As any adventurer will tell you, nothing gets the blood pumping like a spontaneous road trip—be it an overnighter or an extended trek across the country. The reality, though, is that you can’t just drop everything on the spur of the moment and go about on your merry way. You’ll need to prepare for even the most last-minute of trips—though it needn’t be a time-consuming task. What you’ll need to bring will depend on a) the duration of your trip, b) the capacity of your RV, and c) your ultimate destination. Regardless of the above, though, all road trips will have the same base necessities. No matter where you’re going, here’s what to take on a road trip.
First aid kit
The old saying is clichéd, but it bears repeating: safety first! Whenever you read articles like this one, you’ll usually see first aid kits listed towards the top. There’s a reason for that, and that’s because—we reiterate—safety first!
In all seriousness, first aid kits are important to bring to any extended trip—especially if they’re off the grid, and the nearest hospitals out of range. This goes double if you’re setting foot into the rugged wilderness or exploring challenging terrain. A first aid kit is like a fire extinguisher: you hope you’ll never need to use one, but in a worst-case scenario, you wouldn’t want to be without it. There are all different types of kits on the market, so ensure to choose one suited to your needs. We recommend this off-road first aid kit from St John Ambulance Australia. At a minimum, your kit should contain antiseptic, bandages, tweezers, and tools for treating minor injuries.
Maps and navigational devices
Electronic devices are a double-edged sword: they provide information and connectivity in such a way that past generations couldn’t even dream of. However, unlike ye old faithful paper maps, they cannot run without frequent access to an electricity source—and, in most cases, a WiFi router. Unfortunately, when you’re going off the grid, you’ll often be without the latter—and, if you’re really roughing it, you’ll be without the former, as well. That’s why navigational devices, such as Global Positioning Systems (more commonly known as ‘GPSs’) and mobile phones (once you open the Google Maps app, at least), are good back-ups to physical maps. You should definitely bring both—after all, physical maps won’t bark directions at you, such as: ‘in 200 metres, turn left at the fork in the road’—but don’t be alarmed when they run out of juice (or you fall out of range).
For this reason, you should map out your trip prior to hitting the road. Though we are conditioned to do so, you should resist the urge to kick back and let Google take the wheel. Should your device cark it, a plan will keep you cool, calm, and collected, and inform your next move. The great thing about paper maps is they will never have the issue of a low battery or a lack of WiFi connectivity. Check out Hema Maps, which has most of Australia covered.
Clothing and accessories appropriate to the conditions
If you’re going anywhere longer than a day, you’ll need at least one change of clothes. And it shouldn’t come as a shock that a road trip calls for comfort over catwalk presence. So, what sort of clothes will you want? Things that fit well and can endure against the elements. And what makes for durable clothing? Simply put: pieces that are wrinkle-resistant, slightly stretchy, and water-wicking. On any trip, it’s also important to dress to the conditions. And on a lot of trips—especially long-term trips extending over weeks or months—climatic conditions can cover a wide spectrum.
On a road trip, bear in mind you’ll be spending a lot of time outside. So, if you’re a cold fish, you should bring some warm clothes. Unless you’re heading out into a heatwave—or, for example, to Cairns in the middle of summer—temperatures tend to drop by nightfall and can become colder than you may expect. Once the sun goes down, you might just appreciate a pair of trackies and warm socks!
Hiking gear at a glance!
However you’re playing it, you should prioritise bringing enough clean clothes for however long you intend to be away. (If your RV has laundry facilities, however, this may not be so critical.) You should also bring along additional clothes and accessories to enhance your experience. If your trip extends to the beach, for example, ensure to bring bathers, sunglasses, and a towel—and perhaps a wetsuit and surfboard, if that’s your speed. If you’re going to the snow, bring all the essential snow gear—from the warm snowsuit, beanie, and gloves, to the skis, ski poles, or snowboards. If you’re going on a hiking trip, you may be braving challenging climates, so you should layer up, load up on that water-wicking gear, and—of course—pack those trusty hiking boots. For extended hikes, we recommend you bring a hiking day pack.
Toiletries
Ah, the toiletry bag: the staple of every overnight trip ever. You definitely brought one of these to childhood sleepovers or school camps. Almost everyone is familiar with the concept, so let’s keep it brief. In your toiletry bag, you should pack a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, soap, toilet paper, sunscreen, and insect repellent. If you’re staying for longer than a few nights, you should also pack shampoo and conditioner—provided you have shower access, of course.
Optional extras include hand sanitiser, mouthwash, razors, shaving cream, hair accessories (such as hair ties or bobby pins), a shower cap, and body wash (if you prefer that to shower soap). Though these don’t count as toiletries per se, you should also pack linen items, such as bathroom towels and face washers. Did we forget something? Feel free to throw whatever else into the bag, too. You’re ultimately packing for yourself, so bring whatever you need to feel comfortable!
