuts
• Sliced apple, almond butter, and honey sandwiches
• Avocado, tomato, and hummus sandwiches (perfect with some everything bagel seasoning!)
• Chicken or chickpea salad—make at home and store in your cooler. Serve in wraps, sandwiches, or on crackers.
• Chickpea curry with rice or naan—all can be made ahead of time and reheated at the campsite
• Quick stir fry with noodles
• BBQ chicken quesadillas —you could cook and chop the chicken ahead of time for an even faster meal
• Tacos with store-bought salsa and avocado
• Pasta with fresh veggies and chickpeas or chicken sausage
• Here are a bunch more easy camping recipes and one pot meals

How to shower on a road trip

If you’re going to stay in hotels or at Airbnbs every night, you get to skip this section. But if you’re camping during your road trip, here are a few ideas (from most “civilized” to most “dirtbag”) of how to stay clean during your trip:

• Campgrounds you stay at: Check the amenities ahead of time, but many state and national park campgrounds will have shower facilities. Some will be included with your site fee, while others will require you to use quarters or buy shower tokens, so make sure you have some change on hand.
• Gyms/rec centers: If you have a gym membership to a chain with lots of locations, check to see if there are any along your route. The Planet Fitness Black Card Membership is famous among road-trippers because it’s $20 per month and gives you (and a guest) access to all their locations (and there are a TON of them). If you don’t already have a gym membership, many towns have city rec centers or Y’s where you can buy a day pass and take a shower.
• Sun shower: A sunshower is basically a portable water bag with a hose or spout that you can rinse off with. Leave it in the sun for a bit (or add hot water) and it’s an easy, cheap way to enjoy a warm rinse. We have used the Nemo Helio , which has a foot pump to pressurize the water (great if you want to do more than just have a quick rinse), and the Sea to Summit WatercellX , which we use as our extra water storage but also has a shower hose attachment.
• Jump in a lake: But don’t use soap in it! If you’re spending time near lakes or rivers, a swim with a good ole hand scrub is one way to stay feeling clean. Just please don’t use soap in or near any water source. Even biodegradable soaps can pollute waterways since they need microorganisms to break down properly. If you want to use biodegradable soap , lather up and rinse off at least 200 feet away from the water’s edge
• Wet wipes: When all else fails, wipe down with a couple of wet wipes to get the day’s sweat and grime off you before bed.

What are the best road trips in the USA?

Road trips are a quintessential US travel experience and there are SO many amazing routes to explore. Here are some of the best road trip itineraries on our website as well as others that we’ve done or are on our bucket list!

• 7 Wonders of Oregon Road Trip | Fresh Off The Grid
• Wild Wonderful West Virginia Road Trip | Fresh Off The Grid
• Gem Of The West Idaho Road Trip | Fresh Off The Grid
• Ultimate Teton & Yellowstone National Parks Road Trip | Bearfoot Theory
• Olympic National Park Road Trip | Bearfoot Theory
• 10-Day Utah National Parks Road Trip | Bearfoot Theory
• The Best California Road Trips | She Dreams of Alpine
• Northern California Road Trip Itinerary | The Mandagies
• 10-Day American Southwest Road Trips | The Mandagies
• 7-Day Glacier National Park Road Trip | The Mandagies
• Blue Ridge Mountains Road Trip | AFAR

Made possible by Toyota

We recently had the opportunity to take a Toyota Prius Prime on an epic Oregon road trip . We loved that it’s a plug-in hybrid, so we could charge at any number of charge stations along the way, but since it still has a fuel-efficient gas engine, we never had to worry about range. And, its large cargo space meant that we had plenty of room to pack all of our road trip essentials! Learn more about the Toyota Prius Prime here .

Megan & Michael are the creators of Fresh Off The Grid, a blog dedicated to helping you fuel your adventures by sharing camp cooking recipes, backpacking meals, and outdoor travel guides. Their recipes and outdoor cooking expertise have been featured in Backpacker Magazine, Outside, REI Co-Op Journal, Food & Wine, and New York Times Cooking.

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One Comment

Outstanding information. Thank you for the great tips!

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A Passion and A Passport

Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5

The Ultimate Road Trip Checklist: Tips and Tricks for any Epic Road Trip Adventure

last Updated: September 12, 2023 road trip

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Heading out on road trip in the near future and looking for the ultimate road trip checklist? Keep reading for tons of these long road trip tips and tricks from highly experienced roadtrippers, and learn what to do before, during, and after your drive!

Road trips are always a good time. However, if you come unprepared, road trips can take a nasty turn for the worst. Should we book a hotel in advance? What about gas? Will there be food and restaurants nearby? How can we entertain ourselves for hours on end? Won’t the kids get bored? Am I allowed to do x in x country? AHHHH! It’s all so much!

That’s why this road trip checklist will definitely come in handy – I know I’ve learned a thing or so from my travel companions! Be sure to keep these long road trip tips handy!

I love me a good road trip. Over the past few years, we’ve road tripped the National Parks of Utah , through Fjords and glaciers in Norway , down the California coast , dreamed of driving from San Francisco allll the way to Seattle , hiked our way through Crater Lake National Park , moved from NYC to San Francisco on a massive cross-country road trip , and driven to a multitude of California hot spots ( Big Sur , Mendocino , Yosemite , Lassen National Park , and Napa Valley – I’m looking at you). I’ve even compiled the best long weekend trips from San Francisco that I’m eager to check off – many being road trips.

There’s nothing like throwing caution to the wind, grabbing those keys and driving off into the sunset. In reality, a road trip needs careful planning with a number of things taken into consideration. Enter this road trip checklist! Make sure to read each and every point before your next road trip adventure!

So get reading, understand the importance of each tip on this road trip checklist, and plan your next epic road trip adventure.

Psst: I commonly use this booking site when searching for low-cost car rental options, and like Skyscanner  (which I use to find low-cost flights) , I frequently find great deals on there!

I like to search  via this site  in order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price.

Road Trip Checklist: Long Road Trip Tips and Tricks

Safety tips.

Know the Laws Where You’ll be Driving

The most important advice I can give you before setting out on a road-trip is to brush up on the laws for the country you’ll be driving in. The world may seem to be getting smaller by the day, but the road laws around the world can be very different. Did you know that it’s illegal to drive barefoot in Spain?

Or that you have to have your headlights on 24hrs a day in Sweden? And that it’s illegal to stop on the Autobahn on Germany? I’m not saying you need to know them all the laws, but 10 minutes of browsing Google before you set out could save you some embarrassment, frustration or, worse in the long run.

Here are a few suggestions to get you going:

• What are the basic speed limits?
• What should you do if you have an accident?
• What type of license do you need? – Hopefully you checked this before hiring a car!
• Is there any equipment you have to carry?
• What is the drink-drive limit?
• Who has the right of way at junctions and on roundabouts?

Ben | The Sabbatical Guide

Share the Long Drives

Taking a road trip is a worthwhile travel experience. One of the challenges of a road trip is the long drive. It could be several hours, half a day, or even days before you reach your destinations. For drivers, fatigue kicks in after driving for hours. We handle this situation on our road trip by dividing and conquering the task. One person drives for at least 2 hours while the other person in the front passenger seat navigates.

Even if we use the GPS navigation device for directions, it helps to have another set of eyes to watch for upcoming signs, landmarks, and even other vehicles. After the 2 hours is up, we find the nearest rest stop off the highway or somewhere safe off the road for a quick break and then switch roles. It helps to share the driving and navigating responsibilities with others and to have a more enjoyable ride.

Jackie and Justin | Life of Doing

Do Pre-Car Checks

If you are not renting a car for your road trip, it’s a good idea to do a few quick checks to make sure your car will run smoothly.  It will only take a few minutes but could catch a problem that would derail your trip. First, inspect your tires to make sure that the tread is not too worn.  

If the tread doesn’t look good, you might want to get new tires before heading out on the road. Also, check your tire pressure and adjust so that it meets the level recommended in your owner’s manual.  This will help prevent a blowout or flat tire.

It’s also a good idea to check your oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid levels and add more if you are running low.  Then check to make sure all your lights are working, Finally, it’s a good idea to fill up with gas before your road trip so you don’t have to stop right away.

Anisa | Two Traveling Texans

Always Have a Paper Map and Know How to Read It

Having a paper map can be a lifesaver if you don’t have a GPS or cell signal. Even if you do have a GPS, you can’t always count on technology. Sometimes the power cords break, the device breaks, or for one reason or another, it just doesn’t work. Or, if you’re like me, you still get lost with a GPS because you turn down the wrong road 85% of the time when it says “turn here.”

Like with anything else, though, what good is it if you don’t know how to use it. I suppose it could still be of use in the form of kindling to start a fire if you get really lost.

Reading a paper map isn’t really that hard of a thing to do. One way to learn how to read a paper map is to find your home or a notable location on the map. It’s the same concept when you are out and about.

Chasing Departures

The Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep

Before heading out on an epic road trip, get a good night’s rest the night before. To avoid drowsy driving, it’s recommend that you sleep an absolute minimum of 4 hours, but 7-8 hours comes highly recommended. In reality, who can even function, let alone drive long distances, on only 4 hours of sleep. Also if you plan to drive at night consider delaying your trip by a few hours or wait until the morning if you are feeling sleepy. Remember, safety first!

Danielle | The Thought Card

Practice Driving on Difficult Roads Beforehand

Try and take the driver’s seat and practice driving on challenging and twisted roads across valleys and other difficult terrain before heading off on your road trip. You don’t exactly know what types of roads you’ll encounter, and it’s best to improve your driving skills and feel comfortable before setting off! I have seen lot of improvements in my driving skills now after implementing this strategy over time.This has helped me to drive on the most challenging and deadliest roads without any problems or issues.

Somnath | Travel Crusade

PLANNING TIPS

Leave Yourself More Driving Time Than You Think You’ll Need

The reason that road trips are so wonderful is that anything is possible. Leave yourself a large buffer of time, so that you can follow the road markers or signs you see on the side of the road to the magical places that the world has to offer that you didn’t even know existed. Most countries have a certain sign to mark historic sites. Sweden has three different kinds to show what kind of attractions you may find. Enjoy your road trip!

The Daily Adventures of Me

Plan Multiple Stops on Long Driving Days

What’s the point in going on a roadtrip if all you see is the highway itself? For us, the most essential thing while being on the road is to make a list of things we want to see on the way – and this is our top priority. We rather have a smaller distance of kilometres travelled, but at least see lots of things.

The best thing to do is to start you travel day by making a list of things that you pass along the route that you want to travel today. Doing so, you won’t miss anything and still have a super relaxed and fun day on the road.

Also, when it comes to stopping on the way, why not plan a picnic at a lake you wanted to see anyway? Having lunch has probably never been that nice before.

Travellers Archive

Forget the Map and Just Drive

Orrrr how about you just don’t plan at all sometimes? I’m not sure I could actually do this, but it’d sure make for a fun adventure!

Whenever you say road trip, people will instantly think about maps. Planning ahead, watching the map so that you know which roads to follow. But what if you forgot about any maps whatsoever? What if you just hop in your car, van, camper, bike, and just go wherever the road takes you.

Being curious on a road trip may prove to be the key ingredient for having memorable experiences. If you happen to spot a road that surprisingly doesn’t appear on your map, you might want to explore it. It could lead you to some incredible places, to some off-the-beaten trails and authentic destinations.

Don’t just stick to the main roads. You might just wake up in a forgotten village, or in a picturesque place, surrounded by wildlife. Don’t be afraid to get lost as the best road trips are not the ones when you simply follow the dotted lines!

Andra | Our World to Wander

Choose Your Travel Companions Wisely

If you are going to go on a road trip, choose your travel mates wisely. For days on end, you will be sharing close quarters and you don’t want to be stuck with someone that doesn’t travel the way you do or gets on your nerves.  Before committing to a long road trip, spend some time together when possible as a trial run.

Consider each other’s travel style and personality. Do they thrive on structure when you like to plan as you go?  Does one of you like to make record time while the other likes to make random stops along the way? Do you eat similar foods? If one people is a vegan who will only eat at Whole Foods while the other prefers fast food all the time, you are going to run into some issues.  

As you are planning, talk about budget and priorities to make sure you align on the types of things you will do and see on your trip. You don’t have to be a perfect match, but you need to know what you are getting into so you can prepare to have a great time.

Dan | HoneymoonAlways

Download Offline Maps

If I could give someone just one road trip tip it would be to download an offline map before you go. Google Maps allows one to easily do this with their app. We have been using it for years and find it to be the most reliable app out there for navigation. Simply go to the area you will be road tripping and download it to your phone.

Then you won’t need a WiFi connection to get turn by turn navigation. It’s all saved in your phone for 30 days. No GPS rental, no WiFi, and no hassle needed. Just make sure not to lose your phone!

Natasha & Cameron | The World Pursuit

Overcompensate for Time

My top road trip tip is to allow yourself extra time, even if you think you don’t need it! Overcompensating for the journey is crucial not only practically speaking, but also to lets you really get the most out of your trip.

You’re bound to stop along the way when driving through incredible landscapes. You wouldn’t want to miss out on the best views would you?! Additionally, stopping off will allow you to just enjoy your surroundings rather than being cooped up in a stuffy car all day. Enjoy the outdoors when you can!

Practically speaking, on unfamiliar roads you should allow yourself time to make mistakes, drive slowly, check directions, and find a parking spot. Finally, getting lost is both the best and worst thing about road trips. You’ll never know what you’ll find, but off-the-beaten-track also means extra travel time!

Keeping time-conscious will help you have more fun while sticking to the schedule, so it’s always worth remembering to add a little extra on the clock.

Suzy | Suzy Stories

Book Your Hotels and Accommodations in Advance in More Remote Areas

A road trip is a perfect time to just throw the plan out the window and just let open road flow.  This sounds really idealist. Except when you are ready to stop for the night, and suddenly find that the next hotel is an hour or three away.  This can be a horrific end to your day.

This issue is especially prominent in the mid-western regions of the United States.  These states are sparsely populated and towns can be few and far between. Towards the end of your day, start checking how long to the next town before leaving a town with hotel options.

Jennifer | National Park Obsessed

PACKING TIPS

Take Along a Spork and Water Bottle with Filter

One of the best items you can bring on a road trip is a spork and a water bottle with built in filter. With these two you can save lots of money and at the same time reduce your use of plastic. A spork is a fork, spoon and knife in one, which is perfect if you just want to buy some foods from the supermarket or some takeaway food – it’s not always that they offer cutlery!

And with a water bottle with built in filter you don’t need to buy water bottles. You just fill up the bottle with tap water, and it filtrates out 99,9% of the bacteria and gives the water a better taste. Even though the tap water is safe to drink in many countries, it’s not always that it tastes so good – and that’s where the filter water bottle comes in handy.

I never travel without my spork and filter water bottle, because they make life a little bit easier and saves me money!

Christine | Christine Abroad

Carry Water and Toilet Paper

Always carry water and lots of it. Not only for drinking but for a variety of reasons. You may need it for cleaning hands, shoes or worst case scenario filling up a radiator in an overheated car. Having baby wipes on hand can also cover cleaning, spillages, sticky fingers and freshening up.

My other top tip is to always have a spare toilet roll in the boot of the car. When nature calls, it calls! You may have to find a public toilet on the road and sometimes they aren’t maintained regularly. Don’t rely on there being a fresh supply of toilet paper at every public toilet. There is nothing worse than going to grab some paper and find out there is nothing there!

Travel Drink Dine

Pack More than Enough Activities for the Car

Long hours on the road can be difficult.  Having activities readily available for children, and some adults, will reduce the stress on the whole family.   Today, this is not as big of a problem as it once was, with cell phones and tablets, but a continuous stream of screen time is not the best way for our families to spend the drive.

Solve this problem with personalized entertainment packs.  Packs can contain a number of things, including magnetic games, small coloring books, puzzles, and reading material.  

We also recommend including a journal and camera, and some learning activities based upon the destinations to be visited.  This encourages discussion among the whole family. For learning activity ideas try online homeschooling resources, or a subscription service such as Little Passports.  

To minimize space impact, keep packs compact and convenient, by using a neatly organized lunch boxes.  Each child can keep it in their own space, and their snacks for each day can be kept inside too.

Roxanna | Gypsy With A Day Job

Cooler for Drinks and Snacks

I grew up road tripping around the United States, and one thing we never left home without was a small cooler for drinks and snacks. Buying drinks at gas stations and rest areas gets expensive, so before we left home, we’d hit the grocery store and grab bottles of our favorite drinks (bottles can be resealed, cans can’t) and bags of candy and chips to keep us going in between meals.

Pro tip: don’t buy anything that can melt like chocolate and gummy bears if you’re traveling in the summer.

We’d stash the cooler on the floor between our seats so we’d always have access to cold drinks. Hotels usually have ice machines, so you can refill your cooler with ice before setting out for the next leg of your trip. You’ll save tons of time and money on your road trip by bringing along a cooler full of drinks for everyone to share.

Kris | Nomad by Trade  

Take Along a Car Inverter

A car inverter is a fantastic road trip accessory and one we never knew we needed but now we can’t travel without! So what exactly is a car inverter? Simply said, an inverter allows you to charge your electrical gear in your car via the cigarette lighter charger in your car. It can be used to charge through both electrical plugs and USB. We use ours to charge all our travel gear such as our laptops, camera batteries, cell phones and drone batteries while on the road.

The ability to charge our gear in the car during a long journey between destinations is so useful and it ensures we never miss a photo due to a dead battery. Our inverter has saved us so many times, especially as we use our cell phones for navigation on road trips which runs down the battery very fast!

Elaine & David | Show Them The Globe

and with all that being said…

Don’t Take TOO Much Stuff

My best road trip tip is not to overload the car with stuff, though the temptation will be great! If you’re playing Tetris in the trunk at the beginning of your trip, you’ll face a disaster by the end. As with any other trip, take just a few days’ worth of clothing and plan to do laundry. Staying organized and having a place for everything is important so that you don’t have to re-pack the car at every stop.

You might have one small suitcase each for cold weather and warm weather clothing (if you’re changing seasons), a bag for things you’ll need at every overnight stop (like toiletries and chargers), a separate bag for swim gear, a cooler and snack bag in the back seat.

If you’re traveling with kids, try to minimize toys and other “kid junk” since it takes up plenty of space and seems to explode everywhere.

Melissa | The Family Voyage

STAYING SANE on the road / in the car

Music, Podcasts, and Audiobooks

Music is essential for a road trip, everyone knows that, but I find music can only hold my attention for so long. I like to take a variety of audio with me, particularly for long road trips where I’m driving all day.

Podcasts, especially serialized podcasts like Serial and S-Town, are great for keeping you entertained, especially during the least interesting sections of road. Some podcasts are so gripping that you actually want to keep driving just so you can find out what happens next.

As well as podcasts and music, I also make sure I have some audio books and standup comedy to hand. You never know when you’ll want something different, and it’s great to have options to hand.

Some people just prefer music, of course, and that’s fine, and the rule should be that whoever is driving gets to listen to what they want to listen to.

James | This Travel Guide

Create A Memorable Trip Playlist

No road trip is complete without its very own soundtrack in my humble opinion. Make yourself a

playlist of your favourite tunes of the moment, or songs in the theme of your trip. It’s so fun to groove along while you’re on the road but even better when you get home. Hearing those road trip tunes  immediately takes you back to your vacation.

I love hearing Bastille’s epic pop anthem Pompeii. It transports me back to our trip to the Amalfi Coast in Italy, driving along the winding cliff top roads. I can almost taste the salty air, seafood pasta and Aperol  spritz cocktail as soon as the opening bars come on the radio.

Deeper in my past, Paul Simon’s Graceland album was the soundtrack of the beach road trip vacations  of my childhood. And these are some of the sweetest travel memories of all.

So put some thought into your road trip soundtrack and pump up the volume as you take to the road.

Katy | Untold Morsels

Have Your Camera Ready

One tip for a memorable (with photographic proof) road trip is to have your camera ready to go at a moment’s notice.  You never know when you might come across a fox with a baby in a field or a moose on a lake or an elk in a forest. Or maybe you will find an incredible view with nowhere to pull off the infrequently traveled road.  Or maybe you’re in Africa or Asia and you drive by a local event along the road.

I always have my camera by my side ready to go. If you have time, make sure you roll down the window to avoid glare and reflections. Please only follow this tip if there are no cars around or you can safely pull off to the side of the road.

TheHotFlashPacker

CAR RENTAL TIPS

Choose Your Car Rental Company and Car Insurance Wisely

One of the most important things to keep in mind when planning a roadtrip is the rental car. It’s very important to choose it smartly, because you are going to spend many hours in the car and it has to be as comfortable as possible.

The first thing to have in mind is choosing the car rental company that suits your needs for the trip. There are many websites that compare the different car rental companies and offer you the best price.

Once you choose the car rental company, you should choose the size of the car, which should be adjusted to the number of passengers and the number of suitcases you want to carry inside. Also, if the road trip destination includes mountains or unpaved roads, it’s better to rent a 4×4.

The last thing you have to keep in mind when renting a car for your roadtrip is the car insurance. Normally car rental companies include basic insurance, but it’s recommended that you extend it to full risk insurance, as that way you will avoid problems and pay a lot of money if you have an accident or you have a flat tire.

Sara | Mindful Travel by Sara

Know the Limits of Price Comparison Websites

Price comparison websites will almost always find the best prices and options for car hire, but it is also important to follow and fully understand the conditions of the hire. As almost all car hire companies will require credit cards these days when booking online, and these must be under the name of the driver. But even if the car hire company offers a refund in failing conditions, the online booking agents rarely share the same policy. So refunds are unlikely. Also, it is best to hire a car that best suits the conditions and terrain of a road trip, for example, engines of cheaper budget cars will likely struggle with mountainous terrain. And before driving from the lot, be sure to report and photograph any damage to the hire, know the fuel type and the fuel policy (full-to-full is generally best), as well as how to open the tank.

Allan | Live Less Ordinary

WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

Rent and Return the Car in the Same City

A road trip is definitely my favourite way to discover a region. Flexible, you meet more local people and visit not-renown spots. I have a tip to give to say some money when organising a road trip. A tip that I learnt making this mistake myself. If you need to hire a car, organise starting point and arrival in the same place because rental agencies charge extra fees to bring back the car to the original location.

You can travel in a circle, as I did in Spain. I started from Madrid and visited Avila, Salamanca, Valladolid and Segovia, before going back to the Spanish capital. On the other side, when I visited Romania, I booked a flight to Timisoara and bought a return ticket from Bucharest.

While it was my favourite road trip, I had to pay the extra-fees for returning the car to Timisoara. Plan better, save money and use it for other activities!

Mario | Human Italian

KID-SPECIFIC TIPS

Bring the car seats for your kids along

It is really very easy to bring your car seats when you’re flying somewhere before your start your road trip. Low cost carriers will probably charge you to bring the car seat but it is worth it. You can just check it in.

The airline will put it in a plastic bag in most cases and you will find your car seat at the ‘unusual luggage spot’ which is mostly located next to the carousel where your normal check-in luggage arrives or at a special desk.

Car rental companies do offer car seats but nobody knows how to put them in the car AND for THEIR insurance, employees are not allowed to help you install the car seat. So to save yourself the frustration of trying to figure out a car seat you don’t know, just bring yours along. It is more practical, probably cheaper and most importantly you KNOW that your child will be safe.

Jessy | Planet Pilgrims

Take Regular Breaks

One of my best tips for road trips with little kids is taking regular breaks. We lived in Sydney for a while and would regularly do the Sydney to Melbourne drive which is 8 hours if you drive directly. We would do it in about 10 hours with a few 30 minute breaks here and there for the kids. We always found somewhere that had a little park so they could stretch their legs and expel some of their energy, we then found they would better settle into the next part of the drive.

We alway found just stopping for a toilet break was not enough and we would get back in the car and they would be fighting before we hit the highway again. A little play and run around made all the difference and if we were really lucky, at least one of the three would have a little sleep after a bit of a run about.

I also recommend regular healthy snacks with water only, we didn’t need any sugar highs in the back seat.

Sally | Our 3 Kids v The World  

A tip that has helped us in a pinch is when driving late at night, with the intention to stop and sleep at a hotel, call the hotel about 20 minutes in advance of your arrival to have the pull-out couch made up if you are needing one. That way you can just carry a sleeping child into the hotel and put them right to bed!

Momma To Go

Hopefully these long road trip tips have taught you a few things! When is your next road trip?!

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August 27, 2020 at 4:56 am

I love to camp and travel. Thanks for sharing such an amazing list. It is truly a great and useful piece of info.

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What to Pack for a Road Trip (+FREE Printable PDF Packing List)

Not sure what to pack for a road trip or just don’t want to forget any road trip must haves? I’ve got you covered with the ultimate road trip packing list with a FREE printable pdf checklist of everything you’ll need. This checklist is perfect for any road trip – whether doing a short day trip or a long cross country road trip.

My road trip essentials list includes everything you need for you and your vehicle as well as fun things to bring on a road trip. For anyone traveling with kids and/or pets, I have also included family and pet road trip essentials to keep them healthy and happy.

The Ultimate Road Trip Checklist

Road trip essential items (that should always be in your car!)

• Driver’s license, registration and insurance information
• Pen and paper
• Cash and coins (for tolls, parking meters or places that don’t accept credit cards)
• Paper map (I always like to bring a paper map just in case as a backup to GPS or my phone dies and I can’t access navigation apps)
• Smartphone (loaded with road trip apps like Google Maps)
• Cell phone car charger
• Extra set of car keys in case you get locked out
• Emergency road side assistance kit – this one by AAA is more affordable or splurge on this one
• Jumper cables, flashlight, duct tape , scissors, pocket knife or seat belt cutting tool if not part of your emergency kit
• Tire chains, ice scraper and snow shovel if traveling somewhere cold in the winter
• Extra gas in a can (just in case you run out of gas!)
• Sunglasses for everyone
• Blankets (for those that get cold from the AC or to keep warm if your car breaks down at night or in the winter)

Food, drink and snacks for your road trip

• Lots of water! (Keep some water both in the trunk and inside the car)
• Insulated water bottle (to keep your drinks cool and to fill up at water fountains)
• Food and snacks – Stock up on non-perishable road trip snacks ( granola bars , fruit, turkey jerky, nuts, dry cereal, popcorn, crackers, trail mix) but you can keep some food in the cooler as well.

Entertainment for road trips

• Travel journal and pen
• Books, audio books or kindle
• Music playlist (here is my free Spotify road trip playlist with the top road trip songs of all time)
• Road trip games ( Mad Libs on the Road , License Plate Game )

Health, safety and personal care essentials

• Face mask or other face covering to cover your nose and mouth when going inside a gas station, grocery store, convenience store or other indoor establishment
• First aid kit (band aids, pain reliever, allergy medicine, anti-nausea medicine, antacid tablets, cotton balls, q-tips)
• Antibacterial wipes or hand sanitizer
• Sunscreen because you can get sun damage from UVA rays (make sure to keep sunscreen in the car so that you can reapply)
• Disposable gloves for filling up at gas stations
• Essential medication and prescriptions
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
• Lip balm, lotion and other toiletries
• Scarf and extra sweater or fleece (to keep warm if the A/C is too chilly)
• Bug spray (I like this one because it is pocket sized)
• Body wipes for when you are not feeling fresh

Other recommended items for your road trip packing list

• Cell phone mount
• Car seat back organizer – This one has an insulated main compartment and this is a good one for kids
• Towels – Can be used as a seat cover, picnic blanket, to cleanup spills or dry off in an unexpected downpour.
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper in case you run into bathrooms without any!
• Plastic and trash bags
• Nail clippers & tweezers
• Reusable shopping bag for when you leave the car to buy snacks or souvenirs
• Day pack (tote or small backpack) – Handy for exploring your destination but also to keep inside the car with your personal items
• Camera – Make sure to keep a camera in the car. Also consider a GoPro for videos or instax camera
• Sun shade to keep your car cool while exploring
• Batteries for any devices you bring and external battery to recharge your electronics (this is one of my travel essential items for any trip!)

Family road trip checklist – if traveling with kids

• Tablet for each kid loaded with movies,books, educational apps and games (my nephew loves this kid friendly tablet )
• Headphones for each kid (my niece loves these headphones )
• Notebooks and colored pencils
• Change of clothes for babies younger children – keep in the car so they are easily accessible in case of spills or illness
• Extra formula/baby food/diapers for infants
• Favorite toys or stuffed animals

Pet road trip essentials – if bringing your pet along

• Leash, collar, tags
• Pet food and bowls
• Vaccination records and medication
• Bed or crate for the hotel room

What is on your roadtrip checklist?

Liked this packing list? Check out some of our other helpful travel essentials guides and packing lists:

• Carry On Bag Essentials List
• Beach Essentials Packing List
• Essential Things to Take to a Hostel
• Best Eco Friendly Travel Products & Accessories to Help You Travel Green
• Practical and Useful Travel Gifts That Every Traveler Needs

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10 Comments

This list is a great resource! I take frequent road trips and I always carry a paper map as well. I learned my lesson on a cross country trip and we ran into several areas where our GPS lost satellite service. Crazy. I know. But now I carry an atlas in my minivan everywhere I go.

Before each trip, I think it is very important for us to plan our safe and comfortable road trip especially preparing car for our trip such as checking basic car features, making sure the tires are in good shape, packing first aid kit, tool-box and emergency numbers.

You’ve got some good tips there. I can pack really fast myself because I travel a lot. I just grab things and put them in my suitcase. I leave my ziplock bag ready so I can just grab that and it has everything in it I need.

I will be going on a road trip this weekend this article is perfect right now. Thank you.

Thanks for sharing so much information. Ideas like these are so useful for a travel freak like me. Looking forward to going for a road trip soon! 🙂

Great list. We’re going on a road trip next month around California so it’s really useful. We need to start making our playlist and downloading a few audiobooks to keep us entertained on the journey.

I should use this as my go-to list for my next road trip. This will help so much and prevent me from leaving my essentials.

Fantastic list! I keep forgetting bin bags lately. Definitely downloading the PDF so I remember everything next time! (Btw you should put your blog name on the PDF!)

Thanks that is a great idea. Will do it next time I revise the list.

Oh these are some really good tips, thanks for putting all together 🙂

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The Ultimate Packing List for Road Trips (plus Road Trip Checklist)

Published by sarah vaughan on march 6, 2022 march 6, 2022.

As full-time road trippers, we’ve racked up thousands of miles and too many hours to count driving across the country. Each month, we play a game of Tetris to pack all of our belongings into our car and make the trek to our next destination. We don’t have a van, RV, or trailer – just 4 wheels on our Subaru and a trusty car top carrier. We both work full time and our cat, Fitzgerald, travels with us, which means that we’ve become experts in how to pack strategically for a road trip – everything that we need, but nothing that we don’t! In this article, we’ll give you our complete packing list for road trips, including a downloadable road trip checklist to help you prepare for your journey. This carefully curated packing list includes everything that we pack into our car every time we hit the road.

Two Outliers may contain affiliate links – we only recommend products we personally use and love. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Our life on the road

In March of 2021, we got rid of most of our belongings, packed up what was left, subleased our apartment in Virginia and hit the road: California bound! We drove from Virginia to St. Louis in one day, then to Denver the next.

After spending one week in Denver to break up the road trip, we continued to southern California, then to southern Utah, Arizona, northern California, Idaho, South Dakota, Minnesota… eventually we decided we loved life on the road too much to ever give it up and we made this nomadic lifestyle permanent.

We both secured jobs that would allow us to work remotely full-time during the week. We settle into a new “home base” each month with space for us both to work, typically in small towns strategically located near beautiful places with abundant opportunities for outdoor adventuring on the weekends.

P.S: You can read more about us here and check out the top highlights of our Western USA road trip adventures .

Overview | Packing List for Road Trips

Our lifestyle demands lots of road tripping, and over the many miles and hours in the car, packing and unpacking, we’ve crafted the perfect packing list for road trips that we’re excited to share with you!

We’ve learned a ton about what you really need (and don’t need!) on a road trip, and we hope our experiences will save you a little time and frustration.

Every single item that we pack into our mid-sized Subaru Forester for our life on the road is included in this list. As I was writing the list, it was hard to believe all this fits in one car, but believe us, with some strategic packing (plus a car top carrier), it really does!

We want to point out that we do not have children, so our road trip packing list is best for couples, solo travelers, or group road trips.

Be confident you have everything you need with our free road trip checklist!

Our interactive excel road trip checklist is complete with all the essentials you need to pack for your next road trip adventure!

