What to pack in your car for a road trip, according to travel expert Samantha Brown
Editor's Note
Travel expert and host, Samantha Brown, has traveled more than 2.5 million miles and journeyed to over 65 countries throughout her storied career. During the most recent season of her Emmy Award-winning PBS series "Samantha Brown's Places to Love," Brown added 2,448 miles to that total by completing her multi-year Route 66 road trip, spanning all eight states along the Mother Road.
"The history of Route 66 is fascinating, and I met so many wonderful people. That's why it's called the Mother Road; it really is what gave birth to this nation's tenacity, spirit and incredible optimism," Brown told TPG. "I don't say this lightly, but in my 26 years of travel it's the most incredible trip I've ever taken," she added.
Related: 8 best road trips for visiting national parks
Nov. 11, 2026, marks the 100th anniversary of Route 66, with celebrations taking place throughout the year. Whether you plan to tackle your own Route 66 road trip or you have other summertime road trip plans, Brown shared some of the items she always keeps in the car for long journeys. We threw in a few of our own TPG-tested travel items to create the ultimate road trip packing list.
Frisbee or ball
"I've done a lot of road trips with my kids, so we always pack a Frisbee or a ball," Brown said. "We aren't sports people at all, but you want to leave time to relax, rest and stretch your legs." When you pack a Frisbee, ball or other portable outdoor game, your rest stops can turn into opportunities for a mental and physical reset after hours spent cooped up together in the car.
Buy on Amazon: 8-in-1 sports combo play set, $24.97
Snacks and water
Sure, you could stop at gas stations along the way for provisions, but that will get expensive pretty quickly. Instead, start your trip with a stash of snacks and drinks, and make just one or two stops for those special "comfort road trip snacks." For me, those include Nerds Gummy Clusters, Pizza Combos and a fountain Diet Coke that is entirely too large for human consumption.
If you want to protect the environment while protecting the cash in your wallet, invest in a reusable water bottle (or several if you are traveling with family). You can fill them up before you leave and refill them with water from the fountain machines at a gas station.
Buy on Amazon: CamelBak Chute water bottle, $19
Emergency kit
Buying an emergency roadside kit is a lot like purchasing car insurance. You hope you never need to use it, but you will be grateful you spent the money if you do. A well-rounded emergency kit includes items such as jumper cables, tire repair tools, a flashlight, a portable air compressor, safety gear and a first-aid kit.
Buy on Amazon: Car emergency kit, $89.99
Wet wipes
Whether you are traveling with kids or not, wet wipes can come in handy. Whether it's sticky hands or a questionable gas station pump, wet wipes can quickly put those messes in the rearview. Opt for antibacterial wipes in a resealable package that sanitize as they clean and store easily in the glove compartment.
Buy on Amazon: WipeEssentials hand sanitizer wipes, $9.99 for a 3-pack
Portable charger
In addition to charging cables you likely already keep in your car, it's a good idea to have a portable power bank on hand for on-the-go charging. This is especially true if you are traveling with a large group or have multiple devices to charge. Look for a portable charger that can charge several devices simultaneously and make sure the battery is full before you leave for your trip.
Buy on Amazon: Anker 3-port power bank, $49.99
Comfortable clothing
Brown also recommends traveling in comfortable clothing. "When I fly, I usually have one or two really nice outfits, but on a road trip, everything is super casual," she said. "Everything I am wearing needs to be able to transition pretty easily from sitting in a car to going for a hike or stopping for a bite to eat," she added.
When speaking with TPG staffers, a few added that they also keep a blanket or sweatshirt in the car when they travel, since it's hard to find a temperature that pleases everyone and if you run cold, this can come in handy.
Buy on Amazon: EverSnug 2-in-1 travel blanket and pillow, $29.95
Game and activities
Even the most resplendent landscape can get a bit monotonous after a while, particularly for kiddos, and it helps to have some games and activities to help pass the time. This could be something as simple as looking for license plates from all 50 states to seatback iPad holders so kids can watch a movie rather than asking "are we there yet?" for the 75th time.
Below are a few activities that can help keep boredom at bay:
Buy on Amazon: LCD writing tablet, $15.99
Buy on Amazon: Melissa & Doug reusable games activity book, $8.99
Buy on Amazon: Road trip car bingo, $12.49
Buy on Amazon: Seatback iPad holder, $17.99
Related: The 12 best road trips to take with your family this summer
Sunglasses
Forgetting your sunglasses is a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things, but it doesn't feel that way when the sun is glaring through the windshield, and you still have several hours of driving in front of you. That's why many TPG staffers keep an emergency pair of sunglasses in the car at all times.
Don't worry too much about the style ... you'll only need them if you forget your stylish sunnies at home. These sunglasses are just a backup plan to shield you from the sun, not to make a fashion statement.
Buy on Amazon: 3-pack polarized sunglasses: $23.99
Trash bags
For better or worse, garbage and road trips go hand in hand. A grocery bag or small trash bag can work just fine in this situation, but there are also garbage bag systems made specifically for your car. They come with multiple bags that attach to the back of your car seat, so when you remove a full bag, a new one is waiting right behind it.
Buy on Amazon: Tossits recycled disposable car trash bags, $12.99
Map or guidebook
As Brown prepared to complete the entirety of Route 66, she didn't rely solely on a map app or GPS. She turned frequently to Jerry McClanahan's "Route 66: EZ66 Guide for Travelers." In addition to detailed maps, this Route 66 guide includes information on restaurants, must-see attractions and even interactive games and scavenger hunts you can play along your journey.
"[Route 66] ebbs and flows through interstates and the historic sections, so you need to be very mindful that you're on the right road," Brown said. "His guide literally helps you mile by mile," she added.
Whether you are navigating dirt roads or a more well-paved path, using a guidebook to the area you are visiting can be beneficial beyond just directions. They can help you discover a destination from a local's perspective, with tips, dining recommendations, photo opportunities and more.
Buy on Amazon: "Route 66: EZ66 Guide for Travelers - 6th Edition", $42.30
Anti-nausea bracelets or medicine
Some people are more prone to travel nausea than others. If you are among those unfortunate enough to suffer from travel-related tummy troubles, there are several remedies that can ease your symptoms. Some of the most helpful tips are to avoid reading books or looking at your phone. Eating mint-flavored candies can help, too. But, if you need something more effective, look for anti-nausea wristbands or over-the-counter medications (these are only recommended for passengers, not drivers).
Buy on Amazon: Dramamine Less Drowsy Nausea Relief Tablets, $7.72
Buy on Amazon: Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Accupressure Wristband, $10.99
AAA membership
If you disregard those AAA membership mailers that show up in your mailbox once or twice a year, it's time to reconsider this service. AAA's benefits go beyond roadside assistance, though you can dial up the membership services line for flat tires, dead batteries and more. AAA also provides travel planning services, discounted theme park and attraction tickets, member-only hotel and car rental rates and more.
AAA memberships start at $72 per year with up to two additional cardholders for free. Learn more here.
Downloaded maps and entertainment
When you drive from sea to shining sea (or anywhere in between), you are likely to encounter spotty cell service along the way. To make sure you don't get lost or bored when this happens, download maps, movies, games, music and TV shows to your device before you travel.
Apple Maps offers downloadable offline maps, so you are never without driving or walking directions when navigating a new locale. While not quite as vital, it's also smart to download entertainment to your phone or tablet to ensure you can still listen to your favorite road trip playlist even in the middle of nowhere.