Road trips have their own unique charm, from piling the whole family into the car for Thanksgiving, to heading to the beach with your college friends for spring break. But, wherever you're going and whoever you're going with—a great trip requires great preparation. If you're hoping to head out yourself, where do you begin with road trip planning?

If you're not already planning to go to a specific place, you first need to choose a destination. If what you really want are the sights and experiences of being on the road, we’ve got a few suggestions. Once you’ve picked the journey, the next step is planning for the trip itself. Forgetting even one step can lead to disaster (like running out of snacks). So, be sure to review this checklist before so you canset out with confidence and curiosity.

Our ultimate road trip travel guide and checklist make this process easy for you. We’ve spelled out the steps in a simple way, and have included recommendations for all the best luggage, bags, and accessories ideal for road tripping. Prep smart and be flexible, and even the most spontaneous road trips can be smooth and efficient.

Best Road Trip Travel Destinations

You might already have plans to go to Grandma and Grandpa’s house or a friend’s wedding. On the other hand, if the journey matters more than the destination, we’ve put together a road trip travel list of some of the most iconic places to drive.

The Great Northern Road Trip

Travel the entire northern part of the United States with a road trip along US Highway 2. Start in Seattle, where you can join the other tourists to ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at the Space Needle and fish market. Following the highway east, you’ll reach the incomparable Glacier National Park in Kalispell, Montana. Keep going through the state and into North Dakota, home of Fort Totten, one of the country’s best-preserved military forts, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, home to wild horses, and painted hills. 

Your next stop is Duluth, Minnesota, widely known as one of the most underappreciated parts of the Midwest. Right on Lake Superior, Duluth is home to the Great Lakes Aquarium, and the Aerial Lift Bridge, which was the United States’ first transporter bridge. Then on to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin, and take a slight detour around Lake Superior. From there, Continue to Mackinac Island, Michigan. Here, you'll have to abandon your car and hop on a ferry, so, pack up your backpack, passport (yep, you'll be leaving the country) and get ready to adventure on foot. The Passport Wallet is perfect to keep all your essentials close and at the ready for any adventure across the border!

You’ll leave the USA for a bit at this point and visit Canada’s national capital in Ottawa, Ontario. Explore the beauty of European influences in North America at your next stop in Montreal, Quebec, where you might want to brush up on your French to fit in like a local. Then it’s back across the US border to Burlington, Vermont, the home of beautiful Lake Champlain and birthplace of Ben & Jerry’s. Soak up the vibrant American history, local crafts, and produce, all while enjoying a scoop (or two) of your favorite ice cream flavor! Visit Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire, then end your trek at Acadia National Park in Maine for stunning views paired with an iconic lobster roll.

Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip

This 469-mile road trip is the ultimate choice for beautiful American scenery. The path follows the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains and takes you through two of the country’s most popular national parks. Named “America’s Favorite Drive,” the route connects Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park with North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

The Blue Ridge Parkway’s milepost zero through 106 is the ridge region, a prime spot for hikers and long-distance views of the Humpback Rocks. Early into the drive, visit the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests for fishing, camping, hiking, and beach activities. The Active Backpack 26L is a great option to have on hand for your trip, as it’s versatile and sturdy enough for any outdoor activity; from packing a picnic to toting your fishing gear.

The plateau region runs from mile 106 to 217 and passes through Roanoke Valley and into the state recreational area of Virginia’s Explore Park. You’ll find hiking, disc golf, zip lines, paddling, and tent sites here. After a day of fun, head through the highlands region from milepost 217 to 340, where you’ll cross into North Carolina. This is where the Blue Ridge Parkway first started, and it has a little something for everyone, including a picnic area and nearly 30 miles of hiking trails with views of Cumberland Knob and the Gully Creek waterfalls.

The trip’s last leg is the Pisgah region of North Carolina, with so much to do. Visit the Craggy Gardens, Mount Mitchell State Park, the Folk Art Center, Pisgah National Forest, or  the top of Chimney Rock. This route also includes Brevard, which is the center of Transylvania County, known for more than 250 waterfalls–so, que up TLC on your music app. As you continue to head south out of Brevard and towards milepost 469, you’ll reach the end of your Blue Ridge Parkway road trip at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. This also marks the beginning of the Great Smoky National Park, which is home to some of the highest peaks on the east coast. 

Take a Road Trip on Route 66

US Route 66 is one of the best-known roads in the country due to the classic TV show and song of the same name. Plus, kids will appreciate that Lightning McQueen from the animated movie "Cars" was lost in the fictional town of Radiator Springs along this route. 

The Route 66 road trip starts in Chicago (going east to west), and ends near Santa Monica, California. The road totals 2,448 miles, and you’ll travel through eight different states:

• Illinois
• Missouri
• Kansas
• Oklahoma
• Texas
• New Mexico
• Arizona
• California

You'll drive several hundred miles through each state. The only exception is Kansas, which the route only crosses for 13 miles, so don’t blink or you’ll miss it.

Travelers take this trip in RVs, buses, autos, and even motorcycles. Throw the Active Duffle 55L in your VW camper and set out for a truly iconic experience of Americana. Or, if you’re brave enough to hop on your hog and hit the open road, the Active Backpack 26L is the perfect companion.

If you want to get a feel for how every state has its own culture, this is a great way to do it. You’ll definitely notice a vibe shift as you progress west. Route 66 is often called the Main Street of America and features more than 250 bridges, buildings, and sites that are part of the National Register of Historic Places. Along the way, you can also find seemingly unlimited mom-and-pop motels, stunning scenery, quirky tourist attractions, vintage gas stations, diners, and historic sites galore.

