As a child, many of my springs and summers were spent on the road. In the back seat of my parent’s bright red Buick, I’d fade in and out of consciousness as stretches of trees and hills raced past the car’s backseat window. Moments like these stand unmatched in both beauty and tranquility. The open road is one of our last remaining relics of pure Americana.
This Memorial Day, no matter the distance, make your road trip one to remember from beginning to end with these 10 essentials.
10 Road Trip Essentials
Necessary Apps: Google Maps for obvious reasons, GasBuddy to find the best gas prices wherever you are, Hotels.com if you’re a fly by the seat of your pants type of traveler and haven’t prepared sleeping quarters in advance, Mad Libs to cure any boredom, and Roadtrippers for alternative and must-see stops along the way. (Except for Mad Libs, all apps are available on both iOS and Android).
A Rocking Playlist: Fun sing-alongs keep drivers alert. Pop in a playlist full of the tunes you loved in high school and sing them all together at the top of your lungs!
A Day-to-Night Appropriate Outfit: For the ladies, a simple black dress usually fits the bill. For guys, the tailored oxford is your best bet.
Oversized Sunglasses: Be like Jackie O’ with a pair of larger-than-life shades. Bonus: Extra-large frames help stave off crow’s feet around the eyes.
A Kit of High-Quality Toiletries: Include cleaning wipes, tissues, toilet paper, painkillers, and a first aid kit. Always be prepared!
Hand Sanitizer: A clean sink and a drop of soap can be hard to come by on the road.
A Great Book … or Two or Three: Better yet, take your entire library with you on your tablet or e-reader. Remember to download all books before leaving the house!
A Small Pillow: A tiny luxury that’ll make all the difference in between shifts behind the wheel.
A Great Scarf: For upgrading your wardrobe, taming your hair, or covering your arms when the breeze starts biting.
Mood-Boosting Chocolate: As adults, we can do better than gas station snacks. Pack a few of Delysia Chocolatier’s most portable creations like our spicy, nutty Pecan Cayenne Bark made with local nuts and dark chocolate. Or get a sweet shot of energy from our thick and velvety Coffee Truffle Collection which boasts choice Arabica coffee skillfully blended into rich chocolate squares.
Featured image: Wiki Commons