---
title: "10 Items You Must Take On Your Next Road Trip"
description: "Drive smart. Drive prepared."
date: "2015-11-23"
modified: "2019-07-02"
authors:
  - name: "Max Goldberg"
    job_title: "Associate Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/max-goldberg"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/995/10-items-you-must-take-on-your-next-road-trip"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "News"
---

# 10 Items You Must Take On Your Next Road Trip

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/archive-images/roadtripgear_hero.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

A long adventure—through vast, open highways and idyllic, secluded back roads—is an amazing experience. Well, until you realize that you’re grossly underprepared. Instead of taking a blind stab at a packing list on a beer-soaked cocktail napkin, let *The Drive* help you get this process going.

![ ](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/roadtripgear_weego_art.jpg>)
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The joys of the open road can come to a screeching halt when your battery dies. Fortunately, the compact [Weego Pocket Charger](<https://myweego.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQiAj8uyBRDawI3XhYqOy4gBEiQAl8BJbdT7DVWIscJNSW__uKkFYOFDV97tb6HsMy4cN9SctE0aAtHf8P8HAQ>) can quickly bring your chariot back to life, charge your phone and light up the night ski, all while fitting in your glove box. [Video](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/405/drive-wire-meet-the-pocket-sized-car-battery-charger>)

![ ](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/roadtripgear_yeticooler_art.jpg>)
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Every good road needs awesome food. Too bad most coolers are big, boxy and pretty terrible at, well, keeping things cold. The folks over at [Yeti Coolers](<https://yeticoolers.com/hopper-20/>) have come out with a soft, nigh-indestructible cooler, dubbed the Hopper. Don’t worry about changing the ice, this puppy is an insulated godsend.[Video](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/802/drive-wire-a-cooler-that-can-take-a-beating>)

![ ](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/roadtripgear_rooftent_art.jpg>)
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Hotel? Nope. Consider purchasing a roof top tent by[Treeline Outdoors](<https://treelineoutdoors.com/collections/roof-top-tents>) for your rig. It’ll set you back a few bones, but you’ll come out in the black at the end. [Video](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/529/drive-wire-camp-with-a-rooftop-tent>)

![ ](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/roadtripgear_fireboxstove_art.jpg>)
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Depending on where your next adventure takes place, you might need to cook your own food. Sure, a full-size grill is ideal, but when space is limited it may not work. Instead, pick up the extremely compact[G2 Folding Firebox Stove](<https://www.fireboxstove.com/>) and get cooking.[Video](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/374/drive-wire-g2-folding-firebox-stove>)

![ ](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/roadtripgear_gopro4_art.jpg>)
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Welcome to the Facebook Age: If you didn’t get it on video, it didn’t happen. Share the wanderlust with friends and family—or, well, a [good lawyer](<https://www.cpmlaw.com/people/>). Document your drive with the[GoPro Hero 4](<https://shop.gopro.com/hero4/hero4-black/CHDHX-401.html>).

![ ](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/roadtripgear_maxtrax_art.jpg>)
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Mixing in some off-road is a solid move. If you’re blasting dunes on the Cape, blazing new trails at an off-road park, or traversing snowcapped mountains, you might get stuck. Instead of waving the white flag and calling a tow truck, lay down some[Max Trax](<https://www.maxtraxamerica.com/>) and drive right out. Although these guys may be one of the largest items on your trip, they’ll be the most valuable if things get hairy.

![ ](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/roadtripgear_bestmadefirstaid_art.jpg>)
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Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Translation: a good first aid kit is essential. Luckily, the outdoorsmen over at[Best Made Co.](<https://www.bestmadeco.com/products/first-aid-kit?taxon_id=973>) made you a tin, waterproof kit to ensure you get patched up in a pinch. (Pro tip, from your author, an EMT: Create a contact in your phone under “ICE” with all pertinent medical info and an emergency contact for first responders to access).

![ ](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/roadtripgear_leatherman_art.jpg>)
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You should always have an emergency multi-tool in your center console, especially important when driving through unpopulated areas. The[Leatherman Z-REX](<https://www.leatherman.com/z-rex-32.html>) is up for the job. It’s a single piece of solid metal with the two most important things: a seatbelt cutter and a window punch.

![ ](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/roadtripgear_toolkit_art.jpg>)
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Of course, we also recommend bringing an assortment of tools you use most frequently or purchasing a mid-range[mechanics tool set](<https://www.homedepot.com/p/Crescent-1-4-in-3-8-in-and-1-2-in-Drive-6-and-12-Point-SAE-Metric-Mechanics-Tool-Set-170-Piece-CTK170CMP2/205155848?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D25T-HandTools%7c&gclid=Cj0KEQiAj8uyBRDawI3XhYqOy4gBEiQAl8BJbX7iYdxMsRnvV4AuISJSLis2zDxMSMVJ-NdGb9XujBgaAjrT8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds>). Even the best mechanic in the world is nothing without a wrench.

![ ](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/roadtripgear_pendletonblanket_art.jpg>)
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Rather than spending time out of the car at a less-than-sanity rest stop, spend it overlooking rolling hills or tall pine trees. Although that may not be exactly what the folks at [Pendleton](<https://www.pendleton-usa.com/product/Blankets-Throws/Featured/New-Arrivals/BADLANDS-ROLL-UP-BLANKET/173514/sc/2240/c/2421/pc/2178.uts?rv=true&prid=google_nonbrand_Shopping_-_Home_%26_Blankets&adpos=1o1&creative=45408704412&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=Cj0KEQiAj8uyBRDawI3XhYqOy4gBEiQAl8BJbc6s9DaqpZTek8Bta3wkP1V1SC1fE9eRLCKbmh2BmRUaArtS8P8HAQ>) thought when they designed the waxed canvas blanket, it sure works well for those quick-and-dirty roadside breaks.

## Author
Before working at *The Drive*, Max Goldberg raced the streets of Westchester in an ambulance as a licensed Emergency Medical Technician. He has boundless enthusiasm.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/maxems>)