34 Essentials for a Long Car Trip

Whether you’re off in your car to Europe or decide to explore these shores, there’s nothing quite like a road trip to experience an adventure.

Of course, no long car trip is complete without handy accessories for the journey, from snacks to a phone charger.

But what other items are considered essential? We’ve got the lowdown with everything you need for a long car trip. 

1. Car documents 

Don’t forget to bring things like your driver's licence with you, as well as insurance information.

You never know when you might need them, and having them to hand can come in handy! 

2. A banging playlist

No road trip is complete without a playlist featuring essential tunes. Check out our suggestions for songs to make your car trip a pumping one. 

3. Car manual

The last thing you want is for something to stop working on your car, and you don’t know how to fix it.

Bringing the car manual along can save stress for smaller issues related to your vehicle. 

4. Clothing and accessories 

It’s a long trip, so why not bring some fresh clothes? And if you’re planning on staying somewhere for a few days in between, then there’s really no excuse not to bring a change of garments. 

5. Water

For when you’re parched, of course. But remember to keep yourself hydrated, especially during warmer climates.

6. Mobile phone

Well, duh. 😂 You need your mobile phone to make your road trip easier. You can use it to navigate, check the weather forecasts, and make calls in case of any emergencies.  

7. First aid kit

Make sure you’ve got a compact first aid kit in the car, just in case someone gets a bit adventurous and takes a tumble during the hike in the Peak District. 

8. Sat Nav

If you’ve got a sat nav built into your infotainment system, then worry not. Otherwise, don’t forget to bring one if you want to get anywhere without stopping to ask for directions every half an hour. 

9. A paper map

Just for the lols, and if you're feeling nostalgic. 😆

10. Hand sanitiser 

Because even before the Covid pandemic, it was always a good idea to carry some hand sanitiser around with you. 

11. Spare tyre

A road trip is super fun until you get a flat tyre and have nothing to replace it with. 

12. Breakdown rescue number

Unless you fancy changing that spare tyre yourself?

13. Safety equipment 

Ensure that your car has things like a warning triangle, just in case you break down on the motorway. 

14. Phone charger

It’s all about the juice.

15. A travel journal

Look, sometimes we like to document our adventures. Don’t judge. ✒️

16. Sunglasses

Other than looking very cool behind the wheel in your Ray-Bans, you’ll need a pair of sunglasses just in case the sun decides to make an appearance during your journey.

You don’t want to get blindsided by beaming rays of light flooding into the car. 😎

17. Insect repellent 

The UK seems to get hotter each summer, which means bugs, bugs and more bugs. Bring that insect repellent and keep the mosquitoes at bay. 

18. Spare change

For that one parking meeting that doesn’t have an app. 

20. Torch

Just in case you break down in the dark. Try not to do it in the woods; otherwise, you’ll probably find yourself in the opening scene of a horror movie. 

21. Snacks

Munchies can happen at any time. Be prepared, just in case you get hunger pangs 35 miles away from the nearest service station. 

22. Spare light bulbs

If you get pulled over by the police with a faulty light bulb, they could decide to give you points. So load up on the spares before a long car trip.

23. Headlamp beam deflectors

Only if you’re going abroad, mind. 

24. Binoculars

Some people like bird watching. And trainspotting. And plane watching. Don’t judge. 

25. Toilet roll

Just in case.

26. Ice scraper

For when you go on a long road trip during the chillier months of the year. 

27. Portable Wi-Fi

If your roaming plan isn’t so great, a portable wifi thingy will keep you connected on the road. Just don’t browse and drive. 

28. Travel games

Get the games out to alleviate boredom when you hit the midway stretch on a long road trip. 

29. Blanket

Just in case your passengers get cold and feel like cosying up on the nighttime drive. 

30. Travel pillow

See above. 😉 You'll thank yourself when you can rest your head comfortably.

31. Painkillers

There’s nothing more irritating than driving with a headache. A trusty paracetamol can do the trick to avoid any disruptions.

But if you feel unwell, you should always pull over to avoid an accident. 

32. Mints

It’s a long drive and a lot of breath in an enclosed space if you’re driving with passengers.

33. Lip balm

Don’t be that driver with cracked lips.

34. Swiss army knife

Just in case your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, and you need to start a new life as a nomad living in the woods. 😅

Takeaway

With your trusty essentials, you can maximise your road trip and enjoy a long car journey to remember.

That banging playlist will take care of the vibes, those sunglasses will make you look cool AF, and the car journal will lose you about 100 cool points.

But at least you’ll have everything you need! 👍