08 Nov Cross Country Road Trip Essentials: Summer Packing List

Planning a cross country road trip can become overwhelming once you start to think about all of the essentials you need to pack. This organized and detailed summer road trip packing list will help prevent/lessen any burnout or exhaustion you might experience through the planning process. You can easily scroll through this list, focusing on all categories or one specific category related to your unique needs. For your enjoyment and benefit, I included links for more information as well as some personal recommendations throughout the list!

Are you also planning a winter road trip? Check out my Winter Road Trip Packing List. Traveling with a pop up camper? Check out my Best Accessories for a Pop Up Camper. 

On the other hand, maybe you are looking for other categories of travel essentials? Then check out my Travel Essentials for Women and/or Travel Accessories for Men.

Contents:

A. Snacks, Snacks, and More Snacks:

1) Water 2) Reusable Water Bottle 3) Gatorade 4) Breakfast Bars 5) Your Favorite Snack 6) Nuts or Trail Mix

B. Clothing and Accessories:

7) Tennis Shoes and Hiking Shoes 8) Crampons 9) Hiking Poles 10) Waterproof Jacket 11) Sunglasses 12) Hat or Visor 13) Fanny Pack or Backpack 14) Bathing Suit 15) Flip Flops 16) Light Jacket 17) Umbrella 18) Comfortable Clothing

C. Hygiene / Medical:

19) Medicine 20) Hand Sanitizer 21) First Aid Kit 22) Lotion 23) Chapstick 24) Sunscreen 25) Bug Spray 26) Bear Spray

D. Car Essentials:

27) Car Chargers 28) Bluetooth Car Adapter 29) Portable Chargers 30) Phone Car Mount 31) Pillows and Blankets 32) Paper Products 33) Cleaning Products 34) Emergency Car Kit 35) Portable Jump Starter 36) Portable Air Compressor 37) Tire Repair Kit 38) Maps 39) GPS 40) Car Air Freshener 41) Printed Out Directions from Google Maps

E. Other:

42) Photography Equipment 43) Binoculars 44) National Park Pass 45) Road Trip Playlists and Podcasts 46) Games 47) Books

A. Snacks, Snacks, and More Snacks

I think it goes without saying that water and food are essentials of your cross country road trip. You want to make sure you have enough water while you are driving as well as while you are exploring around all of the attractions you plan to visit for the day. Additionally, you want to keep snacks handy for long hikes or when you are in an area with little to no restaurants or grocery stores available. 

1) Water – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

• I recommend that you bring a few bottles of water or gallon jugs (hydrate or diedrate, folks). When visiting Glacier National Park, I brought along three gallon jugs of water. I did not end up using all three of them. However, they did still come in handy a few times when I needed to refill my water and there were no water refill stations around. Moreover, they helped me visit Glacier on a budget since I did not have to keep buying more plastic water bottles. 

2) Reusable Water Bottle

• Personally, I have found my water bottle soulmate in the 36 oz Yeti Rambler. Additionally, check out the Yeti store on Amazon for a bunch of varieties (and colors). Think about what size is the perfect size for you to carry around all day as well to keep you hydrated. A reusable water bottle is one of the top essentials for a cross country road trip. Not only does it help protect the environment by reducing plastic waste, but it also keeps your water cooler due to its insulation.

 3) Gatorade – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

• Maybe you have a couple days on your summer road trip across the country where you plan to hike for miles and miles in the national parks. Just go ahead and buy yourself that 12-pack of gatorade to bring with you. Otherwise, opt for another similar drink that offers rehydration benefits after a long day outside.

4) Breakfast Bars

• Breakfast bars can be eaten for breakfast or for a snack throughout the day. Peanut toffee buzz is my favorite type of Clif bar, though it does come out at #13 out of 19 on this ranked list of Clif bars. 

5) Your Favorite Snack

• Yes, you are bound to feel tired and moody at some point during your trip. Make yourself feel better with your favorite snack. This might just be the most important item on this list of cross country road trip essentials. Moreover, you can even reward yourself with your favorite snack after completing a challenging hiking trail such as Angels Landing in Zion or Maryland Heights Trail in Harpers Ferry, WV.

6) Nuts or Trail Mix

• These are great options for a healthy and protein-packed (yet small) snack. Purchase a trail mix variety pack to satisfy everyone’s preferences. Additionally, take a glance at this list of plant-based snacks for even more options to include on your summer road trip packing list.   

Walking trail in Garden of the Gods in Colorado

B. Clothing and Accessories – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

It is all too easy to pack a little bit of this and a little bit of that…and this…and that – then before you know it your suitcase is full, and you have not even packed any shoes. To avoid that issue in the first place, start with the cross country road trip essentials I have conveniently listed out below. You are going to need to pack more than just the items below (ex: underwear, another pair of shoes, etc.). However, those items are a bit more personal – aka make sure you include your favorites on your list of cross country road trip essentials!