Download our free Road Trip Essentials Checklist

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How to Plan an Epic Utah National Parks Road Trip

Texas to California Road Trip: 14 Day Itinerary

Adventurous One Week Arizona to Utah Road Trip

Packing list for road trip essentials.

First on our packing list are key road trip essentials, including tips on keeping your vehicle organized during a road trip, vehicle safety gear, important personal items, and miscellaneous items to keep in the car.

Organization

If you’re going to be spending a significant amount of time on the road, organization is essential. Here are few items we use to keep ourselves organized on the road:

• Plastic drawers | We leave these in our car to hold cooking supplies, camping essentials and hiking gear for easy access on adventures.
• Document organizer |This may seem silly, but when you’re on the road it can be really hard to keep track of important documents (think passports, insurance cards, travel tickets, etc). This organizer is perfect for keeping all our most important documents in one place.

Car top Carrier

Picture this: you’re about to set off on a 12 hour road trip. The car is packed full, car top carrier included. It starts torrentially down-pouring. Everything on top of the car is soaked. Sound like a nightmare? We’ve been there, and trust us, it is.

All that to say, a good quality hardshell rooftop carrier is 100% worth the investment.

Hard shell | Thule Pulse Hardshell, Medium Before switching to our Thule Pulse , we had a cheap softshell carrier and had all sorts of problems with it, from fighting to install it to wind torn straps to wet stuff. Our Thule has been a game changer – lightweight and aerodynamic (better for gas mileage), easy to install, pack and use, built in lock and key, and reliably waterproof.

Roof rack assembly gear | Thule Squarebar Raised Bars & Thule Evo Raised Rail Foot Pack Unfortunately installing a car top carrier isn’t as simple as purchasing the hardshell. Assuming your car already has a basic roof rack (bars that run parallel to the car), you will also need to purchase a set of crossbars (these go perpendicular to the roof rack) and rail feet , to which the carrier will be attached.

Vehicle safety supplies

Perhaps the most important set of items to pack before setting off on a road trip is vehicle safety supplies. You can hope you’ll never need these, but odds are if you are putting a lot of miles under your wheels, at some point they will come in handy:

• Jumper cables | It’s all too easy to accidentally leave a light on in the car overnight, and suddenly the battery is dead. These are always good to have just in case.
• Fix-a-flat | Although just a temporary solution, fix a flat is great to have to avoid having to change a spare tire. However, beware that you can only drive up to 100 miles on it.
• Spare tire | And its always a good idea to brush up on how to change one.
• Tire inflator | A great tool if you are car camping, driving on sandy or dirt roads, or just to avoid scrounging for quarters and waiting in line at a gas station to inflate your tires.
• First-aid-kit | It’s always good to have basic first aid gear in case of an emergency, especially if you are traveling in remote areas.
• Flashlight or headlamps | Again, good to have in case of emergency (also essential for camping while on the road! )
• AAA or roadside assistance card | I’ve had a AAA membership for years and it always pays for itself, especially if you spend a lot of time on the road.

Electronics and navigation

• Cell phone and chargers
• Cell phone car charger | Most of us rely on our phones for navigation these days so it’s important to have a car charger. If you are driving somewhere that you could lose service, it’s also a good idea to start the navigation (GoogleMaps or AppleMaps) before you go.
• Aux cords | To keep yourself entertained with music or podcasts if your vehicle doesn’t have Bluetooth.
• Map | Let’s be real, if you are sticking to major roads and highways in the United States, you probably won’t need to a hardcopy map. But if you are venturing off the grid, driving through national parks, etc you may want a real map for when you inevitably lose service.
• Phone holder | This makes navigating with your phone’s GPS a million times easier. This one is expandable to fit any phone and can be attached to the window, dashboard or vent.
• GPS Device | We primarily use our Garmin InReach Mini for hiking and backpacking, but it’s also great to have in the car on road trips, particularly when traveling in remote areas. It allows you to send texts or an emergency message in areas without cell service.
• Portable chargers | For hikes or excursions along the road, or in case of emergency in the car, we always bring several portable phone chargers – just make sure to charge them before you hit the road!

Personal items/documents

Below are the most important personal items/documents you don’t want to hit the road without !

• Purse/wallet
• Insurance cards
• COVID vaccination records
• Driver’s License

Misc items to bring/keep in the car

The following set of items on our packing list for road trips includes things that we keep in the car at all times to make our lives easier and keep the car tidy (or rather, keep the car from becoming absolutely filthy):

• Vehicle registration | In case you happen to get pulled over. (Tip: pay attention when you cross over state lines – speed limits often change here. Yes, we’ve been burned by an 80mph highway that suddenly drops down to 70mph…)
• Easy pass (or quarters for tolls) | There’s nothing worse than scrambling for cash when you come upon a toll.
• Napkins / Paper towels | Always good to have for the unexpected spill.
• Hand sanitizer | Looking at you, Covid.
• Grocery bags | To reuse for storing trash in the car.
• Pillow and blanket | To keep you comfortable on a long car ride.
• Sunshade | Great for keeping your car cool on a hot day sitting in the sun.

Entertainment

I (Sarah) hate to sit still and long road trips make me very antsy. Packing a variety of ways to keep myself entertained is very important, for the sake of my sanity, as well as Matt’s! Here are our favorite ways to stay busy in the car:

Number one source of road trip entertainment: podcasts! Listening to hours upon hours of music can get boring, and as soon as that happens we switch on a podcast to give us something else to think about. Here are a few our personal favorites – let us know if you have others that you love, we are always looking for new podcasts!

• National Park After Dark | If you love true crime and the outdoors, you will enjoy this podcast. It covers missing person cases, murders, tragic accidents and mysteries that take place in national parks across the country.
• My Favorite Murder | I’m a true crime junkie and this podcast is the perfect mixture of humor and great storytelling.
• Freakonomics | Alright, I may be a bit of a nerd, but Freakonomics puts a relatable twist on economics. It’s a great podcast to get your brain engaged in the car.
• This is Actually Happening | Fair warning, this one can get dark. Personal stories told from the point of view of survivors of tragic experiences of life circumstances, this podcast is intense and totally captivating.

E-books | Kindle

Books are too heavy and bulky to pack in the car, so a Kindle makes the perfect replacement. I always thought I would hate reading on an e-book, but my kindle is lightweight and has a soft light that is easy on the eyes.

Books on tape (eh.. phone) | Amazon Audible

“Books on tape” may be a thing of the past, but Audiobooks (like Audible), are perfect for road trips, especially if you are the one driving.

We use Spotify to listen to music and create our own road trip playlists, and make sure to download them in advance for driving through areas without service. Here are a few of our favorite artists for road tripping:

• Turnpike Troubadours
• Trampled by Turtles
• The National Parks

P.S. If you’re looking for more music inspiration, be sure to check out this list of our favorite songs about adventure and travel and download the Spotify playlist before setting off on your road trip!

Other sources of entertainment

• Computer | If you have an unlimited data phone plan, you can use your phone as a personal hotspot in the car, as long as you have service. We do this a lot to work on planning trips or writing while we travel. We both have 13 inch Macbook Airs and love that they are compact, portable, and have long-lasting battery life.
• Camera /photography gear | One of my favorite things to do in the car is look at photos from the trip and work on editing them in Lightroom .
• Questions card game | If you are road tripping with someone you spend a ton of time with already, you may be looking for some new things to talk about. We love card games, like Thinking and Drinking (without the drinking in this case…) that give you a random topic to prompt new and fun conversations.
• Journaling | When we’re traveling, we love to write about our experiences while they are fresh in our minds and keeping a journal is the perfect way to do so while passing time in the car.
• Portable speakers | Obviously not necessary in the car, but portable speakers are great to have for your final destination or stops along the way. (P.S. we lost our Oontz speakers for over a month and found them outside drenched from many rainstorms – they still work to this day… I’d call that durable!)

Car Camping

Camping while on the road helps save money on accommodations and allows you to stay as close as possible to the places you want to explore.

If you plan to camp along your road trip, you’ll need a whole other set of gear. We’ve compiled a complete list of all our road trip camping essentials to help you pack your car for camping:

In this article, we’ll tell you all our road trip camping essentials, including an excel checklist to help you prepare for your camping trip on the road.

Here’s where the packing list for road trips starts to get tricky. Packing enough clothes that you aren’t doing laundry all the time, but light enough that it fits in the car! Here’s what we pack:

Everyday basics

• Socks | Balega for running and Darn Tough for hiking.
• Underwear | My go-to comfy underwear for exercise and hiking are Sweaty Betty’s .
• T-shirts | Something comfy and versatile (also for running).
• Pants/leggings | Mountain Hardwear leggings are great because they are comfortable for lounging around but also great for hiking!
• Sweatpants | We haven’t found a pair more comfortable than Vuori joggers .
• Pajamas | I live in my Lake Pajamas .

Athletic/hiking gear

The bulk of the clothes on our packing list falls into this category, as most of our road trips are heavily focused on hiking and outdoor adventures:

• Hiking pants | These Athleta Headlands pants are my absolute favorite! Plus all the pockets make them more stylish, so they can double as normal pants. Matt’s go-to hiking pants are his PrAna Stretch Zion Pants .
• Quarter Zips | I have two Smartwool Merino 1/4 Zips and I absolutely love them! Warm, comfortable and stylish, they are the perfect base layer for colder hikes. Matt also has the men’s version of the Smartwool Merino 1/4 Zip.
• Fleece Pullover | The Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip Fleece is so cozy and keeps me warm, from lounging around the house to chilly mornings out camping. Matt loves this pullover from Patagonia!
• Long sleeve base layers | Again, I love my Smartwool long sleeve base layers . They’re a bit pricey but the quality is worth it – they’ll last forever!
• Tanks | I’m obsessed with the Athleta Conscious Crop – a sports bra and tank all in one, and so comfortable for hiking!
• Ballcaps | Perfect for throwing on when your hair starts to look like you’ve been in the car for a few hours (or days…).
• Down Jacket | My Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody Women’s Down Hoodie is lightweight and incredibly warm with 850 fill down. If you hate being cold (like me) this is the jacket for you! The quality is top notch and totally worth the extra warmth. Matt loves his Cotopaxi Fuego Down Jacket.
• Rain Jacket | I pack 2 rain jackets – an ultralight Asics packable jacket (great for running and hiking in warm weather), and my Patagonia Torrentshell 3L with a bit more warmth that makes a great shell over my down jacket. Matt swears by his Outdoor Research Microgravity shell.
• Vest | This WoolX vest is sleek, stylish, and keeps me extra warm!
• Hats | I love this Patagonia hat that matches my down jacket!
• Gloves | Have I mentioned I love Smartwool? My favorite gloves are Smartwool Merino 150 , warm but not too bulky. Matt prefers something with a little more warmth and raves about these Black Diamond gloves .
• Hiking Boots | From long distance backpacking trips to quick day hikes, my Danner Women’s Mountain 600 Waterproof Hiking Boots have never let me down. Matt prefers the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX hiking shoe for their low weight and high durability.
• Running shoes | Hoka One One Bondi – these may not be the most stylish running shoes, but I swear they feel like running on clouds. I’ve trained for 2 marathons with these and I will never buy another running shoe again. For trail running, Matt uses the New Balance Hierro .
• Water shoes | If you plan to be near any body of water, Chacos are essential. I use them all the time for car camping and pack them on hikes that require wading through water to avoid getting wet boots.
• Casual wear | Toms Flats are great for road tripping because they’re small and easy to slip on and off. Matt always packs these super versatile Seavees . They can be worn with jeans for a night out, with shorts around town, or slipped on with sweatpants for a quick run to the grocery store.
• Sandals | I don’t pack a ton of “nice” clothes that aren’t for hiking or running on the road, but these Toms Sicily Sandal are so comfortable and versatile that they’re worth bringing.

Packing accessories

The following list includes everything we use to pack and organize our clothes and toiletry items.

• Packing cubes | We pack all our clothes in packing cubes ! They help you pack more clothes in a smaller space and keep things organized.
• Toiletry organizer | We both use Sea to Summit’s Hanging Toiletry Bag for our toiletries – it’s great for road tripping because it’s compact but big enough to fit the essentials, and also lightweight enough to take backpacking.
• Laundry bag | We always travel with a mesh laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate from our clean ones when we don’t have time to do laundry.
• Backpacks | Since we do a lot of outdoor backpacking, Matt & I both pack all our clothes in our two backpacks (HERS: lightweight 40L Osprey Tempest and midweight 65L Osprey Ariel , HIS : 55L REI Co-op Flash )
• Day backpack | Matt uses the CamelBak Rim Runner 22 with Hydration Pack and I use the CamelBak Women’s Helena 20 with Hydration Pack . They’re both great day hiking packs and double for miscellaneous storage when packing the car.
• Suitcase | In addition to our backpacking packs, we also pack one hardshell Away Suitcase (shared between the 2 of us) that we use for work travel and packing nicer clothes that shouldn’t be shoved into packing cubes.

Food + & Kitchen Supplies

Next we’ll cover the most important road-tripping essential: food! We try to pack as much of our food for road trips as possible to save money on eating out. When packing for road trips, we always make sure to pick food that will last over a multi-day trip and not take up too much space.

Kitchen Supplies

We’ve found that there are few kitchen items that are important enough to bring on the road, and also make life easier in the car. Note that we also pack camping kitchen gear that can also be useful in the car and at Airbnbs/hotels along the road – you can read more about our packing list for camping on road trips here .

• Cooler | Before we get into food specifics, it’s absolutely essential to get a good cooler that can keep your food cold for the entire day (or multiple days). We could not road trip without our Yeti Tundra 35 . Its the perfect size – large enough to fit essential food for a few days, but doesn’t take up too much space in the car.
• Coffee mugs | One of the easiest ways to save money on the road is making your own coffee in a mug , at home or from your hotel room or Airbnb, before you set off. A $20 mug pays for itself in just a few days on the road.
• Water bottle | Again, save money on plastic water bottles and invest in a reusable one.
• Extra water | We originally purchased these 2-liter Platypus bottles to carry extra water backpacking in the desert. But, it turns out they serve another perfect function: packing extra water for road tripping. Fill 2 of these up before you hit the road and never buy a $3 water bottle from a gas station again!
• Utensils | A few reusable spoons, forks and knifes (or sporks ) make life so much easier.
• Reusable sandwich bags | Help the environment and save money on plastic bags = win, win!
• Bottle opener | For cracking a cold beer or popping a bottle of wine when you arrive at your destination.
• Cast iron-pan | Kind of a pain to travel with, but since we cook over the campfire so much it’s worth the space it takes up.
• Paper towels

Breakfast | Yogurts, Clif bar , Stroopwafel

Yogurts may be a luxury if you have limited cooler space but it’s our go-to breakfast so we try to make room, or at least pack one on the first day of the trip. If you want to conserve cooler space, try a Clif bar (cool mint is our favorite) or Str o opwafel .

For lunch , you’ll want to pack something that’s easy to put together in the car and that you can have for multiple meals (if you are road tripping for several days). Here are a few ideas:

• PB&J (on an english muffin) | A classic, simple and easy. Just refrigerate the jelly. To spice it up a bit, use an English muffin instead of 2 slices of bread.
• Turkey & Cheese (with ranch or avocado) | Also easy because all you need to keep cold is turkey meat and cheese, and you can make several sandwiches with one pack. Add ranch or fresh slices of avocado to spice it up!

While road tripping, we usually leave dinner as our one meal to eat out. That’s because packing food for dinner is tough, takes up more space in the cooler, often requires re-heating etc. By the end of the day, we typically don’t want to have to think too much about preparing dinner.

Tasty snacks just make a long road trip that much better. Here’s what we don’t hit the road without:

• Cheese-itz | Cheesy. Crunchy. Crispy. The best.
• Hummus and pretzels | For something a little healthier and full of protein to keep you satisfied on the road.
• Peanut M&M’s | Great for road trips because they don’t melt like other chocolate candies do!
• Bottle of red wine | For winding down after a long day of road tripping. Red wine is perfect because you don’t have to keep it cold. Just open and enjoy!

Pet supplies

If you’re road tripping with a cat or dog, your packing list just got a little longer. We don’t have a dog, but we do travel with our cat, Fitzgerald. Below are the essentials to pack if you are traveling with a pet:

Pet road trip packing list

• Food + water bowl
• Carrier/crate | We usually let Fitzgerald roam free in the car, but safety always comes first. If your pet is distracting while driving, you will want to have a way to contain them.
• Toys | Essential for keeping your pet happy and entertained while on the road.
• Collar and leash with name tag | For moving your cat/dog to and from the car, and just in case your they gets loose.
• Treats | But only for after you arrive at your final destination (Fitzgerald’s all time favorites are Temptations Shrimpy Shrimps )
• Anxiety medication | If your pet is particularly anxious in the car, talk to your vet.
• Comfortable bed or blanket | If you are traveling with a fully loaded down car, make sure you have a comfortable spot for your cat or dog to relax.

Cat supplies

Here are a few extra supplies to pack if you are traveling with a cat:

• Litter house (with a door) | So your cat can use the bathroom while in the car if necessary, without spilling litter everywhere.
• Scratching post | At home Fitzgerald loves his scratching post with hammock . Even though it’s a bit bulky, we always bring it with us on road trips because it means he won’t scratch up the furniture at our Airbnb/hotel/short-term rental. 100% worth the space it takes up!

For more tips on road tripping with your feline, check out this post:

Road Trip Tips

11 Proven Tips for Taking a Cat on a Road Trip

In March of 2021, we set off on a cross-country road trip from Virginia to California, taking our beloved cat, Fitzgerald, along with us!

Remote Work Essentials

Our last bucket of packing items for road trips is obviously optional depending on the nature of your trip. Since we are on the road full-time, we also have to bring with us the essentials for working remotely , which unfortunately means a lot of space in the car. Here are the items we can’t work without:

• Portable monitor | When we first started living nomadically, we hauled our massive monitors around the country with us… not exactly space efficient. Now we’ve both invested in a Foowin 15.6 inch portable monitor . It’s lightweight, and compact, plugs right into your laptop, and makes life on the road so much easier!
• Wireless keyboard | No cord means easy setup each time we move and less hassle packing and unpacking.
• Wireless mouse | Again, easy setup and transport makes a world of difference when you’re always on the move.
• Mouse pad | Since we move around a lot, our work surfaces aren’t consistent. Bringing a mouse pad means we don’t have to worry about whether our mouses will work well on rough surfaces.
• Laptop sleeve | I skip the bulky laptop bag and pack my Mac in a compact sleeve . It provides enough protect from scratches in the car, and also double as a raised workspace.
• Folding card table | Okay, again, this is a huge pain the a**! However, it’s often tricky to find Airbnb’s that have two work spaces, so it’s easier to just bring our own. The legs fold down so it slides easily in the car.

Other useful resources

Planning a road trip in the U.S.? We think you may find the following resources helpful in planning your trip:

• Road Trip Tips | 11 Proven Tips for Road Tripping with a Cat
• Road Trip Tips | Our Complete Road Trip Camping Essentials plus Checklist
• Travel Inspiration | 59 Best Songs About Travel & Adventure
• Zion & Bryce | How to Spend 3 Days in Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks
• Arizona | Adventurous One Week Road Trip in Arizona & Southern Utah
• Grand Teton | The Perfect 2-Day Grand Teton Itinerary

What gear would you add to our packing list for road trips? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Sarah Vaughan

Hello! I'm Sarah, one half of the couple behind Two Outliers! In 2023, I quit my job as a Data Scientist to travel around the world on an epic 15-month journey in search of the world's greatest hikes and outdoor adventures. Matt and I started Two Outliers in 2021 as a place for visitors to find concise, accurate, and honest information to plan their own adventures. We hope our experiences inspire you to hit the trail! Happy Hiking! Sarah

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The Ultimate Packing List for Long-haul Flights

Here’s all the gear, toiletries, and accessories you need for long-haul flights.

Alesandra Dubin is an LA-based lifestyle writer and editor. As a veteran digital journalist, she's covered travel, food, parenting, and more for over 15 years. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and countless other online and print outlets. An avid traveler, she often trots the globe with her husband and their twins. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @alicedubin. Alesandra holds a master's degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley.

In This Article

• Packing Checklist
• Tips for Packing

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why Trust T + L

Travel + Leisure / Alli Waataja

The golden age of flying — when travelers dressed in their finest as flight attendants manned carving stations in the aisles — is long gone. Nowadays, it’s more often about enduring cartoonishly cramped conditions without so much as a meal included in some à la carte tickets.

These circumstances make it all the more important to prepare adequately for a long-haul flight and bring your own comforts and conveniences because you can’t always count on airline-issued perks. However, packing and dressing in anticipation of how you’ll feel at hour 10 takes careful planning.

Packing Checklist for a Long-haul Flight

Here's a list of things to pack for a long-haul flight including supplies to strategically carry stuff, picks for grooming and cleaning mid-flight, and other items to help you get shut-eye or generally stay comfortable in the air. Use this as a checklist and read on for everything you need — and need to consider — when you know you’ll be spending many (many) hours on a plane.

Clothing and Shoes

• Best Lounge Set: Spanx AirEssentials Crew and Wide-leg Pants
• Best Leggings: Elastique L'Original 27-inch Leggings
• Best Cozy Socks: Comrad Knee-high Compression Socks
• Best Slip-on Shoes: Naturalizer Women's Marianne Loafer
• Best Slippers: Bearpaw Shorty Boots
• Best Wearable Wrap: White+Warren Cashmere Travel Wrap

Sleep Essentials

• Best Travel Pillow: Cabeau TNE S3 Travel Pillow
• Best Ear Plugs: Loop Quiet Ear Plugs
• Best Sleep Mask: Manta Sleep Mask Pro
• Best Travel Blanket: Away The Travel Blanket
• Best Lip Balm: Eos Organic Lip Balm 4-pack
• Best Under-eye Mask: RéVive Masque Des Yeux Gel Eye Mask
• Best Hand Cream: Weleda Skin-food Extra Rich Cream
• Best Dental Kit: Kulusion Dental Travel Kit
• Best Hand Sanitizer: Touchland Power Mist Hand Sanitizer
• Best Facial Mist: Mario Badescu Facial Spray Collection
• Best Portable Charger: Anker Portable Charger
• Best Airplane Footrest: Everlasting Comfort Airplane Footrest
• Best Headphones: Bose Noise-canceling Headphones 700
• Best Phone Mount: Universal In-flight Plane Holder Mount
• Best eReader: Kobo Libra 2 eReader
• Best Reusable Water Bottle: ThermoFlask Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle
• Best Carry-on: July Carry On
• Best Underseat Bag: Calpak Luka Duffel Bag
• Best Backpack: Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack
• Best Tote: MZ Wallace Deluxe Tote
• Best Fanny Pack: Dagne Dover Ace Fanny Pack

Long gone are the days of dressing up to fly. Now, especially under no-frills coach-class conditions, comfort is the name of the game. Dress for relaxation, warmth, and versatility on and off the plane. Layers are key for unpredictable temperature changes mid-flight, too. 

Best Lounge Set

Spanx airessentials crew.

Bloomingdale's

While comfort is a top priority when traveling for hours in the air, who says you can't look cute, too? With this Spanx crewneck and matching wide-leg pant set, you can have the best of both worlds thanks to the sleek, airbrushed fabric and effortlessly stylish loose-fit design. There are tons of different muted and bold colors that can be mixed and matched with other tops or bottoms from the AirEssentials Collection .

Best Leggings

Elastique athletics l'original leggings.

These might look like a typical pair of leggings, but the interior fabric has a beaded lining designed to promote circulation and stimulate the lymphatic system (which can often cause swelling after sitting on an airplane for a while.) The brand's MicroPerle beads compress and massage the skin, so these are ideal for post-flight recovery or after a workout, too.

Best Cozy Socks

Comrad knee-high compression socks.

To combat swelling during a flight, a pair of compression socks from Comrad will do the trick. Besides the benefits of compression socks , this pair is far more stylish than a typical set you would find at the drugstore thanks to the colorful striped pattern that comes in small to extra-large size options for an optimal fit.

Best Slip-ons

Naturalizer marianne slip-on loafer.

Travel + Leisure editors have tested a lot of slip-on shoes , and this pair from Naturalizer is easy to dress up or down. They're perfect for going through security worry-free, and they offer plenty of support and cushioning when you're on your feet. When you arrive at your destination, the shoes can be paired with jeans or a dress, offering superior versatility.

Best Slippers

Bearpaw super shorty.

Whether or not you think it's acceptable to take off your shoes on a flight , bringing a pair of slippers is probably the best solution. Once you're up in the air, you can slip off your shoes and slide into this pair of plush booties from Bearpaw. Made with a thick sole, these slippers can also be worn off the plane as a regular pair of shoes if needed.

Best Wearable Wrap

White+warren cashmere travel wrap.

White+Warren

Travel blanket , scarf, or shawl are just a few of the ways to style this gorgeous cashmere wrap from White + Warren. When you're on the plane, the wrap is ideal for keeping you warm and cozy while getting some shut-eye, but it's also nice enough to wear as a shawl on a chilly night out. Opt for a muted color like sand and camel or go bold with fondant pink and bright tangerine color options.

Sleeping on long-haul flights requires preparation. Dress comfortably, in layers, and bring along gear that supports the pursuit: a travel blanket, pillow, ear plugs, and an eye mask. Avoid caffeine and choose a window seat, if it’s feasible, to avoid neighbors tapping to wake you up when they need to use the loo.

Best Travel Pillow

Cabeau tne s3 travel pillow.

Make your coach-class seat more tolerable for a long-haul flight with a neck pillow to support your head for shuteye. This ergonomic memory-foam one even attaches to the back of the seat for added in-flight comfort, and features a compression carrying bag and fully washable cover for afterwards, too. We tested this pillow on a long international trip and found that, despite its size, it was quite easy to roll it up into its compact carrying case for easy transport.

Best Ear Plugs

Loop quiet earplugs.

Loop Earplugs

After testing a slew of earplugs , this pair from Loop were the best option for travelers looking for a stylish and reusable set of plugs. To get the most comfortable fit for each individual, the plugs come with various ear tip sizes ranging from extra small to large.

Best Sleep Mask

Manta sleep mask pro.

Manta Sleep

A sleep mask is a must to facilitate shuteye on a long-haul flight. And this one is next-level: it provides true blackout light protection and it’s fully customizable to fit your head and face. The carved out c-shaped eye cups also put no pressure on lids or lashes (so you can, say, keep that new set of lash extensions looking flawless throughout your trip). The mask comes with a case and wash bag; it’s also fully machine washable.

Best Travel Blanket

Away the travel blanket.

Gone are the days when you could depend on an airline-issued blanket in coach. Bring your own to cozy up and get some sleep on a long-haul flight. This one from Away is lightweight and made for travel, with an interior kangaroo pocket for keeping essentials safe, as well as a foot pocket for comfort and warmth.

Customize your toiletry and grooming kit for a long-haul flight: Think hand sanitizing spray and/or wipes, pain killer, lip balm, moisturizing cream, and hair ties. If looking fresh-faced directly upon arrival is a concern, a lightweight tinted moisturizer makes a great alternative to foundation. Don’t forget a toothbrush and paste to brush up after a long night in flight. A few bottles carrying key skin care products can help maintain a sense of self-care. While not essential per se, additions like hydrating eye masks and refreshing facial mist can feel downright luxurious after a night in the air.

Best Lip Balm

Eos organic lip balm 4-pack.

Flying can be super dehydrating, so be sure to pack a few sticks of lip balm to keep your lips moisturized throughout a trip. Made with natural ingredients and finished with a mint flavor, this lip balm will leave your lips feeling relieved and refreshed. This pack of four lip balms from Eos is the best way to get a bang for your buck at a little over $3 each, and you can have a backup or two in case one gets lost in transit.

Best Under-eye Mask

Révive instant de-puffing gel eye mask.

Blue Mercury

Designed to de-puff and brighten the eyes in 15 minutes, this cooling gel mask from RéVive is the perfect way to make your long-haul flight a little more luxurious. Made with ingredients like brown seaweed and an anti-oxidant fruit blend, the mask targets puffiness, wrinkles, and dehydration. After you take off the eye mask, all you have to do is rub in the remaining gel and throw away the mask for a hassle-free spa treatment en route to your destination.

Best Hand Cream

Weleda ultra-rich cream.

The air on planes can be so drying — as can the repeated hand washing and sanitizing that goes along with travel-day vigilance. Use this fan-favorite, ultra-hydrating cream from century-old company Weleda not just on hands, but on elbows, feet, and even faces, too. The 2.5-ounce size is fully TSA compliant.

Best Dental Kit

Kulusion dental travel kit.

It’s hard enough to shake off a long-haul flight and move into the world with any sense of alertness; it’s even harder when you can’t brush your teeth because you didn’t think about bringing a toothbrush in your carry-on. Handle your business with this travel set, which comes with two foldable travel toothbrushes, each with a built-in, refillable toothpaste container.

Best Hand Sanitizer

Touchland power mist hand sanitizer.

Hand sanitizer is essential for keeping your hands clean (and for your peace of mind) on a long-haul flight. This mist version comes in mood-boosting scents, like lemon-lime spritz, frosted mint, and citrus grove. Each bottle contains 500 sprays in a moisturizing aloe vera formula.

Best Facial Mist

Mario badescu facial spray collection.

A facial spray is a great way not just to hydrate the skin but to refresh when you’re feeling bleary. This travel-sized set of four two-ounce sprays comes with one of each calming or invigorating fragrance: aloe, herbs and rose water; cucumber and green tea; chamomile and lavender; and sage and orange blossom.

You’ll need a range of gear from analog (a pen for filling out customs documents) to high-tech (devices, headphones, and chargers). Don’t forget snacks and a water bottle to stay hydrated and nourished, especially if you’re traveling overnight without consistent food and drink service.

Best Portable Charger

Anker slim 10000 portable charger.

Hell is finding yourself on an interminably long flight with a dead battery separating you from your movies, podcasts, or audiobooks, which is why you need to pack a portable charger, especially for international trips . Stay charged up in flight with a portable charger like this slim and lightweight 10,000mAh version.

Best Airplane Footrest

Everlasting comfort airplane footrest.

You know the inner scream you emit when you walk past all those lie-flat business class seats on your way to coach for a long-haul flight? Mitigate the pain by bringing your own footrest. This hammock-style memory foam rest installs over the tray table in front of you and rolls into a travel pouch when not in use.

Best Headphones

Bose noise cancelling headphones.

Noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference both for sleep and entertainment on a long flight. This top-quality, editor-loved pair has a lightweight and compact stainless steel headband. Get up to 20 hours of Bluetooth listening on a single charge — that’s enough to cover any single long-haul flight and then some.

Best Phone Mount

Perilogics universal in-flight plane holder mount.

Use this universal clip to clamp your phone to the tray table to watch hours of your preferred movies or shows on your own device. Dual joints rotate 360 degrees so you can watch horizontally or vertically at just the right angle for comfort.

Best eReader

Kobo libra 2 ereader.

The Kobo Libra 2 is the easiest way to bring a library of books while traveling without having to schlep heavy hardcovers through an airport. This eReader saves you space in luggage and provides access to thousands of audio and ebooks so you can start another book right away. Plus, it's glare-proof and has a dark mode to read at your designed brightness and color background.

Best Reusable Water Bottle

Thermoflask stainless steel water bottle.

Stay hydrated (and environmentally conscious) by traveling with your own refillable water bottle. This one is easy to carry, keeps water cold for hours, and has a truly leak-proof lid.

You’ll want to have what you need nearby during a long-haul flight; that is, your most frequently used essentials should be stowed right at your seat. Consider traveling with an underseat tote or backpack, as well as a smaller pouch — like a waist pack — to compartmentalize your most valuable essentials and keep them close. 

Best Carry-on

July carry on.

T+L editors are big fans of July luggage after testing the brand's most popular bags in the lab. The July carry-on proved to be the best cabin-friendly bag for storing essentials you wouldn't want to place in a checked bag in case it gets lost. Lightweight, spacious, and easy to maneuver, what more could we ask for in a carry-on?

Best Underseat Bag

Calpak luka duffel bag.

If you do opt to check a bag or can bring a personal item on the flight, the Calpak Luka Duffel is the perfect carry-all bag for in-flight must-haves. It can easily fit an extra pair of clothes, toiletry bag, pill or jewelry case, tech organizer, or any other item you want to have at your disposal during a long flight. Plus, the puffer material is stylish and protective.

