21 Best Road Trip Essentials For Couples: 2024 Guide (2024)

From portable chargers and first aid kids, to entertainment and sweets, these are the best road trip essentials for couples.

One of my favourite things to do with my other half is hop in the car and go on an adventure! A couple’s road trip gives you complete control of your itinerary. From destinations and departure times, to routes and snack stops, you’re in charge!

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Rather than travelling directly from A to B, on a road trip you’re able to discover new places along the way. It can be hard to stick to a plan, and daunting to have so much choice.Some of you might also find it challenging to think of spending so much time in a small space with your partner!

But with good planning, an epic road trip can be fun, bonding, and create great memories. The journey really is as important as the destination!

So, are you ready to start planning your next adventure? Coming up are lots of road trip tips and items to add to your road trip packing list!

21 Best Road Trip Essentials For Couples

Contents

Lonely Planet Guide – Great Britain’s Best Road Trips

Where are you going on your road trip adventure? If you haven’t set your route yet, you’re bound to find some inspiration in this Lonely Planet guide book. Reading a road trip planner, deciding on a route, and making a packing list are great ways to build up excitement for your trip!

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Country I.D. Sticker For Your Car

If you’ll be driving your own car outside of the UK, you’ll need a country identification sticker on the rear of your car. If a union jack is already included on your number plate, you’re fine.

If not, you’ll need to add a ‘UK’ sticker to your road trip list. This used to be a ‘GB’ sticker, but is one of the things that changed with Brexit. Make sure you’re up to date with this important change!

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Travel First Aid Kit

Although it’s not a legal requirement, it’s a good idea to keep a first aid kit in your car in case of an emergency. It’s one of those items that hopefully you won’t need, but hey, the scissors included in the standard emergency kit are always really useful!

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Portable Car Safe

If you don’t like leaving your wallet, phone or car keys unattended, then a car lock box is a great addition to your list of road trip necessities.

They are also really useful if you’ve planned to meet your partner back at the car, but only have one set of keys! Simply leave them in the coded lock box so whoever is back first can get in.

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In-Car USB Charger

The sat nav, music apps and camera mean your phone is likely to be the most used of your road trip items. This handy adapter plugs into the cigarette lighter. Then you can plug in your phone, a battery pack or charge up your gadgets as you zoom along.

When you’re packing for your road trip, don’t forget the correct USB charging leads!

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Picnic Backpack

After a few hours driving, you’ll be thinking about taking a break. Stopping at restaurants or cafes for food every few hours can get expensive. One of the best ways to save money on a road trip is to pack a picnic.

There are a huge range of boxes, hampers and cooler bags available. However, my favourites are these easy to carry picnic backpacks. This one includes the cutlery, crockery and glasses for your meal!

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Find out which other picnic backpack sets I’d recommend.

Thermos Flask

Another of the top road trip essentials for couples is to pack a thermos flask.They’re ideal if you have a favourite tea or coffee, or have food allergies to consider. Some of them come with two cups, so you can both enjoy a drink along the way!

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Waterproof Picnic Blanket

You might also want to add a picnic blanket to your road trip packing list. There are some really practical options available with waterproof backs, which mean you can sit down even when the ground is damp or a little muddy.

I also had to include them on this list of road trip essentials for couples as there is something so romantic about cosying up on one of these traditional checked mats!

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Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

Coming back from exploring, you’re likely to bring twigs, dust or sand into the car. If you’re on a long trip, the car will get dirty quickly.

If you like things kept clean, then consider packing a small handheld vacuum cleaner.They are also great for hoovering tents!

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Muddy Boot Cleaner

If you’ve stepped in mud (or worse!) then you’ll want to clean your shoes or boots before getting back into the car. Something like this Boot Buddy is a handy item to pack for those messy emergencies. You fill it with water or washing up liquid and then use the brush and scraper to clean off the mud.

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Pop-Up Tent For Two

If you’re planning to stop along your road trip, how about investing in a long-lasting two-man tent? There are plenty of great options around, but the pop-up options are great for taking away the stress of following complicated instructions! No couples need to add a row over a tent into their road trip.

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Car Air Freshener

Another road trip essential for couples is a car air freshener. There are lots of scents to choose from, all of which are better than smelly feet or other bodily smells! This one is great as it plugs into the car and creates a pleasant fragrance inside your car.

