20 Things Your Car Needs While On A Road Trip:

Over the last 4 years, we have been on multiple road trips across India, each teaching us a new lesson on how to travel safer in a car!

Out of our experience, we have compiled a short list on everything you will ever need in your car to have the best and most stress-free road trip!

Keep in mind that most of these items can help save you from a lot of trouble not only on the highway but in your daily travels as well. Check out the links to some of our recommendations!

Car Needs:

1. Prepping your car: It’s always a good idea to have your car serviced and completely prepared for the road trip. Everything from the engine fluids to air-con gasses should be topped up! (Pro Tip: Getting your car washed before a long road trip can remove a ton of excess weight of the dirt underneath the car helping with better fuel efficiency and performance!)

2. Documents: When faced with any issue, updated documents of you and your car are what can save you from unwanted headaches. Consider getting a Fast-Tag with enough balance, before your inter-state journey. The toll-stops become smooth and easy!

3. Tire Inflator pump: This is especially important to those who have tubeless tires. A punctured (not burst) tubeless tire can safely run up to another 15-20kms just by refilling the air. Repeat if necessary! (Pro Tip: It’s always wise to keep a check on the car’s tire pressure for safety and economy reasons, specially when climbing up a mountain!)

An additional use of this is if and when your AC filter or air filter decides to give in to the abundance of dust and grime on our highways, simply use the pressured air from the pump to blow out the filter! (This happened to us on our way to Dehradun!)

4. Puncture Repair Kit: Again, a must have for tubeless tires! Who wants to depend on finding a mechanic for such issues. Just youtube it if you’ve been lucky enough to never see a punctured tire get repaired before. It’s not that difficult to crack!

5. A basic Tool Kit for all the necessary fixes. Be it replacing a tire or checking for damage when you’ve gone over a mountain of a speed-breaker in the middle of the highway, a good jack and spanner could lift your spirits up!

6. Jumper Cables: You never know when you might leave the headlights or cabin lights of the car switched on after a long and tiring drive or maybe the battery just decides to give up. With jumper cables handy, you can now rest in peace! (Pro Tip: Ensure the gauge and length of the cables are compatible with your car!)

7. Towing cable or chain: For times when you need that extra pull or decide to help someone in need!

8. When your car is thirsty: We suggest you should keep at least 2 litres of extra water for your car.

9. Sun Visors: We have had a cracked windshield because of the scorching sun on one of our road trips, so don’t stop at just the windows, consider protection for your front and rear windscreens as well for when you leave it parked under the sun. The Sun can be mean and harsh and you need to protect yourself and the car from those rays!

10. Car Dustbin: Where will you throw all those wrappers of munchies you’ve been having on the road trip? You can either buy one or make one out of a large paper bag. A car ash-tray could help keep the filters filtered!

11. A sturdy phone stand: If your car is not equipped with a screen, a good phone stand placed in a good spot in the car, can help you keep your eyes on the road much better while using navigation.

12. Bluetooth: Believe it or not, Bluetooth in a car can be both life-saving when you have to answer those urgent calls while driving or a huge convenience when you want to listen to your favorite tracks. Don’t be disheartened if your car didn’t come with it, there are some really good Bluetooth adapters out there and all they need is an Audio Jack and a USB Port.

Your Needs:

13. Music: Nothing can beat a great playlist (or 50) no matter how short or long your road trip is.

14. Maps: Online and offline maps are a must. You can also download your maps prior to starting the trip (yes, google lets you do that!). This has been so useful to us while travelling through areas with no signal.

15. Multi tool: Having a good multi tool on you at all times can be very reassuring when quick fixes are needed.

16. Torch, to light the way.

17. Phone Number: Have you ever parked your car where you did not know if parking was allowed or not? For such times, we insist on writing your number on a piece of paper and laying it on the dashboard so that if someone needs you to move your car, they can contact you.

18. Power Bank and car charges: The more chargers the better, right? Most cars today come with USB ports to charge your phone but these ports are often low powered and can become an issue if you like to keep navigation and music on the whole way through your phone.

19. First aid kit: You must have a wholesome first aid kit with all the basic medicines from pain killers to paracetamol. A small kit to handle a small wound could prove to be priceless. Better to be safe than sorry!

20. Mosquito repellent spray and/or patches: Who doesn’t dislike mosquitos? The best way to avoid them sucking your blood is by simply slapping on a mosquito patch or spraying it over the needed areas.

Bonus: A big enough plank of wood could be a blessing when your head starts spinning with your tire spinning in the mud or sand.

For some, this list might seem like a bit too much. But experience has taught us that adversity can strike at any moment! Be prepared, drive safe and always wear the seat-belt. Happy Travels!

If you want more information and see beautiful pictures, get in touch with us at info@thetripseekers.in and definitely follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @thetripseekers.