Best Backpack

Everlane renew transit backpack.

Keep everything handy and organized for a long-haul flight with a thoughtfully designed stylish travel backpack . This one has a 15-inch laptop pocket on the outside for easy TSA access, zip pockets for essentials like passports, an interior slip pocket, two water bottle holders, a magnetic closure, and a trolley strap for rolling luggage. It’s also made from 100-percent recycled polyester.

MZ Wallace Deluxe Tote

A tote bag is a versatile piece of luggage to bring on a trip, especially a stylish one like this MZ Medium Deluxe Tote. It's large enough to store carry-on essentials, but it can also be used as a laptop bag for business trips or to carry everyday items you'll need for sightseeing like water bottles, snacks, or an extra jacket. We found this bag to be incredibly lightweight during travel, and loved the added convenience of the trolley sleeve which made toting it around the airport a breeze.

Best Fanny Pack

Dagne dover ace fanny pack.

Dagne Dover

Like the brand’s other travel luggage staples, this Dagne Dover fanny pack is brilliantly designed for maximum function. Neoprene gives it water resistance plus a sleek look, and four pockets keep everything tidy and well-organized. Plus, it’s made from recycled polyester derived from 100-percent post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

Tips for Packing for a Long-haul Flight

Keep what you need close at hand.

When you’re flying for hours upon hours, you’ll want an array of comforts and conveniences. But they’ll be no use to you if they’re in your checked luggage — or even if they’re in the overhead bin when the seatbelt sign is on. Make sure you have what you need close at hand, under your seat and in the seatback pocket. 

To help sort your most essential items from the rest, consider packing a smaller travel pouch to compartmentalize these and keep them close. A tiny keychain flashlight — or even the flashlight on your smartphone — can help you search for small but vital things when the cabin lights are off.

Prioritize versatility and comfort 

When you’re getting dressed for a long-haul flight — fresh, rested, alert — it can be hard to imagine how you’ll feel 12 hours into the journey. But try to channel that feeling when you’re choosing clothes: they should be comfortable enough to spend many hours wearing, and ideally to sleep in, too. You should also choose a wardrobe and gear that is versatile enough to wear awake and asleep, on the plane and in the airport, and even as a multitasking item upon arrival. For instance, a drapey layering piece can also serve as a blanket and/or pillow when needed.

Plan for sleep and awake time

Pack items you’ll want for restful sleep such as an eye mask and ear plugs, and bring what you need to make your seat as cozy as possible (like a blanket and pillow). But equally consider the time you’ll spend awake: Have enough entertainment (like movies, books, or games) to keep you busy and allow you to enjoy — as well as just pass — the wakeful time.

For a long-haul flight, dressing for comfort should be top priority. A coordinating loungewear set is an easy, versatile pick as it's something you’re equally comfortable wearing while awake and asleep, in the airport and on the plane. Opting for a good pair of travel pants is another great way to ensure comfort without looking like you just flew for 12 hours. And dress in layers: Airplane cabins can be unpredictably cold or warm, and any layers you’re not wearing can double as blankets or pillows, too.

Getting sleep on a long-haul flight will be key to feeling alert on arrival — and it sure helps pass the time, too. Set yourself up for sleep success by dressing in non-constricting clothing. Pack comforts like a travel pillow and blanket, as well as an eye mask to block out light and distractions, and ear plugs (or noise-canceling headphones) to banish cabin sounds. And avoid caffeinated beverages as well as alcohol as these can disrupt sleep (tempting though they may be).

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

T+L contributor Alesandra Dubin used her experience as a travel and lifestyle writer and professional product reviewer, as well as research, to highlight the most important items for this long-haul flight essentials packing list. 

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The Ultimate Checklist for Traveling Abroad

Shannon McMahon

Editor Shannon McMahon is always planning her next trip and often writing in her travel journal. Follow her on Twitter @shanmcmahon_ and on Instagram @shanmcmahon .

Shannon joined SmarterTravel in 2015. A former news reporter, she's lived in the south of Spain, spotted elephants in Sri Lanka, gone spelunking in the Caribbean, hiked Jordan's Petra Basin, interviewed Sao Paulo's Michelin-Star chefs, and explored China via bullet train. Travel trends, news oddities, and her visits to up-and-coming destinations are some of her favorite things to write about.

Her stories have also appeared online on USA Today, The Sun, Huffington Post, Business Insider, blog.TripAdvisor.com, Boston.com, and more. Her educational background is in journalism, art history, gender studies, Spanish, and film. She's been quoted as an expert travel source by CNBC, People.com, MarketWatch, The Washington Post, USA Today, and more.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "Plenty of extra thick hair elastics. They tame my frizzy curls and come in handy in a surprising number of packing and hotel dilemmas."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : "Climbing (yes, climbing, it's steep!) the Great Wall of China before it's gone."

Travel Motto : "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "Window, of course."

Email Shannon at [email protected] .

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Traveling internationally is an adventure best planned ahead of time, and not just when it comes to booking flights and packing. Sure, showing up at your gate sans passport or forgetting melatonin for your red-eye flight can put a damper on your long-awaited escape, but most of your preparation should be dedicated to ensuring health, safety, and financial necessities are covered. To save you some prep time, we’ve compiled this international travel checklist for your next long-distance journey.

Focus on Safety First

One of the easiest and most important items on an overseas travel checklist is also arguably the most ignored. Travel insurance and State Department alerts can be incredibly important in emergencies abroad, but many tourists bet they won’t become part of the small percentage of travelers who require evacuation assistance or protection from hotel or flight cancellations.

Subscribing to the State Department’s STEP alerts for your destination can help you stay up to date on upcoming and current travel restrictions, strikes, and areas of political unrest. Any alerts you receive will let you know whether or not to plan for some unexpected obstacles in advance.

Travel insurance can cost as little as a few dollars per travel day and cover anything from replacing a broken camera to emergency medical attention, potentially saving you hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars.

Get Your Travel Documents and Credit Cards in Order

Make sure your passport and any necessary travel visas are up to date. Some countries require a passport to be valid for at least six months after your scheduled return, so make sure you won’t be turned away or delayed at customs because of an old passport. Not sure if you need a visa? See this list of every country that requires a visa for Americans .

Keep physical and digital copies of your passport and all your paperwork in case anything is lost, and give copies as well as your itinerary and contact numbers to family and friends whom you can contact in case of an emergency.

Notify your bank and credit card companies about your travel dates so they don’t deny your purchases, and ask about international ATM fees so you can find out which ones won’t charge you. It’s always a good idea to bring multiple cards in case one stops working.

Don’t underestimate how helpful a cell phone photo of your passport can be. Whether you have to go to the consulate and report it lost, or are just filling out a customs card and need your passport number, it will likely come in handy. Email the image to yourself to have an extra digital copy in case your phone runs out of batteries or goes missing. You may also want to bring a spare copy of your passport photo on your trip; having it handy will speed the processing of a new document.

Your Questions About Online Passport Renewal, Answered

Get Vaccinated

It’s best to get the necessary vaccinations out of the way as soon as possible since it can take a few weeks to build full immunity. Some also require multiple doses, which may need to be administered over days, weeks, or even months. Talk to your doctor about getting the CDC-recommended shots , as the protocol for vaccines varies by country. For example, dozens of countries require proof of a yellow fever vaccination if you’ve been to at-risk areas. A travel clinic can help you sort out which vaccinations and medications you might need.

Keep your vaccination certificate in your carry-on in case customs requires you to present it when entering the country.

Study Up on Your Destination

Whether you’re a travel app connoisseur or more of a paperback guidebook person, having some source of knowledge about your destination is invaluable. Read about the region you’re traveling to in advance to gain insight into important information such as currency exchange rates, useful phrases, tipping norms , appropriate clothing, and cultural/legal customs. It’s best to be prepared so you don’t land yourself in a compromising situation.

8 English Words You Should Never Use Abroad

Make Sure Your Home Is Cared For

There’s nothing worse than realizing once you’re six time zones away that you forgot to stop your mail delivery or ask someone to water your expertly cultivated house plants. Make sure your daily tasks are covered before you leave, or appoint a trusty friend to do them for you.

You can find a house or pet sitter to do your chores if you’re willing to list your home on TrustedHouseSitters.com . Plus, you could find lodging through the site for your trip abroad if you’re willing to spend some time with someone else’s furry friends.

Stay Connected

Want to stay in touch while traveling abroad? If you haven’t taken your phone overseas before, call your mobile provider to make sure it will work in the country you’re visiting and to ask about international phone plans that might be available. If your carrier’s plans are expensive, a mobile hotspot can be a cost-effective alternative.

Download the Necessities

Sometimes the most important thing you’ll pack is in your smartphone rather than your suitcase. Offline maps are your best friend when it comes to traveling with limited data or battery. You can find Wi-Fi in many places, but downloading offline maps through Google Maps or CityMaps2Go will allow you to follow your GPS without using up battery life and roaming data.

Downloading in-flight entertainment could also save you if your TV malfunctions on the long-haul flight. Streaming won’t be available without consistent in-flight Wi-Fi (which you shouldn’t ever depend on) but you can pre-download movies and TV shows through Amazon Prime , and music streaming service Spotify allows paying users to download tracks for offline use with the press of a button.

Don’t forget a portable backup charger . Watching hours of your favorite TV show is sure to drain your battery life, and there’s nothing worse than finally finding a Wi-Fi spot only to have your phone die.

The 10 Best Travel Podcasts

Check Your Destination’s COVID Policies

Make sure you’re aware of your destination’s most up-to-date policies regarding COVID and vaccination status. Check with the State Department website well before your trip to make sure you meet the requirements, and check in periodically to monitor for potentially changes. Similarly to the US, mask-wearing policies may be left up to the discretion of an event or venue, so its a good idea to have a few masks on hand when out and about.

Pack These Essentials

While the contents of your checked bag will largely depend on the climate you’re visiting, you’ll want most of your trip’s essentials on hand in your carry-on. Start with this international travel checklist of items to pack:

• Passport and visa
• Medications
• Insurance and ID cards
• Cash, debit cards, and credit cards
• Pen to fill out customs forms
• Portable charger
• Earplugs , eye mask , and sleeping pills
• Electrical converters and adapters specific to your destination
• Antibacterial wipes
• Sweater / scarf in case the plane is chilly
• Cell phone and charger

For more ideas, check out our ultimate packing list .

Consider taking photos of your packed suitcase (both inside and out) in case it gets lost. That way, airline employees will know what to look for, and you’ll know what was inside in case you don’t get it back and need to file a claim.

Book Your Stay With SmarterTravel Hotels

An important item to check off the list: make sure you have a place to stay when you reach your destination! Book your hotel for a great rate with SmarterTravel Hotels .

Editor Shannon McMahon writes about all things travel. Follow her on Twitter @shanmcmahon_ .

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2016. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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Ultimate Road Trip Packing List: 60+ Essentials (With a Free Checklist)

In this Article

Nothing says family vacation in the US quite like a road trip. They are an affordable way for American families to transport 3.1 children to the beach, the mountains, or Grandma’s house. So it’s no surprise that nearly 70% of all American family vacations are road trips.

But packing for a road trip can be overwhelming, especially when you are packing for kids and pets in addition to yourself. whether you plan to drive from coast to coast or travel just a few hours to visit family, this road trip packing list will help ensure you don’t forget any of the essentials..

When “ The Bigs ” (my three oldest kids) were little, it was easy for the four of us to pile into the car and take off on a two-week-long road trip at least once a year. We called it our “big adventure,” and we tackled one unanimously selected region of the US at a time.

From Mount Rushmore to the American Southwest to the Land of Lincoln to driving the Pacific Coast Highway, it was nothing but us, the big open road, and an unquenchable sense of adventure.

With The Bigs off at college, road trips today are limited to just Louise (currently 14) and me. While the car is a lot emptier (and quieter) than in years past, our road trip essentials checklist remains constant.

Road Trip Packing List

Put packing for your road trip on auto-pilot with this free packing list.

Please check your email for your copy of the ultimate road trip packing list. 

Do You Love to Road Trip?

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To help offset the costs of running EverydayWanderer.com, you’ll find affiliate links lightly sprinkled throughout the site.   If you choose to make a purchase via   one of these links , there’s no additional cost to you, but I’ll earn a teeny tiny commission.   You can read all of the legal blah blah blah (as my little niece says) on the   full disclosure page .

Road Trip Packing List for the Journey

Sage Advice:  If you’re driving a long distance on your road trip, be sure to check out these helpful tips .

Paper Map  – Half the fun of a road trip vacation is all the memories you make along the way. So ensure things go smoothly on the road less traveled even if your digital maps stop working or are out of cell/satellite range. Download your route from Google, pack an atlas , or buy a map for the destinations you’ll be visiting.

Sage Advice:  If you are a AAA member, be sure to take full advantage of the free maps and travel guides that come with your annual membership when packing for a road trip.

Cash and Coins  – While more and more toll roads and parking meters offer a credit card or digital payment option, some places still require old-school cash and coins .  

Notebook and Pen or Pencil  – Whether you want to keep a travel journal or need to exchange insurance information with another driver, toss these pre-Internet communication devices in the glove box so you have them if you need them.P

Trash Bags  – Whether you stash a few plastic grocery store bags or bring a small roll from home, these come in handy for storing everything from wet clothes to, um, trash.

Reusable Shopping Bag  – Great for toting snacks from the car to a picnic table during a pit stop or carting  a few souvenirs to the car.

Flashlight and/or Lantern – Even if your roadside emergency kit contains a flashlight, it’s always a good idea to store at least one more. I keep a  small flashlight  stashed in the glove compartment and at least one  camping lantern-style flashlight in the trunk.

I also pack my BioLite Alpenglow lantern . About the size of a coffee cup, this lightweight portable lantern has been a life saver when the power has gone out in my hotel room. It’s also been a comforting nightlight for my daughter.

Headlamp  – One of my best tips I can share is to pack a few headlamp lights on your road trip. From unloading the car after arriving at your destination after the sun goes down to making s’mores over a campfire, it provides hands free illumination like no flashlight or lantern can.

Sage Advice:   Don’t forget to pack enough AA, AAA, and other batteries needed to power your flashlights and other electronics for the duration of your road trip.

Road Trip Packing List for Your Passengers

Emergency Contact Information – Nothing on this comprehensive list is more important than the passengers who travel with you. I believe that preparing for the worst means that everything will go smoothly. So print out emergency contact information for your parents, siblings, or whoever else you’d want contacted if something horrible were to happen on your journey.

First Aid Kit  – Similar to the roadside emergency kit for your car, this kit is for the people and pets along for the ride. I like  this first aid kit  because it’s fully stocked and in a hard plastic (rather than soft-sided) case. But you can easily make your own first aid kit by filling any container with bandages, pain reliever, burn cream, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, a thermometer, a pair of safety scissors, antacid tablets, and antihistamine. I also keep motion sickness pills in my first aid kit, because my daughter Charlotte tends to throw up at least once every road trip.

Yucky Bucket  – Charlotte, the one who always gets car sick, is now a freshman in college. But we still plan for her to have motion sickness when we travel. (And, yes, we still call it a “yucky bucket” from when she was a toddler.)

Most Essential of Oils  – Because they help clean cuts, heal burns, and keep seasonal allergies at bay, I never travel without  these three essential oils .

Bug Spray and Sunscreen  – Keep your passengers (and their fearless driver) free of bug bites and sunburn during your road trip.

Sunglasses and Hat  – Keep the sun further at bay with these road trip essentials.

Umbrella and Rain Ponchos  – From a spring shower in the  Arizona desert  to a torrential downpour in the Midwest, it’s hard to know what Mother Nature has planned every day of your journey. And without these road trip essentials, it can be a chilly and uncomfortable ride until you can properly dry off.

Blankets and Pillows  – Since I’m always the one behind the wheel, I forget about these road trip necessities. But my kids don’t. I can always count on them to have a full-sized pillow and comfy blanket with them in the car.

Sage Advice:   Get more into each passenger’s suitcase by using  compression packing cubes .

Related Article:    14 Super Easy Ways to Avoid Getting Sick While Traveling

Road trip essentials for four-legged friends.

Spoil your fur baby with treats, toy, and more from

If at least one of your road trip companions is a furry, four-legged friend, then don’t forget to pack:

• A leash, collar, and name tag with your contact information
• Vaccination records, especially proof of a rabies shot
• Pet food and bowls
• Bed or crate
• Seat Belt Harness

Sage Advice:  If you plan on traveling with your dog, be sure to check out this petiquette guide. It details  dog etiquette rules for traveling  with your four-legged best friend to ensure a “pawsitive” experience for all.

Road Trip Packing List for Your Entertainment

Phone Chargers and Car Adapters  – From navigating your journey to capturing photo memories along the way, you need your phone to be fully charged and ready to work hard for you. One of the ways your phone can work hard for you is by leveraging these  road trip planner apps .

External Battery  – What I like most about  this power bank  is that two road trippers can quickly recharge at once.

Road Trip Playlist  – From Katy Perry’s  California Gurls  to Taylor Swift’s  Welcome to New York  and from Blake Shelton ’s  Sunny in Seattle  to Will Smith’s  Miami , the right tunes can help the miles fly by fast.

Tablets Loaded with Movies and Games  – Before you hit the highway, be sure your  Netflix shows and movies are fully downloaded and your digital games are ready for the road. (My current Netflix addiction is  Schitt’s Creek , so…)

Sage Advice:   To help everyone enjoy the movie, music, or game of his or her choice without 100 decibels of distraction circling the driver, be sure to pack a set of headphones for each passenger.

Audio Books  – These digital discoveries are the best thing to happen to road trips since cruise control. No matter who is riding shotgun, there will be a point in your road trip when you need a break from each other. (When I traveled with my teenage daughters, that moment often arrived at the end of our driveway.) Nothing makes endless miles of open road move  faster than an audio book !

When the kids were younger, we loved listening to the adventures of the Cahill family in  The 39 Clues  series together. Now that it’s usually just Louise and me in the car, we both disappear into our own stories via our phones. See, another reason you want to keep your phone charged!

Sage Advice: Here are 20+ of the best audiobooks for family road trips .

Games  – If you want to digitally disconnect, but you’re not up for a rousing chorus of  100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall , then be sure to plan or pack road trip games. If there were an Olympic event for license plate bingo , I’d have a gold medal. At least that’s what I always tell my kids. (And, yes, they usually roll their eyes, just like you’d expect.)

Sage Advice:   Spot the state and color the plate with this  free license plate bingo download .  

For a more traditional game that isn’t too tough to play in a moving vehicle, we love the  Five Second Rule Game . I picked it up for a road trip with my sister and nieces, and it’s harder than you think to come up with three related items in five seconds or less!

Road Trip Packing List for Your Belly

Drinks and Containers  – From a  reusable water bottle  to a travel coffee mug, be sure you are prepared to stay hydrated (and caffeinated) on your journey.

Collapsible Car Cooler  – We keep everything from drinks to snacks to my son’s medication in a collapsible cooler that fits easily around us in the car on road trips.

Food and Snacks  – In the cooler, we pack cut vegetables (like celery and carrot sticks), hard-boiled eggs, and yogurt. Our favorite snacks that don’t have to stay chilled include nuts (like almonds and cashews), apples, bananas, peanut butter (to eat with the celery or fruit), and granola bars.

Related Article: My Favorite (Mostly Healthy) Road Trip Snacks

Sage Advice:   Don’t forget to pack a small paring knife to slice apples, share something with a road trip companion, or open tricky packaging. It’s also a good idea to tuck some paper plates, napkins, and a tablecloth in your vehicle for tailgate and picnic table snack breaks.

Related Article:    8 Ways to Eat Healthy While Traveling

Road trip essentials for winter travel.

While the majority of Americans embark on road trips between Memorial Day and Labor Day when kids are out of school for the summer, there are plenty of road trips tied to Thanksgiving, winter holidays, and the ski slopes. If you’re traveling  during the winter months , be sure to add winter travel necessities to your road trip packing list. Don’t forget tire chains, a small bag of sand or kitty litter, extra blankets, and  warming packs .

Related Article: Winter Road Trip Essentials

What’s on your packing list for road trips.

Do you like to road trip? Is there anything you’d add to this comprehensive list? Share your advice in the comments section below.

Ready to Go? Use These Helpful Links to Book Your Trip!

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• Or take the scenic route on an epic road trip in a rental car or an RV from Outdoorsy
• From hotels to private homes, find the perfect accommodation with Hotels.com or Vrbo  
• Travel in style with a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, or handbag from eBags
• Save on tickets to attractions, sightseeing tours, and more with CityPASS , Tiqets , and Viator
• Don’t leave home without travel insurance from AXA
• Discover the sights, history, and culture of your destination with an interactive scavenger hunt
• Need something else to plan your perfect trip? Visit my travel resources page for more trusted partners. Happy wandering!

Thank you for sharing!

24 thoughts on “Ultimate Road Trip Packing List: 60+ Essentials (With a Free Checklist)”

I can tell these are mom tested and approved. 🙂 I love it. I especially love the practical tips, like an extra set of car keys…so important!

Was it the yucky bucket that gave it away? 🙂

Great advice you cover it all. My favorite is your Sage advice! Very clever.

Thanks so much! (I am pretty proud of my “Sage advice” concept!) 🙂

What a great packing list. Sounds like you are definitely the voice of experience here. I love that you included and linked to your own recipe for hand sanitizer. Happy Trails to you and yours!

Thanks! I love that hand sanitizer recipe!

I love the audiobooks part! A definite necessity since you can’t rely on the radio!

Right?!? The miles just fly by with a good audiobook!

Great list and I appreciate that you included road trip essentials for your car on the list. Sometimes people forget that their car should be included on their check list and packing list for their car to ensure a smooth road trip. Keeping things on the list will allow us to handle the situation better on the road. Another thing that I do for my car before a road trip is by bringing it to my trusted car shop to have it checked for possible repair and maintenance. Doing this will lessen the chances of experiencing an unexpected car breakdown while having a road trip. Also, it will give us peace of mind knowing that our vehicle is in good condition. A few days ago, I also found a similar blog post but this is focus on car’s checking before hitting the road. You might want to check it, here’s the link: https://blog.beepbeep.ph/road-trip-essentials/

What a great travel list! A couple of things I would add for the pup’s list…a harness for extra safety when traveling as some dogs may slip their collars. It is also a good idea to hook them into the seat belt on the back of their harness rather than their collar for neck protection. If you are hiking or doing outside activities in hotter weather, you may want to consider paw protection for your pup. We like MuttLuks, but now there are many boots on the market to choose from. (Something to consider for ice and snow also).

These are great additions to the pet list! I wish I’d known about MuttLuks when my old golden, Kavanaugh, climbed A Mountain in Las Cruces with us a few years back. My poor boy got a cactus needle stuck in his paw. Poor thing!

This surely seems like an extensive list! I always have so much problem packing and always end up forgetting one thing or the other. I feel having a list will definitely be helpful.

Checklists work like a charm for this momma! 🙂

Great list! I’d love to do a long road trip in the near future, so I’ll keep these things in mind!

You KNOW I love my road trips, and this is a fantastic list! I also pack a bucket of homemade trail mix with a few individual-sized containers that we can refill. I also put the grocery bag in a plastic container (cereal or pet food) to keep it from getting trampled on and spilling. Now excuse me while I go plan another adventure.

Outstanding additions to the list from the Road Trippin’ Queen! 🙂

I love roadtrips, especially when I am not the one driving, tee-hee 🙂 Great tips, and if you have roadtrip tips for pre-ados, pretty please make a post about it. My two pre-ados are by far the hardest passengers to entertain XD

How old are your kiddos?

I LOVE road trips, every year my husband and I are sure to take at least one! Now that we have a little one on the way, I’m so glad that I read your post! I’m the person who never forgets a single snack, but definitely forgets all of the essentials. I am especially never prepared for snow. So, the idea of the ice scraper is a must. I should probably always just leave it in my car so I never have to think about it! I like the idea of doing a two week trip to one region of the US. The Southwest is high on my list! Thanks for sharing!

Congrats on your little one on the way! I highly recommend a road trip in the Southwest in the spring. Absolutely gorgeous! Maybe you can sneak one in as a “babymoon” before your wee one arrives?

I love roadtrips and have enjoyed a few in the USA, it’s such a GREAT country to self-drive, with wide open roads, not too much traffic once you’re out of the big cities, and the most wonderful vistas and natural landscapes. We’ve also found some amazing places to stay and eaten well too. The first time I visited was with my parents, and the packing was a big deal, for sure, your list is going to be a huge help for first timers. We definitely missed some things out but of course, we could find and buy them from local stores once we landed.

I’m always exited to find a fellow road tripper. Yes, our roads (and vehicles) are way wider (and bigger) than what I experience in Europe. That’s for sure! 🙂

Food is definitely a priority for us! And entertainment gadgets! These are great checklists for people!

I have a soft spot for fellow travelers who make food a top priority! 🙂

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Travel-Tested Road Trip Packing List Essentials: Your Complete Guide

You’re planning to hit the road and need a complete road trip packing list with all the travel-tested road trip essentials for a successful trip. Well, you’re in the right place!

We all know the main reason most people love a road trip, flexibility and being in control of the journey. But, the next biggest reason is getting to pack whatever and however much we want.

Vacation without bag fees or having to throw away oversized toiletries. Amen to that!

The good news is I’ve driven across the country multiple times, to all 48 continental states, and across Canada. (This doesn’t include road tripping internationally, either.)

And, along the way, I’ve made more  road trip mistakes  than I can count. But, I’ve also learned A LOT, too, and I’ve put it all together in this mega guide about what to pack for a road trip.

You can fill your car with whatever and however much you want, but if don’t have the road trip supplies you need for a successful trip, things can go south quickly.

Plan to Rent a Car for Your Road Trip?

I always search rental car costs on a site like  Kayak  because it compares prices from multiple sites all at once. It’s quick and I can easily see the best deals for my dates and pick-up location. 

Road Trip Essentials for Your Car

When planning a road trip, there are road trip necessities for both you and your car. Let’s start with the car. After all, it doesn’t matter how comfortable you are if there are car troubles, right?

First and foremost, whether you’re driving your car or a rental, don’t leave without having these road trip car essentials.

• Driver’s License
• Car Registration and Insurance Information
• Extra Car Key…not on the same key ring
• AAA Membership and/or Phone Number(s) for Roadside Assistance
• Spare Tire…with a tire jack and tools to change a flat
• Water Resistant Flashlight …coincidental that car trouble always happens at night, in the rain??

No one wants to break down and certainly many road-trippers have fun, incident-free adventures. But, it still pays to be prepared. Don’t leave home without a  roadside emergency kit .

Even though you may have some of these items at home, like an air compressor or materials to repair a tire, I like having a complete kit. Not only is it convenient, it likely includes things you didn’t think of and is expertly packed to save space.

If you’re driving in remote areas, like  driving in Utah  where there are long stretches without gas stations, you may also want to have these supplies.

• Quart of Oil
• Jug of Coolant or Water
• Wiper Fluid
• Portable Gas Container …great peace of mind when the next gas station isn’t for a long time!

A winter road trip packing list should also include things to keep you safe from snow and ice.

• Ice Scraper…not fun doing this by hand!
• Tire Chains

What to Bring on a Road Trip: Basic Must-Haves

Before getting into a list of must-have road trip items, there are 2 that deserve a special call-out.

First , every successful road trip includes a  paper map like this .

Smartphone apps like Google Maps and Maps.me are great, but when you lose service in remote spots, like in places along an Oregon Coast road trip , and your maps aren’t downloaded, the ability to get step-by-step directions disappears, too. Absolutely use the apps, but have a paper map, too.

Get a map with roads, landmarks, and information for an entire region instead of just 1 area. It’s perfect for those spontaneous whims along the way!

Second , it’s important to bring a  First Aid Kit . Obvious, I know. But, not having what you need for an injury can ruin an entire day of your trip.

Besides these road trip basics and whether your trip is long or short, solo or as a family, you’ll want to also have these things in the car.

• Car Phone Charger …works with your USB cord if your car doesn’t have one already…or even if it does and you just want more USB ports to keep everyone smiling.
• Power Inverter …with AC outlets and USB ports
• Hands-Free Phone Mount …safety + easy-to-see Google Maps for navigation = WIN!
• Portable Charger …when there are more devices in the car than charging ports or you’re on the go outside of the car
• Garbage Bag…or a  car garbage bin  that doesn’t just collect trash but also protects against leaks
• Roll of Toilet Paper…not all rest stops are created equal
• Hand Sanitizer
• Body/Baby Wipes
• Bug Spray…nothing worse than getting bit while out of the car stretching your legs
• Paper Money and Coins…for parking meters, air pump at gas stations, tolls, broken ATMs, laundromats, etc.
• Gas, Dining, and Travel Rewards Credit Card(s)…Whether you earn cash back, miles, or points, make sure the money you spend on this trip is helping you earn for the next one.
• Electronic Toll Pass…if applicable where you’re driving

Let’s switch gears (couldn’t help myself!) away from the car and think about you and the other people on this road trip. These next sections are broken up into road trip necessities lists that cover being comfortable in the car, entertainment, personal items, and food.

Things to Bring on a Road Trip to Keep Everyone Feeling Cozy

Keeping everyone in the car happy and relaxed is so important! Snacks, entertainment, and interesting sights won’t be of much help if you’re not comfortable. So, be sure to stock the car with these things you need for a road trip.

• Extra Layer of Clothing…I always keep one of  these fleeces  handy. They’re perfect for hiking, temperature changes, and when someone blasts the AC.
• Blanket or  Sleeping Bag …versatility (think picnic blanket) and a (possible) rolled-up space-saver
• Travel Pillow…here’s  my favorite.
• UV Window Shades
• Sunglasses …can’t drive without mine. Plus, I love these for their functionality whether I’m heading to the mountains or the beach.
• Travel Cup …coffee to-go, a must!
• Reusable Water Bottle…like  these bestsellers
• Water…in bulk with a spout to avoid spills
• Pain Killer…headache, body ache, etc.
• Hand Lotion
• Towel(s)…sudden rainstorm, someone actually jumps in a lake, etc.
• Mints and/or Gum

Road Trip Essentials List – Entertainment to Keep Everyone Smiling

From iSpy to the License Plate game to high-tech gear and gadgets, take your road trip entertainment as seriously as things to pack for a road trip! It can be an all-out sanity saver, especially for families with kids.

Of course, recording and capturing the journey is half the fun. In addition to a smartphone camera, I always have one of my favorite travel cameras .

When I travel with my nieces and nephews, they love to bring  this instant camera ! If your road trip is packed with action-packed adventure, you may also want to bring along an  action camera  as I do.

Unless you have satellite radio, you can almost bet you’ll lose a clear radio signal at least once on your drive. What’s more, you’re likely to go through stretches where only a couple of stations come through and the chances of them playing all your favorite songs are slim to forget about it.

This means it’s all about playlists!  You’ll want to make sure there’s a variety of music that’ll keep the whole car happy.

Amazon Music  and  Spotify  give you access to millions of songs that can be grouped into playlists and downloaded onto your device so you can listen without an internet connection and/or save data from the road. Plus, both offer free trials, free plans, and even super cheap promotions for premium so you can test them out before your trip.

Similarly, subscribe to some podcasts through your device’s Podcast app. Be sure to download the episodes before you leave home or from wifi so you can listen to them with streaming data. My favorite road trip podcast is Radiolab!

If you’d prefer longer in-depth stories,  Audible  and  Audiobooks.com  have huge libraries, also with free books as part of a free trial. Download books for hours of any time listening!

Don’t want to bother the whole car with whatever you’re listening to?

Bring  headphones  and a  splitter   to share your music, podcast, or audiobook with only those who want it. And, no matter what you’re listening to take it with you on a picnic outside the car with one of  these portable speakers

And, whether you want to read in the car, around the campfire, or in your hotel room, save space in the car with a  Kindle  or download the Kindle App to  any device . You can  purchase a few books   or  try Kindle Unlimited free .

Of course, road trip must-haves aren’t all electronic. Non-electronic options are great for all-important laughs, memories, and bonding, not to mention how relaxing it can be to disconnect for a while!

Consider these group and family activities to make the time on those long stretches of road fly!

• Loaded Questions …for family, friends, and smart pets 
• Scavenger Hunt
• Mad Libs …always a classic!
• Map Games …a bestseller!
• Travel Journals and Coloring

Road Trip Clothing and Personal Item Tips

How to pack for a road trip is not like packing for other trips. To start, you need clothes that’ll be comfortable to wear in the car for a long-distance and clothes for wherever you’re going.

