Lulaseat guides
Road trip essentials: the packing checklist for driver and passenger
By the Lulaseat team · · 3 min read
A good road trip is mostly about what you don't have to think about on the way. This checklist covers the car, the documents and the comfort kit for whoever rides in the passenger seat. Screenshot it, or keep it open while you pack.
Documents and car basics
Start with what keeps the car legal and moving:
- Driver's license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
- Your roadside assistance number, saved in your phone and written down.
- A spare tire (or repair kit) and a jack, checked before you leave.
- Any safety kit your destination requires, such as a warning triangle and a high-visibility vest in many European countries.
- A paper map or offline maps for areas without signal.
Before you set off
A ten-minute check saves a lot of trouble:
- Tire pressure and tread, spare included.
- Oil, coolant and washer fluid.
- Wipers and lights.
- Route, fuel or charging stops, and breaks planned about every two hours.
- Who drives which leg, so nobody drives tired.
The passenger's comfort kit
The passenger seat is where you'll spend hours, so make it comfortable, especially if you plan to nap:
- A pillow that supports more than your neck, such as a full-body passenger pillow.
- A light blanket or hoodie for the air conditioning and night drives.
- Sunglasses and a sleep mask.
- Earplugs or noise-canceling earbuds.
- Lip balm, hand cream and a refillable water bottle.
- Comfortable shoes you can slip off (but keep your feet off the dashboard).
Want to actually sleep on the way? Read how to sleep in a car.
Tech and entertainment
Long drives drain batteries fast, and signal can disappear:
- A car charger with long cables, or a multi-port charger.
- A charged power bank.
- A phone mount for the driver's navigation.
- Playlists, podcasts and audiobooks downloaded in advance.
- A small pouch to keep the cables untangled.
Food, drinks and hygiene
Fewer stops, fewer crumbs, a happier driver:
- Water, plus a drink the driver likes.
- Snacks that don't crumble or melt: nuts, crackers, fruit, cereal bars.
- Wet wipes, tissues and hand sanitizer.
- A trash bag for wrappers and bottles.
- A small first-aid kit and any personal medication.
The short road trip checklist
Copy this version into your notes:
- License, registration, insurance, roadside assistance number
- Spare tire, safety kit, offline maps
- Charger, power bank, phone mount
- Water, snacks, wipes, trash bag, first-aid kit
- Pillow, blanket, sunglasses, earplugs
- Playlist downloaded, route and breaks planned
Riding with a passenger princess? Here's what the term really means.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pack for a long road trip?
Your documents and a roadside assistance number, a spare tire, the safety items your destination requires, a charger and power bank, water and snacks, wipes and a trash bag, a first-aid kit, and comfort items for the passenger: a pillow, a blanket, sunglasses and earplugs.
What do passengers need on a road trip?
Something to rest their head and body on, a blanket or extra layer, sunglasses or a sleep mask, earplugs or earbuds, plus water, snacks and a phone charger within reach.
How often should you stop on a road trip?
Many road-safety organizations recommend a break about every two hours, and whenever the driver feels tired.
What is the 3-3-3 rule for road trips?
A rule of thumb popular with RV travelers: drive no more than about 300 miles a day, arrive by 3 p.m., and stay at least three nights in one place. It's a guideline for a relaxed pace, not a rule you have to follow.