Family Road Trip Packing List (30+ Items of What to Pack)+ Printable Included
Featured on Home - April 6, 2023

Are you getting ready for a family road trip this summer? I have the perfect packing list for you! Check it out and make sure you have the essentials from this Family Road Trip Packing List.

We took an 8-hour long trip family vacation to California last month and the last time we did a cross-country road trip from Florida to Arizona we depended on road trip essentials for our family road trip. It was a long road trip so we needed a family road trip packing list!

Of course, my priority is snacks (healthy snacks like granola bars come in handy for the whole family) when road tripping but there are so many other travel tips to consider, whether it’s to a neighboring state, a long drive, or national parks.

Download your free printable for a road trip checklist for your family!

The Basic Family Road Trip Packing List

There are so many things to prepare for a road trip, like going to the gas station, or grocery store and getting a case of water and snacks for the trip. Make sure you set up road trip essentials like a paper map and Google Maps and set your favorites for along the way. Check with a family member for alternate routes in case of issues on the road.

You forget how much trash you accumulate in the car, so keep those grocery bags (or a plastic bag)

Don’t forget that we are now in a pandemic so you also need to travel safely. Now, there are more things to add to my road trip packing list!

Check out Car Ride Activities for Kids: Keeping Them Entertained

60+ Car Ride Trivia Questions That Will Test Your Knowledge

License and Registration

Take the paper version of your license and registration and also take a picture of them to keep copies just in case. A license and your registrations is a must for your road trip checklist for your family.

Gas Station

Check around your local gas stations for the lowest gas prices. Then research where your destination is also for the lowest gas prices.

Grocery Store for Water and Snacks

Hit the grocery store and stock up on water and snacks.

Map

Keep a map handy.

Electronics

Bring your chargers, iPads, tablets, and phones.

Be Prepared for a Flat Tire

We also ended up getting a flat tire and got stuck on the road for hours with no bathroom or gas station on site. So, it’s always good to leave with a spare tire and research rest stops on the way and gas stations.

Get your travel essentials for long trips.

Check out 20+ Things to Pack on a Family Road Trip: Road Trip Necessities

Snack Box Container

We also use the Snack Box which has a divider so that you can add sweet and salty.  It’s all about choices, right?

McKinnon Camera Tech Organizer

Ther McKinnon Tech Organizer is perfect to keep all your tech in one place. It’s packed with pockets and organization for all the smaller gear.  It’s perfect to keep your memory cards, cords, card readers, action cameras, chargers, and adapters organized and safe. Create the perfect setup with: Customizable dividers, multiple pockets and cord organizers, 1 large and 1 small divider included, attachment/hanging loop, and water-resistant materials.

Sunglasses

Don’t compromise your kid’s eyes! Sunnies come standard with Polarized lenses, 100% UVA/UVB Protection, and an anti-slip material to keep them on your kid’s face.

Collapsible Water Bottles For Road Trip Packing List

It’s hot out there so don’t forget the refillable, collapsible water bottles that keep drinks cool. I fill them up and put them in the freezer. They are great to use as ice packs too.

Bathing Suits

You can find some great bathing suits at Old Navy.

Toiletries

Don’t forget a toothbrush, toothpaste, makeup remover and creams.

Medicines

Get a pill box and count out your pills for how many days you are gone.

Camera and/or GoPro

I’m a Go Pro kinda gal and my 11 Promax iPhone takes great pictures.

Sunblock for Road Trips

Banana Boat Kids Sport Sunscreen Stick for packing list.

Banana Boat Kids Sport Sunscreen Stick is Sting-Free, Tear-Free, and Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Spray

Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Spray is Alcohol-Free, Tear Free, Sting Free, and Broad Spectrum SPF 50.

Activity Travel Kits

There are 4 Mini Traveler Coloring and Activity Kits. No matter your destination, be endlessly entertained with a travel-sized activity kit. They include coloring and activity books, 2 stackable crayons, and 2 sticker pages.