I like to wear my  leggings  and flip-flops in the car, but I have  hiking pants  and  hiking boots  for outdoor adventures.

Second, you may or may not want to store your clothes and personal items in a traditional suitcase. Here are a few road trip packing tips.

• Duffel Bags and  backpacks  hold as much as a suitcase but can be squished into smaller places in the car.
• If you’re planning to make multiple short (1-2 night) stops, pack a  daypack  with just the things you need for an overnight stay. It’ll also come in handy for day hikes or day trips.
• Use  packing cubes  to organize clothes and just grab the cubes you need from the car.
• Similarly, use drawers to pack and then just  pull the drawer  you need instead of lugging all your things from the car.
• For campground, rest stop, and even hotel bathrooms, a  hanging toiletry tote bag  can help keep your items organized and away from less-than-sparkling sinks and toilets.

As for the specifics of what to take on a road trip,  pack clothes with you to match your destination, the activities you want to do, and the weather.  

Heading to the beach? Going to a National Park to hike? Roadtripping in winter or fall and need warmer layers?

Clothes should feel good to wear, have multi-purposes, and be worn a few times. I never pack a shirt if I can only wear it once. Packing wisely also might mean going with a specific color palette. It’ll be easier to mix and match pieces and make different outfits with fewer pieces of clothing.

If you plan to hike, here are some ideas about what to wear on a hike and a few hiking essentials you might want to consider.

And just as your car will need a few important things if you are road-tripping in the winter, you will need to know what to wear on a winter hike to stay safe and warm.

Aside from what to wear on a road trip, your road trip list should include these personal items as well.

• Sunscreen …if you have highly sun-sensitive skin like me , this is my SPF go-to. 
• Mosquito Repellent …this is my go-to bug spray whether I’m road-tripping in Colorado or camping in Africa .
• Scarf…I take one on every trip because they’re so versatile.
• Prescriptions
• Flip Flops…camping out + late night bathroom break = Happy to have slip-on shoes
• Laundry Bag
• Tide To-Go Pen
• Hairbrush and Hair ties
• Hat…baseball, sun, hiking, they all do the job of giving some shade

Road Trip Food List and Eating Accessories

Is driving on an empty stomach agony for you, too? It’s as if every hunger pang is multiplied by 100. Neither is it fun or practical to have to search for food every time someone in the car needs some grub.

If you’re  road tripping in Arizona , for example, you could be searching for a rest stop with snacks for quite some time in the more remote corners of the state!

Have a plan for your road trip food strategy.

• Do you plan to mostly eat out in your destinations and just need snacks for the ride? Then, a  cooler bag  that is easy to carry and stuffs away when not in use makes the most sense.
• Do you need more food storage for meals, camping, or a more budget-friendly road trip? Consider a  larger cooler  you can refill with food and ice at local grocery stores. Or perhaps skip the hassle of ice and go with an  iceless cooler  powered by a charge from your car.
• If you want to be completely self-sufficient, preparing your own meals from the road, this  portable grill  is the perfect set-up along with a few of these road trip ready chairs.

You’ll also need some basic food storage and eating items.

• Zippered Plastic Baggies
• Food Storage Containers …different sizes and stackable
• Toothpicks…great for grabbing small bites of food
• Reusable Shopping Bag…all-purpose, really, but good for groceries

The food to pack for a road trip doesn’t have to be unhealthy snack packs like you’d find in a rest-stop gas station. Here’s a list of road trip snacks that are delicious, satisfying, and (mostly) nutritious.

• Granola Bars
• Pretzels/Popcorn/Chips
• Protein/Energy Bars
• Dried Fruit
• Cheese Sticks
• Fresh Fruit & Veggies…things that don’t need to be cut like grapes, oranges, blueberries, apples, baby carrots, grape tomatoes, etc.
• Drink Packets & Tea Bags…easy to mix with water.
• Canned Tuna…with an easy-open can
• Hard-Boiled Eggs
• Sliced Meat
• Jarred Vegetables….marinated or pickled
• Sliced Bread
• Peanut/Almond/Sunflower Butter
• Juice Boxes

You’ll notice this list doesn’t include bottles of water. It’s cheaper (and not to mention less plastic waste) to buy larger gallons and jugs of water to refill your reusable water bottle.

Miscellaneous Things to Take on a Road Trip

Finally, these last road trip supplies to consider for those unexpected jams, when you need to make the most of your space, and whether or not you’re camping out.

• Duct Tape…seriously can fix almost anything at least temporarily
• Swiss Army Knife …tools for many situations
• Trunk Organizer
• Rooftop Cargo
• Tent …only necessary if you’ll be camping. (I also always bring a  sleeping pad  camping, too.)

If you’re planning to camp and spend a lot of time outdoors, check out this outdoor lovers gear guide and this road trip gift guide for more ideas.

Your road trip list of things to bring is the key to a successful trip. Being prepared means being able to handle any number of situations without them getting in the way of your road trip travel plans.

What’s on your road trip packing checklist?

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38 thoughts on “travel-tested road trip packing list essentials: your complete guide”.

Hi, I work for a magazine called momaha magazine in Omaha. It’s part of The Omaha World-Herald. We would love to mention some of your must haves in an article we are doing on traveling. Would that be OK if we credit you?

Thanks for reading, Marjie. I appreciate you asking and have no problem the mention and credit. 🙂 Thanks so much for asking!

While starting off a road trip it would be much better to select a luxury car which is capable of handling bumps and rigorous roads , moreover renting a car will not only be more affordable but it will also save your time. Here are some road trip essentials that you must consider before going on the journey: Spare tire Driver’s license Car Jack Snacks Phone charger Water Car Registration and insurance information

Thanks for the tips, Sheena. I’ve never rented a luxury vehicle and have had many successful road trips. I do always recommend renting the right type of vehicle for where you’ll be driving. Thanks so much for reading!

These are get tips! Very thorough! I’m taking a smaller road trip, just though most of Florida here and there to the keys. These tips will still help a great deal

Thanks for reading, Sean! A road trip through the Florida Keys sounds fantastic. Enjoy!

Great article with good advice. I love road trips and have traveled the length and breath of South Africa and neighboring countries. I live in Johannesburg, South Africa and more recently take regular trips to the coast (550km away). Our experience over the past 35 years has been that the way we drive and stops changed depending on the children’s ages, the route, destination and type of vehicle we used. Most importantly it is attitude. Since they were young we created excitement by pretending to be lost, especially if it was dusk or dark. Stories of wild animals worked well.

Breakdowns can also be adventures, provided you are prepared. Unfortunately, If I am not prepared I get irritable and aggressive but my wife knows how to deal with me.

Lastly, on our last trip over the Easter weekend, the roads were closed several times along the way due to accidents. What should have been a 5 and half hour trip took us 13 hours. Longest being a 5 hour stop on a National Route that had to be closed at the toll gates for the accidents ahead to be cleared. Glad that we had bought food and drinks before leaving Durban (additional food for the children’s supper and school lunch the next day).

Main Roads in SA are well maintained, most routes are serviced with garages and food outlets. Very scenic options. But try to stay off the roads at night as a safety measure. [PERSONAL INFORMATION EDITED OUT]

Thanks for reading, Mohamed, and for the tips on road tripping in South Africa.

I’m going on a road trip from Bozeman, MT, to Portland, OR (via Seattle) with my sister in June and was glad to find your article. It’s good to have all that information in one place. Thanks!

Thanks for reading! 🙂 Hope you have a great road trip. I love that part of the country.

Where is that hilly road? We want to try it out for ourselves!!

Thanks for reading, Aurora. It’s Highway 212 in Lithonia. 🙂

This is great, thank you! Off to the South of France on Thursday in my little mini convertible 🙂

Amazing!! Enjoy and thanks for reading, Jenna. 🙂

WARNING about the portable coolers that charge through your car charger: I’m a medical courier & have been stuck on the road with a dead battery many times & I’ve burned through several new batteries in a short period of time because of such coolers that will charge like your phone, through the car. Using that equipment was incredibly straining to the car’s battery even while driving. And if you happen to forget & leave the cooler plugged in to the charger overnight, then it’s guaranteed you’re gonna need a jump the next morning,

Thanks for reading and sharing, GP. Definitely have to unplug the cooler when the car is not running because it will drain the battery otherwise.

Audio books are free through your local library, there is an app for that. Wanted to print this out, to use it. But at 30 pages, nevermind. Oh well. Thanks for the nice read though!

Thanks for reading, Julie. Yes, you can get Audiobooks through many local libraries. Thanks for the reminder!

Thank you so much for the tips Jackie! I am going to be heading to the beach soon and the road trip will be about 8-9 hours. I am excited! We will be there over my younger brothers birthday. He loves the beach. Usually we go mini golfing but it’s closed right now.

Keep doing what your doing, Cameryn

Enjoy your road trip, Cameryn! Thanks for reading. 🙂

Great tips! I’ll be heading down the Pacific coast highway then up route 66 at this point or up to Bryce Canyon.

Thanks for reading, John. I’ve done those drives and both are amazing! Enjoy!

My family and I are going on a long road trip, and since we all know that car breakdown is inevitable, we’re thinking of looking for a roadside assistance service; so we may contact someone just in case of an emergency. I’m glad you shared these tips; we’ll make sure to bring the car manual, an extra key, and a spare tire as well. We’d also keep in mind to equipped our vehicle with a quart of oil and a potable gas container.

Thanks for reading, Rachel. Sounds like you’ll be prepared! Hope you have a great road trip. 🙂

Wow! Great list! There were several items I needed to add to my road trip list, including a first aid kit. Thanks so much!

Thanks so much for reading, Mairsie. Glad the list was helpful!

Thank you for this it really helped me with my road trip!!

Thanks for reading, Morgan. Glad to hear it!

Loved the Article – was able to make a comprehensive list of items needed for next weeks trip.

One thing that should be stressed. Before taking ANY road trip with your personal vehicle (not all of us can afford rental rates even with a AAA discount.

Ensure that your vehicle has had a through inspection and have them check the tires top off any fluids and catch any needed repairs. It will cut down on the chances of you having to be towed due to travel damage.

I did that and found out there was a recall notice on my vehicle and was able to get it fixed in time Also make sure your tags are current! Police/hwy patrol really do not like a car that isnt current

Thanks for reading, Tiffany. I’m glad to hear the list was helpful and so appreciate the tips! I’m sure they will be helpful to others who read. Have a great road trip!

A simple must-have item if your road trip has you staying in hotels at night: an extension cord. Hotel outlets never seem to be close enough to a chair to allow me to charge my tablet and work on it at the same time. One inexpensive extension cord has become priceless to me.

Thank you for reading, Sandyb. I couldn’t agree more! I have a portable power strip with 2 outlets on each side. The cord folds in on itself and snaps into place making it super compact. Thanks for the reminder about putting this in the article!

I never see anyone suggest that you bring a second set of car keys? My wife and I do this with each one having their own set fro the car we are traveling in when together. Just have someone charge you to get the door open because your keys are on the car seat.

Thanks for reading, Robert. My husband and I do the same. However, it’s definitely worth an ask, especially if renting a car from a smaller car rental company. Happy Road-Tripping!

#1) I wouldn’t recommend open toed footwear ( ie flip-flops) around campsites as they lend themselves to toe injuries due to stubbing on stones, curbs, or pieces of wood. Something like clogs (Crocs) or slip on boating shoes

#2). You should learn how to take care of your vehicle yourself rather than having someone else do it for you. There won’t always be someone around to check your vehicle when it is needed the most. Checking tire air pressure, coolant levels, oil levels is not difficult or mysterious. You should be doing this at home also. Your owners manual can show how to do it.

Thanks for reading and sharing your tips, Lynn! 🙂

Getting ready for a road trip from Montana to New Jersey and back in 2 days and thought I must be forgetting some things. I am a very well-seasoned traveler, but it is always easy to forget little things. You have done a superior job on this article. Thank you, I found a few things I was over-looking. I recently retired and bought a 5th wheel trailer. It seems there are still things I forget to add at the last minute.

Thanks for reading, Beth. Glad the article was helpful and hope you enjoy your road trip!!

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38 Best Long Haul Flight Essentials + Insider Tips

As someone who moved to the other side of the world, Long Haul Flights very quickly became part of my regular routine.

I am not one to fly for business, so I do not have the perks of free upgrades and you will find me in the back of a plane in economy!

Unfortunately, there is no “secret hack” to turning your economy flight into a first class flight.

However, you can pack some “long haul flight essentials” to make your flight much more bearable.

From my very first flight to London, where my not-so-polite seat neighbour told me to stop crying (dude, I don’t know when I’m going to see my family again!), I have become a pro at packing and preparing for my long haul flights and coming up with the best list of essentials for long flights.

Lucky for you…. I am share some of my long flight essentials (always pack a blanket scarf) and general tips with you to hopefully make your next flight a little less…..sucky?

Hey There……there is a very good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

In a hurry? Download your packing list for long haul flights

Table of Contents

Pack your Long Haul Flight Essentials Kit

These are the items that are going to transform your economy flight into a first-class flight….. who am I kidding?

These items will not make it a first-class flight, but they will make your economy flight a little more comfortable.

1. Baby wipes

I used to travel with cleanser but I have found that baby wipes are little easier to travel with and because they have a few uses they are one of the best items for long haul flights.

I love to wipe my face and neck as soon as I get on the plane. It helps to replicate my night time routine and get me ready to relax.

I also like to wipe down my surroundings, I know that plans are cleaned but like to make sure!

Baby wipes are great for that mid flight shower – remember, we’re in economy not first class!! I also like to have a bit of a “wash” before arriving in my destination.

Baby wipes are the number one long air travel must haves if you like feeling clean on a long haul flight.

2. Deodorant

This plane travel essential is more for your seat neighbours! I always panic that I am going to be stinky on my flight, so I am constantly using deodorant throughout my flights. I love the fresh coconut scent of this deodorant !

3. Lip Balm

Lip Balm is a definite essential because airplanes are super dehydrating. There is nothing worse than being dehydrated when you are trying to sleep!!

4. Moisturiser

Moisturiser is another LONG haul flight essential. I moisturise several times through out the flight so I don’t look 100 years old when I arrive in my destination.

I either use a regular moisturiser or if I can’t be bothered constantly applying moisturiser , I take a thick mask with me (just remember to put it into a travel container!)

5. Travel Bottles

Remember when travelling on long haul international flights your liquids and gels need to be under 100mL. This is where travel bottles will come in handy.

You can pour (or scoop) your larger bottles and containers into your small travel bottles . This will ensure you’re not getting into trouble at security and that you aren’t wasting product.

On most long haul flights, you will get some food. It just might not be as often as you like it or the kind of food that you feel like in the middle of the night so I suggest you pack your own food!

7. Travel Cup

I always get bored at airports and buy drinks just for the sake of it. When ever possible I would much rather use a reusable cup to help do my bit for the environment. Reusable cups are great as a general travel essential so I highly recommend you get one!

8. Reusable water bottle

Reusable water bottle in case you didn’t read earlier, airplanes are very hydrating places and water bottles in the airport are VERY expensive (and bad for the environment). I always take a water bottle with me and ask the flight attendants (very politely) if I they will fill it up for me. I love collapsible water bottles because when they are empty they don’t take much space.

I always bring gum with me, it helps if you can’t find a toothbrush and it can help your ears when your flight is taking off or landing.

10. Hair Ties

When moving around airports my hair always gets in the way, so I like to have a few hair ties handy. I prefer to use the silk scrunchies because they’re much kinder to my hair.

11. Toothbrush

I think this one is self explanatory but something can be easily forgotten. I always buy a new tooth brush and pack in my hand luggage so I can’t forget to pack it on the day I leave.

12. Head phone splitter

If you’re travelling with a partner or a friend and using a laptop or iPad for entertainment you will want to grab a head phone splitter !

13. Noise cancelling Head phones

Noise cancelling headphones are perfect to block out the noisy sounds of the plane, babies crying or the snoring passenger next to you.

I love these headphones as they allow me to sink into a movie and the time flies by (pardon the pun!) and are definitely must haves for long haul flights.

14. Travel Pillow

Your long haul flight essentials kit is not complete without a travel pillow . Inflatable travel pillows are great options because you can add as much (or as little) air as you like and when you’re not using them they’re easy to fold away in your bag.

15. Eye Mask and Ear Plugs

Eye mask and ear plugs are perfect for being able to block out the world on a long haul flight, especially if it is a night time flight.

16. Blanket Scarf

This essential item has so many uses but I find airplanes so cold and I the blankets on the planes are pretty thin so I love bringing a blanket scarf. These can be bulky but I am always so grateful for it when ever I use it!

17. Warm socks

I find warm fluffy socks really improve my flight experience more than you could imagine. Not only do I hate having a cold feet but I also find that any time I’m getting comfortable at home, I put on some warm fluffy socks. So why not use them on a long haul flight as well?

18. Compression Socks

If your feet or legs swell when you’re flying it is a great idea to grab a pair of compression socks . Compression socks can also help with deep vein thrombose when travelling, but make sure you are moving around during your long haul flight.

19. A change of clothes and spare underwear

There are a million reasons why you should always bring a change of clothes and spare underwear with you on the plane. Lost luggage? At least you have some fresh clothes for the first 24 hours of your trip. Flying from a hot country and to a cold country? Or maybe you’re just like me and you like to have fresh clothes on when you land!

A change of clothes is one of the top carry-on essentials for long flights. So don’t forget your change of underwear, a t shirt and a cardigan or jumper.

21. Slides or flip flops

As mentioned above, I love wearing socks during my flight but I never go to the toilet in just socks, is that water on the floor? I find slides are perfect for wearing over my socks to the toilet or just around in the plane in general.

22. Face mask

These days no body goes any where without a face mask but it is particularly important when travelling. To keep yourself and everybody else safe, please make sure you carry a mask with you next time you are on a plane.

23. Hand sanitizer

Along with a face mask, hand sanitizer can be found every where these days. It is something I have always travelled with but never used as much as I should. I love this hand sanitizer because it is cruelty free and not harsh on your skin.

A little squirt of hand sanitizer before you eat or touch a communal space can help keep us all safe and travelling.

24. Disinfectant wipes

Planes have always been known as not always being the cleanest places and airlines are saying that since 2020 they are cleaning the planes more thoroughly.

However, since I began taking long haul flights I have always wiped down my tray table, in flight entertainment unit (if there is one) and my arm rests I cannot recommend highly enough that you do this every time you fly.

They are an essential item for long flights. Disinfectant wipes don’t take up much room and they can make your flight more enjoyable knowing that you have cleaned your area.

25. Sunscreen

Not only is sunscreen essential for when you arrive in your destination but it is also one of the best travel essentials.

Even though you are at high altitudes if you are sitting on the window you can still be exposed to UVA. I always apply sunscreen before every flight and as I’m landing, even if its just a stop over.

26. Rain jacket

There is nothing worse than landing at London Heathrow after a 24 hour flight from Australia and it is pouring rain when you’re trying to get to your accommodation.

Ever since my first flight to London, I have always packed a light weight rain jacket in my carry on. It is much easier to access than if it is in your main luggage and you never know when you might need it.

27. Travel purse

Along with my carry on back pack, I always have a small purse that I have across my body. In this small bag I carry my passport, iPhone, credit cards, cash, spare sim card, tickets and really anything that is valuable to me.

These are things that are expensive, hard to replace or would make my travels very difficult if they got stolen.

Whenever I am on the plan I “wear” this bag or I have it sitting next to me on my seat. As it is so small it doesn’t count toward your carry on luggage and it gives me piece of mind that if I go to sleep my important things won’t get stolen.

I bought my travel purse in the leather markets in Florence (I highly recommend a visit when you’re in Florence ) but this one is quite similar .

I highly recommend converting some of your home currency to the local currency of your first destination.

Depending on where you are going it can be quite hard to get money when you first land. You always need money at the airport, whether it is for the bus, a taxi or a transfer, you will need to pay for this.

I don’t like get stuck with only a card so I exchange about $100AUD so I am covered when I first get there.

I also always have about $100AUD on me at all times that I can change if I find I am stuck without any money.

Pro Tip: I never suggest carrying 100s of dollars in any currency just in case something happens and its gets stolen!

29. Notebook

I never travel with out a notebook . I sometimes write a diary during my travels but it is handy for noting down the places you want to see during your trip, you can write down directions for getting to your first nights accommodations as soon as you leave the airport.

It also provides you with some entertainment on the flight!

What use is a notebook if you don’t have a pen? Aside from being able to to write in your notebook, a pen is useful for filling out departure or arrival cards you need to fill in. You can’t always rely on flight attendants or fellow passengers to lend you a pen.

31. Entertainment

Most Long Haul Flights these days have inflight entertainment that includes music, movies, eBooks, TV shows and games.

However, sometimes you end up sitting in a seat where the entertainment is broken. Or you are on an older flight that doesn’t have the entertainment units.

Be prepared and bring your own entertainment. I like to pack a book because I am old school and like physical books but I also download podcasts before the flight leaves or bring my laptop with movies downloaded.

Entertainment is also very important if you end up stuck in an airport a lot longer than you thought, it is definitely one of the top must haves on a long flight.

I once booked a 17 hours lay over in the Middle East and I didn’t realise until I arrived. Let’s just say, I learnt every single corner of the airport!!

32. Universal Adapter

Universal adapters are one of the best travel accessories for long flights as they help you charge your devices no matter where you are in the world!

It takes away some of the preplanning you have to do and prevents you from having a hundred different adapters for countries you might only visit once.

33. USB cord

USB cords are definitely must haves for long flights! Whether you are using the USB socket on the plane or your portable charger, you will want to make sure you have a fully charged phone when you land!

34. Packing cubes

Packing cubes are not necessarily on the top of your “things to bring for long flights” list but, I hate trying to rummage around in my bag to find my socks at the very bottom of the bag, so I use packing cubes .

I use these in main luggage and my carry on to keep everything super organized.

I only started using packing cubes before my latest four month trip around Europe and I have no idea how I ever survived without them before!

35. Copy of your passport

When travelling overseas I am always worried something will happen to my passport.

It is my life line when I’m travelling, it proves my identity but in a crisis it will also help if I turn up to the Australian Consulate any where.

Whilst nothing beats actually having your passport (it is a must have for international flights) if something goes wrong and you lose your passport or it gets stolen having a copy of it can help you get your new passport processed and to prove your identify without the actual passport.

I find a paper is sometimes more useful than having it stored on your phone incase you don’t have reception or battery.

36. Extra passport photo

As with the one above, carry a passport photo can help you get your new passport processed faster if you carry a spare passport photo with you.

37. Make sure you are covered

While this one is not a long haul flight essential in the fact that it fits in a kit, it is an essential in that you cannot leave home with out. Yes, I am talking about travel insurance.

What happens if you get sick abroad and need to go to hospital? What happens if you lose your luggage? What happens if you trip is cancelled? What happens if your accommodation is cancelled?

Fingers crossed, none of the above happen to you but you have to be covered if they do happen.

Especially, if it is a medical emergency. This is a situation that cannot be ignored and needs to be attended to straight away.

However, if you do not have travel insurance, these can be very expensive.

You should always, always, always, purchase travel insurance as soon as you have booked or paid for something related to your trip.

Find Your Perfect Policy Here

38. Don’t fight over the outlets

It seems that airports never have enough outlets and if they do, there is already a hundred travellers (okay, I may be slight exaggerating) crowded around it.

I find a Long Haul Flight Essential is having a fully charged phone and after travelling for 14 hours (and only being two thirds of the way) my phone is usually dying.

So, I have found a couple of “tricks”, that aren’t really tricks, to avoid the fight over the power outlets.

Away Carry On luggage – if you have purchased the Away luggage, you will have your handy power pack built in to your luggage. Just don’t forget to charge your luggage before your long haul flight.

Portable Power Pack – adding a portable power pack to your airplane essentials is pretty easy.

It doesn’t take up too much space and it will take away the stress of arriving in your destination with a flat battery and no idea how to get to your accommodation.

I love this power pack because it will charge my phone fully FIVE times and it charges very quickly.

Power Board – packing a power board will help when there are a quite a few people fighting over the same outlet.

These are also fantastic for hostels or if you travel with a few different electronics that need charging.

If you are using a Power Board, make sure it suits the plugs from your home country and bring your universal power adapte r so you can plug into any plug!

Preparing for your trip

If you are like me, you’re constantly on pinterest before each long haul flight looking up things like “how to survive a long haul flight, long haul flight essentials, what to pack for a long haul flight, things to bring for a long flight, getting a free upgrade to business”

I won’t lie, you are not going to find the magic hack and your chances of getting upgrade to premium economy, let alone, business class (or first class) are very slim. However, it is important to start preparing for your long haul flight before you get to the airport.

Decide on your carry on luggage

Unless you are flying on a big international airline , most airlines will charge for luggage and will make you check in your carry on bag if it two grams over your allowance!

So make sure your carry on luggage meets the requirements .

When it comes to luggage, any kind of luggage, you need to think of it as an investment. You do not want to be half way through your trip and have your zipper break or your handle fall off.

You want to make sure that you have quality luggage that will last you for many years.

As a rough guide, your luggage should last you 8 – 10 years. This comes from someone who doesn’t exactly look after their luggage!!

I use my luggage as a seat, I drag it through airports, roll it down stairs – so don’t be like me…..look after your luggage and it will last you a long time!

Some of my luggage recommendations are:

The Away Roller Bags: These suitcases are beautiful! They are hard shelled cases with a built in laundry bag with compressor so it doesn’t become super bulky before you can find a laundry.

One side of the case is made for soft items such as clothing and the other side is for harder items such as shoes and toiletries.

I recommend the suitcase with the built in battery pack to help charge your electronics on the go.

The Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack: If you prefer a backpack to a suitcase then the Outbreaker is the one for you.

It packs like a suitcase and carry’s like a backpack. The best thing about this pack is that is opens like a suitcase so you don’t have to pull everything out of your bag to find your hair tie that is all the way at the bottom!!

WANT TO MAKE YOUR NEXT LONG HAUL FLIGHT THE BEST YET?

Check out ‘The Long Haul Life Saver’

The Ultimate Guide to Long-Haul Flights  is your essential companion for stress-free, enjoyable long-distance travel.

Packed with actionable tips, interactive checklists, and quick guides, this eBook ensures you arrive refreshed and ready for adventure. Perfect for both seasoned travellers and first-timers.

Make sure you’re covered with travel insurance

Don’t even think about skipping travel insurance when you book your trip.

Airlines usually won’t cover mishaps like delayed flights, lost luggage, or unexpected medical needs.

Trust me, I learned this the hard way: a jellyfish in Corfu left me not just in pain, but with a massive doctors bill.

Now, I get insured the second I book anything for a trip. If you can’t afford insurance, you can’t afford to travel, period

Top Tip: Make sure you check the policy you plan on purchasing because it will tell you exactly what you are covered for, so there are no nasty surprises.

Don’t forget to download your carry on packing list for long flights :

FAQs: LONG HAUL FLIGHT ESSENTIALS

What to pack for a long haul flight.

It can be stressful trying to figure out what to bring on a long flight, here are the main things you need for long flights:

Reusable water bottle  – on long haul flights hydration is super important Eye mask and ear plugs   – these greatly help with sleeping Chargers  – you want to make sure your devices are charged at the other end Travel pillow  – these are compact and really help you stay comfortable on a flight Blanket scarf  – airplanes can get very cold and sometimes the airline blanket isn’t enough Toothbrush – keep your breath minty fresh Baby wipes –  keep you feeling fresh on the flight and are great to wipe down surfaces

What to wear on a long haul flight?

On a long haul flight you need to be comfortable. Wearing tight and restrictive clothing are generally uncomfortable, especially after 15 hours.

Make sure you wear clothes that are breathable and layers are great option to help you stay warm on your flight.

For safety reasons, high heels are not a great idea. If you need to leave the plane in an emergency you are often not allowed to wear your high heels.

During a 12 hour (or longer) flight you want to make sure you are going to be comfortable and entertained.

What is considered a long haul flight?

Generally flights over seven hours are considered to be long haul flights. These flights are often international flights.

What to take on a long flight?

The best things to take on a long flight are: an eye mask, travel pillow, ear plugs, reusable water bottle, entertainment (book, iPad), ear phones, hand sanitizer, tooth brush and a blanket scarf.

What are some overnight flight essentials?

Some overnight flight essentials you can’t travel without are some comfortable clothes (or pajamas), eye mask, ear plugs, travel pillow, noise cancelling headphones, snacks and some slippers or comfortable socks.

Wrap Up: Long Haul Travel Essentials

Embarking on a long haul flight can be both exciting and daunting, but with the right essentials, it can transform into a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Prioritize your comfort, well-being, and entertainment to make the most of your journey, and remember that preparation is key.

From packing a neck pillow, cozy blanket, and noise-canceling headphones to staying hydrated, moving around, and engaging in calming activities, each element plays a vital role in ensuring a smooth and stress-free long haul flight.

Don’t hesitate to customize your travel kit to suit your unique requirements.

Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or a first-time long haul traveler, incorporating these essentials will undoubtedly enhance your travel experience.

If you’re looking for ways to save on your next long haul adventure, be sure to check out Faredrop .

With Faredrop’s innovative platform, you can discover fantastic flight deals and exclusive offers, allowing you to embark on your dream journeys without breaking the bank.

Remember, the world is waiting to be explored, so make your next long haul flight a memorable one by being prepared and snagging the best deals with Faredrop .

RELATED POSTS:

♦  Best Distance Traveled Calculator: Track Your Travels 

♦  FareDrop Reviews: How to save up to 80% on flights

♦  40 Long Haul Flight Essentials: Everything you MUST pack in your carry-on

♦  The Best Guide to Planning a trip

♦  The 11 must have travel items no one talks about but you need to pack

♦  16 Airport tips you must know before your next trip

P.S…..Follow me on social media for travel updates

I'm Fiona, the Australian blogger behind Travelling Thirties. Travel has always been my passion since 2007. I created this site to help inspire you to travel the world. In 2010 I moved from Australia to Scotland with $500 and a one way ticket, no one thought I'd last 5 minutes but I lasted 5 years. I share everything from one day itineraries to travel tips and tricks from Australia to Europe that will inspire you to get out and travel. Some of my favourite countries I have been to are France, Finland, Denmark, and England.

Travel Expertise: Europe Travel, France Travel, Christmas Markets, travel planning, itineraries and travel tips

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How do you prepare your car for a long trip in 2023.

As we step into the fall of 2023, the allure of road tripping is still stronger than ever. While the echoes of 2021’s challenges linger, the spirit of exploration has not waned. The appeal of escaping the everyday hustle and finding solace in nature’s embrace is drawing travelers back to the open road. Plane tickets prices feel higher than ever, creating an even greater attraction to road trip. Concerts, sporting events, and festivals are back in full swing now, and the highways are alive with the hum of vehicles and the excitement of those seeking adventure.

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It’s bad enough when you have car trouble in your local neighborhood – or even in your own driveway. However, nothing could put a damper on those travel plans like having your car break down hundreds of miles from home. Vacations are supposed to be a time for fun and relaxation, but the difference between pleasure and misery often lies in whether or not you took the proper steps to get your car ready for that long trip.

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Before you leave home for your road trip, there are several simple steps you can take to protect your vehicle, your trip and your loves ones.

First, in case anything does go wrong with your vehicle, make sure you give a trip plan to someone trustworthy. Now, you can go to work on that car of yours…

Up to 5 quarts standard oil and standard filter. Combine these coupons to add up your savings… but don’t combine them with any other offers or promotions. Bust present coupon at time of sale.