How To Plan a Road Trip

These are just three of the many great road trips through the country. Whether you pick one or have your own trip in mind, preparation is essential. To make sure you get where you're going with ease and enjoy yourself along the way, have your most organized passenger create an itinerary, and follow these steps.

• Ready your car by making sure it's inspected and in good condition to make the journey
• Book a pet sitter or make sure to pack for your furry companion as well. (The Pet Carrier makes it easy to bring your passenger princess wherever you go and even has latches that can fasten it to a car seat belt!)
• Put a hold on your mail, or ask someone to keep an eye on your house and mailbox
• Give your indoor plants a sip of water before heading out the door
• Empty your fridge and take your trash out

What and How To Pack For a Road Trip

There are three considerations when packing for a road trip: your vehicle, your luggage, and everyone’s needs if you’re traveling with others. 

Road Trip Travel Essentials for the Car

We hope that your road trip goes off without a hitch, but it’s better safe than sorry. Here’s a quick checklist to keep in the trunk to be prepared for any emergency:

• Car charger
• Jumper cables
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Antifreeze
• Duct tape

Road Trip Travel Guide for Yourself

You’ve got the car ready to go; now it’s time to pack for yourself. Packing for a road trip has things in common with packing for any trip, but various travel accessories are even more beneficial.

We’ll start with electronics. Make sure you have any video game consoles, tablets, or e-readers charged and ready to go, and don’t forget their cords. It’s always a good idea to have a portable charger on hand.

If you’re traveling with others, there may be times you want to check out and have a minute to yourself. That can be hard in a car full of people. Bring some headphones (noise canceling if you have them) so you can listen to your music, podcasts, or books when you need a break.

When you're traveling across the country at different times of the day, expect the sun to be in your eyes at random times. Pack one or two pairs of sunglasses to minimize the glare.

One downside to a road trip is the frequent bathroom stops. However, it's important to always stay hydrated while traveling, so bring refillable water bottles. Because it's easy to forget to eat and drink regularly when you’re traveling nonstop, pack snacks as well to refill your stomach along with the gas tank.

Now for the clothing you need to pack. Whether you're taking The Carry-On for a trip of a few days or The Bigger Carry-On for a longer journey, make sure you have the space for everything you need:

• Comfortable clothing: Go for your favorite layers that you can wear more than once.
• Lightweight jacket: Long road trips mean changing climates, so be prepared with cozy outerwear.
• Shoes: Bring one pair for outdoor activities and another for in the car, and maybe a nicer pair for formal activities.
• Socks and personal items: Include extra if you plan to do any outdoor activities as they’ll likely get wet, dirty, or both

How To Entertain Your Kids

If you’re brave enough to take a road trip with kids , do your best to bring along a good attitude and enough entertainment for six months (we’re joking, of course!). Seriously, though, check their car seats and make sure they are not expired and buckled correctly.

You know your kids best when it comes to what they prefer to snack on and how to distract them. Bring movies, games, and books so they have a variety of activities to choose from in the car. 

Include children’s pain relievers with your medications in case they get headaches, allergies, or a cold while traveling. Don’t forget bug spray and sunscreen if you plan to be outside. 

It's a good idea to pack a cooler of healthy snacks and drinks because kids typically need to eat more often than you'll be wanting to stop. Pack baby wipes to clean up messes without having to pull over. Finally, load up on hand sanitizer so they can enjoy the stops without bringing germs back with them. 

How To Prepare for a Long Drive

As you set out, we’ve got a few more road trip travel hacks for you. Plan which monuments and sights you want to see, and make sure they're all entered into your GPS device. Be aware of any weather conditions or construction delays that may derail your trip. 

Always get enough sleep before you leave, as you’ll be covering hundreds of miles and it’s easy to doze off behind the wheel if you’re overtired. Plan out rest stops so everyone knows when you'll be hydrating and eating. 

Road Trip Travel Checklist

Make sure you have everything you need before you hit the road. If you've packed all of the following items, you’re off to a good start. 

Road Trip Travel Accessories and Essentials

Don’t forget your toiletries—things like shampoo, conditioner, makeup, hygiene items, or a shaving kit. If you’re bringing jewelry, organize it with our Hanging Jewelry Organizer. 

Bring a Card Case or Passport Wallet to keep your identification close and easily accessible. Include The Large Tech Case to organize cords and electronics, as they’re likely to get mixed up with everyone else’s. Bundle your laptop up in a road trip bag or sleeve so it’s protected. 

Keep your shoes separate (especially when they’re dirty) by packing them in The Shoe Cube. Bring an easily accessible tote or The Micro Everywhere Bag for things like chapstick, keys, and headphones.

What To Put in Your Road Trip Travel Kit

Equip your car with a basic travel kit for the road so you have on hand everything you need:

• Important documents: You may need to bring a passport or birth certificate, depending on where your travels take you. And, double check you have your proof of insurance and registration.
• Medication: Along with a basic first aid kit, keep prescription medicines on your person if possible.
• Motion sickness medication: Car sickness is common on road trips, so be prepared.
• Cash: Most places take credit cards, but it’s always a good idea to have some money stashed safely.
• Entertainment: This can include books, crossword puzzles, video game consoles, card games, and iPads.

Road Trip Travel Bags and Suitcases

Away luggage is ideal for all types of travel, but the different sizes really come in handy when it comes to a road trip. Our larger suitcases let you put everything for you and your kids in one bag, while the duffles are perfect if you prefer to pack light. 

Because we’re travelers ourselves, we know that the perfect bags, suitcases, and accessories can be game changers when traveling. Especially on road trips when space is tight, and organization is key. Browse our collections for everything you need to make any type of travel simple for you.

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