Even though I'd rather fly, I end up taking a lot of road trips for personal and business travel. After countless 7+ hour drives over the years, I've curated my go-to items for the long car ride to keep you awake, entertained, and focused.
1. Starbucks - A MUST! I always treat myself to a venti Oat Milk Latte and egg white bites before hitting the road. Depending on how the drive goes, I usually stop for another halfway through.
2. Snacks - I allow myself to snack a bit on the road. My go-to snacks are cheese sticks, beef jerky, popcorn, yogurt, pretzels, more coffee, and some chocolate.
3. Tweezers - When the sun hits and you find that pesky facial hair, you’ll be equipped and ready. LOL, but really, though. Tweezerman is the GOAT.
4. Water - Staying hydrated is super important, especially if you enjoy road trip snacks. I love adding electrolytes for extra taste and hydration. My current favorite brand is LMNT in the grapefruit salt flavor.
5. Furry friend - Tucker is a great travel companion! I've driven with him from DC to Ohio and Kentucky a few times. He sleeps in the back while I keep my eyes on the road. I bring plenty of treats and toys to keep him occupied, and it's a great excuse to stop often for short walks.
6. Playlist - A long Spotify playlist, podcasts (usually Him & Her or Call Her Daddy), and audiobooks are essential to keep me entertained. Recently, I've enjoyed a mix of my favorite songs and new tracks. On my last road trip, my boyfriend made a playlist of his favorite songs. It was a fun way to discover his music taste, mostly country, and enjoy songs I hadn’t heard before.
7. Chipotle - I don’t know why, but Chipotle is my road trip meal of choice. It might be nostalgic because I used to eat it a lot with my dad and brother growing up, and it was also a college favorite. My go-to order is a chicken burrito bowl with brown rice, pinto beans, tomatoes, corn, cheese, always guacamole (I know it’s extra), and lettuce. Add green pepper hot sauce.
8. Portable phone charger - Thankfully, my car charges my phone, but a portable phone charger with a block is one I need to add to my list. It's also great for long events and game days—you never know when you'll need a charge, and it's usually often.
Hope these essentials make your next road trip more enjoyable and stress-free! Safe travels!