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Car Sweets

I think we all have memories of being a kid and being offered a sugary boiled sweet, dusted with icing sugar, out of a metal tin. So, why not continue the tradition and buy some for your next journey!

They come in a range of flavours, from the original mixed fruit drops to strawberry and cream. I’d recommend buying a set like this so you can enjoy a variety!

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Microfibre Towel

Even if you’re not camping, swims or rainy days, mean you sometimes need to dry off. Microfibre towels take up less space than a regular cotton towel, and dry much faster. These are also road trip essentials if you’re travelling with a dog!

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Wet Wipes

Another hygiene favourite to pop in your car or suitcase is a pack of wet wipes. Unfortunately, many in the shops aren’t eco- friendly, and take 100 years to decompose! I’d recommend adding some planet friendly biodegradable wipes like these to your road trip packing list.

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Personalised Refillable Water Bottle

Another green travel tip is to use a refillable water bottle rather than buying plastic bottles along the journey. With personalised versions available, a stainless-steel bottle is also a great gift idea for you both before you embark on your couple’s road trip!

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Polaroid Instax Mini Camera

The best way to remember your couple’s road trip forever is to document it! While you might want to snap a lot of photos on your phone, I’d recommend buying a Polaroid photo for a few special moments. Having physical pictures will mean you remember the trip forever!

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Travel Scrapbook

Now you have photos from your couple’s road trip, how about adding them into a journal or scrapbook? Recording your experiences is a fun thing to do together, and bound to make you laugh when you look back years later!

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Portable Mini Video Projector

How cool is this as a travel gift? This small projector is perfect for taking on your road trip. It connects to your phone or via a USB or HDMI cable. Then you can sit back and relax as your video is projected onto the nearest flat surface. You can power it using a portable charger too, making it perfect for road trips with no electricity, like camping.

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Road Trip Games

For more fun and silliness, how about discovering the best road trip games? You might remember some from car trips as a kid, but this set will make you realise there are plenty more to add your repertoire!

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Audio Books

Road trips are the perfect time for immersing yourselves in a good audio book. There is so much choice avaible now too, from sco-fi and horror to romance and comedy.

For an extra special touch, you could select an audio book that matches your trip or destination in some way.

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I hope you’ve found these suggestions helpful and they lead to an amazing road trip with your partner. If you’re looking for more suggestions of items to pack, this guide has lots of handy travel gifts for couples.

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21 Best Road Trip Essentials For Couples: 2024 Guide (2024)

FAQs

What to pack for a 2 hour car ride? ›

FUN
  • Playlists. Before you leave home, download playlists for offline. ...
  • Earphones / headphones. Your fellow car trippers may want quiet, or they may prefer different music or podcasts. ...
  • Games. ...
  • A car blanket.
  • Chapstick. ...
  • Flip flops for quick trips to the restroom in a park or rest area. ...
  • Backpack. ...
  • Car manual.
Jan 5, 2024

How to make a road trip fun with your partner? ›

Plan Experiences Along the Way

Take your bonding experience to the next level throughout the road trip by planning new experiences together. Before you travel, map out the route and check out the towns you'll pass through. Then, research what there is to do in each town. New experiences can big or small.

How to spice up a long car ride? ›

How to Make Long Car Rides Go By Faster
  1. Conversation topics: Listening to music can get old, so before you hit the road, come up with a list of conversation topics to discuss. ...
  2. In-car karaoke: If you love music, consider mixing things up a little.
May 6, 2016

How to prepare your body for a long car ride? ›

The best things you can do is to take an aspirin before your trip, make a stop to stretch or walk outside of your car every 1 to 2 hours to get your heart rate and blood pressure up, and do frequent exercises in the car to get your venous blood going.”

