What Should You Pack for a Family Road Trip?
For a family road trip, pack in zones: what each child needs within reach in their seat, what the front passenger hands back, and what stays in the trunk until you stop for the night. Snacks, water, wipes, a trash bag, a first-aid kit and offline entertainment matter more than anything else.
On this page
travelingwithchildren.com/packing-list/road-trip/
The checklist (92 items)
Built for: baby, toddler, kids, teens · road trip · warm or cold climate · 1 week. Tags show when an item only applies to some trips. Quantities assume one week.
Documents 9 items
| Packed | Item | How many |
|---|---|---|
Clothing 22 items
| Packed | Item | How many |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | ||
| 7 | ||
| 6 | ||
| 5 | ||
| 7 pairs | ||
| 2 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 10 | ||
| 2 sets | ||
| 4 pairs | ||
Health 16 items
| Packed | Item | How many |
|---|---|---|
| 2 packs | ||
| 2–3 days' worth + buy there | ||
Gear 25 items
| Packed | Item | How many |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | ||
Entertainment 13 items
| Packed | Item | How many |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | ||
| 4 | ||
Snacks 7 items
| Packed | Item | How many |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | ||
How to use this list
This checklist works for road trips with children of any age, from a weekend drive to a two-week loop. Use the “Print this list” button at the top of the page and keep the printout in the glove box for the return trip.
Cross out what your kids don’t need, and add age-specific items from the other lists. For a list tailored to age, trip type, climate and length, use the packing list generator.
Pack the car in zones
The easiest way to keep a family car livable is to give every item a zone. You stop searching the trunk at gas stations, and kids can help themselves.
| Zone | Where | What goes in it |
|---|---|---|
| Seat bin | Next to or in front of each child | Water bottle, one snack, wipes, small trash bag, 2–3 activities, headphones |
| Front-seat bag | Passenger footwell | Snack refills, tissues, first-aid basics, chargers, paper towels, motion sickness bags |
| Overnight bag | Top of the trunk | One night of pajamas, toothbrushes, a change of clothes per person, medicine |
| Trunk | Bottom of the trunk | Main suitcases, stroller, cooler, emergency kit |
A small bin or seat-back organizer per child works well. Label each one with the child’s name so there are no arguments about whose snacks are whose. Keep a cooler with drinks and lunch supplies within reach of the front seat, which saves both money and stops. Refill seat bins from the front-seat bag at each stop, not while driving.
What people over-pack and forget
Families over-pack toys and suitcases. On a road trip, bags come in and out of the car daily, so one shared overnight bag saves a lot of unloading. Clothes for the whole trip can stay in the trunk. Pack each child’s clothes in a separate packing cube so you can find them fast.
What people forget:
- A roll of paper towels and a bag for trash
- A car phone mount and one charger per device
- Downloaded audiobooks, playlists and maps, since signal drops in rural areas
- Motion sickness bags, and a full change of clothes for any child who gets carsick
- A travel potty for toddlers
- Sun shades for side windows
Car safety and emergencies
Safety items belong in the car before anything else. Pack a first-aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, blankets, water and a basic tool kit. Check tire pressure and the spare before you leave.
Keep car seats installed and used correctly for every leg, including short hops. Buckle children in regular clothes or a thin fleece, not a puffy coat, and lay a blanket over the harness. Loose heavy items in the cabin can move in a hard stop, so store them low in the trunk.
For route planning, stops and in-car games, read road trips with kids. To keep costs down, see family travel on a budget. For the full picture, start with our complete guide to traveling with children.
Frequently asked questions
What should be in a road trip kit for kids?
Each child should have water, a snack, wipes, a small trash bag and two or three activities within reach. Add headphones and downloaded content for longer drives. Keep a spare set of clothes per child where you can reach it without unloading the trunk.
How often should you stop on a road trip with kids?
Many families plan a stop every 2 hours, and more often with babies and toddlers. Stopping before kids get restless works better than waiting for a meltdown. Build the stops into your drive time so you are not rushing.
What should be in a car emergency kit for a family road trip?
A first-aid kit, phone charger, flashlight, jumper cables, water, non-perishable snacks, blankets and a basic tool kit. Check your spare tire before you leave. In winter, add warm layers and an ice scraper.
Should kids wear bulky coats in car seats?
No. Puffy coats can compress in a crash and leave the harness too loose. Buckle your child in regular clothes or a thin fleece, then lay a blanket or the coat over the straps.
How do you keep a car organized on a road trip with kids?
Use one small bin or seat-back organizer per child, one front-seat bag for things you hand back, and one overnight bag so you don't unpack the whole trunk at each hotel. Empty the trash at every stop.