4 mini traveler coloring and activity kits for road trip packing list

• sugar joy
• super Kids and Pets
• dinosaurs in space
• outrageous ocean

Audio Books

Grab some audiobooks on Audible.

Bug Spray For Road Trip Essentials

I like deet-free bug spray. Murphy’s Naturals has been a trusted brand for years.

Insect Sting and Bite Relief

There is nothing worse than itching because of an insect bite! Beurer BR60 is a bug bite healer that is chemical-free.

Jumper Cables Kit for Car

Most of us have these but make sure you have jumper cables for your car before you leave.

Waterproof Picnic Blanket

Make sure that you get a picnic blanket that is waterproof so you can use it for various things like the beach or camping.

Battery Pack

You need a power bank or portable charger. I’ve had too many times when the IPAD died and I need the car charger. I like this one because it’s super slim and has 10000 Milliamp Hours.

Antibacterial Soap For Road Trip Essentials

You never know, when you stop somewhere to eat if their bathrooms are stocked with soap. I take a travel size.

I found these antibacterial soap sheets that are genius! These are perfect because they are small and you don’t need to worry about leaking.

Travel Hand Wipes

Always have a pack of travel hand wipes in your bag. You can also get those travel sanitizers that hook onto backpacks.

Lysol Disinfecting Wipes To-Go Pack

There will be many stops at restaurants and public bathrooms. Maybe, you are staying in a hotel and you want to do an extra wipe down. Just take a pack of these in your purse for these moments.

Masks for Kids and Adults

We are at a point where we don’t know if masks are needed where we are going. It’s always good to be prepared and have some masks for kids and adults.

Travel Books and Journals

My kids love discovering new places and reading about them beforehand. A travel journal is also a great way to document the trips.

Tricky Riddles for Smart Kids

Tricky Riddles for Smart Kids

320 Fun Riddles, Brain Teasers, and Trick Questions for Everyday Family Fun that Boosts Brain Power – For Ages 7-9 and 8-12

Car Seat Organizer

You need a Car Seat Back Storage Organizer for kids, especially if you have more than one.

LectroFan Micro2

LectroFan Micro2 Sound Machine + Bluetooth Speaker is an all-in-one sleep sound machine and portable Bluetooth speaker. Pair it with a smartphone for streaming audio and making calls with the built-in microphone, or select sleep sound mode and enjoy your choice of five digital fan sounds.

There are four variations of white, pink, and brown noise, and two ocean surf sounds. Also available on Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

EVO LectroFan, Evolved

This is great for the kids if you stop at a hotel. There’s nothing worse than not being able to sleep in a new place. This LectoFanEVO has all the features of the classic model, with the same 20 fans, white, pink, and brown noises plus two new surf sounds. This white noise will put the kids right to sleep. It also has a control panel with a softer, more organic shape, and dual AC/USB power makes EVO at home anywhere you are.

TravelJohn Jr. For Road Trip Packing List

We used TravelJohnJr. on our cross-country road trip when we couldn’t find a rest stop and now we always have these in the car. They are a “bag with a bag” design, small and lightweight, volume indicator, Non-toxic, odorless, spill-proof using gel. No closure is needed, reusable until it is full. Waste disposal simply throw away.

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit doesn’t have to be complicated but it’s needed. But this one meets United States FDA Regulatory Standards as a Medical Device. Ideal for most businesses and perfect for family use at home or travel. It’s always a good idea to take an emergency kit.

MunchPak

We are an international family, so we love international snacking, hehe,  My husband is French/Corsican and I am English/Greek.  We love trying new things and love the kids to try different things so we started a tradition.  When we go on road trips we take a MuchPak and open it as we travel. 

They have the newest and coolest snacks from around the world!  They sent the best snacks but you can also customize yours if you want for just $1!

Kid’s Travel Pillow

Designed for Kids: The animal pillows are ergonomically designed for ages 3 – 15, with fun animal characters in cozy plush fabric, double as soft toys.Lovely choices – cute tiger, fox, lion, cat, Chicken, Dinosaur, and Panda.