7) Tennis Shoes and Hiking Shoes

• Pack a pair of comfortable and sturdy tennis shoes to wear on days you plan to walk around a lot. You do not want to get blisters from wearing sandals or flip flops too long, especially at the beginning of your road trip.
• Additionally, pack a pair of hiking shoes if you plan to hike at all during the course of your trip. Hiking shoes provide grip and traction to help you complete a hiking trail as safely as possible. For example, they can help you hike down a trail with loose gravel or up a trail with large boulders without slipping. Moreover, do not wait until the road trip starts to break in your new shoes. Your feet will not be happy. My personal recommendation for hiking shoes is the Merrell brand. I have a pair and love them – they have lasted me years already. 

8) Crampons

• Include crampons on your list of cross country road trip essentials if there is even a slim chance that snow and/or ice will be present on one or more of the hiking trails on your itinerary. Keep in mind that snow and/or ice can remain on trails well into the summer season. For example, trails with higher elevation in North Cascades National Park often have snow on them in June and sometimes even July. 

9) Hiking Poles

• Pack a set hiking poles if you want extra help on any of the hiking trails you have planned. While most people only use them on longer and harder trails, use them whenever you want a bit of support. For example, the Billy Goat Trail Section A in Maryland has a bit of elevation gain and even a rock scramble. 

10) Waterproof Jacket

• It is no fun getting stuck outside in the rain without a rain jacket…trust me. Moreover, the late summer season is the monsoon season in the southwest. I have a North Face rain jacket, and it has protected me from the rain many times on road trips. The North Face brand has a lot of waterproof jacket options as well as a variety of other waterproof clothing items. 

11) Sunglasses – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

• Pack a pair (or two in case one gets lost) of sunglasses to help protect your eyes. However, do be wary of a sunglass tan. 

12) Hat or Visor

• Protect yourself from the sun when possible, for your skin is precious and beautiful. I have this Under Armour visor, and it works wonders. My partner, on the other hand, has opted for a bucket-type hat. Visors and hats not only protect your face from the sun, but they also help to keep you a bit cooler. 

13) Fanny Pack or Backpack 

• I have used my mini backpack while hiking around national parks, exploring new cities, and more. It is the perfect size to carry around a bottle of water, my phone, and a few other cross country road trip essentials. 
• On the other hand, you can never go wrong with a fanny pack. That is right – they are coming back in style.

Light rays from sunrise just starting to hit the mountains and valleys behind Hidden Lake in Glacier National Park

14) Bathing Suit – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

• There is no better time to take a quick dip in a lake in Glacier National Park or to slide down a natural rock slide in North Carolina than during the summer heat. That being said, I definitely recommend you include a bathing suit on your list of cross country road trip essentials. 

15) Flip Flops

• Pack flip flops for any time you spend in the water and/or to wear in hotel showers. I have a Nike pair of flip flops similar to this pair of flip flops, and they have lasted for years. 

16) Light Jacket

• Even though temperatures are warmer in the summer, prepare for cooler nights. For example, I probably switched between wearing a light jacket and taking it off approximately 10 to 15 times per day during my road trip in Iceland. 

17) Umbrella – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

• Monsoon season is a real thing in the southwestern United States; I learned this from personal experience on my road trip. At least you can brace monsoon season in style with an adorable, clear bubble umbrella. 

18) Comfortable Clothing

• You are going to be in the car for a long time. Comfortable clothing is thus one of the top essentials for a cross country road trip. That being said, skip the jeans and wear athletic clothing while in the car. You can always change your outfit once you arrive at your destination.

Driving in the early morning through Sequoia National park

C. Hygiene / Medical

The most important item within this category is medicine. First, bring enough of your prescription medication along to last the entire length of your road trip. Second, bring along any other medication you think might be helpful. For example, I get motion sick from just about anything that moves. You can thus always find dramamine in my suitcase. 

19) Medicine – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

• Include a bottle of Advil on your list of cross country road trip essentials. It can be a lifesaver when you have a migraine, your legs are sore from hiking the previous day, etc. 
• If you suffer from motion sickness (no worries, I am right there with you), then pack some Dramamine. You might have to drive on some windy and hilly back roads, so it is better to be prepared with the medicine just in case.
• A bottle of Pepto Bismol can come in handy if you experience any sort of stomach issue during your travels. Trust me, road tripping across the country can throw off your normal rhythms and routines a bit. 

