Road trip ready: How to pack the essentials

Whether you’re planning a cross-country vacation or just a weekend getaway, packing for a road trip doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Creating a packing list of essentials can be the first step toward avoiding unnecessary stress and making your trip one to remember.

Of course, that list should start with the items you should never leave home without, like your driver’s license and proof of insurance, but it should also include pertinent information about your destination, like the trip’s itinerary and reservation confirmations. Don’t forget a map or printed directions in case your GPS dies or your phone loses service.

While even the most experienced travelers have reached their destinations only to find they left a necessity or two behind, this handy packing guide can set you on the road to success and help you avoid buying a new set of sunglasses or portable charger en route to your destination.

• Roadside Emergency Kit. In addition to having your owner’s manual and the equipment necessary to change a flat tire, including a lug wrench and portable jack, keeping some additional safety supplies in your vehicle can come in handy in case of a breakdown. Consider including items like jumper cables, a tire pressure gauge, road flares, a poncho, gloves, a flashlight, a small tool set, a small fire extinguisher, paper towels or rags and duct tape.

• First Aid Kit. Just as your car may need patched up while on the road, someone in the traveling party may need a little TLC between stops. Some items to include: bandages, aspirin or ibuprofen, antiseptic spray, cotton balls or gauze, tweezers, hand sanitizer, antibiotic spray and bug spray.

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