Holiday Road Trip Special $54.95

Special includes:

• Full-service oil change
• Tire rotation
• Transmission fluid check
• Coolant fluid check
• Brake fluid check
• Power steering fluid check
• Battery fluid check
• Fuel & air intake check
• Belts & hoses check
• Air, field & cabin filters check

Long Road Trip Checklist: You can tackle each of these quickly before you hit the road

• Change oil and filter
• Begin your trip with a clean car, both inside and out. It will help you find your map when you need it, etc.
• Try not to put luggage over the car. It creates air friction and slows you down – bringing more gas. If it is unavoidable, cover with strong sheet and tie them very well.
• Keep a small garbage bag inside the car.
• Change air filter.
• Check cabin air filter because you don’t want a musty odor coming from your vents.
• Cover headlights and front of the car with a protective sheet to prevent bug clogs or other damage.
• Get an extra set of car belts.
• Change spark plugs.
• Make certain your tire iron and jack are in the car.
• Check your spare tire.
• Pack a fire extinguisher.
• Bring towels for cleaning dirty windshields, spills, etc.
• Get a spare key for the car and keep it in your wallet or elsewhere on your person in case you lock your keys in the car.
• Fix sun protectors for side windows and front windshield.
• Make sure you have your podcast downloaded (You may lose service), music library up to date. Or your favorite CD’s if you’re old fashioned.
• Don’t forget any of those necessary cables; Car charger for your phone, auxiliary cable if applicable, USB cables, camera chargers, Go Pro chargers, drone chargers, etc.
• If you’re taking photographs or videos, don’t forget those tiny, yet vitally important memory cards
• Bring a plastic funnel to add water or other fluids. Bring a water bucket in case you need to use a river or lake for emergency coolant.
• Always fill your gas tank when it is half full. Don’t wait too long.
• Make sure your owner’s manual is handy.

Our downloadable long trip preparation checklist can be printed out and stored in your glove box or browsed on your smartphone! Grab a copy to keep with you as a reference to be safe on those long trips.

In addition, you should make a checklist of items to pack in a car survival kit. These can include:

• A chain or thick towing rope
• Electric charger wire
• Screw drivers and wrenches of different sizes
• Bungee cords

Before packing up, make one final check of the following:

• Tires condition.
• Check tires tread and look for signs of strain, bulges, or other damage.
• Tire pressure, don’t over inflate.
• Wipers and wiper fluid. When the rain falls, you don’t want to discover your wipers are useless. In addition, bug hits can really mess a windshield, so you’ll need a full fluid reservoir.
• Flush radiator, if you haven’t done so in a while.
• Fuses and Horn.
• High and low beam headlights.
• Oil, power steering, and brake fluid.
• Loose cables heater and air conditioner, if making a seasonal trip.

Once you’ve ensured your car is in top shape, let’s dive into some easy yet effective driving strategies. Remember, you’re more than just a passenger in your car – your alertness and engagement matter just as much. Here’s a handful of straightforward tips to make the most out of your journey:

1. Stay Engaged: Don’t underestimate the power of conversation. Engaging in conversation with the driver can help keep everyone awake, motivated, and connected during those long stretches.

2. Know Your Limits: Plan your trip around your comfort zone. Whether you’re a 500-mile-a-day champ or prefer a more leisurely pace, tailor your journey to your endurance level. Longer trips may call for more breaks and rest.

3. Take It Easy on Speed: Opt for a steady pace over high speeds. Not only will you save on fuel, but you’ll also have more opportunities to savor scenic routes, mountain views, and winding roads.

4. Rest When Needed: Avoid energy drinks and excessive caffeine. If fatigue sets in, pull over and take a break. A 30-minute nap or checking into a motel can do wonders for your alertness and safety.

5. Beat Boredom: Embrace entertainment for those less scenic stretches. Tune into your favorite podcast, upbeat music, stand-up comedy, or an engaging audiobook to make the time fly by.

6. Mind Truck Etiquette: On the open road, give trucks some space. Tailgating can make truck drivers uneasy and distracted. Stay a safe distance behind and avoid becoming a source of concern for them.

As you set out on your next adventure, keep these simple tips in mind to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable road trip experience. With a well-prepared car and a mindful approach, you’re ready to embrace the open road with renewed enthusiasm.

With proper preparation before a trip, and a good attitude during a journey, you can make sure you not only survive a long trip – but also enjoy it. Bring your car into one of seven locations and have a pre-trip check up performed on your vehicle by one of our ASE master technicians. Here is what you will receive in one of our pre-trip check ups:

• Full service standard oil change and filter (synthetic oil and special oil filters will be extra)
• Transmission fluid inspection
• Coolant fluid inspection
• Brake fluid inspection
• Power steering fluid inspection
• Battery fluid inspection
• Fuel & air intake inspection
• Belts & hoses inspection
• Air, fuel, cabin filters inspection
• 100% Peace of Mind!

Ten Locations Throughout NH and ME:

Manchester, nh.

991 Candia Road | Manchester, NH 03109 (603) 232-1521

Merrimack, NH

738 D.W. Highway | Merrimack, NH 03054 (603) 429-1002

Hooksett, NH

1112 Hooksett Rd | Hooksett, NH 03106 (603) 644-7238

South Portland, ME

509 Westbrook St. | South Portland, ME 04106 (207) 773-8560

Wolfeboro, NH

635 Center St. | Wolfeboro, NH 03894 (603) 569-1068

675 White Mountain Hwy | Conway, NH 03818 (603) 447-3873

418 Island Pond Rd, Bldg #3 | Derry, NH 03038 (603) 845-3900

Lebanon, NH

258 Mechanic St, Lebanon, NH 03766 (603) 448-1381

28 Sumner Dr, Dover, NH 03820 (603) 742-8627

Londoneryy, NH

107 Nashua Rd, Londonderry, NH 03053 (603) 404-5120

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The Only Long-Term Travel Packing List You’ll Ever Need!

• 16 August, 2021

Crystal Egan

• 36617 Views

This page may contain compensated links. For more information read our disclaimer .

This is all you need to know to create the best long-term travel packing list ever. Download your free checklist and pack all the things you’ll use, and nothing you won’t!

PACKING FOR LONG TERM TRAVEL CONTENTS

❶ Packing the Essentials ❷ Electrical Items ❸ Personal Items ❹ Clothing (Men & Women)

❺ Non-Essentials ❻ What Not to Pack ❼ Best Luggage for Long-Term Travel ❽ Got Questions?

You’re close to heading off on a round-the-world trip and you’ll be away for a long time. You don’t know exactly what weather you’ll have so you need to pack for all of the seasons. And that’s understandable because when you travel for a long time, chances are you don’t know exactly what conditions you’ll be packing for.

If you’re a little unsure about how to pack for long-term travel, we’ve got you covered! Crystal and Rosy have both been on extended travel for six months or more (actually, Crystal has done this three times now) and we both have loads of super-awesome tips about what to bring on a long-term trip.

We have now combined our magical packing powers to bring you the ULTIMATE long-term packing list, because one person’s list may not suit another’s!

Take what you want and leave what you don’t need. With this packing list for long-term travel, you won’t forget a thing!

Would you like a FREE printable checklist? You can  download the PDF here .

Long-Term Travel Essentials

Don’t forget your:, ✔ passport.

What to pack for long-term travel? For starters, your Passport! With AT LEAST 6 months validity from the time you plan to return to your home country. I.e: If you are doing a year-long round the world trip. Make sure you have at least 1 year 6 months left in your “valid until” section.

✔ Vaccination Certificates

Different countries require different types of vaccines for entry. Don’t be one of the travelers that are denied entry because you don’t have the required vaccines! For example, most countries will require your  Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate in South and Central America and Africa.

✔ Drivers License + International Drivers Licence

You’ll need an  International Drivers License if you are traveling somewhere where English isn’t spoken. You’ll need this especially if you plan on hiring any type of vehicle while overseas, since the hiring company may not be able to read your license without the translation.

✔  Travel Printouts

Of flight itineraries, scans of your passport, etc. This is especially needed in countries where your exit flight must be proven to receive your visa (Bali, India , and the USA to name a few).

Or you could use a cool app called TripIt to store all your itineraries and bookings.

✔  Visa

I have been using a super useful website that helps you find out country-specific information for a destination. Just enter into VisaHQ the country of your passport and where you’re going to and BAM! All the information you could possibly need.

Alternatively, government embassy websites also contain up-to-date and accurate information on whether a visa or not is required for entry.

✔  Spare Passport Photos

Some countries require a passport photo on arrival (especially in Southeast Asia), so to avoid being charged extra, always have these on hand. Keep them in the same place as your passport.

✔  Passport Holder or Pencil Case

This is to keep your passport and other important documents safe. Crystal uses a Pencil Case with her passport, pens to fill out immigration forms, important documents, credit cards, money, spare passport photos, and keys safely inside.

An RFID Blocking Passport Holder is also a nice way to keep your passport and credit cards safe.

OTHER PACKING ESSENTIALS:

✔ sunscreen (biodegradable & spf 30+).

You especially need biodegradable sunscreen if you plan to enter the water when any other life also lives in those waters. The ingredients of most sunscreens and insect repellants can severely harm fish and are one big reason why coral reefs are dying.

It’s best to buy biodegradable and reef-friendly sunscreen at home and bring it because it can be difficult to find and/or is very expensive in other countries.

✔ Bug Repellant

Read up about your destinations to make sure you’ve got the right DEET level (stronger for those higher-risk areas).

While traditional spray-on repellant still works a treat, we’ve heard great things about  mozzie-repelling wristbands , which are a brilliant option for those traveling on hand luggage only as it negates worry around the 50ml in-flight liquids limit, plus you don’t need to shower yourself in spray every six hours.

✔ Ziploc Bags

It may sound weird now, but on the road, you’ll use them ALL THE TIME – from storing tea bags, hair ties, and leftover snacks, to placing fragile souvenirs into.

Every backpack needs a good backup of different-sized zipper bags for use at the drop of a hat. Ziploc bags are becoming the number one hack for long-term travel planning!

✔ Duct Tape (Gaffer Tape)

This one is a game-changer. No ultimate packing list for long-term travel is complete without duct tape. Permanently fixes your backpack, your raincoat, or your tent in seconds.

Patch up your bike, re-waterproof the soles of your shoes, use it as a label for hostel fridge food storage, a temp fix for clingy shower curtains, or a quick-fix for earphone wires or glasses – its uses are limited only by your creativity.

✔ Travel Sewing Kit

From patching up the trusty flip-flops (thongs, for our friends down under) to essential backpack maintenance and lovingly repairing those little rips in your favorite top. A needle and thread is an absolute must for any adventure. Be sure to include a sewing kit in your long-term travel packing.

ⓘ  They’re so tiny, they need barely any packing room.

✔ String

Lost your hair tie? String! Tent ropes disappeared? String! Hammock fallen down? String! Finger falling off? String (plus duct tape)! Worried you’ll lose your travel buddy in a big crowd? Why not tie yourselves together for added security?

Joking aside, you can do so much with a simple piece of string. Small and portable, it’s an easy addition to any backpack and the sky’s the limit in terms of uses.

✔ Waterproof Phone Case

Take it from Rosy, an Englishwoman who’s spent the last rainy season in Guatemala – you never know when the rain will hit. Smartphone raincoats are cheap and effective, and most travelers will have at least one with them.

If you want to waterproof larger items as well (like your laptop, tablet, passport, etc) check out our genius waterproofing travel hack below!

✔ A Portable Laundry System

Yes, this really is a thing. You can use this revolutionary device as a laundry bag and, once it’s full, you drop in a little laundry liquid and water, leave everything to soak, then basically just punch it for a bit. Drain, rinse, and hang out to dry!

ⓘ  This is also a great substitute for a  dry bag  (if the water can’t get out, it can’t get in either). Dry bags are perfect to protect your camera, phone, and other valuables if you plan to do any water-based activities (taking a boat in Thailand or across the San Blas Islands of Panama, jumping around in the Semuc Champey cascades of Guatemala, or going caving in Borneo, for example).

✔ Life Straw Water Purification

A travel water bottle with an inbuilt purification filter that is Eco-friendly, easily portable, and provides a vital way to ensure your drinking water is safe. No Earth-conscious traveler should leave home without a re-useable water bottle. 

The Life Straw bottle  is our personal favorite. You can also get just a single  Life Straw  if you find the bottle is too limiting!

✔ Activated Charcoal Tablets

No traveler should leave home without a sufficient supply of charcoal tablets. They’re a brilliant solution to general digestive grumbles (which can strike at any time!) and they take up very little space.

If you are traveling to countries known for questionable food and water safety (looking at your Latin America and Southeast Asia), then activated charcoal tablets are essential. These are some great organic ones.

✔ Rehydration Packets

You can pick these up in most pharmacies around the world, but when you need them most you may not feel like popping out to the shops and trying out your new language skills. Bring a decent supply of rehydration sachets wherever you’re going to keep on top of your health and fitness (they’re also the best hangover cure we’ve ever come across).

But there’s no substitute for drinking plenty of water, so remember to drink at least two liters of water each day. The sachets give your body the minerals it needs to absorb the water.

✔ Emergency First-Aid Kit

As a bare-minimum inclusion, we suggest: plasters, blister plasters, mini bandages, antiseptic cream (many are also local anesthetics that you’ll be glad of if a mosquito got through your carefully-planned defenses), anti-histamines (also great re: mosquito bites), and malaria tablets.

Every traveler is different and you know your own body best – put careful thought into what you need to include in your first aid kit.

✔ Travel Pocket Knife

You’ll really never know when this item will come in handy. You may need it for cutting up tomatoes when having a park-baguette lunch in expensive Europe, tightening up a loose screw on your camera, popping open a bottle of beer, or opening a wine bottle.

At the very least, carry it around in your daypack for a bit of protection on the streets (fingers crossed you’ll never need it).

✔ Anti-Theft Belted Wallet

With so many affordable options out there, there’s no excuse not to get one of these brilliantly-designed security wallets. Strap up in the morning, tuck your shirt over the top, and enjoy a hands-free day safe in the knowledge that your valuables are going nowhere without you.

Honestly, though. These are only good for people who wear loose clothes. For the rest of us, an anti-theft backpack might be a better idea. We have compared the  best anti-theft backpacks   so you can choose one that’s best for you. Couple it with an  anti-theft wire  and you have yourself a portable safe.

✔ Packing Cubes

Thinking about how to pack for long-term travel? If you’ve heard people rave about packing cubes but really don’t know what all the fuss is about; just try them. We are sure you’ll be converted! They will turn even the people with no organizational skills into seasoned travelers!

There’s honestly nothing better than being able to just pull a cube out of your backpack and throw it in a drawer. They also keep your luggage tight and space-efficient.

✔ Travel Pillow

After trying many travel pillows and never being 100% satisfied, we finally found one that’s both comfortable and packs down small. It uses both soft foam inside and air to give you a malleable comfort. Stop the inflation at your desired support.

✔ Foldable Shopping Bag

This is as good for mother earth as it is for you. Just scrunch it up and throw it in your daypack for any supermarket side trips.

They are also perfect for taking to the beach (just throw in your sarong and some sunscreen and you’re good to go)!

✔ Microfibre Towel

You’ll need a lightweight, quick-dry microfibre towel for any cheap hotels or Airbnb’s that don’t provide one. It also doubles as a blanket on cold buses, etc.

Make sure you get a LARGE-sized one as you’ll want it to wrap around your body… Trust me, a small one is no fun! Crystal also prefers the more absorbent, thicker ones as they feel much nicer on the skin.

ⓘ Buy a dark-colored one – trust us.

Also, don’t forget to pack these essential things for travel:

✔Lighter ✔ Head Torch  (Water Resistant) ✔ Chapstick

✔wallet ✔ small locks  (tsa approved), never leave home without long-term travel insurance.

Just don’t, this is one of the most important long-term travel essentials. You never know what could happen and without insurance, you could end up with a hefty hospital bill, or worse. Generally, all backpacking travel insurers will cover you for up to a year.

Crystal uses Clements Insurance to cover all her expensive camera and computer gear… Hello, 8TB of hard drive photography storage 😭.

If you’re just after travel medical insurance, SafetyWing is another backpacker favorite and it’s super cheap!

For hospital and less-expensive gear (computers worth up to $2,000, for example) Crystal uses World Nomads .

World Nomads are one of the best at long-term travel insurance for backpackers and digital nomads. They understand that you’ll be doing adventurous activities and they also allow you to buy coverage when you are already overseas (whereas a lot of travel insurers require you to purchase coverage while you are still in your home country.

Don’t ruin your long-term trip with a hefty hospital bill or the need to replace expensive travel items!

Just enter your trip details below for a quote. If you end up buying it, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 💕

Long-Term Travel Packing List: Electrical Items

✔ laptop or ipad.

It’s one or the other… Not both. You choose.

✔ VPN (Virtual Private Network)

This is essential for long-term travelers and Crystal couldn’t have been on the road for so long without it. A VPN can save your ass in so many ways.

If you ever use public access WiFi while traveling (like an airport, restaurant, vacation rental, or hotel) then you’re potentially putting your online security at risk by hackers.

It also helps out in other ways too. Can’t access your Gmail because it thinks you’re in a dodgy country? (Which you ARE, but still). Just connect to your home country using the VPN. PayPal payment won’t go through because you aren’t in your home country? VPN…

With a quality VPN such as  Nord VPN , you instantly protect your sensitive data on all different devices with just one click. Also, Nord is really affordable, super easy to turn on and we use it daily.

✔ Portable Charger Pack

These affordable, small and lightweight little friends are a travel essential; imagine that 15-hour overnight bus journey without a podcast or Netflix series to binge! Unthinkable.

In fact, I can’t even get through a day of using Google Maps on my iPhone without needing some sexy charger juice (thanks for that, Apple *shakes fist vigorously into the air*). Anyway, charge your smartphone, tablet, MP3 player, or even laptop (sometimes) on the go.

If you do a lot of camping or you go to places with no access to power, you might also like a  solar power charger . Charge your devices using energy from the sun! Perfect!

✔ Universal Converter

Maybe an obvious one, but I’ve managed to forget this crucial item on a trip or two!

An essential on any international travel packing list, we definitely recommend bringing a high-quality converter along as opposed to buying abroad; for example, we can tell you from personal experience that the cheaper ones sold outside countries with strictly-enforced quality laws may not have decent regulating abilities and will, therefore, kill your phone… Surprisingly quickly.

There’s nothing better on a long bus ride than to settle in with a bunch of your favorite Podcasts when you can’t access the internet.

If you are on an iPhone you can download podcasts through your Podcasts App which should already be on your phone. If you are on an Android you can download them through your Google Play Music App and on any other phone there should be an app called Podcasts you can use. Just open the app and search for the name of the podcast you want to listen to offline.

Some great ones Crystal has been listening to for a thick dose of wanderlust are: Zero to Travel , Extra Pack of Peanuts , and Budget Minded Traveler are a great place to start.

✔ GoPro + Attachments

Action cameras are becoming somewhat essential for everyone – and that’s awesome. There’s really not much they can’t do!

If you don’t need a manually operated DSLR, a GoPro can easily replace this camera. You really don’t have an excuse not to buy one when their prices start at only $350 USD!

✔ DSLR Camera + Lenses and Attachments

If a DSLR is essential for you, try to make sure it’s as small and powerful as possible and that it has good video capabilities! Add a few lenses and other attachments and you’ve already gone over your carry-on limit!

Crystal has used Panasonic cameras her whole career because they have some of the BEST video capabilities.

✔ Camera Tripod or Octopod

There are loads of versatile and lightweight tripods that do some cool shit like wrap it around tree branches and fence posts. You can attach your GoPro or your phone. You can even use it as a stand for your phone or small iPad for those long-haul flights.

✔ Phone Lens Kit

Don’t want to splash out on any fancy cameras but still like to do cool stuff with lenses? Be sure to take these tiny lenses that fit right onto your phone’s camera!

This set includes a macro lens for cool close-ups, a fish-eye lens for warping buildings, a wide-angle for spectacular scenery shots, and even a telephoto lens to capture things that are far away. All you need to do is clip them onto your phone (any type) and start taking awesome photos!

✔ Wireless Speaker

Crystal doesn’t do any long-term traveling without her Bluetooth speaker (she just loves music THAT much). The UE Roll is one of the best options because the sound is clear and loud and the actual speaker is small and flat-ish. It is also water-resistant, which comes in handy when traveling (spills, rain, and whatnot).

Honestly though, once you hear the sound of a UE, you won’t be able to listen to anything else.

Also, don’t forget to pack these important electrical items for travel:

✔ Phone Charger ✔ Earphones ✔ Headphone Splitter  (Listen with Friends) ✔ Digital Luggage Scale

✔ Spare  SD Cards  for your Cameras ✔ Flash Drive ✔ External Hard Drive  (Extra Storage for Pictures / Video)

The Best Apps for Long-Term Travel

These are the Apps Crystal always has on her phone to use every day when she travels. Some of them are absolute life-savers (like the offline maps) and others have functions that will save you money!

We recommend you download them all before you leave and start getting familiar with them so when you are on the road you’re like a fighter jet in a sea of snails.

You can even try turning your phone on airplane mode to see how the maps function offline (they are a little different than when you use them online). It’s fascinating to notice that even when your phone is on airplane mode, your phone still knows exactly where you are… Scary! (But also super cool!)

• Trip-It  (FREE)  Store all your flight, hotel and other bookings in one place and access them offline
• Skyscanner (FREE)  Use the “everywhere” button for cheap flights to anywhere in the world
• Google Maps (FREE)  Download selections to be used offline. Also a great way to decipher public transport in cities
• Maps.me  (FREE)  Download entire countries for use offline – a good Google Maps backup
• Xe Currency  (FREE)  Save up to 10 currencies to check offline
• Trail Wallet (FREE)  for tracking expenses while traveling
• Uber Rideshare  (FREE)  Often cheaper than local taxis plus you can send live updates to family at home whenever you are using one
• Duo Lingo (FREE)  Learn some phrases in the local language
• Spotify  (FREE)  Find awesome new music. With Premium you can listen to music offline

Packing List for Long Term Travel: Personal Items

A packing list for long-term travel varies slightly between ladies and gentlemen. But worry not, both are covered here in this long-term packing list.

✔ Tweezers

From retrieving broken-off earphone jacks in your laptop, tablet, or smartphone (trust us – it is possible) to quickly removing splinters or a loose thread, tweezers are a must-have for any traveler. And you can even stretch their use to essential eyebrow maintenance if the inclination so takes you.

✔ Nail Scissors

Like the multi-purpose tweezer, these handily travel-sized little tools have no end of possible uses. Cutting that string or duct tape, for starters.

✔ Your Favourite Re-Usable Razor

Don’t bother trying to buy disposable ones overseas. Not only will you end up carrying large bulk packs of razors, but they just don’t do the job right. Bring your favorite interchangeable head razor with a handful of spare heads.

✔ SPF 15+ Lip Balm

Women travelers will be all-too-familiar with the necessity of this little gem, so this tip is especially for the gentlemen – keep those lips smooth and healthy with a dab or two of SPF lip balm each day.

It protects against every extreme weather type and I promise nobody can tell you’re wearing it. Unless you are actually kissing them at that very moment and, if that’s the case, they’ll be grateful for the added softness 😉 

ⓘ  Also great for smoothing dry skin on the hands, elbows, knees, and face.

✔ Tampons or Menstrual Cup

While sanitary towels are generally available in most places worldwide, tampons are much rarer and can be eye-wateringly expensive.

You will not believe how many countries don’t really sell tampons (think Southeast Asia and South/Central America). It’s utterly crazy. So you can either bring a huge backup of tampons (if you’re traveling one of the above countries for a year you’re going to need A LOT)…

OR you can bring one tiny little  Menstrual Cup . These are reusable orb cups you put up your hoo-ha to catch your unfertilized baby bag. They are a little weird/uncomfortable to use at first but after a couple of go’s, you won’t even notice them!

And if you’re wondering how to clean them, it’s easy. Just boil them at the end of the period cycle or wash with soapy water.

This may seem an obvious one, but I’m listing it on the basis that shampoo is a highly versatile travel companion. If, like me, you travel light; you can use shampoo as soap, laundry detergent, and in a pinch, a tasty and nutritious cool drink (joking on that last one. Please don’t ingest shampoo).

If you love Mother Earth, then try out  solid shampoo bars . They are like soap bars but shampoo (and conditioner if you like!) While most bottled shampoo is 80% water, the solid shampoo will save you space in your backpack AND they will mean you are buying (and then throwing out) LESS plastic bottles. It’s a win/win.

✔ Conditioner

Bring your favorite because chances are, where you’re going, they will be crap. Loads of hotels only provide shampoo too (not conditioner), so if you have thick long hair you’re going to need the best you can get.

If you are considering a solid conditioner bar (to save room and Mother Earth) Crystal will just quickly tell her experience… Initially, she brought one on her latest trip with her because she hates using so much plastic. But, she found the conditioner made her hair really oily and her hair was still super knotty after using it. It was a shame.

✔ Medical Essentials

Please look after yourself; be vigilant with your health. Visit your doctor with plenty of time before your trip (we’re talking a year to 6 months) to discuss vaccinations, supplies of any regular medication you may need, and general travel health advice.

✔ Motion Sickness Wristbands

If you suffer from seasickness or motion sickness, then this simple invention is a godsend. They work by applying pressure to a pressure point on your wrist which has been shown scientifically to restore balance in your body. Crystal’s girlfriend uses them all the time and says they help her a lot.

✔ Hanging Toiletry Bag

One of the handiest things you can take traveling. Just open it up and hang it off the towel rack. Make sure you get one with an enclosed plastic section for shampoo and other liquids so when you change altitudes and your bottles pop open – you don’t ruin your whole bag!

✔ SHEWEE

If you’re anything like Crystal and you have a terribly tiny bladder (Crystal has named hers T.B), then you might want to think about trying out a SHEWEE. It’s a female urination device that enables the ladies to FINALLY pee standing up.

Although we have not used them ourselves, we have heard people swear by them. They are especially good for festivals and camping!

✔ Jewelry Organiser

If you plan to take any type of jewelry traveling that can get tangled, you will have to think about how to look after it. For rings and earrings you can put them in  small plastic jars  and for necklaces and bracelets, you might be able to fit them in a  7-day pill box organizer .

If you really need to protect them, here’s a sleek AF jewelry organizer that would be sure to keep everything safe.

Also, don’t forget to pack these important personal items for travel. If you click the link, you will be taken to the travel-friendly version of these products:

✔ Makeup ✔ Toothpaste ✔ Toothbrush ✔ Mouthwash ✔ Floss ✔ Makeup Travel Bag ✔ Cotton Swabs ✔ Hand Sanitiser ✔ Hairbrush ✔ Comb ✔ Hair Ties ✔ Leave-in Conditioner

✔ face washer ✔ baby wipes ✔ hard glasses case ✔ moisturiser ✔ travel plastic bottles  (storage for creams & liquids) ✔ travel tissues ✔ earplugs ✔ stick deodorant ✔ anti-histamines ✔ malaria tablets.

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Long-Term Packing List: Clothing for Women & Men

This packing list is a general one for those long-term travel essentials. You could be jetting off on an Australian Outback adventure, hitting the slopes for a season in the Alps, backpacking SEA, or hiking to Petra; so, of course, the clothing you bring will entirely depend on your destination.

There are some fantastic travel-specific clothing ranges out there with everything from ‘non-wash’ tops to multi-style dresses and jackets with completely hidden pockets for your valuables.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Pack for a Week and Wash

The general mentality you want in terms of clothes is ‘pack for a week’. Do your laundry once a week and you’ll be grand. It’s easy to find cheap laundry places all over the world or to wash your clothes yourself with this awesome contraption . Sometimes you can even find an Airbnb with a washing machine. If all else fails, just wash your underwear in the shower with soap! This is a common backpacking go-to, especially good if you run out of underwear before anything else.

Only bring the casual clothes you love and can mix and match with other clothes you will bring. Muted colors for the basics with splashes of bright color in the belt, scarf, or overthrows is a great way to minimalize the number of outfits you bring.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Buy When You Get There

Unless you are planning your trip to the moon, there is a high chance that you can buy the items you need at your destination. Obviously, there are some items that are invaluable such as an outlet adapter and electronics. But for things like clothes, it is easy and cheaper (sometimes even more fashionable) to just shop when you get there. This way, you can avoid overpacking and binding stuff that you love but don’t need.

Also, if the weather changes and the stuff you purchased is no longer suitable, you won’t be heartbroken throwing them out!

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Layer Up In the Cold

Layering is the route of all excellence. Bring vest tops, tees, long-sleeved tees, and thin sweaters and you’re ready for whatever nature throws at you.

You can even travel to Europe in winter as long as you have several quality layers like a thermal undershirt, a lightweight cashmere sweater, and a rain jacket on top. Layering is king when you want to keep the long-term travel packing list to a minimum!

In one week you will need the following basic clothes:

Women’s Long Trip Packing List

✔ 8x underwear ✔ 2x sports bra ✔ 2x bra ✔ 1x light pyjama shorts & bed shirt ✔ 1x active shorts (exercising & lounging) ✔ 1x denim shorts ✔ 1x cotton shorts ✔ 2x tank tops ✔ 2x cotton shirt ✔ 1x long sleeve thermal or base layer ✔ 1x cashmere sweater (lightweight & warm) ✔ 1x trekking pants / shorts ✔ 1x lightweight jeans or pants ✔ 1x lightweight rain jacket ✔ 1x beanie, ✔ 1x maxi dress ✔ 2x short dress ✔ 1x comfy yoga leggings ✔ 1x loose comfortable pants (long bus rides, sleeping & lounging) ✔ 2x cute bikinis ✔ 1x swimsuit coverup ✔ 1x foldable hat ✔ 1x warm scarf (cashmere if possible) ✔ 8x pair of socks (1 trekking pair) ✔ 1x pair of trekking shoes (lightweight) ✔ 1x pair of travel sandals (for all-day walking, water activities & going out) ✔ 1x pair of flip flops .

Click the pic to see the tee! All these items are great for shoving into suitcases and are lightweight too. They can be found on Amazon for a REALLY good price, with nothing under a 4-Star rating!

Men’s Long Travel Packing List

✔ 8x underwear ✔ 8x pair of socks (1 trekking pair) ✔ 2x board shorts ✔ 1x active shorts ✔ 2x trekking shorts / pants ✔ 1x long trousers / jeans (going out & sight seeing) ✔ 1x super comfortable long pants (long buses, lounging & sleeping) ✔ 1x long sleeve base layer ✔ 1x beanie, ✔ 2x tank tops ✔ 2x cotton shirts ✔ sweater (lightweight & warm) ✔ 1x warm scarf (cashmere if possible) ✔ 1x cap or hat ✔ 1x lightweight rain jacket ✔ 1x pair flip flops ✔ 1x pair closed shoes.

A long-term travel packing list for men is a lot simpler than one for ladies, simply because of the godly powers of a t-shirt. They are literally perfect for (almost) every single occasion. We have also included more information about these products down below, make sure you give them a click to find out more!

All these items are great for packing into luggage and are lightweight. They can be found on Amazon for a REALLY good price too, with nothing under a 4-Star rating!

Packing List Clothing Accessory Essentials (Men & Women)

This is possibly the most versatile piece of clothing on my packing list. It can take the place of a scarf AND a light blanket. You can wear it over your swimmers as a cover, even tie it into a dress. And when you’re on the beach, it’s the perfect lightweight towel.

It even dries you off. In emergencies, a sarong can also take the place of a bath towel.

✔ SPF Sunglasses

You won’t find the locals or long-term expats wearing shades, but whether you plan to stay a week or half a year, so many incredible places in the world have fierce sunlight and nobody wants their travel mementos to include squint-induced crow’s feet!

✔ Head Buff

These little pieces of headwear have so many uses! A headband to keep hair off your face, an eye mask for sleeping on overnight buses/planes, a sweat rag, the list could go on! Always have one in your day pack for use whenever needed!

✔ Waterproof Rain Coat with a Nice Big Hood

Use it as a top layer in cold weather and always keep it in your daypack for emergency downpours. If you are traveling long-term, you will inevitably run into rainy weather.

In that case, a waterproof jacket or raincoat is essential, and don’t you dare pack an umbrella!

✔ Very Good Hiking Shoes

Perfect for walks, of course, but also general wet weather, navigating gravelly/pot-holed roads, caving/climbing, and long sightseeing walks. This is one thing it’s worth splashing out on.

✔ Bum Bag / Fanny Pack

This is honestly the best (yet unfashionable) travel item. Crystal wears a bum bag almost every day wherever she’s speeding around cities and sightseeing. Having your phone right there (without having to reach around for backpacks) keeps you happy and taking pics.

They are good to keep valuables close on overnight buses and even better to keep your passport and travel documents in while zipping around airports. Better than handbags because you can just do them up and forget about them!

✔ Fingerless Gloves

Fingerless because you ALWAYS still need to use your phone when you’re wearing them, and you don’t want to be taking them on and off. It’s even better to have ones with little mitts on the end so you can cover your fingers when needed. Mmmm toasty…

Packing For Long-Term Travel: Non-Essentials

Things that are really nice to have if you have room. Some of these may become an essential packing list item depending on how you travel and where you’ll be going.

