This road trip packing list will help get your organized and ready for your next vacation!

Road trips can be a bucket of fun or a whole lot of “are we there yet” — and which way it rolls often comes down to the planning and packing. Whether you’re driving cross-country on a family road trip or to the beach with pals, you want to make sure to bring the right gear to keep everyone comfortable, happy and safe on the way. This road trip packing list will help get you ready for the next big adventure.

Packing for a road trip isn’t quite the same as prepping for other types of vacations. Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in the vehicle, things like car care, entertainment, and snacks are a top priority.

If it’s your first time planning this type of vacation, these essentials for a road trip will get you started. But even if you’re a seasoned pro, you’ll find a few new ideas to stay extra comfy and organized. We’ve skipped stuff like outfits and toiletries (you already know to bring those) and focused more on what you’ll need in the car.

I’ve driven through about 10 countries and 30 states, including Switzerland, Hawaii and Arizona, and these are my top things to bring on a road trip! Scroll down to the bottom for a handy printable road trip packing checklist.

The Ultimate Road Trip Packing Checklist

Use this road trip packing checklist to ensure you don’t leave anything important behind. We’ve organized the list into groups of items so you can check off a section at a time.

Essentials and Safety

What to pack for a road trip starts with the essentials — items for safety and car care. You probably already keep a few of these in the trunk but skim the road trip packing list below to make sure you aren’t missing anything.

Organization

Staying organized is key when you’re in the car for a long time. This road trip packing list has everything you need to keep the mess in check and the snacks in easy-to-reach places.

Electronics and Entertainment

Entertainment is a must, especially for a family road trip packing list. Make sure you grab the items below to keep devices charged, kids happy and everyone from saying “are we there yet” for the millionth time.

Comfort and Personal Care

Keep the car cozy and clean with these road trip packing list items. Back seat passengers and copilots especially will love the comfort items for sneaking in a nap.

Snacks and Drinks

You can’t do a road trip without road trip snacks! You pick the grub but add a few of the items below to your road trip packing list to make eating and drinking on the go a little smoother.