The Essential Summer Road Trip Checklist

By Kimberly Graf. Published on June 22, 2024

Road trips are one of the most popular summer activities that you can take part in. Driving down to the nearest beach or taking a tour of the country's must-see attractions while making great memories with friends and family? Who doesn't love that?

So before you set off on your epic summer adventure, there are a few things you should definitely not skip when you're packing. Traveling light is one thing, but being unprepared is another. Here are some things that you're going to need specifically for the summer road trip.

In addition to your regular road trip packing, there are a few things that you're going to need specifically for summer.

The first among these is absolutely essential: sunscreen. And it's not just for people who are prone to sunburns, either. Sunscreen of any higher SPF rating can help protect your skin from other damage from the sun rays, no matter how well you usually tan.

Sunglasses are the next thing. Avoid the glare from the sun while you're driving, or even when you're just out having fun. It also protects your eyes from damage in the same what that sunscreen does for your skin. In super sunny environments this is going to be really useful.

Lip balm is another helpful protective item that you should have in your summer sun kit. It will keep your lips from drying out and burning.

Aloe Vera gel or lotion is a great thing to keep with you just in case you do get burned – it will take the sting away and keep the moisture in your skin to promote healing.

Now that all of that is out of the way, what do you need in your suitcase? Summer-friendly clothes are a great place to start. No one wants to be hot and miserable while they're supposed to be having fun, so go with shorts and light, cotton shirts for your expeditions into the sun. Always take a bathing suit with you and keep it where you can reach it, in case the fancy strikes when you pass a swimming hole or community pool.

Swimming is a great way to cool off on hot days, so also make sure to keep towels with you. If you want to get right back in the car after your swim, putting them down on your seat will protect it from the water and possible chlorine damage, while also allowing you to dry off without sitting in a damp seat for a few hours.

You might also want to take other gear to keep you cool. A hat will keep the sun out of your eyes and off of your head, and a personal fan is always a good option. If you're going to be outside in the sun where there isn't a lot of shade, you might even want to take an umbrella.

If your plans include a stop on the beach, you might want to take a camp chair. This goes without saying for the summer, as you might want to actually go camping as well. Unless you plan on sitting on your towel in the sand, a folding chair can make all the difference.

For beach fun, you might feel like including a Bluetooth speaker to keep the party going with sweet tunes. Another option, and especially helpful for younger kids, are beach toys like water noodles, inflatable balls, and those fun loungers that you can float in.

As for shoes, make sure that you pack some flip-flops, sandals, or water shoes – you won't regret it when you want to dip your toes in. And you never know what the terrain in some swimming holes is going to be like, so you might as well have some along just in case.

Your skin is bound to get dry, no matter how much you swim. This is especially true if you're going to a dry place from a much more humid environment. You're going to want to be comfortable, so lotion is a must!

Camping is a popular activity in the summer time, so if that's something that you like to do, there are a few essentials. Obviously you're going to need a tent. Make sure that you pitch it somewhere where there is a lot of shade, otherwise it's going to get hot inside with the sun beating down. Even removing the rain fly might not make it any better, so make sure there's plenty of shade!

A cooler is a great asset to have whether you're camping or not. Remember to keep it in the shade as well, no matter what you choose to fill it with. The ice will keep much longer if it's not sitting out in the hot sun.

A propane stove so you can make food is essential, as well as camping chairs (your beach chair can double as a camp chair), sleeping bags, and a flashlight and/or lantern for when it gets dark outside.

The one last thing that you might want to look at for your summer road trip adventures is your car's air conditioning. Getting it checked, serviced, or fixed will make your journey into warmer places much more enjoyable.

All of this is in addition to the regular road trip gear, which you probably already have a pretty good handle on. Taking some of these things will make your summer road trip more enjoyable and comfortable, which is important to beat the heat and still have fun!

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