Road Trip Essentials

Even if you're just running downtown for errands, there are certain things you seem to always need on the road:

• first aid kit (especially band-aids)
• pen and notepad
• change for parking meters
• pain relievers and other medications you may need
• feminine sanitary products
• water
• eyeglass cleaning cloth (if you wear glasses or sunglasses) 
• baby wipes for cleaning up messes or sticky hands
• hand sanitizer
• sunglasses
• sewing kit
• umbrellas 
• lint roller

Keeping these items in your car at all times will save you many expensive stops at convenience stores, where a handful of Advil or a box of tampons could cost as much as the full-size package you normally buy. And how many times have you had to buy an overpriced bottle of water just to take an aspirin (or used it as an excuse to buy a soft drink, which is even worse)?

For any trip longer than a couple of hours, we also pack:

• cell phone charger with cigarette lighter adapter
• dry snacks like granola bars, animal crackers and apples
• water bottles on a small cooler with an ice pack
• jackets (in case of nippy evenings); rain gear would probably be a good idea, too
• extra shoes (if lots of walking is involved in the day's activities and tired feet are expected)
• sunscreen (if planning to be outdoors)
• camera
• extra set of keys

Of course, we are all at least 13- the younger your children are, and the more you have of them, the longer your list will be.  Family Fun offers a helpful kid-oriented list.

Happy travels!