✔ Travel Coffee Press

Not having a quality coffee or two in the mornings ranks pretty highly on my personal tragedy barometer. To that end, I am happy to introduce you to the travel coffee press! Just add fresh ground coffee and hot water, and you’ll never suffer morning sluggishness again, whether you’re in the middle of the Sahara or halfway up a tree in the Amazon.

Shout out to our friend Debs, clinician and volunteer coordinator at  Project Ix-canaan , Guatemala for this invaluable tip.

✔ Aloe Vera Gel

Again, Rosy is from England, where the sun comes out about three days a year and the entire nation immediately suffers comic levels of sunburn. She cannot conscientiously write this list without including aloe vera.

Whenever she’s sunburned, she uses about half a liter every couple of days and IT IS MAGIC. Sometimes she even looks tanned after a few days.

✔ A Pack of Cards

No… Two packs of cards! Do not ever leave your country without at least one pack of cards. Cards games are awesome for passing the time and breaking the ice in a hostel general area.

One of the most common ones played in a backpacker hostel is Shithead . For drinking card games, you need to know how to play Ring of Fire aka King’s Cup.

✔ An International Power Board

If you’re going to be on the road for a REALLY long time and you have loads of electrical items, then this is the product for you. Sometimes you’ll end up buying electronics in strange countries leaving you with strange cords and they all need charging at once!

Make sure you buy one with USB connectors too. Crystal uses hers every day, and although it’s taped together with duct tape (after so much use) she honestly doesn’t know what she’d do without it (probably just charge stuff one-by-one with her boring universal converter I suppose…)

✔ Kindle or E-Reader

Hard copy books are excellent and perfect to pass time when you are on a long-distance bus or train. But do you know what’s better? A kindle!

Save room in your bag while still enjoying access to thousands of books. It is the perfect long-term travel gear because you might not always have the internet to keep you entertained, but you can read a kindle even in the Andes Mountains of South America! They are pricey, but essential if you like reading.

✔ Travel Camera Drone

This is not an essential travel item, but by golly, they are GREAT. There’s nothing sexier than a crisp bird’s-eye view of amazing scenery. Now that drones have been around for a while, the technology has made them small and seriously powerful.

FYI: Crystal has written an entire article comparing all of the  best travel drones  and talks about their specs and functions.

✔ Travel Yoga Mat

When you travel long-term you are going to need a way to stay fit on the road. So you can either run along the beach every day (a great option if you are near a beach), pay for expensive gym entries (not a great option IMO), or carry a travel yoga mat to exercise on!

Crystal has written a post comparing all the best travel yoga mats out there, with a video of her personal review of the yoga mat she has been traveling with for the past 1.5 years.

✔ Sleep Sheet

If you plan to stay in hostels and 1-2 star hotels this might be something you are interested in. It’s a fact that in cheap places you don’t always get the cleanest sheets, so bringing along a sleeping bag liner could help with the mental battle you’ll inevitably end up having when sleeping in questionable beds.

✔ Hammock

This is a luxury item for the budget traveler! String your hammock up anywhere for a free place to sleep. The hammock pictured includes a zip-up mosquito net for those tropical climates and is lightweight and durable.

✔ Washing Line

This is listed as non-essential because neither of us carries a portable washing line. However, they do have great functionality and fold up very small so they are a great thing to carry.

There have been many situations where we’ve wished we had one because the room was dusty or there was nowhere else to hang out wet clothes (once Crystal simply draped hers over a pot plant, haha).

What Not Pack for Long-Term Travel

✘ shaving cream.

Honestly, you don’t need it. Just use a little bit of your hair conditioner, it works perfectly. Thank me later… P.S. If you’re a man and you don’t use conditioner, forget I said anything!

✘ A Hair Dryer, Curling Iron or Straightener

Should you bring a travel hair dryer on your trip? The answer is a definitive NO… Unless you really want it.

Although Crystal LOVES to blow dry her hair when she’s at home, she would never bring one with her traveling. The reason is simple, they are big and heavy (even the travel-sized ones) and the “air” dries your hair just as well (would you believe it?!?!)

It’s a luxury item that just doesn’t belong in the bag of a long-term traveler. Plus, many hotels will have a hairdryer in their bathrooms. But say you are going ultra-budget, you will probably end up finding you never really needed to blow dry your hair anyway…

✘ Heavy Boots

Heavy hiking boots or normal boots will only weigh you down. Unless you’ll be spending most of your time somewhere super cold, you will regret these.

What Backpack to Take on Long-Term Travel

We have dedicated ourselves to finding out what is the best luggage for long-term travel. Altogether we’ve spent over 5 years traveling long-term so these backpacks are tested, tried, and true. Read on to find out why these long-term backpacks are perfect for you!

Best Large Backpack for Long-Term Travel

✔ the osprey fairview 65l wheeled backpack.

If you’re like Crystal and you have so much camera gear and other stuff that you just can’t fit them into carry-on luggage, you’re going to need a large backpack for your travels.

I have tried three different backpacks; one hiking pack (hated it – annoying to get stuff out and didn’t hold enough) and one 70 Litre adventure open-front backpack (far too heavy and totally overkill). The final backpack I found and the one I use now is the 65 Liter Osprey Wheeled Backpack.

Hybrid backpacks really can do it all! They can be wheeled (which is how Crystal uses hers most of the time) and they can also be put on your back (think deep cobblestones or muddy pathways).

Pros of the Osprey 65L Wheeled Backpack

The wheels are huge and durable, able to withstand even the bumpiest of pathways. The HighRoad chassis means the bag has added stability, even when there’s nothing inside. It has a conventional hip belt and padded shoulder straps, ideal for carrying it like a backpacker’s backpack!

Cons of the Osprey 65L Wheeled Backpack

It’s not incredibly comfortable to wear. Although it has a hip strap (a deal-breaker since the hips can take most of the weight) after a while of use it becomes quite uncomfortable.

Best Carry-On Sized Backpack for Long-Term Travel

✔ matein waterproof wheeled backpack for travel.

After six weeks in Spain with a MASSIVE wheeled suitcase (checked luggage), then another month with a smaller wheeled suitcase (hand luggage), Rosy was ready to admit that neither of these was practical for long-term travel. Backpacks are a much more user-friendly option and, of course, far more portable than the suitcase.

But what about those moments when you have to walk for miles? Sometimes, a person needs wheels… Enter the MATEIN Waterproof Wheeled Backpack for Travel.

Complete with durable straps, extendable handle, AND wheels, it has a multitude of pockets including a cushioned compartment for laptops and tablets, a side pouch perfect for water bottles, and a pocket perfect for the straps when not in use (or flip flops, when the straps are being used).

If you roll your clothes and pack carefully, the bag will fall well within the limits of hand luggage size specs, so you can avoid the risk of lost luggage and the cost of checking luggage – and enjoy the added bonus of having everything right at your fingertips during the long-haul flight. It’s also a really reasonable price for what it is. Did we mention that it is waterproof?

Best Daypacks for Long-Term Travel

✔ pacsafe venture safe 25l gii.

Combining a casual day pack with a small backpack that you can also take on day hikes is usually the best option. For added security get an anti-theft backpack to keep your valuables safe while in transit and also in your hotel room. 

I have written an entire post comparing all the  top anti-theft backpacks  and weighing up their pros and cons. Check it out if you’re in the market for a new backpack (because you might as well make it an anti-theft one).

The best anti-theft daypack is the Pacsafe Venture Safe 25L GII. This bag is stylish, lightweight, and durable. Its anti-theft features include RFIDsafe blocking materials throughout the bag and a padded laptop compartment too. The PacSafe has hidden eXomesh slash guard stainless steel wire mesh within the fabric for protection against slash-and-go thefts. This anti-theft backpack mesh is the best of its kind on the market.

The turn-and-lock security hooks are a great feature that adds a subtle additional security element while allowing you to get in and out of the bag with ease. The zippers discreetly attach to the security hooks to offer this bag anti-theft security galore. Ideal for all kinds of travel experiences including hiking and the daily commute.

ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE TRAVEL PRODUCTS?

So there you have it! This long-term travel checklist has hopefully given you all the information you need to know on what to pack for long-term travel. Plus tips on how to use these products.

If you have any questions at all about any of the things I have recommended in this long-term travel checklist, feel free to hunt me down and stalk me with your incessant questioning! I love hearing from you, so I promise I won’t call the police 😉

READ: How YOU Can Save Money For Travel (25 Secrets to Saving)

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If you have a favorite packing for long-term travel item that you just can’t live without, please comment below with your travel tips and tell us about it!

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and other affiliated sites. For more information  read our disclaimer .

Originally Posted:  November 2019. Frequently Updated.

About the Authors

This post was written in combination by Crystal Egan and Rosy Hawkins, two long-term travelers. Crystal travels with a huge backpack that she curses every day (just kidding, I love my hybrid backpack) while Rosy bounces along in life with only carry-on luggage.

We wanted to ensure you don’t forget anything before you leave on your long-term travels while also packing smart and not letting non-essential items weigh you down. You can read more about us below.

ROSY HAWKINS

Rosy is a remote-working writer, proofreader, marketer, and website-creator, with a background in the NPO, legal, health, and higher education sectors. Her work allows her to travel Central America and Mexico (at the moment – who knows where next) finding charities and ethical/sustainable businesses she can volunteer her skills and time with.

Most recently, she spent several months in the Guatemalan jungle village of El Remate, where she volunteered as marketing and communications manager with Project Ix-Canaan to design and develop their new website, create online content, write grant applications, and run a volunteer recruitment drive. She’s always looking for her next project, so  get in touch  if you know anyone who could use her help!

Know someone who always forgets things when they pack? Share this with them and (possibly) change their life!

Passionate baby goat cuddler and part-time adventurer, Crystal can often be found doing headstands on the edges of cliffs, taking photos of abandoned buildings or sleeping on deserted islands with dangerous criminals. She has too many awesome stories and helpful tips to keep them all to herself so follow along and in return she will bring you inspiring pictures, travel videos and a whole load of fun!

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Gear guides.

• Ultralight Backpacking Gear
• Best Ultralight Backpacks
• Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags
• Best Ultralight Tents
• Best Camp Shoes
• Best Down Jackets
• Best Rain Jackets
• Best Minimalist Sandals

Tips and How-To's

• Ultralight Backpacking Tips
• Animal Tracks ID Guide
• Contour Lines and Topo Maps
• How to Read Trail Signs

Food and Water

• Backpacking Food Ideas
• Backpacking Meal Recipes
• Best Meal Replacement Powders
• How Many Calories Do I Burn Backpacking?
• The Triple Crown of Hiking
• Appalachian Trail Map
• Gifts for Hikers
• What is Naked Hiking?

THE Ultimate Backpacking Checklist

Photo by @kaylinb1231

The following backpacking checklist pinpoints all the things you need to think about before and after your trip, as well as essential gear items to have in your pack. We start off with the list and continue with a description of each individual item. If you want to download the list a PDF, click here.

Backpacking Checklist

Click here to download this backpacking checklist as a PDF.

Trip Planning and Preparation

Sleep system, first aid kit, accessories, optional extras, once you're back, before you head out, 📅 figure out the logistics.

First, pick the hike you want to do and the direction you want to go, the season and month you’re beginning your hike in may influence this decision. Then, check trail conditions and do some research into the parking and logistics of getting to the trailhead ahead of time.

How are the roads? Are there any current closures? Are there shuttles in the area? What's the parking situation like? Can you park your car overnight, and what passes and permits are required for the area?

Since you might lose cell reception on the drive to the trailhead, it’s also not a bad idea to have a print-out of the directions and a map of the area.

Our free trail guides contain all the information you need to know.

⛈️ Check the Weather Forecast

Temperatures won’t be the same at ground level vs. 3,000 ft. up a mountain. Even in the desert , temperatures can range reaching into the 100’s during the day and down below freezing at night, which means you’ll need a variety of clothing for your hike.

Moisture-wicking, quick-dry fabrics are a good place to start and packing extra socks, liners and layers are valuable to change into for avoiding hypothermia in wet or sweaty conditions.

Checking weather predictions and average yearly temps ahead of time will give you some ideas into what to expect, and from there you can zero in on footwear and any extras you’ll need (sunglasses, sunblock, gaiters, etc.) by looking into the climate and terrain of where you’ll be hiking.

📞 Alert an Emergency Contact

Whether going on a day hike, an overnight backpacking trip or beginning the first leg of a thru-hike, informing someone about your plans ahead of time is always a good strategy. Nature can throw some curveballs your way, and in case you do get injured, lost, or don’t return on the day you originally planned for, it’s reassuring to know there’ll be someone to send out the search parties.

Here are three things you should share with a family/friend prior to beginning your hike:  

• A detailed trip plan
• A map with the exact location of where you’ll be hiking
• When you think you'll be back

To avoid having search parties sent out looking for you, be sure to let your family, loved ones or whoever you designated to be your contact person know that you’ve made it home safe and sound following your trip.

Hiking Hack: Cairn App is a great new real-life tracking app that allows you to select a “safety circle” you can share your hiking progress and location with in case of an emergency. It also automatically alerts your circle in case you’re overdue from your trip.

🚰 Map Out Water Sources

One of the most important things to locate on a trail is available water sources, especially if you're hiking in dry desert climates where water is especially sparse.

Knowing how many miles lie between water stations will help you determine how much water you’ll need to carry on you between re-fills. It’s also important to consider your water purification system , whether that be drops, a filter, boiling, etc.

📦 Plan Your Resupplies

Food resupply can either take a little or a lot of planning, depending on how you go about it. Since you only have so much room available for food at a time, you’ll need to come up with a system for restocking your food supply along the way. Whether you stick with one method or combine a few, here are some of the most popular food resupply options:

• Buy food at towns, gas stations and resupply points along the trail.
• Set-up a “bounce box” where you take what you need and put the rest back in the box and keep mailing it ahead from point to point.
• Have food boxes arranged ahead of time to get shipped and held at post offices.
• Have someone drop food off at certain locations for you to pick up.
• Rely on hiker boxes and eat whatever’s available (not necessarily the most reliable plan.)
• “Cache” your food: stash food at certain points along the trail ahead of time for pickup.

🤝 Distribute Your Gear

If you’re hiking with a few mates, then why not disperse the weight? Chances are there are a few heavy items you’ll all want to use, and hiking is definitely the time to adopt the sharing is caring mentality. Plan ahead with your group on who’s bringing what.

You can even trade off on carrying things like the stove, the bulk of the water or food supply or any other items that could be mutually used among the group.

📝 Get Insurance (Optional)

Planning an exciting excursion abroad? Trip insurance could be one of the most important purchases you make prior to your backpacking trip. There are several different plans you can choose from, and it can be worth the peace of mind knowing you’re protected against accidentally racking up a whopping $50,000 medical bill overseas. Here’s a further look into why trip insurance may be right for you: The 5 Best Travel Insurances .

💲 Make a Budget (Optional)

Living in the great outdoors should be cheap, right? Not necessarily. Buying the proper gear, supplies, and food ahead of time can add up quickly, and if you’re planning to be gone for an extended period, you’ll also have bills back home to account for months in advance. Creating a budget can help lay out a plan and manage your finances. Some key things to consider when planning your budget include trip length, transportation and travel costs, bills, food, lodging, misc. expenses on the trail, your emergency cash stash and costs of buying gear.

Backpacking Essentials

Your backpack is one of your most important pieces of gear. Make sure to choose a pack that weighs less than 2 lbs, rests comfortably on your pack and is made of a breathable material like Dyneema or nylon. As for capacity, we recommend 40L to 65L, depending on the length and duration of your trip. And remember, the bigger the pack, the more stuff people tend to shove in it and the heavier their pack ends up being.

A liner helps protect your backpack and its content from the rain. If you don't own a liner, you can use a trash compactor bag instead. It is just a effective. 

Trail shelters, tents, tarps and hammocks all can work for shelter. However, depending on the environment you’ll be spending your nights in one option may certainly be preferable over the other. Bugs, weather, and terrain can influence shelter selection.

Relying on camp shelters can be hit or miss in availability.

Hammocks are great on saving weight—as long as you’ve got somewhere you can hang them.

Tarps can work, but the no walls thing can be a bummer.

For harsher climates ultralight tents can come in handy and are surprisingly durable, however, they can cost a pretty penny.

🛏️ Sleep System

Sleep systems consist of a sleeping pad, sleeping bag, a liner and a pillow (if you want one).

The sleeping pad is your comfort and protection from the ground. It’s advised to test it out ahead of time in a few different settings to ensure it's comfortable and has enough insulation. Sleeping pads come in a variety of lengths, thicknesses, and they can be inflatable or foam.

Sleeping bags should fall between 1-3 pounds. Depending on the environment and temperature range you’ll be in, you can choose between down or synthetic insulation, a summer, three-season or winter bag, and the style (mummy, quilt, rectangular, etc.).

Liners   are a good way to keep the inside of your sleeping bag clean and provide some extra insulation, although not indispensable.

Cooking equipment is all about ease and multi-purpose use. Take a spork, for example. The little utensil is light, practical, and gives the best of both worlds. On the note of utensils, plastic silverware can be tempting over steel or titanium because of its weight and cost, but it’s not durable.

You’ll also want to pack a good cutting knife, dishware (a steel cup or bowl should do) and plan on bringing something to boil water with like either a pot or jet boil with fuel .

Lastly, you can choose your clean up method: hot water and scrubbing or a biodegradable soap option .

🥑 Food and Water

As a rule of thumb, plan to carry 2 lbs of food for each day of hiking. For example, if your next resupply point is 5 days away, you should have about 10 lbs of food in your pack. A great way to optimize your food load is to stick with options that have a high calorie-per-ounce ratio. Here are some great candidates . 

As for water, it highly depends on how far water sources are from another. If water is abundant on the trail, you might get away with not carrying any water at all—simply drink at the source. If water sources are scarce however, you'll want to fill up one or two 1-L bottles and take those with you  on the trail. More on this topic  here .

👕 Clothes (Worn and Packed)

Climate and weather will be the biggest determinants here. This is also where layering comes in handy.

You want to pack at least one set of clothes for hiking and another set for camp (including shoes). Your hiking clothes are unavoidably going to get wet from either sweat or rain. So when you'll be done hiking for the day, you'll be glad to to have dry, warm clothes to change into.

Hiking in cold weather? You'll have to pack a few extra items to stay warm—down jacket, rain shell, wool beanie, gloves, etc.

📍 Navigation

There are many GPS, Satellite or downloadable app options to choose from for navigation. Many apps even allow you to pre-load trail maps on your phone so you can use them both on and offline.

But, how you plan your trail navigation is all about preference—and how linked into technology you want to be. If you do decide to go the tech route, it’s not a bad idea to have a backup navigation plan… just in case.

Having a compass , a map or a guidebook of the trail that marks campsites, water sources and other notable features can be a great resource.

Headlamps are the most popular lighting option since they allow hikers to go hands-free and are multipurpose (many have floodlights, red beams, distress signals, adjustable lighting). There are even rechargeable headlamps you can choose from.

But, there are still hikers out there that prefer the good old flashlight, lantern or tent light instead. Since lighting options come in all different shapes and sizes, some starting steps to help decide what’s right for you is to consider the desired light output level and time estimate (lumen count), beam distance, battery type, water-resistance rating and activity you’ll be using the light for.

🧼 Toiletries

Just because you’re hiking for days on end with no shower, doesn’t mean you need to forgo all of your personal hygiene rituals. Toothpaste, a toothbrush, soap, washcloths and hand sanitizer can go a long way. Biodegradable wipes can also be great for a quick wipe-down when there’s no water around. Toilet paper is always an option too.

🚑 First Aid Kit

You never know what can happen on the trail. From cuts and blisters to fever, a complete first aid kit can take the worry out of your outdoor adventures. No need to overdo it though. A pair of tweezers, some gauze pads, antiseptic, band-aids and a handful of pain killers can go long way. To avoid excessive weight, repackage everything and stick to about a week's worth of supplies. If you find yourself running low, stock up at the next trail town.

🔥 Backpacking Accessories

Going hiking near a lake, or during the peak of mosquito season? Might want to bring along some bug spray . Does your hike lead into bear territory? Many parks require bear bags or canisters for overnight stays.

Ever heard how duck-tape can fix everything? It’s true, a roll can repair tears and rips and also be used as protection against an oncoming blister. A pocket knife or waterproof matches are a few other items you might want to consider packing.

☂️ Optional Extras

Depending on where you’ll be hiking, it may be valuable to pack gaiters, an ice ax, sunglasses, a sun hat, lip balm or a hiking umbrella . Some hikers even bring things like whistles, earplugs and trekking poles.

Then, there’s always the fun stuff you could bring along like a deck of cards, a journal to record your backpacking trip or a book for those evenings by the fire. What’s important to have on your thru-hike is up to you. Everyone’s experience is uniquely theirs, and after some time out on the trail you’ll pinpoint what extras you don’t want to go without.

✂️ Optimize Your Gear

Anything you can do to cut weight in your pack, do it! This could include re-packaging items, cutting off extra straps or tags on your pack or losing your toothbrush handle (who really needs that, anyway?) Whatever isn’t a necessity should get the boot, and there are tons of ways you can do this. Ultralight packing and living with the bare minimum is key here. Your back and legs will thank you.

After Your Trip

🧺 wash and store your gear.

You made it! You accomplished your trip and have had the experience of a lifetime. Congrats! Now before you start celebrating there are a few things you need to do first—like properly clean, dry out and store all your backpacking gear.

When washing clothes, shoes, sleeping bag, tent, jackets, etc. stick with specifically formulated washes rather than regular detergents, and always make sure you store your supplies when they’re fully dry.

Products like Nikwax (a DWR re-waterproofing agent) and Active Wash (a wash that removes odors) work well on a variety of items. Cleaning your gear will help it last and it also gives you a good opportunity to go through and inspect it for repairs (busted seams, tears, etc.)

📖 Record Your Memories

Like anything in life, practice will make you better at it. Backpacking is the same way. After a few trips, you’ll take note of the things you can and cannot go without. After each backpacking trip, take a moment to go back to your original packing list and make notes. Add things that were vital to you and cross out others you didn’t need, and do this while the experience is still fresh in your mind so you’ll already be setting yourself up for success next time around.

About Katie Licavoli

About greenbelly.

After thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Chris Cage created Greenbelly to provide fast, filling and balanced meals to backpackers. Chris also wrote How to Hike the Appalachian Trail .

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17 Top Long-Term Travel Packing List Items for 2024 + What to Wear & NOT to Bring

Packing for long-term travel can be challenging. It’s hard to predict what you’ll need if you’re visiting multiple places for an extended period. While it’s an amazing feeling to have everything you need in a backpack while traveling long term, it can also be a battle to make everything fit!

That’s why I’ve drawn from my own experiences to put together this long-term travel packing list. Also, you’ll find sections on what to wear during long-term travel , what NOT to bring, and FAQ answers.

While you’ll want to pack light, you also need to make sure you’re prepared for anything and have everything you need to feel safe, refreshed, and comfortable, wherever in the world you end up.

What to Pack for Long-Term Travel – 17 Essentials

1. backpack.

Packing for long-term travel starts with a good backpack. During your travels, you’re likely to be moving around a lot. Being able to carry all of your luggage on your back makes that easy, whereas juggling suitcases and multiple bags is difficult when you’re walking through cities, and hopping on and off of busses and trains. Make sure to get a backpack with anti-gravity suspension so that your load feels lighter, and it’s also important to buy for your gender as women’s backpacks are fitted for the female body whereas men’s backpacks distribute the weight differently.

View on Amazon.com ➜

2. Travel Towel

A travel towel is absolutely essential for long-term travel. These travel towels pack small and dry quickly, so they’re perfect for carrying around on the move. You also don’t need to clean them as frequently as a normal towel, which is great when you aren’t able to do laundry as frequently. I use my travel towel both outdoors and for bathing.

3. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN protects your security. This means hassle free transactions at airports, hotels, AirBnBs, cafes and even roadside vendors without worrying about your credit card number being hacked or stolen. Unfortunately, I’ve learned from personal experience that travelers are easy targets for credit card fraud. With a VPN you can feel safer and more free in your transactions.

View NordVPN.com Options ➜

4. Packing Cubes

When you’re living out of a backpack, things can get messy really quickly. That’s why I rely on packing cubes. They organize your luggage so that finding your belongings, packing and unpacking is a breeze. When you’re moving from place to place, you’ll be grateful that your backpack is so organized.

5. Neck Wallet

It can be easy to lose track of your valuables while traveling long term. Especially as you move through bus stations, train stations and airports, you want to always be sure that your passport and wallet are safe. This pouch allows you to carry your passport, debit cards, cash and documents safely under your shirt where pickpockets can’t reach them. This neck wallet even comes with RFID blocking to prevent e-thieves from stealing your credit card details.

6. Lifestraw Water Bottle

I can’t understate the importance of traveling with your own water bottle. If you don’t, you can easily end up wasting a lot of unnecessary money and plastic. A Lifestraw water bottle is best because it filters and purifies water on the go, which means that you can drink from anywhere. Depending on where you are, often your water source won’t be reliable, so a water bottle with a built-in filter is a huge plus.

7. Universal Power Adapter

Moving between different countries, you’ll need a good universal power adapter so that you can plug in your electronics anywhere. This one has a built-in fuse to protect your devices during a power surge, and is lightweight and compact.

8. Lipstick-Sized Portable Charger

Whether you spend ten hours on a bus or stay overnight camping somewhere remote, you’ll likely have periods without access to electricity during your travels. This portable charger is lightweight, compact, and greatly extends the battery life of your electronics. It’s much nicer to venture off the beaten track when you know that you’re carrying around your own pocket-sized power supply!

9. Activated Charcoal

When visiting new countries, it is likely that not all of the new foods that you try will sit well in your stomach. In fact, during long-term travel I accept the reality that generally my stomach is likely to frequently be upset. Activated charcoal is a hero for the stomach, as it absorbs toxins, helping you to recover quickly. It’s essential to keep handy when you’re trying new cuisines.

10. Daypack

In addition to your big backpack, you’ll need a smaller pack for day use. I love daypacks that fold up small so that they don’t take up any extra space in your larger pack, but also can be used as an option if you, say, have a shopping trip and your luggage starts to overflow. This daypack is rainproof and ultralight.

11. Travel Pillow

I love my travel pillow. It comes in handy for long flights or bus rides, as well as camping and budget accommodations that are less than comfortable. It rolls up small so it is easy to carry around, but when unrolled this Thermarest travel pillow is so comfortable that you can literally fall asleep anywhere.

12. Lightweight Sleeping Bag

I’ve visited hostels around the world where the insulation and bedding just doesn’t cut it. That’s why I think it’s important to always have your own sleeping bag onhand. This one is light so it won’t add unnecessary weight to your bag. A sleeping bag can make a huge difference when it comes to a good night’s sleep, particularly if you’re traveling somewhere that can get cold.

13. Packable Down Jacket

This packable down jacket is perfect because it can keep you very warm, but isn’t as bulky as most winter wear. It packs small and is extremely light, so it can easily fit into your backpack without adding weight. It’s versatile and works equally well on a chilly summer night, as a fall or spring coat, and as a winter layer.

14. Hiking Boots

During long-term travels, it is likely that you’ll live in your hiking boots. Long-term travel can entail lots and lots of walking, so you want to make sure that you wear shoes that are kind to your feet. Merrel makes great hiking boots that are durable, comfortable, stylish, waterproof, and have fantastic grip for tough terrain.

15. Travel Hammock

A travel hammock is a must for long-term travel. You can string it up in a forest or on a beach and have a perfect rest day. Best of all, it only takes a minute or two to set up. This travel hammock is relatively lightweight and small, and it’s worth carrying around for some luxury and comfort wherever you are.

16. Waterproof Compression Sacks

Using compression sacks for packing has revolutionized travel for me. It saves space in your luggage by compressing your clothes, sleeping bag and towel, removing air to pack down smaller. As you travel and shop at local markets, accumulating stuff, this will be the gift that keeps on giving. These compression sacks are also waterproof, and it is always good to have that added protection on a rainy day.

17. Travel Insurance

Because you never know what might happen while traveling abroad, travel insurance is necessary. Especially if you want to venture out of your comfort zone while traveling – which you should! – you’ll feel better if you are insured. TravelInsurance.com is the best, protecting you in unpredictable events from illness and injury to theft. Plus, you can compare policies from top companies to find the one that best fits you and your travel plans.

Compare policies at TravelInsurance.com ➜

Other Long-Term Travel Packing items not to forget

• Sleeping mask
• Headphone splitter
• First Aid Kit
• Toiletry bag
• Toothbrush cover
• Miniature hairbrush
• Travel umbrella
• Kindle case
• Pencil case
• Waterproof phone case
• Waterproof camera
• Shampoo bar
• Thermal underwear
• Reef safe sunscreen
• Insect repellant
• Tea tree oil
• Travel toilet paper
• Hand sanitizer
• Passport photos
• Hiking socks

What to Wear During Long-Term Travel

Three types of shoes are essential for women during long-term travel: hiking boots, flip flops, and lightweight comfortable flats. While hiking boots are necessary so that you can regularly walk long distances comfortably, flip flops are good for slipping on and hostel use, and lightweight flats can be worn out to dinner or whenever you’re sick of wearing your hiking boots. Women should pack a couple of versatile dresses that work equally well for a casual day or a night out, depending on whether they’re dressed up or down. A cross body purse is also helpful for casual excursions. Leggings are great for long-term travel because they’re light and pack small, and are comfortable for both sleeping and travel. What men should wear during long-term travel (Click to expand) Below is a sample men’s clothing list. (All items link to Amazon.com for your convenience).

Packing for the Long-Term Travel

Seasons vary depending on where you are going, so you’ll have to do individual research for the specific places you’re planning to visit. I’ve put together this rough guide though, to help you with your ideas.

Springtime can be wet, so make sure that you have a good rain jacket. Be prepared with layers for changing temperatures throughout the day, and active wear with long sleeves. A compact jacket is good to carry around wherever you go, just in case temperatures suddenly get cold.

Summer is the easiest time to travel in terms of your packing list. You can wear shorts (menwomen), lightweight pants (men & women), summer dresses, and t-shirts or tank tops. Flip flops are great for summer travel because they’re easy to slip on and off. You also may want to travel with hiking sandals (men & women) instead of or in addition to your hiking boots, because they’re cooler and more comfortable for warmer weather.

As for springtime travel, make sure that you always have layers on hand for when temperatures get cool. This should include merino base layers, which are fantastic because they can keep you both cool or warm depending on what your body needs. Also carry around your compact down jacket for quick and easy warmth when you need it. Hiking boots are the most practical footwear for fall travel. A flannel, and more lightweight sweaters, are also comfortable for travel during this season.

In the winter, though bulky, you usually do need to travel with a proper winter coat. A ski jacket is versatile for many activities and perfect for snow. You’ll also want a microfleece sweater, and thermal base layers for layering up. Merino hiking socks will keep your feet warm, and make sure to pack hiking boots that are insulated and keep your feet dry in rain or snow. Don’t forget a neck warmer, which is often lighter and easier to travel with than a scarf, and a good warm beanie.

RAINY SEASON

You may be traveling to somewhere with a rainy season. In that case, you’ll want to wear clothing that can easily get wet. Waterproof or quick drying shorts and a rain jacket are key. It’s also best to wear hiking sandals with good grip during the rainy season, so that they can get wet and dry quickly, keeping your feet comfortable.

Hiking – For hiking and other outdoor adventure activities, make sure you wear your hiking boots and hiking pants or shorts. Activewear shirts with sweat-wicking technologies are best for keeping you comfortable and cool, and if it is particularly cold wear merino base layers that will keep you warm when cold and cool as you warm up.

Religious sites – Research local customs to make sure that you dress respectfully for visiting religious sites like temples. Carry long sleeves and a sarong to wrap around your shoulders or waist, because often it is disrespectful to show shoulders or legs at various religious sites.

Nightlife – Don’t overdress for nightlife with chunky heels and clothing that is fancy and impractical. Women can get away with flats and a dress, while men can wear nice lightweight shoes, jeans, and a button-down.

The beach – If you’ll be spending lots of time at the beach, be sure to pack a stylish and comfortable beach cover-up in addition to your bathing suit and flip flops. Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen.

What NOT to bring for long-term travel

1. bulky or uncomfortable shoes.

Leave high heels and other fancy impractical shoes behind. They take up too much room in your baggage and also can be easily damaged when lugged around. Both women and men should only pack shoes that are lightweight and comfortable for long-term use, in addition to hiking boots.