It’s all about keeping the kids busy when on road trips and at the hotels.  We stayed at a place that had a great activity center so I can’t complain.  But the kids need stuff to do while in the car, besides being on tablets. The Kids Kindle Fire 8 is the best, though!

LilGadgets Headphones for Kids

The LilGadgets Connect+ PRO Kids Premium Volume Limited Wired Headphones with SharePort for children are awesome. Sized for children 6+, padded, light, and over-the-ear, so comfy! They are super durable and have a shareport so no need for a splitter.

Road Trip Activities

Arts and Crafts

The kids color and draw in the car all the time.  We love our OOLY products and we don’t travel without them.

We took the White DIY Cover Sketchbook, the Double Up! 2-in-1 Mini Markers, and 2 Of Kind Colored Pencils.

My boys love building and it keeps them really quiet, hehe.

Plus-Plus

Plus-Plus Mini Maker Tubes are awesome. They are a 70-piece tube that fits easily into a backpack or purse.  Perfect for on-the-go- they loved building the Superhero Mini Maker Tube in the hotel room.

Kids Travel Tray

The kids can enjoy reading, eating, playing, or doodling on the built-in dry-erase board. If you have two like me, the tray will keep them from having issues with keeping their hands to themselves.

Plastic Bags

Don’t forget to shove those old Target bags in the glove box. They come in so handy when eating in the car. When you stop off at Starbucks just dump a bag in the trash can outside. When you get to your destination, hopefully, your car is not trashed!

Lolleez

Finally, let’s talk about how easy it is to get sick while traveling, whether it’s a tummy ache, motion sickness, or a sore throat.

Lolleez Organic Throat Soothing Pops help soothe scratchy, sore throats. Tumeez Organic Tummy Soothing Pops soothe upset tummies due to tummy bugs or travel sickness.

Shoes & Flip Flops for Your Road Trip Checklist for Family

We’ve got snacks, drinks, and activities covered.  However, on this trip, I took extra items knowing we would go to the beach or be in situations where shoes and clothing may be an issue. We have lived in two places where you can be hot and cold on the same day, Florida and Arizona.

So, we brought Crocs with us.  These Kids’ Crocband™ Mickey Mouse Fun Lab Lights Clogs were appropriate for our trip!  Crocs are so convenient when traveling because they are easy to slip on and easy to wash.

Flip-flops are super cheap at Walmart!

Backpacks for your Road Trip Checklist for Family

LeSportsac has the best backpacks for traveling, and to put important things like your cell phone and personal items so they are handy. I always keep band-aids, sanitizer spray, travel toothbrushes, travel wipes, etc, so that if I need them right away, I can just grab them.   I always take a backpack with me on a trip.

Snacks for Everyone! Always Important for the Road Trip Packing List for Families

Chillo Foods

These Chillo Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans Balls Snacks will keep you going on your long drive!

MunchPak

One fun thing we do on road trips is take a family-size box of snacks from around the world – MunchPak. Unboxing is so much fun because the kids get to discover new snacks from different countries and it’s a great conversation starter. It also keeps them busy!

Plantain Chips

All natural,0 trans fat, and gluten-free.

Prospector Popcorn

Gourmet popcorn made by movie people.

We did well on this trip by being prepared.  From figuring out snacks to what clothing and shoes to take, we did well.  I will keep updating this family road trip packing list for you so that you are prepared for your next family road trip and have peace.

Related Posts

Car Ride Activities for Kids: Keeping Them Entertained

60+ Car Ride Trivia Questions That Will Test Your Knowledge

Best Camping Sites in Sedona: Discovering Nature’s Beauty

60+ Car Ride Trivia Questions That Will Test Your Knowledge

Next stop? Heber-Overgaard, Arizona.

Are kids going to summer camp? Check out my Summer Camp Packing List

Summer over? Check out my Back to School Supply List