Family Road Trip Checklist for Summer (Plus Printable Packing List)
It’s the middle of summer, and families are heading for road trips these few weeks before school starts. Having a checklist for your family road trip can save you tons of worries and time.
A road trip is fun until whining starts, and emotions run high. Having a solid plan and getting organized ahead of time can ease this tension and cries.
Our family has been traveling on road trips ever since we got married. And then, we had kids, and we continue to make one or two road trips a year.
The covid pandemic had made it hard to travel last year since restrictions had been in place. So our family had stayed put and skipped travel for a year.
So, why go on road trips?
- The thrill of adventures for families.
- Delightfully seeing nature’s beauty along the way.
- Emersion of your chosen vacation destination.
- Great family bonding.
- Simply enjoying the journey together on the road.
It need not be complicated. Enjoy the scenery, take breaks along the way, and celebrate your family by creating lasting memories for you and your kids to remember.
What information do you need before going on your planned road trip?
- Itinerary
- Hotel Accommodation
- Maps (in case GPS stopped working)
- Weather Report (online update)
- Knowing where the Rest Areas for a break
Why do you need a general family packing checklist?
If you’re planning on a road trip for your family, it’s crucial to have a packing list of items to bring. It’ll help you be in control of what and what not to bring and be on top of what you need.
Even though you are traveling via car, you don’t want to overpack as well, even as much you’d like to bring the whole house. We moms can go overboard with our packing, so the checklist will help us not go that route.
Whatever items you plan to pack will be based on the season and type of weather at your destination. The basics and the must-have items are non-negotiable.
This packing list is geared toward a summer road trip and vacation places. So let’s get on with the packing, shall we?
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Family Packing Checklist for Your Next Road Trip:
Clothes
These are a no-brainer—plan for outfits being on the road and for your final destinations.
You can set up paired outfits (tops and bottoms) together, pack underwear and socks, seasonal clothing items, and other essential clothing.
Packing cubes help you segregate clothing per day or location.
Footwear
Wherever you plan to go, you already have an idea of what you’ll be bringing for you and the whole family. Feet protection and comfort are a must for every person traveling. So, packed the ones you think can do that.
You can use shoe bags
for trips to keep your other packed items free from dirt and such.
Other Wearable Items
It’s important to pack what you need that fits your travel location and pack adequately.
Family Road Trip Essentials Packing List – For the Car
What you’ll need:
- Car Insurance
- Your Car Keys/ Spare Keys
- Car Manual
- Car Registration
- Car/Roadside Emergency Kit (rope, spare tire, pressure gauge, jumpstart kit, etc.)
- Any Car Organizers
- Car Seats/ Booster Seats (appropriate seats for kids, check expiration date)
- Cash/Coins
- Cooler
- Driver’s License
- Credit/Debit cards
- Maps
Activities for You and Kids
- Art/Sketch Book
- Activity Books (word search, coloring books, etc.)
