Summer is already fading fast and drivers everywhere are getting restless.  Maybe it’s the excitement of adventure, or possibly a side effect of heat stroke, but when people get bored they drive.  Sometimes those drives end up becoming road trips, and as most of us know, these exercises into madness aren’t to be taken lightly.  Like any trek into the wilderness, you need to be prepared.  That starts with a solid check-off list of stuff you’ll probably need at some point along the dusty trail.  After exhaustive research, I’ve come up with the ultimate road trip survival list as verified by Bear Grylls and the other guy that everyone says is more hardcore.

Stock up & thank me when you get there

Maps

Just kidding, what is this, 1979?  Well, you do need directions, but you can use Uconnect, SYNC, iDrive, or any of the 10,000 other infotainment systems to help you find your way.

Phone

These do directions too, remember?  And check out all the other things you can use it for car-wise.  Plus, if you’re lucky enough to have mobile-to-car connectivity your musical playlist will be much easier to manage.  Remember to keep it charged.

Non-Perishable Food

Stuff that won’t boil in cabin heat or go bad- assorted bars are a good start, but not these if you don’t want billions of crumbs everywhere (though they are damn good).

Someone to Share the Ride With

If this isn’t possible, get to know your national late radio night stations.  I recommend Coast to Coast AM.

Toiletries

A roll of toilet paper, toothbrush, FLOSS, and we’ll go ahead and throw in sunscreen and aspirin too.

Water Bottle

If you forget one, I find that empty Gatorade bottles (found at any roadside mini-mart) provide temporary relief, and if you fill up after finishing the actual Gatorade you’ll get some tasty flavored water.  A cooler keeps things on the level, and if you have pre-installed cool areas like Dodge’s Chill Zone, you’re streets ahead.

A Good Car

This one’s a little subjective, but a comfortable cabin goes a long way.  And it doesn’t matter how caked in dirt the exterior gets, just keep the cabin respectable.  Mom always said it was what’s inside that counts, right?  Speaking of clean…

Trash Bag

Respect your temporary home away from home.  It won’t be a good start when you wake up at 5 AM to start the next leg of the trek and everything is sticky.

Sunglasses

For obvious reasons (to look awesome).

Basic Car Care Items

Extra oil, antifreeze, & windshield fluid are a good start.

Extra Clothes

A nicely quilted sweater and rain jacket can be clutch.  Good hiking shoes, too.

Wooden Matches

You start a fire, you put it out.  This works for actual fires as well as metaphorical ones.

Extension Cord

Good to have as a backup for electronic things.

Blankets & Pillow

Good for taking a quick nap or long, cold, potentially horror movie-style overnighter if you have to.

Flashlight

Your phone app is suspect at all the wrong times.

Duct Tape

It fixes many things.

Books

It’s never too late to learn how to read.

Good luck and take some sweet phone pics while you’re out there.  Then share ‘em with CarWoo!