Happy Friday, friends! A few weeks ago, I was on a cross-country road trip with, Laura, who’s one of my closest friends that I’ve met through blogging! 🙂
Laura and her husband were making the big move from Dallas, TX all the way back up here to the Northeast and invited me to come along to help them (and have some fun, of course!) So, I booked my spontaneous flight from Philly to Dallas for only $52 and started planning what to pack for the road trip back.
Since they were moving to Maine and I live in Pennsylvania, they dropped me off on their way. I was only on the road with them for 2 days. Yep! Only 2 days! It was a lot of driving but it actually went by really fast since Laura and I talked the entire way, haha. 🙂
[bctt tweet=”What I Packed For A Cross-Country Road Trip AND What I WISH I Had Packed” username=”SummerTelban”]
Anyway, I want to share with you what I packed for the trip, as well as what I wish I had packed. I had only taken a carry-on and a backpack with me for the trip. It was important to me that I packed light for two reasons: 1. I was helping my friends move so I didn’t want to take up much space. 2. It was a road trip so naturally, I would be in comfy clothes the whole time.
Disclaimer: I didn’t have to worry about making sure the cars were all good to go and had everything they needed. So, if you do need to worry about that – add that to your list!
Be sure to read Laura’s post, “How To Survive A Winter Road Trip” after you’re done here! 🙂
WHAT I PACKED FOR THE ROAD TRIP:
The Basic Travel Essentials:
- Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Razor
- Body Lotion
- Hand Cream
- Sanitizer
- Tissues
- Lip Balm
- Aleve
- Hairbrush
- Makeup Remover Wipes
- All of this packed into my trusty travel bag. Seriously, it’s the best!
While these are all basic travel essentials for all of your travels, they cannot be forgotten for a road trip! Body lotion and hand cream are probably two of my TOP “SO glad I brought these” items. In the winter, my skin can become so dry and itchy that I feel like my skin is cracking all over. I’m sure you can resonate to a degree. It’s zero fun, haha. I’m glad that I decided to pack a backpack to keep with me for the road trip and that I had hand cream in it. My hands kept getting super dry and poor Laura’s hands were cracking bad! Hand cream is a lifesaver and relief. 🙂
[bctt tweet=”Cross-Country Road Trip Essentials & Packing List” username=”SummerTelban”]
Additional Essentials:
- Sweatshirts – this “Good Times” one is on sale right now! Snag it!
- Zip-up Hoodie
- T-shirts
- Socks/Undergarments (duh, haha)
- Athletic Leggings
- Baseball Cap (dry shampoo days)
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Power Bank
- Phone Charging Cable
- License
- Adidas Superstar Kicks
- Snacks/Drinks
I had those of you on Instagram who follow me help me pack before the trip, which was a huge help! I decided to pack lots of layers of sweatshirts. I’m someone who is usually always warm and if not, I get warm easily. Believe it or not, I hate being warm – it makes me feel overwhelmed… which is why I didn’t pack a winter jacket for the trip.
The most shocking part of the trip? I didn’t use my camera once! I know, so sad. But honestly, there wasn’t much to photograph on the drive. Everything was pretty much flat, haha and the only times we stopped on the drive was to fuel up, use the bathroom, and to let Laura’s dog out.
SCROLL THROUGH THE ARROWS TO VIEW MORE & SHOP!
WHAT I WISH I PACKED:
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Travel Pillow (for when I wasn’t driving)
- Gum/Mints
- Lint Roller
- Mini Hairbrush
- Plastic Bag (for trash)
- Winer Coat
I did a pretty good job at bringing along the essentials but for my next road trip, these are all on the list. It would’ve been helpful to have a reusable water bottle with me, as well as gum or mints. I did have a lint roller packed but it was in my carry-on, so not exactly helpful in a moment’s notice… Laura’s dog shed a ton, haha! So, I was covered in dog fur whenever I went into a store! I also wish I had a mini hairbrush packed in my backpack for quick unsnarling.
Remember when I said I get warm easily? That’s why I didn’t bring a winter coat, haha. But, I do regret that decision for rest stops! I kept stealing one of Laura’s extra coats.
[bctt tweet=”What To Pack For A Cross-Country Road Trip In The Winter” username=”SummerTelban”]
GO READ LAURA’S BLOG POST ON SURVIVING A WINTER ROAD TRIP!
Have you ever taken a cross-country road trip? If so, what did you pack? What were your must-have essentials! Let’s chat!
Let’s connect! >> Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest
