Your must-have road trip packing list

July 06, 2022 | SECURA Insurance

A road trip is a wonderful adventure and a way to create great family memories, but even minor mishaps can replace months of anticipation with disappointment and frustration. Through careful planning and packing, you can recover from most road trip challenges and salvage a vacation.

For the car

  • Pack your standard emergency kit to include a flashlight, road flares, canned tire sealant, and jumper cables.
  • Add basic tools, fuses, duct tape, WD-40, automobile fluids, disposable funnels, gloves, and rags for quick fixes. The DMV recommends reflective vests for roadside repairs.
  • Make sure the jack and lug wrench are where they belong.
  • Bring necessary documents including proof of insurance, registration, auto club card, or roadside assistance information like SECURA’s Roadside RescuerSM.
  • Hide spare keys somewhere on the car inside a strong magnetic key keeper.
  • Take adapters and chargers for all your digital devices.


For health and comfort

  • Pack a first aid kit.
  • Add sunscreen, anti-itch cream, hand sanitizer, wipes, tissues, and paper towels.
  • Bring over-the-counter medicines for pain relief, allergic reactions, and car sickness.
  • Remember prescription medications, refill information, and insurance cards.
  • Bring spare contact lenses, sunglasses, and prescription glasses.
  • Remember rain gear, jackets for unseasonably cool conditions, and a weather radio.
  • Bring a sewing kit.
  • Keep water and non-perishable food handy.


For financial and logistical security

  • Place cash, checks, and credit cards in several places in case of theft.
  • Bring tickets and reservation confirmations for hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
  • Pack paper maps in case there’s no GPS signal for navigation devices.
  • Have phone numbers for trusted neighbors back home.
  • You might also download handy travel apps for navigation, gas prices, food and lodging, attractions, scrapbooking, and audio books. 

Lastly, to make sure you don't come home to any surprises, keep your vacation itinerary and location off social media. Thieves look for that information and could target your home while you’re away.