Preparing for a Road Trip

It’s been a while, since I’ve had a road trip lasting more than a day or two. However, this Christmas season, my friend Tracy and I will be taking off on a journey lasting about a week. While we can’t anticipate everything that might occur, I always keep a checklist in my head. I checked the weather all the way to our final destination, and it should be good. Even so I still need to plan for winter travel.

Tracy and I will be troll hunting in North Carolina while also visiting her sister’s family. I know it seems as though I’m over-the-top when it comes to troll hunting, but I have my reasons. If you read my previous post, you’ll learn more about my reasoning. Really, you’ll learn more about me than you want to know.

Originally I planned to vacation solo. Had I ventured out alone, I wanted a vacation with a mission. Hunting trolls fit the bill. I could go somewhere and be actively engaged in fun. I took comfort in knowing I would likely be safe, people who shared a common interest would easily engage in conversation, and I’d see places in a new light. Once Tracy joined the adventure, we kept my original plans. For her, the trip made sense as it will bring her close to family.

Our plans are loosely arranged. We leave tomorrow (December 27) and have no accommodations or sites planned, other than trolls. This means we can stop any time to see anything. Despite our free-spirited travel, we still have some planning to do. ***I don’t always recommend no bookings as places can be full. However, we have not planned everything as deeply as we could have.

Vehicle

Before you decide to take a road trip, you should evaluate your car. Do you need an oil change? Does your spare tire pass inspection? Have you topped off your fluids? How do your current tires look?

You never know what will happen as you travel, and your car is the lifeline for your adventures. For this trip Tracy and I will be taking my vehicle. It’s a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek. I don’t have many miles on it, so our vehicle preparation should be easy.

With two travelers for one vehicle, we should have plenty of room. I looked into luggage carriers just in case we decided to add more travelers to the trip, but we won’t need one. Having enough room to move around also creates an opportunity for happier travelers.

Money

More and more we live in a cashless world. However, having cash for the unexpected toll or tip is good insurance. I once had to battle my way home after a trip abroad (trying to switch from grounded plane to train), and I had no cash. There were times people helped me with their hands out, but I had nothing to offer. I felt grateful no one became disgruntled by my lack of thank you funds.

Most credit cards work (even abroad) with little to no notification. However, bank cards don’t always operate similarly. If in doubt, let your bank know. Not having access to your funds creates more hassle than an unnecessary phone call guaranteeing access will.

Food

Do you like to snack? If not, still pack some emergency food. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stuck on a road for hours. Sometimes an accident shut down any movement, and other times road construction created bottlenecks. While I think we will always be close to civilization on this trip, there’s always opportunities to drive for hours without seeing a store. Food and water should be available for every road trip.

I bought many snacks for my family at Christmas and will bring them with me. I’ll place them in a basket to keep them contained. It’s also an easy way to see what you have and move them into your hotel. Additionally, I have an igloo with frozen blocks to keep some food cold. Tracy and I will shop for more substantial items in the morning before we take off.

Other Supplies

Being in a car affords me the opportunity to pack more random things. Here’s my list of “essential” road trip items:

• Paper towels for those unexpected messes
• Tissues so we don’t have to use paper towels
• Grocery bags for trash or dirty shoes/clothes
• Hand sanitizer
• Ice scraper for winter travel
• Seat protectors (I have a new car and don’t want to unnecessarily dirty up the backseat.)
• First aid kit
• Jumper cables (I’m charging my self charging cables/air pump just in case)
• Umbrella (it’s going to be warm this trip)
• Phone charger
• Blanket and small pillow for emergency naps 🤣 (seriously though, if you drive through the night, your second driver might need to rest up)
• Music or audio books (optional)

What are some of your road trip necessities? I’m sure I’ve forgotten something. Yes, you can always stop along the way. However, I love spending little time looking for survival items and most of my time enjoying new and fun experiences.

Clothing

Pack what you want to wear. I prefer slip on shoes and comfortable clothes when traveling, but other than that, I just take care of my usual travel fare.

The car is packed. I’m ready for adventure. Let’s go…