Your ultimate road trip packing list

There’s really nothing like a good road trip. Whether it’s a weekend away at your favourite campsite or a few months of exploration ticking off new destinations, you’ll never really regret a road trip. Even if you have a few mishaps.

While there’s plenty to love about these trips, packing a whole RV can sometimes feel quite overwhelming. After all, a simple overnight bag won’t do. To save you the stress, here’s a comprehensive road trip packing list to ensure you’re fully prepared for your next getaway.

The absolute essentials

Let’s start with the packing list essentials. Put these at the top of your list (or print this one out for later).

• Driver’s licence: Make sure you have this nearby at all times during your road trip. The last thing you want is to be pulled over and not have any documentation on hand. Be sure to keep your passengers’ IDs in the same folder.

• Insurance: Urgh, I hate the added expense of insurance. Especially if you’re renting and it’s not something you’ve budgeted for. Once you’ve got your insurance, make sure you keep the documents safe and at arm’s reach.

• Vehicle manuals: Familiarise yourself with your vehicle’s manual for troubleshooting and maintenance. Keep this to hand, too.

• Emergency roadside kit: Jumper leads, tyre-pressure gauge, a pump, flashlight, hi-vis vest, toolkit, spare money, water and a fire extinguisher.

• Spare tyres: Conduct a tyre check before you set out, but don’t forget to bring spares for your road trip, too.

• Navigation tools: For most people, this will be your phone. But remember, the chances are you won’t be able to rely on 4G all of the time. Think about a GPS navigation system or a good old paper map.

Homewares

Make a home away from home by adding these crucial and cosy items to your road trip packing list.

Bedding:

• Sheets
• Pillows
• Blankets
• Sleeping bags/duvet

Outdoors:

• Foldable outdoor chairs
• Outdoor table
• Hammock

Lighting:

• Head torch
• Flashlight
• Fairy lights, for an extra home touch!

Cooking and kitchen

If you’re planning on making food yourself, check out this list of cooking and kitchen supplies for your road trip.

Cooking packing list:

• Cooking stove or portable BBQ (and gas)
• Pots and pans
• Chopping boards
• Spare matches or a lighter

General kitchen packing list:

• Bin bags
• Crockery and cutlery
• Food containers
• Esky
• Washing up liquid, bucket and sponge
• Food and snacks
• Coffee maker (if you’re like me and can’t go without a good brew)
• Dish towels
• Reusable water bottle
• Water jerry cans

Road trip entertainment and digital devices

Road trips are the perfect time to strip back your screen time. Try swapping Instagram for a book! Don’t worry, I’ve covered electronics too.

Entertainment packing list:

• Books
• Board games
• Playing cards
• Travel diary
• Colouring book

Outdoor gear packing list (adventure specific):

• Kayak/SUP
• Fishing rods
• Bike
• Surfboard
• Ball
• Skis

Electronics packing list:

• Chargers
• Power banks
• Camera gear
• iPad or laptop
• Portable speakers
• If you’re going off-grid, think about Starlink or a Wi-Fi booster

Clothing and comfort on your road trip

General clothing packing list:

• Tops
• Trousers
• Shorts
• Underwear and socks
• Jumpers
• Thermals
• Raincoat
• PJs
• Swimwear
• Wetsuits

Footwear packing list:

• Trainers
• Flip-flops
• Waterproof shoes

Accessories packing list:

• Hat (cap or beanie, depending on the weather)
• Sunglasses and if you need them, glasses
• Backpack
• Dry bag
• Towels
• Goggles/snorkeling mask
• Sharkbanz (for peace of mind when surfing or swimming)

Toiletries

I always seem to forget something from this list when I pack. Hopefully, I’ve solved that problem for you!

Personal supplies:

• Toothbrush and paste
• Soap
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Razors
• Hair ties
• Hairbrush
• Makeup (if you can’t go without!) and remover
• Female hygiene products
• Any medication

Sun safety:

• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• After sun
• Lip balm

Additional hygiene:

• Sanitiser
• Wet wipes
• Toilet paper
• Laundry detergent

Vehicle-specific kit

Because Australian weather can be extreme, here are a few extra bits of kit to keep in mind for your road trip packing list.

For summer road trips:

• Car coolant
• UV window shades
• Fan

For winter/snow road trips:

• Anti-freeze
• Snow chains
• Snow shovel
• Heater