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If there is one fun thing to know about me, it is that I am one of those people who can not fall asleep in cars.
No matter how hard I try it just never works out for me, so while some people go on long car trips to other states and can sleep the whole time, I can't.
Over the years of this being a reality for me, I have almost perfected what to bring to occupy myself for around 14 hours at a time!
Here is the list of my top 10 car ride essentials I bring with me whenever I go on a long trip!
10. Aux Cord or CDs
If there is one thing that always inevitably ends up happening it is that somewhere along the trip, phone signal goes out, and sometimes even radio will go in and out.
One thing I ALWAYS have prepared when I go on long car rides is several albums downloaded and ready on my Spotify account.
But if you don't have or use Spotify regular CDs or anything you can play music or podcasts on is always a good thing to have!
Music is one of the things that always manages to keep a car ride fun so make sure to be prepared!
Aux Cord (for iPhones)
Some of my favorite car ride albums! (these are also on Spotify!)
9. Earbuds/ Airpods
This is another thing that I always have any time I go anywhere.
Sometimes you go on trips with people who don't want to play the same music as you so if you bring earbuds or headphones you have the option of playing whatever you'd like without bothering the other people in the car!
I am one of those people who bring fully charged AirPods, and a backup pair of wired earbuds just in case my AirPods die and I can't charge them!
8. Download Netflix movies/shows
One amazing feature the Netflix app now has is you can download movies and shows to a folder in your app and watch them anywhere.
Since going on travels often means you will be spending a bit of time with little or no signal, having things like this downloaded and ready to go can save you quite a bit of boredom.
7. Headphone Splitter
You can find these on Amazon for a couple of bucks, and if you are going on a trip with a friend who has a similar music taste to you, this is a good thing to have.
Long gone are the days of sitting in the back seat trying to time up what songs you play with one another, just listen to them from the same device!
6. Water Bottle
This is a must for anyone going on a long journey.
90% of the cost of bottled water, is for the bottle itself.
So if you bring a reusable bottle, most places will let you fill it up for free.
So not only are you reducing the amount of trash being kept in your car, and in the planet. But you also will be able to save a couple of bucks along the way!
This is the BEST water bottle I have ever bought, I have taken it on trains, planes, paddle boards, kayaks, it goes EVERY were with me!
I have dropped it probably a hundred times, and still have not broken it! Which is what normally happens when I buy reusable bottles. So I highly recommend buying from this brand!
5. A Book
There is normally a time around the 4-hour mark when I get tired of looking at my phone.
I know, it's shocking, but it happens.
Because of this I always bring a book with me, I don't always really end up reading it. But I like to have the option available just in case I decide I want to.
4. Pillows and Blankets
One of the most important things to have in a car, it gives you the ability to bundle up and get all cozy while you are on your journey.
Cold? Use a blanket.
Hot? Take off the blanket.
Neck hurts? Well, you have a super comfortable pillow right there to rest your head-on. Perfect and versatile in all situations!
3. Puzzle Cubes
I know this one might not be for everyone, but on the last trip to Texas, I went on I had one of these in my bookbag that I got from work, and it ended up taking me over an hour to put back together.
I didn’t give up on it because I didn’t want loose plastic bits in my bookbag, so it was very motivating and kept my attention for quite a while.
So if you are traveling with kids or just want something entertaining to do then I would consider this an essential item to bring.
2. Comfy Shoes
I am one of those people, where if I am in a car for more than an hour my shoes come off.
So wear comfy shoes that are easy to slip on and off even in the dark!
I typically will wear crocs, chacos, or Birkenstocks for that easy comfort while riding in a car
1. Portable Charger
THIS. IS. SUCH. A. LIFE. SAVER.
If you are planning to go on a long trip soon and more than one person will be in the car, bring a portable charger, I even bring two.
You have no idea how often it is that once my phone starts dying someone else's does at the exact same time.
So to have a portable charger or two fully charged and ready to go is such an important thing for me.
Because if you have a charged phone you have unlimited access to music, entertainment, and navigation!
Here is my list of the things I must bring with me!
Hopefully, this helped you think up a packing list to use on your future adventures, and make sure to subscribe to my email list to be notified of future posts!