Healthy snacks
Throughout long drives, the car isn’t the only thing that’s going to need fuel. You should pack some healthy snacks for the road, avoiding the oh-so-tempting lure of sugary junk. Chocolates, lollies, and soft drinks may seem like a great way to treat yourself on the road, and energy drinks may seem like a viable solution to fatigue. When driving long distances, however, it’s best to avoid high-GI foods, which spike your energy. In fact, such foods will likely promote the fatigue that you’ll want to rectify with energy drinks. Once you’ve chased down that fatigue with yet another burst of energy—aka an energy drink—you may realise you’ve begun to fuel a vicious cycle.
Oi! We saw that.
So, what should you eat instead? Our road trip food list consists of fresh fruit (or a fruit platter, if you’re feeling fancy), nuts or trail mixes, veggie sticks, or wholegrain crackers (with or without your favourite dip). Not only are these snacks nutrient-rich, but they are also more satisfying. For sustained energy and zero ‘sugar crashes’, we can’t recommend these foods highly enough.
What should you drink on the road? Good, old-fashioned H2O, of course! The recommended daily intake for water is between two and three litres, and driving can be thirsty work. Caffeine addicts: you’ll be pleased to hear that our stance on coffee is also positive. We acknowledge that it aids concentration, but bear in mind that it can be dehydrating, as well. To stay hydrated—coffee drinker or otherwise—you should keep a filled water bottle by your side throughout your trip.
Things to entertain
Can we count entertainment among the list of road trip essentials? That’s debatable. Entertainment doesn’t show up on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The size of its role in relation to mental health is also not clear-cut. That being said, if you’re undertaking a road trip, entertainment will certainly make the trip more enjoyable. It’s not always about the destination, but the journey itself, so why not make the best of it?
For those of you unfamiliar with the app: Spotify is that green button. It learns your musical preferences and creates playlists based on your listening history. It’s like Netflix but with songs.
If you’re spending long periods of time in a vehicle, you’ll want some background noise. Curate a Spotify playlist ahead of time, or choose some audiobooks to listen to throughout your journey. Should you encounter patchy reception, at least the pre-prepared playlist will see you through the times of low-to-no WiFi. And should you need to tune out, a pair of trusty headphones are the best way to internalise the experience and switch off the outer world.
iPads: bringing everything we need to our fingertips.
If you’re travelling with children, their attention spans may be less lengthy than yours. Keep them entertained with books, toys, or movies. With tablets and iPads now available on the market, kids are better equipped to kick back and keep themselves amused at the mere touch of a screen. Such technology is also host to a plethora of interactive games. Perhaps you might like to play Words with Friends when it’s your turn in the passenger’s seat.
Camper trailer or RV
Finally, ask any adventurer about their road trip must-haves, and camper trailers or RVs will likely top the list. In strict terms, RVs are about as ‘essential’ to road trips as entertainment is, but—as we say—they can make a trip a lot more easy or enjoyable. If you’re frequently darting out on road trips or camping holidays, an RV will save you some serious money on accommodation fees. And because your RV has no ‘check in’ or ‘check out’ times, you have the freedom to travel for extended periods, or to venture on the fly—minus the fuss of finding somewhere to stay along the way.
Our Longreach LE, fully set up.
Cub Campers’ Longreach LE is a luxury, deep-sided family camper trailer for off-road adventures. Among one of our more spacious models, the Longreach LE has all the creature comforts of a caravan—but all the lightness of any other off-roader. It’s also very compact, meaning you can store it as easily as you can store your necessities inside it. This easily storable, lightweight, and comfortable contraption is the camper trailer trifecta of convenience.
The Longreach LE’s interior and kitchen space.
What sets the Longreach LE apart from other camper trailers? Well, its creature comforts include a hot water system and shower, an extra-thick pillowtop mattress, a headboard, and electronics such as lighting, a USB port, and speakers (including a fusion stereo and subwoofers). These are among the highlights, and these are completely separate from the standard inclusions. It’s the ideal RV for families wanting to head out on off-road adventures.
The Longreach LE’s sleeping quarters, fit for a queen-sized snooze.
How are you travelling?
If you hadn’t gathered by now, it pays to curate a list of road trip essentials—especially when you’re going off the grid. If nothing else, a rural journey is a chance to unplug, reminding us of the world beyond WiFi connections. Whether you’re heading out on an overnighter or trekking across the country for six months, we hope we have aided your preparation. At the very least, we hope to have provided some exciting inspiration for your next trip!
Wherever you’re going, remember to put safety first, attend to personal care, load up on healthy snacks—and find ways to keep yourself (or your fellow road trippers) amused. As fulfilling as it is to reach a destination, it’s important to savour the steps along the way, too. Here’s to making some memories!
