Road Trip Essentials – Everything you should carry when you venture out on a drive!

If COVID-19 shut the world down, the one thing that has emerged is the fact that road trips are on the rise. Be it on your motorcycle or in your neat new SUV, going on a long drive is the perfect ‘social distancing’ holiday you can take. After all, there are so many corners in India that are worth exploring and they make for the perfect getaway.

Having said that, it is important to pack right for a road trip. While you might have already starting planning your summer trip, the essential packing list is something that often gets left to the last minute. To help with that and to give you a list, we at MotorScribes have compiled a rather detailed ‘pack-list’ that you can use as a ready reckoner (and it will help you save time as well as space in or on your vehicle)!

Vehicle papers

Thanks to new norms, you can carry your vehicle papers digitally using the mParivahan App, however, being India, we still recommend that when you set out on a long journey, you should carry originals of your RC, a copy of your insurance and a valid pollution check sticker (PUC). Of course, your original driving license is a necessity as well.

Vehicle fluids

Speaking from experience, you want to take brake fluid, engine oil and a can of coolant along with you. While most fuel stations across India stock these items, you might find yourself in a part of the country where the exact oil you require isn’t available. We have been in that situation once and it delayed our drive by hours as we had to literally hunt down a source of engine oil! Save yourself the pain and carry these fluids along.

A puncture repair kit and basic toolkit

Before you set out on your road trip, we are sure that you have given your vehicle a once-over and made sure that it is ready for the trip. However, punctures are a part and parcel of life and you don’t want to be stranded by the road because you didn’t pack a puncture kit. A basic toolkit just helps (and it adds to your confidence. Trust us!)

Phone chargers

Our phones are also our gateway to the world of entertainment. Your downloaded playlist, navigation for your trip and keeping in touch with the world while you go out and explore a far off corner are all made possible with this one device. You don’t want it running out of charge and a car charger is definitely an essential pack list item.

First aid kit

This kit isn’t the free one you get with your car. It has to be customized for your needs. Keep your prescription medicines in there as well as extra OTC pills for headaches, fevers or tummy trouble. Band-Aids and gauze as well as disinfectant lotion like Dettol should be part of the list too. India is a hot country and rather dry so moisturizing lotion, chapstick and sunscreen are priority items that you should definitely consider packing in this kit.

The right clothes and footwear

While out on a road trip, you want to pack light and pack right. Keep your destination in mind and how many days you are going to be out on the road. If you think you have laundry access (say at a hotel) then you can take that into account and pack accordingly. If not, you need to keep everything in there. For driving you want to have nice comfortable clothing – cargo pants, t-shirts and sneakers are a great suggestion. Depending on your destination or stops along the way you will need swimwear, chappals, and towels or heavy jackets and boots.

Pro tip: Extra underwear and socks are never a bad thing! You can always wear jeans for days, but nothing feels better than a new pair of briefs at the start of your day!

A cap & sunglasses

While these items may sound obvious, the truth is that they are the most forgotten items on this list when it comes to packing. People end up missing out on these two essential items a lot and the truth is that they are the most used items while out on the road. Long hours behind the wheel require sunglasses and stepping out in the sun is always nicer with your favourite cap on.

Snacks & Water

While carrying at least 3-4 water bottles on board at all times is a good idea regardless of your destination, snacks are where you can be flexible. If your drive involves a lot of highways, you can be rest assured that you will find enough to eat along the way and thus you don’t have to clutter your vehicle. Having said that, a bag of chips, some biscuits, cheese cubes and chocolate bars are always nice to munch on.

Sanitary Essentials

Being out on the road doesn’t mean you forget about hygiene! Take your toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, bath gel, shampoo and two sets of towels along for sure. Women must include their sanitary needs on this list too. You might not find what you need in an emergency and it is always better to be ready than scramble.

Health Essentials

While a lot of pack-lists don’t mention these items, in our experience, they are essential for any such trip. You will be out and about and keeping in top health just ensures you have a great time while you enjoy the great outdoors. Keeping your immune system in top knick is as essential as it gets and for that we have this list of items to consider:

Mango Leaf Powder

Made from pure mango leaves and dried in a preservative free environment, this is drink is an ideal way to start your day. Made for sugar control, it also helps keep your tummy in check and on a road trip that means everything, if you know what we mean! Available on Amazon: click here

Ginger Lemon Powder

Another easy to make drink that you can carry along is this product that flushes out toxins from your body and keeps you in the pink of health. Eating at dhabhas, junk food etc. isn’t the best for you and a toxin cleanser is an important carry-on. It is also a refreshing drink that you can have multiple times a day! Available on Amazon: click here

Flaxseed & Jaggery Mix

This one is an optional extra, but we recommend it anyway. A nice tasty powder that you eat in the evenings to support bowel movement. Again, on a road trip, this can mean the world to you and having a good clean tummy before a long drive ensures you have a great day! Available on Amazon: click here

While the above list should have you covered for most road trips that you can take in India, if you are looking at going off the beaten path and trying out a destination that is way out in the boonies, then you should consider having these items packed as well.

Cooking kit

Available at Decathlon, you can opt for a nice small cooking kit that allows you to make noodles, a hot cup of tea or toss some vegetables and meat for a scrumptious meal.

Tent, roll-up mattresses, sleeping bags & pillows

Being out in the middle of nowhere means you will in all likelihood not find a place to stay. Carrying these essential items makes a lot of sense so that you get a good night’s rest and can enjoy being socially distant at its best. The complete kit is available at Decathlon stores, so no trouble finding them at all.

Printed maps

Yes, in the day and age of Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Google Maps, these still make a lot of sense if you are off the beaten path for you might not have mobile network! Trust us, they definitely come in handy.

Vehicle support

You don’t want to get stranded and having the right tools with you is essential. Apart from a good tool kit, remember to carry a tow rope, a jumpstarter and an electric tyre pump along with you. They can help you get out of a sticky situation for sure!