20) Hand Sanitizer 

• First, I always have a large bottle of hand sanitizer in my car to use after buying groceries, pumping gas, etc. Second, I usually carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in my backpack while I am out exploring. I try to always wash my hands or use hand sanitizer after touching things in a public place, before eating, etc. 

21) First Aid Kit

• John Hopkins offers a list on what to include in a first aid kit for travelers if you want to make one yourself. On the other hand, you can purchase a pre-made first aid kit from Amazon. Obviously we hope that nobody gets injured while traveling. However, that is not always the case. It is thus best to be prepared in case the situation arises where you need medical supplies. 

22) Lotion – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

• There are many different types of lotion – hand lotion, face lotion, body lotion, etc. Be sure to include all of the different types you need on your list of cross country road trip essentials. My personal recommendation is Cetaphil. It does not irritate my sensitive skin, and it does an amazing job at hydrating my skin, even when it is incredibly dry.

23) Chapstick

• The summer sun can not only dry out your skin but also your lips. Take care of them with a tube of chapstick – keep one tube in your car and one in your backpack. 

24) Sunscreen

• Take it from someone who knows….wear sunscreen, especially if you burn easily. The sun can be unforgiving in the summer season, especially in states such as Utah and Arizona. I generally stick to Neutrogena products, for they are gentle on my sensitive skin. Moreover, they even sell a sunscreen stick if you prefer a non-liquid sunscreen.  Trust me, the summer sun can be brutal in places like Zion National Park or Arches National Park.

25) Bug Spray

• A hike or walk through a park is definitely not as enjoyable if you are spending all of your time swatting bugs away. Trust me, I know from personal experience. Therefore, bug spray is one of the essentials for a cross country road trip. If you do not like the feeling or smell of bug spray, then opt for a mosquito repellent bracelet.

26) Bear Spray – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

• Include bear spray on your summer road trip packing list if you plan to hike anywhere inside of bear territory. You might be surprised to learn that bears inhabit a majority of the 50 states, including Montana, Washington, Maine, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Colorado, etc. Bear territory includes anywhere that black, brown, grizzly, or polar bears live. One of the prime grizzly bear territory areas is Glacier National Park, which holds stunning trails such as Iceberg Lake and Avalanche Lake. 

Driving through the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada

D. Car Essentials – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

While the items listed below are all incredibly useful, they might not be at the top of your list when thinking about the essentials for a cross country road trip. People generally start to think first about the clothes they want to bring, the snacks they want to munch on along the way, etc. However, do not forget the items mentioned below as they are just as (if not more) important. 

27) Car Chargers for Phones (and Laptops if Needed)

• I tend to use my phone to navigate as well as to play music or podcasts while driving. My phone can thus run out of battery pretty quickly. I would be lost without a car charger (figuratively and literally). Moreover, I recommend you purchase a car charger that allows for multiple cords to connect. You do not want to find yourself in a situation where you are all fighting over one phone car charger. On the other hand, you might have a newer car and thus only need the charging cord.

28) Bluetooth Car Adapter

• My car is a bit of an older model, and that means it does not have built-in bluetooth. I thus have to rely on a bluetooth car adapter to be able to play my music, podcasts, etc. through the car speakers. Trust me, the adapter is well worth the investment. I do not know what I would do if I had to drive across the country and could not listen to anything other than the sound of my own voice. 

29) Portable Chargers

• Imagine this. You are hiking the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail in Glacier National Park when all of a sudden your phone battery dies. What a nightmare, right? Avoid having that nightmare become a reality by packing a portable charger. As a bonus, most portable chargers can hold up to four full charges. 

30) Phone Car Mount – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

• A phone car mount is for those who have an older car without built-in GPS as well as those who prefer to use their phone for navigation. Trust me, it is much easier and safer to follow directions when your phone is conveniently mounted on your dashboard or windshield. 

31) Pillows and Blankets

• If you are driving for a long period of time, then I can almost guarantee that car naps will occur. Additionally, I like to blast the air conditioning in the car when I am driving, for it helps me to remain alert. However, this results in some of my passengers feeling the chill of winter even in the heat of summer. Get comfy, cozy with a blanket and pillow set that is specifically made for traveling. 

32) Paper Products

• Pack a box of tissues, for allergies might hit you hard while traveling to new places and being outside all day. Check out these adorable tissues that come in a cylinder container, which allows them to fit in most car cup holders. 
• Include napkins on your list of cross country road trip essentials. It is most likely inevitable that you will spill a coffee drink or food at some point in the car.
• It is possible you will make too big of a mess for just napkins. In that case, pack a roll of paper towels. 
• Pack a roll of toilet paper, for mother nature calls when mother nature calls.