- Crayons/Markers
- Chargers/Cords
- Handheld Devices (DS, Switch, Kindle Reader, Cellphones, Players)
- Headphones/ Ear Buds
- Magazines/Books (if no one gets car sick)
- Paper/Pen/Extra Notebooks
- Kid Toy for babies and little ones
Basic Items
- Blankets
- Travel Pillows
- Paper Towels
- Wet Wipes/ Disinfectant Wipes
- Trash Bags
- First-Aid Kit
- Flashlights/Batteries
- Sunshades for Car Windows
- Umbrellas
- Sanitizers
- Ziplocks
- Scissors
- Seat Belt Cutter
Camera Bag
- Best Camera
- Camera Stand
- Camera Cards/Batteries
- GoPro
- Selfie Stick (for quick set-up)
Road Trip Checklist for Family Food Items To Bring
Snacks:
- Crackers (Wheat thins, Ritz, Cheezit)
- Single Pack Snacks (goldfish, Grahams, chips)
- Protein Bars
- Granola Bars
- Mixed Nuts (if not allergic)
- Dried fruits
- Jerky Packs
- String Cheese (keep in the cooler)
- Chocolate Dip Crackers
- Sour Patches
- Fruits: Apples, oranges, grapes
- Vegetables: Baby carrots, celery stick
- Nut spread (almond/peanut/hazelnut)
- Sliced bread or homemade loaf bread
- Fruit cups (keep in the cooler)
Portable Meals:
- Egg sandwich spread (keep in the cooler)
- Tuna salad sandwich
- Breakfast Wraps
- Hummus and Crackers
Drinks:
- Water
- Juice/Milk
- Water Bottles
- Drink Tumblers
Extras:
- Ziplocks (sandwich bags)
- Napkins
- Disposable Cutlery
Road Trip Checklist for The Whole Family
Main Items:
- Suitcases (Large/Small)
- Clothes (tops, bottoms, dress, pajamas)
- Underwear
- Socks
- Hoodies/Light Jackets
- Hats
- Sunglasses
- Appropriate Shoes
Toiletries:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Mouthwash
- Conditioner
- Shampoo
- Body wash/wash puff
- Bath Soap
- Comb/brush
- Detangling spray
- Razor/Shaving Cream
- Epilator
- Deodorant
- Cotton Buds/Balls
- Sunscreen
- After-Sun Gel/Lotion
- Sanitary Pads/Tampons
- Nail Clippers
- Tweezers
- Wipes
- Basic Skin-care Bag (cleanser, serums, moisturizer, BB creams)
- Roll up Make-up bag
- Small jewelry pouch
Beach Essential Wearables/Items
These listed items are what you’ll be needing to enjoy the beach and sun. But, of course, safety and protection from the sun is Top Priority for everyone.
- Swimming Wear: Swimsuit, swim shorts, kids swimming outfits
- Goggles
- Snorkels
- Flippers
- Floaties (check requirements)
- Life-Jackets (check requirements)
- Water shoes
- Quick Dry Towels
- Sandproof beach blanket
- Beach Umbrellas/Tent
- Sandals
- UV protection Sunglasses for parents and kids
- Scuba gears/suits
- Water Bottles
- Sunscreen/After-sun Gel
Safety and Health Essentials
Making sure that emergency items and basic kits are included, you never know when you’re going to need them.
- Health Insurance Cards
- First-Aid Kits
- Prescription Medicines
- **Medical Equipment: Portable Nebulizer, BP apparatus, Glucometer
- Essential OTC Medicines: Fever/Pain Reducer, Antidiarrheal, Anti-nausea, Motion Sickness
- Thermometer
- Medicine dispenser/cups
Personal Protection Kit for Covid:
You want to make sure you have all the essential protective items for you and your family.
- Masks
- Hand sanitizers
- Gloves
- Disinfecting Wipes
- Trash bags
- Alcohol-filled spray bottle
- Lysol Wipes/Spray
Packing for Baby’s Diaper Bag:
Packing your baby’s bag is probably the easiest for you since you make use of it every single day. So you are already ahead in the game, and you know what you’ll need for your baby during any trip.
- Diaper Bag
- Diapers/Cloth Diapers (Babies)
- Baby Wipes
- Butt Cream
- Boogie Wipes
- Baby Nasal Aspirator
- Ear Cleaner
- Baby Bottles
- Baby Formula
- Bottle brush/detergent
- Burp Rags
- Blankets
- Extra sets of clothes
- Breastfeeding mama: Nipple Cream
- Nursing Cover
- Teether necklace
- Extra Mama Nursing Top
- Bottle Brush Cleaner
- Baby Dish Soap
There you go, never go on a road trip without a summer checklist for the family.
This road trip essentials checklist aims to get you and your family organized in your packing and hopefully not forget anything.
I understand what you need for your family might not be what I need for mine; however, you can take off or add what your MUST-Haves are.
Remember to pack a separate overnight bag for each person if you stop by a hotel to rest before continuing the trip.
And, don’t forget to take plenty of pictures to capture the moments, but remember to savor the experience along with your family.
You can download the FREE Road Trip Packing List and print it for you and your family. Have Safe and Happy Travels!
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