2. Many books

No matter how much you love to read, carrying around too many books on your back is heavy and impractical. I recommend just investing in a kindle for your travels, which is much lighter and also means that you can buy books on-the-go wherever you have wifi.

3. Unnecessary Valuables – including clothes

Traveling long term and moving around a lot, it may at times become difficult to keep track of all of your things. Leave unnecessary valuables behind, including clothing that is precious to you. Apart from necessary items like your passport, wallet, and phone, you should be prepared for the possibility of damaging or losing whatever you travel with long-term.

4. Delicate items

Because you’ll most likely be traveling with a large backpack and moving around a lot, delicate items are not likely to fare well during long-term travel. Leave delicates behind and pack durable, practical items that can handle getting tossed around.

5. Too many clothes

You don’t have room in your backpack for an entire wardrobe, unfortunately. Only pack a few practical outfits, and clothing that is versatile and that you don’t mind wearing over and over again.

6. Lots of cash

Both because of pickpocketing and border crossings with changes in currency, try to keep the cash you carry to a safe but practical minimum. When you take out cash, it can also be a good idea to note the ATMs you use in case of hacking and fraud.

7. Bath towel

A bath towel is impractical because it takes a long time to dry and is bulky in your luggage. It can make your whole backpack mouldy. Bring a travel towel instead.

FAQs about Long-Term Travel

1. how can i travel long-term on a low budget.

Budgeting is especially important when traveling long term. In addition to staying in budget-friendly hostels, it is also a good idea to look into work exchange through  www.workaway.info  or  www.wwoof.net . This gives you accommodation in exchange for work rather than money, and also often includes amazing cultural experiences where you can interact more deeply with locals and spend more time in one place. Don’t be afraid to use local public transport, usually cheaper than private travel, and to try delicious local street foods. It is often more practical to cook many of your meals at your hostel rather than relying on eating out every day. Look into free experiences, like free city walking tours, to learn about where you are without paying extra.

2. Where should I stay while traveling long term?

Look into budget accommodation, like hostels and homestays. As mentioned, also look for accommodation that suits your interests through work exchange, so that you don’t have to spend money for every night of your trip.  www.workaway.info  and  www.wwoof.net  are full of amazing cultural experiences that can both deepen and cheapen your trip. If you’re traveling in places like New Zealand or Hawai’i, look into using a camper van or even just a tent.

3. How and when should I get my visas?

Visa rules are different in every country, so make sure that you do careful research and plan ahead for everywhere you go. I’ve learned this the hard way! Start early because some visas require multiple embassy visits and a few weeks wait, while many you can get online and instantly.

4. What are the best regions for travel long-term?

The region you travel in depends on your interests. Southeast Asia is classic for low-budget travel, warm weather, natural beauty and depth, and diversity in cultural experiences. There is also a well-established infrastructure of hostels there, which makes life easier if you’re new to traveling long term. Central and South America are similarly amazing regions to travel in, full of adventures, but can be slightly more expensive. Europe, of course, is the most expensive, but fantastic for art and cities. Southeastern Europe and the Balkans have amazing cultures, histories, wine, and beaches without costing as much as Northern and Western Europe. Central Asia is extremely adventurous and off-the-beaten-track and can be stunningly beautiful. Particularly if you’re a more seasoned traveler and desire more local experiences without as much tourism “industry,” Central Asia is worth looking into. There is also never enough time to spend in single countries that you fall in love with. In countries like India or New Zealand, you can travel for months without ever getting bored.

5. What is the best way to get around while traveling long term?

Transport also depends on where you are. Public transport is often the cheapest mode of travel while also offering the best insights into local life, but it can also be uncomfortable and slow. Sometimes the best option is to rent or even buy your own car for total freedom and autonomy to explore. To travel sustainably, do reduce your flights and travel by land (or sea!) when you can.

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Your Moving Road Trip Checklist

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Planning to move long distance? For many, this is the perfect excuse to go on a long road trip . With so many beautiful cities and landmark attractions to see throughout the U.S., it’s easy to understand why people often opt to drive to their new home. Think you’re ready for the trip? Whether you’re crossing the country or just a few state lines, here’s your ultimate moving road trip checklist.  

Your moving road trip checklist 

Car essentials.

• Insurance policy information
• License and registration
• Jumper cables
• Extra trash bags for yourself and family
• Face masks for traveling during Covid
• Hand sanitizer
• Car seat organizer for snacks, baby toys, etc
• A cooler for perishable food and drink

Babies and toddlers

• UV window shades
• Baby blanket for keeping the kids warm
• Portable fan for keeping them cool
• Pack ‘n Play for overnight stays
• Portable highchair for meals on the go (try Inglesina or the Hiccapop)
• Several books
• Teething toys
• iPad and iPad charger
• Portable white noise machine
• Diapers or pull-ups
• Several changes of clothing
• Swaddles or wearable blankets for sleep
• Toiletries for the kids (travel shampoo, etc)

Food and drink

• Plenty of bottled water
• Juice for kids
• Food pouches (such as applesauce or yogurt)
• Snacks (easy road trip snacks include granola bars, bananas, avocados, nuts, baked goods and jars of baby food)
• Pre-made sandwiches in the cooler
• Pre-made pasta salad in the cooler
• Paper plates, bowls and plastic silverware
• Small container of dishwashing soap
• One roll of paper towels for messes

Personal items

• Enough clothes and pajamas for the trip
• Rainjackets
• Travel toiletry kit
• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Phones and phone chargers
• Laptops and laptop chargers
• First Aid Kit
• Travel pillow, if necessary
• Hats and sunglasses
• Cash for toll roads
• A folder for important documents and personal items (think: your passport!)  

Advantages of driving versus flying

Here are several advantages to driving long distance as opposed to flying to your destination.

Driving is less expensive than flying

Driving gives you more flexibility, driving allows you to see more of the country, important tips for long distance driving.

Moving long distance? A little planning and preparation will go a long way in making your trip smooth and seamless. Here are several important tips for road-tripping it to a new home.

Plan the route

Prepare snacks and food for the cooler, get your car serviced, book your lodging ahead of time, download a map before the trip, download media before the trip, double-check to make sure you have all important documents, need a professional moving company to drive your belongings.

Fortunately, Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable  movers  makes it easy to book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. For additional help planning your upcoming move, check out our  move planner  tool. We provide you with customizable moving checklists, personal tasks list, email reminders and coupons to help you stay organized during a move. Best of luck and happy moving!

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Author: Marian White

If anyone knows how to move, it’s Marian White. The South Carolina native spent the last decade living and working in Washington, DC, New York City, Boston and Palm Beach. With every move, she mastered the art of folding bankers boxes, repurposing bubble wrap and unabashedly asking for directions. Before writing for Moving.com, Marian authored “Moving to Palm Beach County: The Un-Tourist Guide,” a relocation guide for moving to the Palm Beaches. Marian has an M.A. in Global Marketing Communications from Emerson College and a B.A. from Furman University. View all posts by Marian White

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How to Make a Long-Haul Flight More Comfortable

By Jessica Poitevien

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Even for the most experienced travelers, the actual process of getting to your destination is hardly ever the fun part. Unforeseen inconveniences aside—think flight delays and last-minute cancellations—there are certainly travelers who enjoy the aviation experience (myself included), and have fine-tuned the art of packing for a strenuous long-haul flight.

For the seasoned explorer with rusty travel skills or the newbie headed to their first far-flung destination, we’ve asked those frequent travelers to share their best tips, tricks, and gear to get through—and maybe even enjoy—a long-haul flight. 

Below, what to pack to make that next overnight or all-day flight more comfortable.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Wear comfortable clothing

This may seem like a no-brainer, but whether you’re traveling in a lie-flat first class seat or barely reclining in economy , a pleasant flight starts with feeling comfortable. While you might be able to handle tighter, more restrictive clothing for a short period of time, consider looser loungewear during a long-haul flight.

“I wear clothes that are comfortable but not sloppy,” says Katie Hammel, an avid traveler and content marketing director at Scott’s Cheap Flights . “My husband recently bought me, as an anniversary gift, a set of cashmere joggers and hoodie from Nadaam . [They] are luxuriously soft and so comfortable, but still look put together.”

Take the coziness up a notch by removing your shoes, but pack a pair of easy-to-slip-on sandals or slippers for when you want to use the restroom or wander the aisles. Stretching and moving on such a long flight is key to avoiding swelling and discomfort in the legs. Throwing on a pair of compression socks can also reduce swelling and alleviate the pins-and-needles sensation.

Shop more loungewear sets here .

Shop more compression socks here .

Pack the right gear

Hammel describes two products as her “holy grail” for enduring long-haul flights: the Travelrest Ultimate inflatable travel pillow and a leg sling . This Travelrest pillow does more than its C-shaped counterparts, allowing for flexibility in the firmness and positioning of the elongated pillow. Amazon’s Bcozzy double support neck pillow is also a top-seller among travelers thanks to its variety of configurations.

Hammel initially had concerns that her favorite portable footrest would annoy her fellow passengers. After more than two dozen flights, though, she has yet to receive any complaints.

“It just makes the ride so much more comfortable as it allows you to have your legs in a wider variety of positions,” she says.

Other common causes of discomfort during any flight, but especially longer ones, are cold temperatures and stuffiness. Lavina Dsouza , a UK–based business analyst and journalist who often flies to Asia, always packs a blanket and hand warmers , as well 4Head roll-on menthol sticks to help with headaches and congestion.

Sleep strategically

Sleeping is one of the simplest ways to make a long-haul flight go by quickly, but there’s a method to ensure you don’t totally disrupt your sleep patterns and succumb to jet lag . If you’ll be arriving at your destination during the day, get as much sleep as possible during the flight, so you can hit the ground running and adopt a normal bedtime in your destination. If you’re touching down at night, resist snoozing too much so you’ll be sleepy enough to hit the hay at a decent hour in your new time zone. Food and travel writer Binita Sah goes as far as to coordinate her meals with regular mealtimes in her destination—in fact, most airlines already schedule their food service with this idea in mind.

Of course, sleeping on a plane is sometimes easier said than done, but there are ways to put the odds in your favor. “I love Spacemasks for when you need something uplifting to help you get some sleep as they’re eye masks with aromatherapy scents,” says Sah.

Meditation apps like Headspace or MyNoise are also useful for playing relaxing music or nature sounds that can help you fall asleep.

Prepare entertainment in advance

“I create an itinerary so that I spend the flight time being creative and productive,” says Christopher Paul Jones , who runs a phobia clinic. “Reframe how you see the flight. See it as some uninterrupted you-time, or self care time.”

Plan to download and catch up on your favorite TV series , movies , or podcasts ; finally tackle that task you’ve been putting off; or dive into a good book .

Although airlines often offer a flimsy set of headphones to use with the in-seat TVs, noise-canceling headphones —like this popular pair from Bose —can also double as earplugs for sleeping. If you prefer something smaller, be sure to pack this tiny transmitter that connects the in-seat TV to your AirPods or any other Bluetooth-enabled earbuds.

Stay hydrated

The low humidity levels inside an airplane cabin make dehydration a common problem for passengers, so “bring your own water bottle and make it a large one,” says Henley Vazquez, co-founder of tech-forward travel agency Fora . “You don’t want to rely on flight attendants to bring you water, and you want to stay hydrated.” Some frequent fliers abstain from drinking alcohol and caffeine leading up to a flight to avoid extra dehydration, too.

For Suzanne Aston, lead singer of the Aston Band , it’s especially important to hop off the plane feeling hydrated and ready to head to her next gig, so she goes the extra mile by wearing a HumidiFlyer mask . “It traps exhaled moisture from your breath and allows you to breathe in your own recycled humidity and not the dried, shared air of the plane,” she says, explaining that this mask prevents her throat from drying out and leaves her feeling more refreshed. (To note, the HumidiFlyer is not an anti-viral mask .)

Practice self care

The importance of hydration applies to your skin as well. “The dry air in the cabin is particularly harsh on your skin, stripping the moisture barrier of its oils,” says Giacomo Piva, travel industry analyst and cofounder of luggage storage network Radical Storage . “Carry and apply moisturizer at regular intervals throughout the flight, especially for your hands…[and] you’ll reach your destination with plump skin and less irritation.”

Piva even encourages travelers to treat the flight like their own personal spa, using a thick face mask for extra moisture, along with their favorite beauty products .

Refresh before getting off the plane

With lost luggage becoming an increasingly common issue, it’s always a good idea to pack a few outfits in your carry-on just in case. But this advice also serves another purpose.

“It makes a big difference when you land to be able to change into something fresh and put yourself together,” says Vazquez. Packing a small toiletry bag with some basics—like a toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer, perfume, and eye drops—goes a long way toward starting your trip on the right foot.

The Ultimate Bike Trip Packing List

This is everything you’ll need on the road for a long-distance cycling trip.

Whether venturing abroad or trying a new route at home, traveling on two wheels is a fun way to explore at your own pace.

A thorough packing list will ensure you're prepared for a multi-day bike trip. You’ll need to consider the local climate, duration of the trip, and potential bike contingencies to be ready for on your adventure. At the same time, you should travel light and narrow your list to just the essential apparel, gear, and accessories so you’re not pulling unnecessary weight.

Read on for more on what to pack for your next bike trip.

Packing Checklist

Apparel and shoes.

• Best Cycling Shorts for Men: Giordana Men’s FR-C Pro Cycling Shorts
• Best Cycling Shorts for Women: Pearl iZUMI Women’s Expedition Shorts
• Best Riding Jersey: Showers Pass Apex Merino Tech T-shirt LS

Best Gloves: Giro La DND Mountain Cycling Gloves

• Best Socks: Giro Seasonal Merino Wool Socks

Best Cycling Shoes: Fi'zi:k Vento Infinito Carbon 2 Cycling Shoe

Best jacket: rapha trail lightweight jacket, essential gear, best helmet: bontrager velocis mips road bike helmet, best pedals: shimano eh500 spd dual sided bike pedal, best bike mirror: cateye bm-45 bar end mirror, best hydration: evoc hip pack pro 3l.

• Best Pannier Bag: Ortlieb Back-roller Classic Panniers
• Best Men’s-specific Bike Seat: Ergon SMC Core Bike Saddle
• Best Women’s-specific Bike Seat: Selle Italia Women’s Diva Gel Superflow MTB Road Bike Saddle
• Best Multitool: Crankbrothers M19 Multi-tool

Best Pump: Lezyne Micro Floor Drive Hand Pump

Best phone mount: peak design universal bar mount, best tent: mountain hardwear nimbus ul 2 tent.

• Best Sleeping Bag: Rab Mythic Ultra 360 Down Sleeping Bag
• Best Cooking System: Jetboil Stash Stove

Accessories

Best sunglasses: julbo fury sunglasses.

• Best Sunscreen: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen
• Best First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical Kit Ultralight/Watertight First Aid Kit
• Best Portable Charger: ChargeCard Ultra-thin Credit Card-sized Portable Charger & Battery Bank

When and where you’ll be cycling are key factors that should guide your packing list for a bike trip . “There isn’t much difference between a short trip and a long trip,” says adventure YouTuber Ryan Van Duzer. “The weather is what makes the difference on what clothing to pack, whether it be base layers for warmth or waterproof protection,” adds Van Duzer.

Besides the riding conditions, it’s also important to consider comfort, performance, and durability in your cycling apparel. “Look for clothing and apparel with merino wool to prevent odor, especially on longer trips and if you’ll be repeating outfits,” advises Van Duzer. Other items, like padded bike shorts and cycling shoes, should balance lasting comfort with performance to enhance your pedaling power, efficiency, and stamina. Choosing high-quality, durable apparel will help ensure you get plenty of miles out of your purchases.

Best Men’s Cycling Shorts: Giordana Men's FR-C Pro Cycling Shorts

Buy at Amazon.com

Buy at Backcountry.com

If you’re planning on longer rides and multiple days in the saddle, padded bike shorts are essential to stay comfortable. The Giordana FR-C Pros excel when it comes to comfort and performance. The shorts’ Cirro OmniForm chamois is designed with multiple layers that form to the shape of the rider while providing ventilation and relief channels in sensitive areas. The chamois also incorporates aloe vera into the fabric to soothe skin and prevent odor. While the FR-C Pro’s tight fit takes some getting used to, the elastic leg bands and waist panel manage to achieve security without being overly compressive. After regularly wearing these for months, we love that the high-quality, anti-abrasion fabric offers soft supportive compression that make you want to ride all day.

Price at time of publish: $190

Best Women’s Cycling Shorts: Pearl iZUMi Women’s Expedition Shorts

Buy at Rei.com

Buy at Pearlizumi.com

The Pearl iZUMI women’s expedition shorts impressed us for their high-quality construction and long-lasting comfort. The brand’s Elite Transfer fabric provides a flexible, yet supportive fit and wicks away moisture. We love the padding’s barely-there feeling and ability to stay in place during long rides. The wide waistband design prevents chafing and an overly restrictive fit so you can mix up riding positions and pedal comfortably for hours. Pearl iZUMI incorporated three pockets in the expedition shorts — two cargo pockets and a center-back pocket — allowing easier access to snacks or an extra layer. With a competitive retail price, these shorts are a great value, too. For an even more aerodynamic fit, consider the bibbed version of these shorts .

Price at time of publish: $70

Best Riding Jersey: Showers Pass Apex Merino Tech T-shirt

The Showers Pass Apex Merino Tech T-shirt is designed with cyclists in mind. Made with an 87 percent merino wool and 13 percent nylon blend, the shirt is breathable and odor-resistant. “I like wearing natural fibers like merino wools — they don’t stink compared to polyester materials,” notes Van Duzer, who has ridden across the continental United States and other countries around the world. The Apex Merino Tech shirt features a relaxed fit and lengthier back in both the men’s and women’s versions for optimal coverage, especially when hunched forward in an aggressive riding position. It also boasts UPF 40 sun protection and a reflective label to enhance visibility on the road.

Price at time of publish: $71

Related: The 13 Best Bike Shorts for Women of 2023

The Giro LA DND Mountain Cycling Gloves offer tactile handling and durable protection for the hands. While they’re popular with mountain bikers, these rugged gloves are well-suited for road cycling too, not to mention boasting the benefit of avoiding knuckle tan lines. The DND gloves use a three-panel construction and an AX Suede palm that enhances the grip and prevents bunching. They’re made with breathable, four-way stretch fabric and reinforced fingertips that are touchscreen compatible. To lessen the impact of vibrations and bumps, the gloves include thin gel padding.

Price at time of publish: $22

Best Socks: Giro Seasonal Merino Wool Sock

Buy at Giro.com

The Giro Seasonal Merino Wool Sock achieves an ideal balance between comfort and durability. Made with 70 percent merino wool, the socks are breathable, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant. The heel and toes are reinforced with nylon to extend the life of the socks. The Giro socks feature six-inch cuffs, shielding the lower legs from sun and anything the road throws at you. They’re available in four sizes (S-XL) and come in a variety of colors and patterns. Note that this is a mid-weight sock, which may be a bit excessive for road cycling in hotter climates.

Price at time of publish: $12

Buy at Mikesbikes.com

The Fi’zi:k Vento Infinito Carbon 2 Cycling Shoes deliver top-notch road cycling performance. The Infinito shoe is incredibly stiff and places the cleat towards the center of the foot, providing efficient power transfer to the pedals. Despite their stiffness, the shoe avoids pressure points and hotspots by creating a snug wraparound fit for comfort and support. This fit comes courtesy of the BOA Li2 closure system, which consists of two dials that carry out two-way adjustments to the finest degree. While you’re pedaling away, the shoe’s Microtex upper facilitates airflow to regulate moisture and temperature. Though the Infinito fetches a premium price, it delivers exceptional performance and durable, lightweight construction that’s a worthwhile investment for avid road cyclists.

Price at time of publish: $370

Related: The Best Electric Bikes for Every Type of Rider

Buy at Rapha.cc

The Rapha Lightweight Trail Jacket was made for cycling. The fit delivers freedom of movement and the entire jacket can be stuffed into the chest pocket and strapped to the bike frame for convenient transport. The ripstop nylon fabric construction is lightweight, breathable, and windproof. Cyclists can easily adjust the drawstring hood, which nearly fits over a helmet , while riding. Meanwhile, elastic cuffs provide a no-fuss method for keeping sleeves in place. The Trail Jacket is available in both men’s and women’s versions and in six different sizes.

Price at time of publish: $90

Whether you’ll be hauling your own gear on a bikepacking trip or cycling on a multi-day tour , there are some essential items you’ll need to stay safe, comfortable, and prepared for the unexpected on the road. Besides upgrading your bike pedals and seat, you’ll want to think about integrating storage and safety features on your ride, too. It’s also important to be prepared for flat tires and roadside fixes.

Buy at Trekbikesflorida.com

The Bontrager Velocis MIPS Road Bike Helmet is designed to help cyclists reach top speeds while staying cool. The polycarbonate helmet opted for fewer, but larger vents (10 total) to balance ventilation and aerodynamics. The vents and internal channels keep air flowing through the helmet, while the pads wick away moisture for long-lasting comfort. The Velocis MIPS helmet comes in three sizes (small, medium, and large), and the BOA closure system makes it easy to adjust and dial in the right fit with a single hand. The helmet features a multi-directional impact protection system (MIPS) developed by doctors and scientists to reduce rotational motion to the head and brain during impact.

Price at time of publish: $225

Whether you choose to ride in cycling cleats or other active footwear, the Shimano EH500 PSD bike pedals have you covered. One side of the hybrid pedal is compatible with SPD clips, while the other is equipped with eight traction pins for reliable grip, rain or shine. SPD, which stands for Shimano Pedaling Dynamics, is the brand’s clipless pedal that delivers a secure foot-to-pedal connection and easy multi-release system. While some pedals only release by kicking your heel out horizontally, the EH500 SPD pedal will unclip if you move your heel in multiple directions — a safety perk for newer cyclists .

If you’re on a multi-day cycling tour, having the option to swap out your cycling shoes for regular footwear is incredibly convenient when taking shorter sightseeing rides or running errands. And then when it’s time to complete another leg of your journey, you can switch back to riding clipped-in.

Price at time of publish: $85

Buy at Target.com

The CatEye BM-45 Bar End Mirror is small but effective at keeping an eye on traffic behind you to stay vigilant on the road. It’s made from aluminum and glass, adding durability and providing a virtually distortion-free view, respectively. The BM-45 mirror’s compact design means it hardly protrudes from the handlebars and won’t compromise a bike’s sleek aesthetics. Weighing just over an ounce, this ultralight mirror won’t slow you down.

Price at time of publish: $18

Related: The Best Sport Sunglasses to Take You to the Top of Your Game

Buy at Competitivecyclist.com

The Evoc Hip Pack Pro 3L is adeptly designed for keeping cyclists hydrated, fitting comfortably around the waists. The hip pack features two water bottle holders and space for a 1.5-liter hydration bladder, giving riders multiple choices for their hydration method. It’s secured via two broad elastic straps that attach via velcro and a quick-release buckle. The Airo Flex material used in the straps plus the wide design prevents chafing and tightness on the hips and stomach. Riders can tighten or loosen the straps with a single pull — allowing easy adjustments to prepare for inclines and descents.  Ventilated padding along the back helps maintain airflow and comfort during longer rides. Aside from the water storage, the pack is equipped with a zippered hip pocket and an organizer pocket for tools, but the capacity is limited.

Price at time of publish: $100

Best Pannier Bag: Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic Pannier

The Ortlieb Back-roller Classic Panniers are well-suited for weekend trips and cross-country rides alike. The panniers offer 40 liters of storage space and are compatible with rack diameters of 8, 10, 12, or 16 millimeters. Between the waterproof polyester exterior and the roll-top closure system, your belongings and gear will stay protected from the elements. Where the back-roller panniers truly excel is their mounting hardware — Ortlieb’s QL2.1 system. Securing the panniers to your bike is as straightforward as grabbing the handles to open the lower latches and fastening the adjustable hooks to the rack, then letting go of the handle to lock it in place. To remove, simply lift the pannier by the handle, and the latches will automatically release.

Price at time of publish: $200

Related: The 12 Best Bike Lights of 2023

Best Men’s-specific Bike Seat: Ergon Men's SMC Core Bike Saddle

The Ergon SMC Core Saddle features a multi-layered system of padding to deliver an ideal balance of cushion, support, and responsiveness. The saddle uses Ergon’s Core 3D and TwinShell technology to form a multi-layered design, which encompasses a BASF Infinergy elastomer foam layer sandwiched between two nylon composite shells. This allows the SMC Core to move side to side to support pelvic movement while pedaling, reducing back strain and pressure on the sit bones. We were impressed by the seat’s stability on tough terrain and tactical trails. It’s also equipped with a pressure relief channel, which expands as it moves toward the back of the seat, helping to prevent numbness in sensitive areas on longer rides.

Price at time of publish: $150

Best Women’s-specific Bike Seat: Selle Italia Women's Diva Gel Superflow MTB Road Bike Saddle

The Selle Italia Diva Gel Superflow Saddle delivers lasting support and pressure relief in a race-ready design. The seat top is fitted with a lightweight gel layer that cushions the sit bones and dampens vibrations and bumps. Meanwhile, the nylon base of the seat provides a firm base for pedaling power and stability. The Superflow Saddle also features a substantial anatomical cutout in the center of the saddle to direct weight to the sit bones and alleviate pressure in sensitive soft tissue areas. The cutout, combined with the titanium rails and nylon base, keeps the weight to just around .6 pounds (depending on size).

Price at time of publish: $83

Related: The 10 Most Comfortable Bike Seats of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Multitool: Crankbrothers M19 Multi-Tool

The Crankbrothers M19 Multi-tool has been on the market for over a decade and remains popular with cyclists for its functionality and ergonomic, durable design. As its name suggests, it contains 19 different tools, including a mix of hex keys, screwdrivers, spoke wrenches, and a chain tool. It’s equipped with side grips to maintain a firm hold while tackling roadside fixes. It comes with a sleek aluminum carry case that keeps it from snagging on other items but adds a bit of weight that some may deem unnecessary.

Price at time of publish: $31

Buy at Moosejaw.com

The compact Lezyne Micro Floor Drive Hand Pump helps save on space and weight without sacrificing performance. It’s rated for high pressure tire inflation, with 160 PSI maximum pressure. “Most mini pumps are undersized, whereas this has the functionality of a normal pump in a smaller package,” notes Van Duzer. The Lezyne pump is made with replaceable parts that are designed to last, including a stainless steel foot peg and CNC-machined aluminum barrel, piston, base, and T-handle. While the portable pump can be easily tucked in a pannier, riders also have the option of securing it to their bike with the included Composite Matrix frame mount. The Lezyne pump comes in two versions: one with a built-in pressure gauge and one without that cuts down the overall cost and weight.

Price at time of publish: $55

Related: The 11 Best Bikes for Every Type of Rider in 2023

The Peak Design Universal Bar Mount can accommodate a variety of mounting setups, including bikes, e-bikes, and scooters. It’s attached via a grippy silicone band to any handlebar between .75 to 2.2 inches. The Bar Mount uses a magnetic SlimLink attachment to secure the phone in place and a push-button release to remove it. This setup allows riders to grab and put their phone back without taking their eyes off the road ahead, plus the flexibility to have their phone in portrait or landscape alignment.

Price at time of publish: $50

The Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 2 Tent boasts an incredibly lightweight design that lends itself to bikepacking trips. It weighs just over 2 pounds when packed in its stuff sack, or you can divide the tent components and weight between two riders if bikepacking as a duo. The tent floor and sides are made from ripstop nylon for durability, while the mesh canopy enhances ventilation and cuts down on unnecessary weight. Mountain Hardwear did without dyeing the rain fly, helping save water and chemicals to reduce the overall environmental impact of the Nimbus UL 2. Campers can stake out the rain fly to create a 7.7-square-foot vestibule for safely storing cycling gear and provisions.

Price at time of publish: $420

Best Sleeping Bag: Rab 20F Mythic Ultra 360 Down Sleeping Bag

When packing for a bikepacking trip, weight is a leading factor in selecting gear. Weighing less than 1.5 pounds, the Rab Mythic Ultra 360 Down Sleeping Bag is a featherweight design that doesn’t skimp on performance and durability. The mummy-shape sleeping bag is insulated with a 900+ down fill to keep campers comfortable at below-freezing temperatures, and it's treated with a water-repellent coating to shed moisture. During our testing, it was cozy even during a cold, windy night with wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour. The Mythic Ultra 360’s 7D ripstop nylon construction is equipped with Thermo Ionic Lining Technology (TILT) that efficiently traps body heat to reduce the total down used, thus saving weight and packing volume.

Price at time of publish: $720

Related: The 12 Best Sleeping Bags of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Cooking System: Jetboil Stash Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove

This is a lightweight, all-in-one cooking system that stows easily in a pannier or handlebar bag. The Jetboil Stash Stove is the brand’s most lightweight and compact, weighing just over 7 ounces. All of the cooking systems components — isobutane fuel canister, titanium regulator, fuel-can stabilizer, and lighter — pack inside the .8-liter FluxRing cook pot. Meanwhile, the rubber-coated handle folds over the lid for packability and locks in place while cooking. With an average boil time of 2 minutes, 30 seconds, the Stash Stove makes morning coffee and meals a breeze. The wide-mouth cook pot design also makes it easy to eat from, meaning you can skip plates and bowls for less weight or other on-the-road essentials. The one downside is that it doesn’t have a push-button ignition, so you’ll need to pack matches or a lighter.

Price at time of publish: $111

Even the most minimalist packers will make room for accessories on their bike trip. Items like sunscreen and a first aid kit are essential for a smooth cycling adventure . Other accessories, like chargers and sunglasses, will come in handy for phone battery backup and keeping your focus on the road ahead.

The Julbo Fury Sunglasses are designed with a wide cylindrical lens that protects the eyes from sunlight as well as bugs and debris on the road. The lightweight, cycling-specific glasses are made with shatterproof polycarbonate lenses and a robust, yet flexible frame. They nearly cover your entire field of vision and stay securely in place while cycling at high speeds. Though the Fury sunglasses maintain a snug fit, they are equipped with shock-absorbing inserts at the temples and bridge of the nose for enduring comfort. Cyclists will appreciate that the vented structure allows plenty of airflow to prevent the lenses from fogging up. The Fury sunglasses are available with two different lenses. The Spectron 3CF lens is best suited for riding in bright light, while the Reactive photochromic lens adjusts based on the light conditions.

Price at time of publish: $140

Best Sunscreen: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Stick

Buy at Walmart.com

The Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen delivers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Its main ingredients — zinc oxide and titanium Dioxide — shield skin from 97 percent of the sun’s rays without using any chemicals that can harm the environment. Blue Lizard’s formula also contains skin-nourishing ingredients, including aloe vera, shea butter, sunflower-seed oil, and vitamin E. The fragrance-free mineral sunscreen is water resistant for 80 minutes, and the stick design makes it easy to quickly reapply on pit stops or even without dismounting the bike.

Price at time of publish: $10

Related: The 9 Best Bike Phone Mounts of 2023

Best First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7

The Adventure Medical Kit Ultralight/Watertight First Aid Kit packs a wide assortment of bandages, medications, and supplies to treat the more common issues cyclists experience on long-distance rides. It has Moleskin and topical adhesive for treating and preventing blisters as well as wraps and tape for support or immobilization. There’s also a modest supply of over-the-counter medication to treat inflammation, pain, and insect bites, though we wish it also included medication for gastrointestinal problems. The first aid kit exterior is made with durable ripstop silnylon, while the interior features two watertight pouches to keep items clean and dry. Weighing just 8 ounces, this first aid kit will have minimal impact on your packed bike weight.

Price at time of publish: $32

Best Portable Charger: ChargeCard Ultra-Thin Credit Card Sized Portable Charger & Battery Bank

Buy at Theaquavault.com

Whether to navigate, record your ride, or dispatch a motivational playlist, our phones are essential travel companions. The ChargeCard ensures you have an emergency boost of power for your phone if the battery gets precariously low. The stainless steel battery resembles a sleek credit card and weighs just over 2 ounces. It’s compatible with Micro USB, Lighting, and USB Type-c connectors. It also features LED indicator lights to let you know how much charge is left. Although it saves precious space, its charging capacity is limited compared to other portable chargers.

Price at time of publish: $60

What to Know Before You Pack for a Bike Trip

Take only the essentials.