33) Cleaning Products

• Trust me, your car will quickly become dirty after road tripping for even just a couple of days. Pack cleaning wipes to help your car look shiny and new. 
• Plastic bags come in handy if you need a makeshift trash bag or barf bag in the unfortunate event that someone gets sick.

34) Emergency Car Kit – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

• An emergency car kit is one of the top essentials for a cross country road trip. Car troubles can happen at any time, and they can often happen unexpectedly. Therefore, it is best to be prepared with an emergency car kit. You can even build your own kit by following this basic car emergency kit checklist: 100+ items.

Standing at the base of the Cataracts waterfall near Bald Mountain, Maine

35) Portable Jump Starter

• Most emergency car kits include a set of jumper cables. However, you need the assistance of someone else with a car to use the jumper cables. What happens if there is no one around to assist you? The solution is a portable jump starter. You can rest at ease knowing you are able to jump start your car all by yourself.

36) Portable Air Compressor

• It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your tire pressure when traveling long distances. Why? A general rule is that the tire pressure increases about one psi (pounds per square inch) for every 10-degree Fahrenheit (every ~5.5 Celsius) increase in temperature. You can check your tire pressure as well as inflate or deflate the tires with a portable air compressor.

37) Tire Repair Kit

• Another one of the top essentials for a cross country road trip is a tire repair kit. This handy little kit can help you plug holes in your tires. For example, you can plug a hole caused by a nail or other sharp object. While it is important to remain vigilant while driving, you generally cannot see an item as small as a nail on the road in front of you. This is even more true if you are on a faster road, for example a highway.

38) Maps – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

• If you are a member of AAA, then head to any AAA store and request paper maps of all the states through which you plan to travel. Otherwise, I recommend you purchase paper maps online or see if they are available through some other manner. If your phone and GPS fail, then you have paper maps as a back-up plan. 

39) GPS

• I always use my phone for navigation, though I know others prefer using an actual GPS. Please keep in mind that some areas of the US still lack reliable cell service, so you might have to rely on GPS or other navigation forms. For example, all of North Cascades National Park has limited to no cell service. 

40) Car Air Freshener 

• If you love essential oils, then check out these car diffusers. All you have to do is put a couple of drops of essential oils on a felt pad, insert the pad in the diffuser, and then sit back and enjoy your lovely smells as they freshen up your car! 

41) Printed Out Directions from Google Maps 

• Yes, I know I already said to get paper maps and use a GPS. Nevertheless, print out directions if you are like me and want to have a back up plan for your back up plan.

Train tracks with fall foliage in Pennsylvania

E. Other – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

This is the category that includes all of the random items that do not have a home elsewhere on the list of cross country road trip essentials. For example, this category includes photography equipment and games. 

42) Photography Equipment

• Pack a drone (with a camera included) if you want to video your surroundings from a new perspective. However, be sure to read up on the regulations of where you plan to visit to ensure drones are allowed in the area. 
• A GoPro is one of the best cameras to capture more adventurous moments, for example snorkeling or sandboarding down the Great Sand Dunes. 
• A selfie stick really comes in handy when you are out and about and there is no one else in sight. We want to make sure everyone gets in the group photo.

43) Binoculars – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

• Consider a pair of compact binoculars for your summer road trip due to the fact they are easy to store as well as transport. Trust me, they will definitely come in handy when you are searching for wildlife at Fishercap Lake in Glacier National Park. 

44) National Park Pass 

• Ready for some great news? You can purchase an annual pass for the national parks rather than an individual entrance pass for each park. The annual pass can save you tens or even hundreds of dollars, depending on the number of parks you plan to visit. For example, I have utilized an annual pass to visit parks such as Great Smoky Mountains, Great Sand Dunes, and Zion. 

45) Road Trip Playlists and Podcasts 

• While this might not technically be something you pack, it is just as important in my opinion. Craft a new playlist of your favorite songs or queue up a list of podcasts from your favorite shows. 

46) Games – Cross Country Road Trip Essentials

• Time seems to fly by when you beat all of your friends in your favorite game. Some of my favorite games include Exploding Kittens and 7 ate 9. However, trivia is a good option to also include the driver.
• For a bunch of printable road trip games, check out my shop on Etsy. Some examples of the printable games include license plate bingo, road signs scavenger hunt, and national park trivia. 

47) Books 

• A summer road trip is the perfect time to catch up on that summer reading list you never finished. Some recommendations include Because of Sex and The Glass Castle. 

There you have it – the ultimate list of cross country road trip essentials! 

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Zion National Park is a must-visit attraction on your cross country road trip: 7 Things to Do in Zion Besides Hiking.

Do you dare to hike Angels Landing while in Zion?: Should You Hike Angels Landing?