What We Pack for Family Road Trips
After enough miles with our daughter in the back seat, we have learned what actually gets used and what just rides along taking up space. This is our real list. Nothing fancy, just the things that have earned their spot in the car.
Something to do together
Long drives go better when we are learning something, not just watching the miles. We bring The Christian Adventure Guide, the book we wrote for families like ours. It is full of short activities and things to look for together, the kind of stuff that turns "are we there yet" into actual conversation.
Get it here: The Christian Adventure Guide
Audiobooks
Audible has saved more car rides than I can count. A good story makes three hours feel like one, and she still talks about the characters when we get home. We pick one before we leave and it becomes part of the trip.
Car games
Never underestimate a good car game. We keep a few in our back pocket for the long stretches when the audiobook ends and the miles keep coming.
Comfort for little travelers
Travel pods, part of a kids' luggage system. Ours has survived more trips than I can count and it still works. If your little traveler sleeps better with their own setup, these are worth it.
A first aid kit in the car
Not exciting, but we have needed ours more than once. Scraped knees at rest stops, blisters on walking tours, headaches from too much sun. Ours lives in the car full time.
Snacks and drinks for the road
We take a cooler for drinks on every trip. Cold water and whatever else we packed that morning beats gas station prices and keeps everyone happier.
For day trips we pack metal bento boxes with healthy snacks and lunches. They keep everything separated, they do not leak, and they hold up trip after trip.
Comfort on the road
Pillows and a blanket for everyone. Naps happen, mornings are less grumpy, and a familiar blanket makes any hotel bed feel closer to home.
The just-in-case kit
Wet wipes and hand sanitizer live in the door pocket. Trash bags keep the car livable on long days. Paper towels have handled more spills than we can count. And phone and car chargers, because a dead phone on a road trip is its own kind of emergency.
For getting around
A small daypack for walking around, so we are not lugging the whole car into every stop. Sunscreen, because we always need it. And a laundry bag for the dirty clothes, which keeps the clean ones clean.
Where we stay
We book most of our stays through Booking.com. Being able to compare places and read real reviews before we commit has saved us from some bad choices.
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