How to make a drive romantic? ›

4 Tips to Turn Your Car into a Romantic Mobile This Valentine's Day
  1. Add Some Fragrance with a Car Air Freshener. ...
  2. Create a Playlist with Your Favorite Songs. ...
  3. Get Some Cozy Cushions. ...
  4. Hide Little Gifts & Surprises in Your Car.
Feb 11, 2022

What to do when your bf is on a trip? ›

When your partner is travelling and you are not!
  1. Keeping Busy: ...
  2. Random Calls: ...
  3. Give yourself something to do together, even while they're away: ...
  4. Keep each other updated: ...
  5. Be cautious of what you say: ...
  6. Keep Some routine if possible- ...
  7. And finally, That time of the month…

How do I make my road trip less boring? ›

Road Trip Boredom Busters
  1. Can-Do Cards. Don't underestimate the power of a deck of cards. ...
  2. Contest Craze. Hold an official family spelling bee or trivia contest using index cards to write down words or questions. ...
  3. Good Ol' Games. ...
  4. Journal Jotting. ...
  5. Make It Magnetic. ...
  6. Map Quest. ...
  7. Road Trip Box to the Rescue. ...
  8. Silence Is Golden.

How many miles are you supposed to drive a day? ›

The number of miles people should drive each day on a road trip depends on a number of factors, such as the length of the trip, the type of vehicle being used, weather conditions, and the driver's comfort level. A good rule of thumb is to plan to drive no more than 500 miles per day.

How to prep a car for a long trip? ›

Nearest Approved Auto Repair Facilities
  1. Check tires and tire pressure. Inspect all four tires and, if you have one, the spare tire as well. ...
  2. Secure and test the battery. ...
  3. Top off engine oil and other fluids. ...
  4. Replace wiper blades and replenish windshield cleaner. ...
  5. Check belts and hoses.

How to make road trips easier? ›

Road Trip Tips: 9 Ways to Help You Thrive While You Drive
  1. Prepare for your trip.
  2. Bring healthy snacks.
  3. Stay hydrated.
  4. Plan your route.
  5. Plan your rest stops.
  6. Keep yourself alert.
  7. Keep passengers entertained.
  8. Stick to your budget.
Feb 1, 2024

How to make a car cozy? ›

9 Ways to Make Your Car More Comfortable
  1. Invest in a Quality Steering Wheel Cover. ...
  2. Add Sun Protection. ...
  3. Add a Seat Belt Cover. ...
  4. Add Lumbar Support. ...
  5. Add High-Quality Seat Covers. ...
  6. Experiment with Different Seat Positions. ...
  7. Clean Your Air Filters Regularly. ...
  8. Keep Your Car Clean.
Mar 5, 2024

What to do on a 12 hour car ride? ›

8 Road Trip Activities for All Ages
  1. Sleeping Beauty. Someone has to fall asleep for this game. ...
  2. Hello There. This waving game is the easiest game but totally fun and interactive. ...
  3. Snack Time. ...
  4. License Plate Number Game. ...
  5. Get Crafty. ...
  6. Travel Boardgames. ...
  7. “What Adventures Are Ahead” ...
  8. Activity Log or Journal.
May 14, 2024

How can I pass 2 hours in my car? ›

10 Best Ways to Pass the Time on a Car Trip
  1. Tablets and Movies. I am a big believer in limiting my kids' screen time, except on road trips. ...
  2. The License Plate Game. ...
  3. Photo Journalists. ...
  4. Travel Journals. ...
  5. Video Games. ...
  6. The Official Map. ...
  7. Scavenger Hunt. ...
  8. The Deep Discussion.

How do I prepare for a 2 hour drive? ›

11 tips for driving long distances
  1. Plan ahead. ...
  2. Prepare your car. ...
  3. Pack an emergency kit. ...
  4. Sleep the night before. ...
  5. Make sure you pack your driving documents. ...
  6. Give yourself plenty of time to get there. ...
  7. Don't rely solely on cruise control. ...
  8. Don't forget the entertainment.

How should I sit for a long car ride? ›

5 Tips for a Comfy Car Ride
  1. Take the high road. Sit up straight with your knees slightly higher than your hips, and keep your chin pulled in so that your head sits straight on top of your spine.
  2. Take frequent breaks. ...
  3. Empty your pockets. ...
  4. Sit up straight. ...
  5. Wiggle a little.
Jun 1, 2016

How to pack a car for a long road trip? ›

As you would with your suitcase, pack the largest and heaviest pieces of luggage on the bottom and the lighter, softer things on top—just remember the first tip and don't bury what you'll need often. Also try to keep your heaviest bags toward the center of the car, to reduce the possibility of any handling issues.

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