Embarking on a road trip is to say yes to adventure. A road trip offers a sense of peace, mindfulness, and connection with nature that every human pines for whether they want to admit or not. But, miles of fast food restaurants and hours of sitting don’t often make for a healthy trip.
Not to worry – with a little preparation, you can turn a road trip into a complete wellness experience. Whether you’re taking on some of our nation’s great beaches, campsites, national parks, hiking trails or simply exploring your own backyard, you can enjoy the art of a healthy road trip with just some simple packing.
Smart Snacks: Eating Well on Road Trips
Roadside greasy spoons or fast food joints are unreliable in providing nutritious food, and those with specific dietary needs are often left to fend for themselves.
Easy Road Trip Meal PrepThe key to a healthy and delicious road trip is packing easy-to-eat treats that don’t require much preparation. Consider nutrient bars and snackable produce (like grapes or green beans). You may also consider a cooler if you need to bring certain refrigerated food along with you.
Hydration StationHydration keeps you healthy. It also helps to prevent driving headaches, stress, and digestive issues. Stay happy and healthy by bringing along plenty of water and fill up with fresh water whenever you can.
Simple ShortcutsSimple green juice powders or protein powders can easily be mixed with water or plant-based milk on the go. If you find your road trip nutrition lacking, these can be a simple way to get your vitamins and minerals while enjoying the ride. Even if you expect to find plenty of food options on your road trip, having some back-up snacks and drinks is never a bad idea.
Road Trip SustainablyThe health-conscious traveler is not just concerned about their own health, but the health of the communities they visit and the earth itself. Travel as sustainably as possible by packing a travel mug or reusable water bottle, cooler, thermos, and travel food kit.
Healthy Hacks: Lifestyle Wellness on Road Trips
Just because you’re on the road doesn’t mean you have to ditch all the healthy habits you enjoy at home. Here are our favorite essentials for an active, healthy road trip:
Stay Active Travel yoga mats are not just for road tripping yogis – they can be used for stretching, simple workouts, or even for a moment of relaxation at a roadside vista or in your hotel. Research a few simple travel workouts before you go, or try out a local yoga studio on your travels.
Aromatherapy for Travel Essential oils are small, simple to pack, and can be a great natural way to prepare for a road trip. Peppermint can be a great way to stay awake during the drive and relieve any headaches, tension, or motion sickness along the way. Lavender is helpful for relaxing or improving sleep cycles while traveling. Lemongrass is a helpful natural bug repellant and can keep pesky mosquitoes away.
Essential Nutrients Vitamins and supplements often get forgotten in the packing rush but keeping your routine as normal as possible can help you keep your healthy routine.
Fuel Your Brain: Finding the Best Road Trip Entertainment
Half the fun of a road trip is simply enjoying your time on the road! Consider bringing along some of these entertainment essentials for the ride.
Listen Up! Every road trip needs its own soundtrack for the journey. The ultimate road trip playlist will keep you wide awake, or maybe you prefer to soak up some knowledge with a classic travel audiobook or road trip worthy podcast. At Roadhuntin, we love book summaries – they’re impactful, to the point, and keep us wide awake at the wheel! Try Blinkist for a range of short form summaries of the world’s leading books.
Picture This You’d be hard-pressed to take on a road trip that didn’t have at least a dozen photo-worthy moments. For the serious road trip photographers out there, a quality camera, selfie-stick, tripod, and even drone may need to be on your packing list. For those less shutter-savvy, be sure to charge up your smartphone and check out these simple tips to get the most out of your travel photography.
Journal Like Joan Joan Didion is one of America’s most interesting novelists and essayists, known for her exposees on the actualities of American life. But Joan was no sugar-coating travel guide; she told of places, people, and her travels exactly how she saw them – flaws and all. When you bring a practice of keen observation and connection into your own travel journaling, you will preserve the true essence of your trip. Document not only what you do each day of your trip, but what it was like to be there. For inspiration, try Joan’s South and West.
Adventure Wellness: Outdoor Essentials for Road Trips
Prepping for hiking the canyons, diving into waterfalls, or just simply enjoying a nature-packed weekend of camping? Hitting the road is just the first step. Every seasoned outdoor enthusiasts knows the importance of being prepared for anything.
Well-Care Depending on your plans, you may need to pack more or different medical care than the average road trip. Be sure to bring a stocked first-aid kit and any other additional items you may need – just in case.
Emergency Communication Sometimes the best part of a road trip is simply getting lost. Enjoy the feeling of freedom with a tool like the Garmin InReach. Use GPS and call/text no matter where you are.
Adventure in Comfort Enjoying the great outdoors can often get a little messy. Keep yourself (and your car) clean and comfortable with helpful items like body wet-wipes, extra toilet paper, a quick-dry towel, extra clothes, and natural creams for aches and pains.
Road Trip Essentials: Just The Basics
You’re well on your way to enjoying a road trip packed with wellbeing. But don’t forget these three core supplies before hitting the road.
Roadhuntin Maybe you have the perfect destination in mind, or perhaps you’re open to wherever the road takes you? Either way, reliable navigation basics are essential for a safe and enjoyable road trip. With Roadhuntin, you’ll be able to follow a set itinerary or go with the flow at ease. Search our recommended routes and sights along the way, or search your nearby area for more impromptu adventures.
Digital Essentials Our modern lives revolve around technology. While a road trip can help bring you back to simpler times, it’s smart to ensure you have all the necessary technical assistance you may need in a pinch. Don’t forget an extra phone charger, portable battery power bank, and offline GPS.
Simple Safety Safety is important on any trip but being prepared for all kinds of road emergencies and detours helps you cool, calm, and confident. You’ll have the basics in tow (GPS, driver’s license, insurance), but here are a few extra essentials for the serious road-tripper:
- Flashlight
- First Aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Spare tire and jack
- Car manual
- Empty gas can
- Car fluids
- Extra cash
- Personal medications
Healthy Hygiene Will you be roughing it on your trip or enjoying cozy nights in accommodation? Your road trip itinerary may affect your personal hygiene list in some ways, but most people will need these basics:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Hand Sanitizer
- Toilet paper
- Garbage bags
- Tissues
- Wet wipes
- Sunscreen
- Glasses/contacts
- Personal favorites or necessities
Smart Travelers are Prepared with Essentials for a Road Trip
Sure, life seems simpler on the road. But the road also offers us a closer look at the places we pass, a deeper connection to the path we take, and often a few unexpected surprises along the way. Being prepared for anything leaves you free to follow adventure wherever opportunity takes you.
A healthy road trip starts with smart preparation. Whether you’re a road trip veteran or new to the wild open pavement, we hope this list of essentials will help you take on your next trip like a seasoned wellness travel pro. Make your list, check it twice, then enjoy the freedom at the wheel!