Packing light while bringing everything you need takes planning and practice. “I only pack two [cycling] shirts and one pair of bike shorts,” says Van Duzer. Since they’re made with quick-drying materials, washing shirts and bike shorts in your shower or bathroom sink is a quick and easy way to get back-to-back wears out of the same outfit, he adds. By keeping your cycling apparel to a minimum, you’ll ensure you have plenty of room for essential gear, accessories, and clothing and footwear for when you’re not riding on two wheels.

Choosing to borrow or rent items upon arrival can help cut down on your packing list. Van Duzer brings all his own gear (including his bike) and clothing, only buying food once he arrives at his next cycling destination. “Most airlines will take your bike as checked luggage and won’t charge extra as long as it fits their parameters,” says Van Duzer.

Prepare for all weather

Even in the most temperate environments, there’re bound to be variations in temperature and precipitation, especially if you're heading out first thing to ride into the afternoon. Unless traveling in the warmest climates, packing a jacket to protect against rain and wind is recommended. Choosing waterproof gear and storage is another good idea for covering your bases if the weather takes a turn for the worst.

Choose versatility

Prioritizing versatility in your cycling gear, apparel, and accessories can prepare you for a variety of conditions and help keep your packing list on the lighter side. Selecting lightweight, packable layers that can be easily taken on and off and worn in variable temperatures is key, as they’ll be practical for multiple seasons and different cycling destinations. It may take some time to mix and match to find what combinations work best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I take my bike with me on a trip or rent?

If traveling by car, transporting your own two wheels on a bike rack is an easy solution. If you’re riding for several days or more, the cost of flying with your bike may be cheaper than renting — not to mention the benefits of being certain that you’ll have a bike that fits and handles well.

Where do I keep all of my things on a bike trip?

Bikes have versatile storage options, including rear and front racks, baskets, and bags that attach to the frame, handlebars, or installed racks.

Can I use my bike trip equipment on rides at home?

Yes — using your bike trip equipment and gear at home can help prepare you for your trip as well as enhance your day-to-day cycling experience.

What materials should I look for when preparing for a bike trip?

For apparel, look for natural fibers like merino wool for optimal breathability and odor resistance. For bike gear, look for durable and waterproof materials like ripstop nylon.

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Kevin Brouillard is a contributing writer at T+L, specializing in outdoor gear and apparel. His work has been published in TripSavvy, Jetsetter, and Oyster, and he served in the Peace Corps in Cambodia for two years. He used his experience with outdoor adventure and cycling, as well as thorough research and tips from long-distance cycling veteran Ryan Van Duzer in compiling this list of what to pack for a bike trip. 

Related: The Ultimate Backpacking Packing List

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Best Long-Distance Moving Companies | 2024 Guide

Written By Sean Donnelly & Reviewed By Megan Harless Updated June 3, 2024

• Compare Movers
• How to Choose

Our Recommendation

• Best Moving Companies
• What to Expect
• Plan Your Move
• so why companies such as International Van Lines and American Van Lines have topped this list.

All products and services featured are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

It takes tremendous trust to let long-distance movers into your home to handle and transport your belongings. However, with many companies to choose from and limited time to make a decision, it’s not uncommon to simply select a mover based on word of mouth and minimal research.

You deserve to have more confidence in your choice of mover. In 2024, our team has conducted more than three months of interviews, focus groups, and surveys to understand what matters to more than 1,280 consumers who have recently shopped for a moving company. We learned that when it comes to trust, you want proof that a moving company hires background-checked employees. You also want to know that a mover is willing to go the extra mile to protect your home, keep your belongings safe, and communicate throughout the moving process. 

Based on the top concerns we heard from consumers, we determined that International Van Lines (IVL) and American Van Lines (AVL) are two of the best in the business. Both companies run employee background checks, conduct training and certification programs for safe moving techniques, and fully staff their customer support teams to answer questions and provide updates throughout the moving process. Learn more in our detailed review of the top moving companies below.

388 movers requested and received a free no-obligation quote from one of the above companies in the last 30 days.

Best Long-Distance Moving Companies of 2024

We spent over 100 hours researching the moving industry and months speaking to consumers who have used or plan to use professional moving services within the last year. We crafted a ranking system based on the factors we learned were most important to consumers, including cost and price transparency, trustworthiness, customer reviews, and services offered. 

Here are the best long-distance movers according to our rating methodology:

• International Van Lines : Our Top Pick
• American Van Lines : Best for Antiques
• Safeway Moving Inc : Best for Condos and HOA’s
• Interstate Moving & Relocation Group : Best for Major Cities
• Allied Van Lines : Best Customer Experience
• United Van Lines : Best for Home Office Moves
• Moving APT : Best for Coordinated Moves
• North American Van Lines : Best for High-End Appliances
• Mayflower Moving : Best for Expedited Moves
• JK Moving Services : Best Mobile App

Compare the Best Long-Distance Movers

We rated movers on their service offerings, insurance coverage plans, reputation with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and extra benefits such as online resources and quote tools. Then, we ranked each mover on a 100-point scale and converted those points into a star rating.

*Sample quotes above represent the average cost for a 2-bedroom move of 700 miles.

How to Choose the Best Long-Distance Moving Company

The right long-distance moving company for your friend or neighbor might not be right for you. Below, we cover how to choose a mover based on your specific needs, detailing pricing structures, moving timelines, offered services, and the expected customer service level. 

We also explain what to look for in customer reviews so you can feel confident in the mover’s reputation.     

Pricing Factors and How To Save

Pricing structures for long-distance moves are similar throughout the industry. The mover will generate an estimate based on a combination of factors such as the move distance, total weight of your belongings, and selected services. This similar price model makes it easier to compare quotes across providers.

There are additional fees associated with moving bulky items such as exercise equipment, pianos, and large pieces of furniture. You may also pay more if your home has multiple flights of stairs or an inaccessible driveway that requires the company to use a shuttle to load the moving truck. 

Every moving company provides released liability coverage with all moves. You can choose to add valuation insurance that covers high-value items, but it will come at an added cost.

You should also factor in the cost of tipping the movers .  A general guideline is to tip $5 to $10 per mover per hour. Or, $20 to $40 per person for a half-day move, and $40 to $80 per mover for a full-day move.

If you’re trying to stay within a strict moving budget, we recommend the following: 

• Downsize first to reduce your total inventory weight and use less boxes
• Do some or all of your own packing to avoid paying for packing services on top of standard loading and transportation costs
• Don’t move during summer months when most moving companies charge higher fees due to increased demand

Below are the baseline cost ranges to expect when booking your move through a long-distance moving company. These costs apply to a standard move with no additional services. The pricing factors above, such as bulky item fees, can add to your total expected cost.

Moving Timelines

Moving logistics aren’t as cut and dry as you might expect. Route planning typically involves coordinating multiple moves for customers within a region. Depending on your move’s size, it will likely become a consolidated shipment with another customer in the area.

Fifty-percent of panelists we spoke to in a recent focus group expressed concerns over moving timelines, fearing that delays could cause significant stress. An unfortunate reality of the moving industry’s complicated logistics is that delays occur from time to time, even with the most reputable providers. We understand this may be stressful to learn, especially if you need an expedited move because of an upcoming closing date or lease expiration.

If you have a strict moving date, many companies offer a guaranteed delivery date for an additional fee. Josh Morales, president of International Van Lines, told us that in this case, they give a dedicated moving truck to the customer: 

“Say you’re moving from Utah to California. We’re sending a driver and a crew just to pick up your move, hopping on the road, and going straight to deliver your stuff, so there’s not going to be any consolidations. Typically, that will cost a customer, depending on the size of the move, anywhere from $1,000 up to $5,000 in additional charges, depending on the size of the move.”

– Josh Morales, IVL Founder & President

Customer Service

If customer service is top of mind, there are some key details to look out for when evaluating moving companies. 

First impressions often color an entire experience. If a sales agent takes the time to understand your situation and walk you through the process rather than pushing you directly into a transaction, it’s a good sign of reputation. The same remains true into the contract phase. Your moving representative should encourage you to read through the contract and answer any questions to ensure you’re not caught off guard by any fine print.  

In our conversations with homeowners, we learned that communication lapses were major sources of stress during the move. “The lack of clear communication about when the movers would arrive caused a lot of anxiety. We were left in the dark for hours, not knowing if they would show up on time or at all,” said one focus group panelist we interviewed about the issue.

We recommend asking the company’s sales representative about what to expect in terms of communication throughout the move and about the general availability of the company’s customer support teams. You may want to inquire what hours they offer support during, and what help they’re able to offer if you encounter an issue during your move.

Customer Reviews

We’ve read more than 10,000 customer reviews for long-distance moving companies around the country to determine which companies deliver best on their commitment to customers. While you might not want to read through so many reviews yourself, we highly recommend reading several recent reviews for any moving company you consider.

According to the data we collected in our recent consumer survey, Google Reviews and Yelp are the go-to review platforms for many people researching a company. These sites aggregate the most reviews in a single place, making it possible to evaluate both negative and positive sentiments before deciding. Look for any common themes to establish a clear picture of what to expect from a company. 

Look for well-reviewed companies with positive ratings and satisfied consumer feedback, like the ones in this review. Words to watch for when looking for a solid company include “satisfied,” “peace of mind,” “professional,” and “communicative.” We also suggest looking for companies with more than 100 reviews whenever possible to ensure an established reputation.

Services, Packing, and Insurance

When we asked consumers about their packing preferences, we found a nearly even split between consumers who prefer the moving company do the packing, prefer to do their own packing, or prefer to divide packing duties between themselves and the movers. Fortunately, most long-distance movers have flexible packing options. 

If you want a hands-off moving experience, opt for a mover with full-service packing. Keep in mind that this will add to your bill, but according to Morales, the value is worth it. “Having your stuff professionally packed by a moving company just makes sense. The cost isn’t far off. You’re talking a few hundred dollars, it would almost be the same as somebody buying packing supplies except they have to put in the time, the effort, and the labor. Self-pack also raises the level of insurance that you can get,” says IVL’s founder.

Additionally, some moving companies in this review offer add-on services, such as vehicle shipping to your new location and junk removal.

Another consideration is moving insurance. Moving insurance provides financial protection for your belongings in the event of loss or damage during transit. By law, interstate movers must provide limited liability coverage that protects your items up to $0.60 per pound. However, this won’t amount to very much reimbursement if you have to file a claim. 

You can also pay an additional fee that varies among movers for full value protection. Although it provides added assurance, note that the mover can choose to repair an item, replace it with a similar item, or payout in cash. Full value protection only applies to high-value items in most circumstances. If you want a more all-encompassing protection plan, ask your mover about third-party moving insurance plans.

We recommend International Van Lines as our top overall pick. Excessive prices were a dealbreaker for 58% of participants in our survey of nearly 1,300 recent moving company customers. IVL has average costs compared to competitors, with a consistently high-quality standard of service that makes it one of the best values we’ve seen in the industry. Expect IVL to provide a wide range of moving services tailored to your moving needs and preferences. It also offers responsive customer support and hires background-checked movers with extensive training to handle your most fragile belongings. 

During our interviews with consumers who had used moving companies in the past, a frequent complaint was the reckless handling of items. American Van Lines is a solid pick if you have concerns about how a moving company will move and haul your most valuable belongings. AVL teams undergo specialized training to move fine artwork, antiques, and other fragile items that may benefit from specialized packing and positioning in a moving truck. 

We recommend requesting quotes from at least three top moving companies to find the best fit for your needs.

Best Long-Distance Moving Companies for Your Move

International van lines.

Our Top Pick

International Van Lines is our top overall pick. It operates seven offices located around the country to provide cross-country moving services in all 50 states. The strategic placement of its brick-and-mortar locations allows you to book your moving services within the window of time you need at a competitive rate that won’t inflate due to travel time. IVL offers a strong selection of services that are comparable to the industry’s biggest brands, and it goes above and beyond in helping you secure the amount of insurance you want to protect your move.  If you want more insurance protection than the limited liability coverage or full value protection typically offered for the move, ask your IVL representative about its option for adding extra insurance through UNIRISC (relocation insurance and risk management solutions).

Pricing Breakdown and Quote Process

International Van Lines will give you a detailed estimate once you complete an online quote form and speak to a representative by phone. You can opt to conduct a virtual survey of your home’s inventory rather than an in-home consultation to save time. We used International Van Lines’ online moving calculator to get the sample quote below.

Sample quote : $4,200 to $6,150 (3-bedroom move from Nashville, TN to Orlando, FL in early May)

Deposit : 25% of your total moving cost

To find out the cost of your move, get a quote from International Van Lines .

Pros and Cons

• Provides an easy quote process and more cost transparency than many competitors via its online moving calculator
• Has accessible options for adding extra insurance coverage to your move
• Offers customizable packing options to tailor your move to your preferences
• Requires a steeper deposit to reserve a moving date than some competitors, typically around 25% of your total moving cost
• Doesn't accept credit card payments for your moving bill

Moving Services Offered

IVL offers full-pack and partial-pack moving services with the following add-on options: 

• Custom crating
• Debris Removal
• Insurance coverage
• Storage services
• Vehicle shipping

American Van Lines

Best for Antiques

American Van Lines  is a standout choice for long-distance moves across the United States. Known for its reliability and comprehensive services, AVL offers a seamless moving experience with options tailored to individual needs. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, this family-owned company has established a reputation for professionalism and customer satisfaction.  It offers transparent flat-rate pricing and handles all moves in-house, ensuring direct communication and accountability throughout the process. AVL’s commitment to quality is evident in its professional packing services, climate-controlled storage options, and the use of regularly maintained, modern trucks. The substantial majority of customer reviews indicate that AVL handles moves with precision and care.

American Van Lines doesn’t give instant moving quotes online or by phone but does offer price matching. The company will provide a binding estimate only after thoroughly reviewing your home and its contents.

We obtained the sample quote below from American Van Lines’ website, but we recommend getting a personalized quote. 

Sample quote : $8,178 (4-bedroom move from Dallas, TX to Denver, CO)

Deposit : Up to 50% of your total moving cost

To find out your long distance moving cost, get a moving quote from American Van Lines .

• Trains its movers in safe handling techniques for fragile and high-value items
• Provides direct communication and no third-party involvement, leading to fewer misunderstandings and a more streamlined process​
• Offers a partial packing service for customers who prefer DIY packing but need help with certain items
• Charges a 50% deposit for booking a move, a higher up-front cost than most reputable competitors
• Doesn’t give quotes online or by phone

American Van Lines offers all standard full-service and partial-service moving options, as well as the following: 

• Antique crating and shipping
• Car shipping
• Do-it-yourself (DIY) options 
• Electronics crating 
• Fragile-only packing 

Safeway Moving Inc.

Best for Condos and HOAs

Safeway Moving is a top-rated choice for long-distance moves across the U.S. Known for its commitment to transparency and customer satisfaction, this veteran-owned company provides a range of services designed to make relocations as stress-free as possible.  Safeway offers flat-rate pricing, which helps avoid hidden costs and surprises and includes up to 30 days of free storage for long-distance moves. Its services cover everything from packing and loading to transportation and unpacking, all managed by a team of trained professionals. With robust GPS tracking, customers can monitor their belongings in real-time to help their peace of mind during the move.

Safeway advertises flat-rate costs based on the distance of your move and the size of your inventory. An agent will provide a binding estimate that will not change as long as your reported inventory is accurate and you require no additional services after booking the move. We requested an estimate from Safeway for a long-distance move to get the sample quote below. Sample Quote:  $9,586  (3-bedroom move from Atlanta, GA to Houston, TX) Deposit:  Up to 40% of your total moving cost To find out the cost of your move,  get a moving quote from Safeway Moving

• Flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees, providing cost transparency from $2,800 to $11,266 depending on distance and size
• 30 days of free storage included with long-distance moves, adding value to their service​
• GPS tracking for real-time monitoring of your belongings, enhancing security and accountability​ 
• Shuttle service fees apply when large trucks can't access certain locations, costing $0.55 to $0.75 per cubic foot​
• Long carry and stairs service charges can add up, with $70 per additional 50 feet and $75 per extra flight of stairs​ 

Safeway keeps its primary offerings simple with full-service and partial-service moving packages, but you can also opt for the following: 

• Fragile-only packing/loading
• Specialized moving guidance and aid for retirement-age customers
• Specialized services for HOA and condo moves

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group

Best for Major Cities

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) offers moving services anywhere in the country, working as a broker with a network of licensed and insured partners in all 50 states. For any city with nearby IMRG agents, you should expect prompt scheduling and delivery of moving services. IMRG offers a similar experience to Safeway but focuses on personalized customer service rather than purely efficiency.  IMRG also publishes articles for moving to nearly a dozen major cities, featuring moving tips and information about the cost of living.

• Has a large network of licensed and insured moving partners, enabling IMRG to conduct services nationwide
• Shares informative articles on its website for moving to major cities
• Can arrange specialty services such as military moves and vehicle shipping
• Offers no direct service as a carrier
• Doesn’t fully remain responsible for damage due to broker status
• Has received a large number of FMCSA complaints for estimates not matching final charges

Cost Details

Choosing full-service packing and unpacking assistance through one of IMRG’s providers may drive costs up. A shipment that proves heavier than the estimated weight will result in additional charges. Depending on the moving company that performs your services, you can opt for a binding or non-binding estimate. Some companies may also offer not-to-exceed estimates that lock in a maximum final price. We received the sample quote below from an IMRG representative.  Sample Quote:  $2,100–$6,900  (2 or 3 bedrooms moving 1,000 miles from your current location) Deposit:  IMRG may require a deposit depending on the mover selected. To find out the cost of your move,  get a free quote from Interstate Moving & Relocation Group.

IMRG provides the following add-ons with its standard full-service moving options: 

• Cleaning services
• Fragile packing and unpacking
• Military moves

Allied Van Lines

Best Customer Experience

In business since 1928, Allied Van Lines is one of the most experienced movers on our list. The company focuses on the overall customer experience more than other providers listed here, which can be reassuring when you trust it to transport your belongings hundreds or thousands of miles away. Allied assigns a moving coordinator to assist each customer personally. It also hosts helpful online resources, including an active blog that features tips and detailed guidance for tackling various challenges in the moving process.

• Offers guaranteed delivery dates
• Provides numerous online resources and a mobile app for its customers
• Offers Allied Express as a specialty service, allowing customers to conduct small moves with container storage and professional moving assistance
• Doesn’t offer customer support via phone or email on weekends
• Uses third-party movers when its own staff is unavailable
• Customer reviews mention technical issues with filing claims

Allied Van Lines will not provide an online or phone estimate for homes larger than three bedrooms. For a binding estimate, you can schedule an in-person or virtual home survey on Allied’s website. An assessment specialist will review the layout of your house and your moving inventory, then factor in the distance, size, and date of your move to determine the total cost you can expect to pay on moving day. We got the sample quote below using Allied Van Lines’ online moving calculator. Sample Quote:  $5,773–$6,368  (3-bedroom move from Boston, MA to Montpelier, VT in mid-July) Deposit:  None required To find out the cost of your move,  get a free quote from Allied Van Lines.

Allied provides the following add-ons for its long-distance moves:

• Fragile-only packing
• Online shipment tracking
• Packing and unpacking

Best for Coordinated Moves

Moving APT matches you with prescreened and background-checked local movers that can meet your specific moving needs. The benefit of working with Moving APT is that it can handle the legwork of researching and picking a mover based on your specifications. Then, all you have to do is give Moving APT your moving details and note any special services you need, and the company will take care of the rest. Even after matching you with one of its partners, Moving APT will remain your primary point of contact to ensure your relocation is going smoothly and according to schedule.

• Is transparent about the providers it contracts for moving services, putting you in direct communication with the companies
• Provides fast estimates for moving at the last minute
• Vets its partners for active insurance, licensing records, and background
• Doesn’t operate its own moving crews or truck fleets
• Provides a misleading online chat tool
• Has received complaints on Yelp about misrepresented costs

We received the sample quote below from Moving APT’s online calculator. You’ll need to contact Moving APT directly to schedule a virtual home walk-through and receive a binding estimate. Sample Quote:  $7,500  (4-bedroom move from Orlando, FL to Nashville, TN) Deposit:  Moving APT charges an up-front deposit, the amount of which depends on the distance and size of your move and the company handling your relocation. To find out the cost of your move,  get a free quote from Moving APT.

Moving APT offers the following services for full-pack and partial-pack long-distance moves:

• Exercise machine relocation
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly

JK Moving Services

Best Mobile App

JK Moving Services is one of our top choices for long-distance moving services due to its customizable packages and personal moving coordinators. The company provides more high-end customer service for similar offerings that carriers such as IVL and American Van Lines offer. Your moving coordinator will ask about your service preferences and walk you through each step of move planning, arranging a virtual or in-home consultation to go over your home’s inventory.

• Has a convenient mobile app for reviewing your estimate and booking your move
• Provides 24/7 customer service
•  Screens its movers for criminal history before hiring
• Charges more than other carriers on this list
• Doesn’t offer online quotes
• Doesn’t refund deposits for canceled moves

JK Moving will provide you with a binding estimate—the actual amount you can expect to pay on moving day—after a virtual or in-home walk-through. The company doesn’t provide instant quotes online or by phone. JK Moving offers in-house financing through its partnership with Enhancify. With Enhancify, you can receive rates as low as 0%, same-as-cash, subject to credit approval. It’s important to review your loan rates and terms carefully to avoid paying more in the long run. We called a JK Moving representative to get the sample quote below. The estimate for a two-bedroom home included furniture disassembly, wrapping, and padding, loading and unloading all household items, and full-replacement valuation coverage. Sample Quote:  $7,500  (2-bedroom move from Chicago, IL to Atlanta, GA—approximately 750 miles—in mid-April) Deposit:  $250

JK Moving provides the following additional services for all full-service long-distance relocations: 

• Grandfather clock relocation
• Piano moving

North American Van Lines

Best for High-End Appliances

North American Van Lines (NAVL) accommodates long-distance moves of all sizes through a network of more than 500 local movers. As a carrier and a broker, NAVL will arrange for a partner moving company to help you if it cannot directly handle your move. NAVL will still coordinate and back your relocation, ensuring you can access the company’s full-service offerings, add-on options, and moving resources. One appealing add-on option we didn’t see with American Van Lines and other carriers is NAVL’s service for uninstalling and reinstalling appliances during a move, saving you an extra step as you adjust to your new living space.

• Offers to assist with the removal and reinstallation of appliances
• Has several customer support lines, including for filing claims
• Uses a predictable pricing model
• Has mixed storage availability depending on location
• Outsources some services to third-party moving companies
• Varies storage service options by location

NAVL will provide you with flat-rate pricing, or a binding estimate, after completing an in-person or virtual assessment of your home. As part of this process, you will need to itemize your moving shipment and identify any household items you aren’t planning to take with you when you move. We got the sample quote below from North American Van Lines. Online quotes are not available for homes with four or more bedrooms, but we called NAVL and received a minimum estimate of $7,555 to move the contents of a four-bedroom home the same distance. That move would include packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, shipment tracking, and basic carrier liability coverage at 60 cents per pound for each item. Sample Quote:  $6,709–$7,381  (3-bedroom home from New York, NY to Charleston, SC at the end of May) Deposit:  None required To find out the cost of your move,  get a free quote from North American Van Lines.

In addition to regular full-services and partial-service moves, you can also get the following with NAVL:

• Appliance removal and reinstallation services
• Commercial moving services
• Military moving services
• Packing focused on fragile, expensive, or extremely large pieces

Mayflower Moving

Best for Expedited Moves

Mayflower Moving provides quality long-distance moving services. Its basic package includes furniture protection, basic labor, and full value protection options. If you want additional services, Mayflower offers packing services for basic household goods and antiques, long-term storage in secure facilities, vehicle shipping, and crating for artwork and antiques. For small relocations, Mayflower offers a Snapmoves service that includes assembly and disassembly, as well as reliable delivery windows for longer moves.

• Offers binding estimates for all moves
• Requires no deposit or down payment to book
•  Includes full-value protection in all quotes
• Offers no service in Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, or West Virginia
• Subcontracts some moving services out to third-party carriers
• Features somewhat higher rates than competitors due to valuation coverage options

Mayflower offers quick ballpark quotes for service. Plan to have a full home walkthrough via video call if you want a binding rate for your move. Sample Quote:  $11,500–$13,000  (3-bedroom, 2,800-mile move) Deposit:  None required Free Moving Estimate:   Get a moving quote from Mayflower Moving

Mayflower also offers the following extra services with its full-service options:

• Antique services
• Artwork crating
• Unique Snapmoves services

United Van Lines

Best for Home Office Moves

United Van Lines has been in business since 1928 and is one of the major companies under the UniGroup moving umbrella, just like Mayflower Moving. This co-op is one of the country’s largest moving networks, allowing for a diverse portfolio of long-distance moving services. One standout for long-distance relocation is United’s office relocation services.

• Offers full-value protection with all moves
• Provides flat-rate pricing
• Has tech disassembly and installation services
• Doesn’t offer any upfront pricing
• Features higher rates than its competitors
• Has negative reviews that report spam calls after booking

United Van Lines provides binding estimates for all moves. Its quote process is similar to that of many full-service carriers, as it requires a phone call for booking and will often request a video survey or in-person walkthrough of a home. United offers full-value protection with every moving quote. However, it charges slightly higher rates than its competitors. Sample Quote:  Contact for pricing Deposit:  None required Free Moving Estimate:   Get a moving quote from United Van Lines

United Van Lines offers these extra services: 

• Crating services
• Home theater, office, and tech item relocation 

What to Expect When Getting a Quote

Most long-distance moving companies have similar means for getting quotes. You can either call the company directly or fill out a form on the provider’s website to request a pricing estimate. In most cases, the online forms won’t display an instant quote but instead result in the company calling you the same day to go over more details. However, some companies, such as IVL and Allied, have forms or calculators that will provide you with a ballpark pricing range before the company calls your phone. 

In our experience of secret shopping for moving quotes, these phone calls have taken up to 45 minutes to go over the full inventory of household furniture and other items. However, many companies are making the switch to virtual surveys, which is a quicker and easier way to provide inventory details to moving companies.

Common Questions

The most common question about the moving quote process concerns the types of estimates that are available. 

When a mover provides a quote, the estimate will state whether that quote is binding or non-binding. Consider a non-binding estimate, a ballpark price that will likely fluctuate as you communicate more details about your move. However, even when an estimate is binding, it doesn’t necessarily mean the price is set in stone. 

If your inventory ends up larger than reported during the quote process or other factors such as shuttle fees or bulky item fees come up during the move, you may end up paying more.

“A binding estimate is saying we’re guaranteeing this price based on the information that we have. That’s where the confusion lies with customers, because when they hear the word binding, they hear the word guaranteed. It’s guaranteed based upon what we’re talking about in this contract — where you’re moving to, the item list that we have, the packing that we’re going to do. Assuming everything remains the same, we are guaranteeing that this price is not going to change.”

Another common and understandable question is whether hiring movers for a long-distance move is worth the cost. While it may cost less to do it yourself, you might find the peace of mind, reduced workload, and structure that professional movers provide are worth paying for. 

The best moving companies can relieve the physical stress of moving by assisting with loading and unloading, packing and unpacking, and disassembling and reassembling large items. This allows you to reach your new destination at your own pace and convenience.

In our consumer survey of 1,000 individuals who had moved in the last five years, we found that transporting artwork and mirrors was the top concern. Professional movers are trained to handle fragile items and can properly wrap, pad, and load these pieces to prevent any damage en route.

Our survey also found that over 90% of respondents who stated they hired a full-service moving company said they were satisfied with their experience using a professional moving company .

How to Prepare

Here’s how you should prepare for getting a quote: 

• Prepare to address questions about your home and inventory

Movers will want to know whether you have bulky items, such as a piano, gun safe, or extraordinarily large piece of furniture. They will also want to know whether your home has an inaccessible driveway, has multiple flights of stairs, or requires elevator access. Communicating this information from the outset will ensure that your moving estimate is as accurate as possible and you don’t experience unexpected costs later in the process.

• Provide details about your requested move date

If you must be out of your current home by a specific time or date, you need to mention this to your prospective mover. Some amount of flexibility for requested moving dates is often necessary, and it’s better to have a range of potential dates rather than a fixed date. However, if your move must happen on a certain day, you can discuss this with the moving company to explore options for guaranteed scheduling.

• Plan to contact three or more moving companies

We encourage you to request quotes from at least three moving companies. Doing so allows you to compare pricing to ensure that each company offers competitive rates. You will also get a read on the different moving services each provider offers to streamline your move as much or as little as you prefer.

• Ensure that the moving companies on your list are licensed The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCA) requires that all interstate and long-distance moving companies be licensed. To ensure a company is registered and licensed, check its U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers on the FMSCA’s website. The mover should have proof of licensing available on its website.

Carriers vs. Brokers

When researching moving companies, be sure to check whether the company is a carrier or a moving broker. A carrier provides a service directly with its own moving crews; a broker outsources your move through partnerships and does not have its own moving trucks or crews. Some reputable brokers contract through vetted moving service providers. However, if a broker uses misleading language that gives the company the appearance of being a carrier, you should view this as a red flag.

• Book and provide service directly
• Self-insured and easier to reach for customer service needs
• Use their own moving crews
• What consumers typically think of when looking for movers
• Book services through partnerships
• Contractors can have a hard time contacting the broker itself
• Quality of service can vary
• Use other carriers for moving services

You can search for a moving company on the FMCSA website to see its registration information and determine whether it’s a carrier or broker. The mover should also list on its own website whether it’s a carrier or broker. You can typically find this information at the bottom of the moving company’s homepage. 

Remember that every interstate moving company must have a DOT# registered with the FMCSA and prominently displayed on its website. If a company does not have this number listed or does not have an active registration with the FMCSA, it could be a moving scam.

Planning Your Move

Getting your long-distance moving process started early is the best way to ensure you have a successful move when the big day arrives. Here’s a basic timeline to help inform your moving checklist and keep you on track:

Two Months Before Moving

To streamline your moving process, create two separate inventory lists: one for items to keep and move and another for items to sell, donate, or discard. During a recent focus group we conducted with consumers who had recently moved using a professional service, we learned that downsizing before a move can significantly reduce the stress involved. Having fewer items to move can also save you money on moving costs due to having a lower inventory weight. 

Go ahead and begin measuring and photographing large furniture, appliances, and artwork for accurate moving estimates and specialized handling requirements. Getting this information ready will make it easier for you to share details about your inventory and will ensure a more precise estimate when you call for a quote. When you do reach out to a mover, inquire about additional services you may need, such as packing assistance, storage, and specialized handling for fragile or bulky items, which may incur extra costs.

Six Weeks Before Moving

If you haven’t already done so, continue requesting quotes and choose a moving company to ensure your move gets booked within the time frame you need. The longer you wait, the more flexible you may need to be with your moving date. 

You might also save money booking well ahead of time thanks to early-booking discounts that many movers offer. Start packing early, aiming for one to two boxes daily with out-of-season/seldom-used items first. 

Use sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape to protect your belongings. 

Label boxes with contents and destination rooms to make it easier for you and the movers to place your items in the correct areas of your new residence.

One Month Before Moving

Confirm your move at least four weeks before your move date. Make copies of your moving estimate, contract, and documents from the mover in case you need to reference them or resolve billing disputes. Read your moving contract thoroughly: One of our focus group participants said, “I didn’t know that the company only offered a three-day window post-move for reporting stolen or damaged items.” Knowing these fine print details can save you time, stress, and money.  

Contact utility providers in your current and new home to arrange dates for turning on and off electricity, gas, water, and internet. Prepare a list of those who need your new address, such as banks, employers, insurance companies, and government agencies. Request copies of your family’s medical records and pets’ veterinary records from the respective providers if needed.

One Week Before Moving

Pack an essentials box with immediate necessities that you will personally transport to your new home. We learned from participants in our recent focus group that it’s a major inconvenience if you forget to pack items such as dishes that you may need as soon as you get to your new home. This essentials box should also include toiletries, snacks, water, and essential or sensitive documents. 

On Moving Day

During our recent focus group, one participant said that she didn’t realize her movers couldn’t pack and transport products that are aerosolized, such as certain hair and skincare products. 

You should ask about any restricted or hazardous items your mover can’t transport ahead of time, ensuring you have a plan in place for handling those items yourself on moving day. Coordinate with your movers to confirm when they intend to arrive. 

Upon their arrival, greet them and provide a walkthrough of the items they will be moving. Review the moving contract with the crew chief for clarity. While they work on loading boxes, take the opportunity to pack your car with essential items if you haven’t already done so.

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