A great road trip packing list saves you money, stress and roadside detours. Use this checklist for anything from a weekend drive to a cross-country adventure through national parks.
Car essentials
- Driver’s licence, registration and insurance card
- Spare tyre, jack and tyre-pressure gauge
- Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
- Roadside assistance membership details
- Phone mount and car chargers
- Paper map or offline maps for areas with no signal
- Windshield sunshade and ice scraper (season-dependent)
Safety kit
- First-aid kit with blister care and pain relief
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Reflective triangle or flares
- Extra water (a gallon per person per day in the desert)
- Warm blanket and emergency snacks
- Multi-tool and duct tape
Hit the road prepared
- Dash cams worth buying VerdictFox
Record scenic drives and protect yourself if something happens on the highway. - Best budget 12V portable fridges VerdictFox
Keep drinks and picnic food cold on long road trips without buying ice every day. - Best portable power stations VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Comfort and food
- Cooler or 12V fridge, reusable bottles and snacks
- Travel pillow and blanket
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and hats
- Trash bags and wet wipes
- Entertainment: downloaded playlists, podcasts and audiobooks
Clothing
Pack layers. A day can start with frost at a mountain campground and end at 95°F in the desert. Bring a rain jacket, a warm fleece, hiking shoes and sandals.
Tech
- Power bank and multi-port charger
- Dash cam
- Camera and spare memory cards
- Portable power station for camping
- National park and trail apps, downloaded before you lose signal
For national park trips
Carry your America the Beautiful pass, check reservation requirements, and pack bear spray in bear country. See our first national park trip guide.
Great places to road-trip to
Moab (Arches and Canyonlands)
Moab is the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands national parks, with red-rock arches, mesas and world-class mountain biking and off-roading. Read our Moab (Arches and Canyonlands) travel guide.
- Best time: March to May and September to October
- Getting there: About 4 hours from Salt Lake City; 1.5 hours from Grand Junction
- Don’t miss: Delicate Arch, Arches timed entry and Mesa Arch
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
Sedona
Sedona is surrounded by red-rock buttes, canyons and trails, known for hiking, jeep tours, spas and spiritual retreats. Read our Sedona travel guide.
- Best time: March to May and September to November
- Getting there: About 2 hours to the Grand Canyon South Rim
- Don’t miss: Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge and Bell Rock
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains are America’s most visited national park, with misty ridges, waterfalls, historic cabins and black bears. Read our Great Smoky Mountains National Park travel guide.
- Best time: April to May for wildflowers; late October for fall colours
- Getting there: About 45 minutes from Knoxville; 1.5 hours from Asheville
- Don’t miss: Cades Cove, Clingmans Dome and Laurel Falls
- Mid-range hotels: $140–230 a night
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is known as the Crown of the Continent, with the Going-to-the-Sun Road, turquoise lakes and more than 700 miles of trails. Read our Glacier National Park travel guide.
- Best time: July to September
- Getting there: About 30 minutes from Kalispell to West Glacier
- Don’t miss: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Logan Pass and Lake McDonald
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
Acadia National Park
Acadia protects the granite coast of Mount Desert Island, with Cadillac Mountain, carriage roads and lobster shacks nearby in Bar Harbor. Read our Acadia National Park travel guide.
- Best time: June to mid-October; early October for foliage
- Getting there: About 1 hour from Bangor; 3 hours from Portland
- Don’t miss: Cadillac Mountain, Park Loop Road and Jordan Pond
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require a REAL ID-compliant licence or another accepted ID such as a passport. See our guide to REAL ID and TSA rules.
- Money: Sales tax is added at the register and varies by state and city; tipping 18–20% at sit-down restaurants is expected.
- Insurance: Your health plan may have limited out-of-network cover in another state, and trip-cancellation cover is worth having for expensive bookings, especially in hurricane season.
- Driving: Most visitors drive; rental cars are widely available, and a US licence is all you need. Gas prices vary widely by state; California and Hawaii are usually the most expensive.
- Saving money: our budget vacation and cheapest places to travel guides have dozens of practical ideas.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $120–$180 | motel or hostel, casual meals, self-drive or transit |
| Mid-range | $250–$400 | good hotel, sit-down meals, some tours |
| Luxury | $600–$1,200 | resort or boutique hotel, fine dining, private tours |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Responsible travel tips
Popular places are under pressure from crowds. Visit on weekdays or in shoulder seasons, carpool or use shuttles, refill a reusable water bottle, and buy from local businesses. Respect Indigenous lands and cultural sites, follow posted closures, and keep a safe distance from wildlife.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Gear up for the trail
- Best portable power stations VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups. - Outdoor gear picks Buyzello
Headlamps, multi-tools and camping essentials for park trips. - Best power banks for travel BuyrSkip
Navigation, photos and cold weather drain phones fast; a 20,000 mAh bank keeps you going.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What should I keep in the car on a road trip?
A spare tyre, jumper cables, first-aid kit, water, snacks, a flashlight and offline maps.
How much water should I carry?
At least a gallon per person per day in hot or remote areas.
Should I use a dash cam?
It is helpful for recording scenic drives and incidents.
How can I save money on food?
Pack a cooler, shop at grocery stores and picnic in parks.
What apps help on road trips?
Offline maps, gas price apps, weather apps and the NPS app.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Best Road Trips in the USA
- Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: 7-Day San Francisco to San Diego Itinerary
- Utah’s Mighty 5 Road Trip: 7-Day National Parks Itinerary
- How to Plan a Budget Vacation in the USA: 25 Money-Saving Tips