Packing for a road trip is different from packing for a flight. You have more room, but you are also more on your own: hours between towns, no cell signal on mountain or coast roads, and weather that can change completely in an afternoon's drive. This list covers what to keep in the car, organized so you can check it off before you set out. If you are flying in first, our carry-on packing guide covers the suitcase side.

Documents and money

  • Driver's license, plus an International Driving Permit if your license is not in English.
  • Passport, if you are visiting from abroad.
  • Rental agreement and the company's roadside assistance number.
  • Proof of insurance, and your travel insurance details; see travel insurance basics.
  • A credit card and a backup card kept separately, plus some cash for small-town stops and parking meters.
  • National park pass or reservation confirmations, if you need them.

Navigation and power

  • A phone mount. Holding a phone while driving is illegal in many states, including California.
  • A car charger and cables for every device, plus a power bank.
  • Offline maps, downloaded before you leave. Coverage disappears in places like Big Sur, Yosemite and the Maine woods.
  • A paper road map of the region, as a backup and for the big picture.
  • Playlists, podcasts and audiobooks downloaded, not streamed.

Safety kit

  • First aid kit with bandages, pain relievers, motion sickness tablets and any personal medicines.
  • Flashlight or headlamp, with spare batteries.
  • Reflective triangle or a high-visibility vest, if not already in the car.
  • Tire pressure gauge. Check where the spare or tire repair kit is before you need it.
  • Jumper cables, if the rental does not include them.
  • Extra water, more than you think, and much more for desert drives.
  • A warm blanket.

Food and comfort

  • A small cooler or insulated bag for drinks and lunch.
  • Snacks that will not melt or crumble everywhere: nuts, dried fruit, crackers, apples.
  • Reusable water bottles.
  • Trash bags. Leave every viewpoint cleaner than you found it.
  • Wet wipes, tissues and hand sanitizer for rest stops with no soap.
  • Travel pillow and sunglasses.

Clothing

Pack in layers. On the California coast, a summer morning can be foggy and cool and the afternoon inland can be very hot. In New England in fall, a warm afternoon can follow a frosty morning.

  • A warm fleece or sweater and a light waterproof jacket, kept in the car rather than in the trunk.
  • Comfortable walking shoes, plus sandals for beaches.
  • Sun hat and sunscreen.
  • A swimsuit and a quick-dry towel.

Extras for particular trips

Mountains in winter

  • Snow chains, if required and allowed by your rental agreement. Practice fitting them before you need them.
  • Ice scraper, gloves, a hat and warm boots.
  • A full tank and extra food in case a pass closes.

Desert

  • A gallon of water per person per day as a minimum, plus extra for the car.
  • Sun shade for the windshield.
  • Electrolyte drinks or tablets.

With children

  • Car seats suited to their age and size; rental companies offer them, but availability varies, so reserve ahead.
  • Games, books and headphones.
  • Plenty of planned stops.

Beaches and coast

  • A beach blanket or a couple of folding chairs.
  • A bag for sandy or wet clothes, so they stay off the seats.
  • Binoculars for whales, seals and seabirds from the clifftop turnouts.

Before you set off

A ten-minute check saves a lot of trouble. Walk around the car and look at the tires. Make sure the washer fluid is topped up, the headlights work and you know how to switch on the hazard lights. Set your navigation for the day while you still have a signal, and send your route and rough timings to someone at home if you are heading somewhere remote.

How to pack the car

Put what you will need during the day, such as jackets, snacks, water and the first aid kit, where you can reach it without unloading the trunk. Heavy bags go low and toward the front of the trunk, and nothing loose should sit on the rear shelf, where it can fly forward in a hard stop. In cities, never leave bags or valuables visible in a parked car. For the paperwork side of hiring a car, see renting a car in the US.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need snow chains?

Only for mountain roads in winter when chain controls are in effect. Check road conditions and your rental company's rules before you go.

What is most often forgotten?

Phone mounts, offline maps and warm layers. All three matter more than they seem.

Should I bring a cooler?

For long rural drives, yes. It saves money and makes picnic stops at viewpoints easy.