Road Trip Packing List — Free Printable PDF

83 essential items organized into 8 categories. Check off as you pack, then print or download.

Pack car safety gear first (spare tire, jumper cables, first aid kit), then clothing layers for changing weather, snacks + cooler, entertainment for passengers, and toiletries. Don't forget chargers, cash for tolls, and your driver's license. This page has a quick version and a full expanded checklist you can print.

📑 Table of Contents

  1. What You'll Get
  2. Quick Printable (Copy/Paste)
  3. Full Checklist (Printable-Friendly)
  4. Pro Tips
  5. Common Mistakes
  6. Variations
  7. How to Print or Save as PDF
  8. Related Resources
  9. FAQ

📦 What You'll Get

Everything you need to pack for a road trip — nothing you don't. This page includes:

⚡ Quick Printable (Copy/Paste)

🚗 Car Essentials [ ] Spare tire + jack [ ] Jumper cables [ ] Flashlight + batteries [ ] Roadside emergency kit [ ] USB car charger + cables [ ] Phone mount 👕 Clothing [ ] Tops (1/day + 1 extra) [ ] Bottoms [ ] Underwear + socks (1/day + 2 extra) [ ] Jacket / hoodie [ ] Rain jacket [ ] Comfortable shoes [ ] Pajamas [ ] Sunglasses + hat 🍿 Snacks & Drinks [ ] Reusable water bottles [ ] Cooler with ice [ ] Trail mix / granola bars [ ] Fresh fruit [ ] Sandwiches / wraps 🧴 Toiletries [ ] Toothbrush + toothpaste [ ] Deodorant [ ] Sunscreen SPF 30+ [ ] Prescription meds [ ] First aid kit [ ] Hand sanitizer 📋 Documents [ ] Driver's license [ ] Registration + insurance [ ] Cash (small bills for tolls) [ ] Hotel confirmations 🎧 Entertainment [ ] Playlists / podcasts (downloaded) [ ] Audiobooks [ ] Card games [ ] Camera

🚗 Car Essentials (12 items)

👕 Clothing (10 items)

🍿 Snacks & Drinks (9 items)

🎧 Entertainment (7 items)

🧴 Toiletries & Health (13 items)

📋 Documents & Money (7 items)

💡 Comfort & Convenience (7 items)

📥 Download This Checklist

Save it, print it, or share it — never forget a thing on your next road trip.

📄 Download PDF 📊 Google Sheets

💡 Pro Tips

🚫 Common Mistakes

🔀 Variations

🧒 Road Trip with Kids

🐕 Road Trip with a Dog

❄️ Winter Road Trip

☀️ Summer Road Trip

💰 Budget Road Trip

🧍 Solo Road Trip

🖨️ How to Print or Save as PDF

  1. Click the "Print This Page" button above (or press Ctrl+P / Cmd+P).
  2. In the print dialog, select "Save as PDF" as the destination to save a digital copy.
  3. For paper: choose Letter size, Portrait orientation, and no margins for best fit.
  4. The page hides navigation, ads, and non-essential elements automatically when printing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Car safety essentials (spare tire, jumper cables, flashlight), clothing layers, snacks + water, entertainment, toiletries, first aid kit, chargers, cash, and your driver's license. Use the printable checklist above to not miss anything.

One outfit per day plus two extras. Roll clothes to save space. A hoodie and rain jacket cover most weather changes without adding bulk.

Non-messy, non-perishable snacks: trail mix, granola bars, beef jerky, dried fruit, crackers, pretzels. Use a cooler for fresh fruit, cheese sticks, and cold drinks.

Add car seats, kid-friendly snacks, tablets with headphones, coloring books, sippy cups, extra changes of clothes, diapers/wipes if needed, and comfort items like blankets or stuffed animals.

Spare tire + jack, jumper cables, flashlight, tire pressure gauge, motor oil, coolant, windshield washer fluid, roadside emergency kit, USB car charger, and paper maps as GPS backup.

Yes. Click "Print This Page" or use Ctrl+P (Cmd+P on Mac). In the print dialog, select "Save as PDF" as the destination. The page is print-optimized.

Skip bulky items you won't use, excessive shoes (2–3 pairs max), glass containers, perishable food without a cooler, and valuables you can't keep an eye on.

Heavy bags in the trunk, snacks and entertainment within arm's reach, car organizer for small items, dedicated trash bag. Load last what you'll need first at stops.

Add ice scraper, snow brush, emergency blanket, sand or kitty litter for traction, warm layers, gloves, beanie, hand warmers, and extra winter-formula washer fluid.

Highly recommended. A cooler keeps drinks cold, stores perishable snacks, and saves money vs. gas station stops. A soft-sided cooler fits behind seats easily.