SCBS Monthly Link Up: Road Trip Survival Kit

Summertime Road Trips can be amazing but without an amazing survival kit it won't be nearly as fun. I shared this post on Trend Influencer Magazine (I'm a staff writer for the online magazine) a few weeks ago and thought it would be perfect to share with all of you for today's linkup.

My husband and I on our spur of the moment trip up CA-1

The number one essential for an amazing road trip is of course a great road trip partner. Every Thelma needs their Louise, ever Bonnie needs their Clyde, but the perfect companion only goes so far. A kick ass survival kit goes a long way to having an amazing time. Here is what I pack for every great trip.

My sister and I road tripping from St. Louis to NY in 2008.

1. An amazing and massive playlist loaded onto my iPhone. Conversation is fantastic but you need great tunes. Between my iPhone and my XM Radio, I can easily rock out for hours. I especially love great 80s and 90s tunes that I can sing out loud too for hours.

After we'd been rocking out for a few hours, clearly.

2. My iPhone for mapping and chatting. It is always good to have your phone ready especially for an emergency call or checking directions.

3. An iPhone charger. Shocking I know. With rocking out to tunes for hours, mapping your way and touching base with friends, your iPhone may need a little juice.

4. Water bottle. Keeping hydrated is so important, especially on long drives. I like to take 1 or 2 big reusable water bottles on the road so I can fill them up each morning at the hotel and have hydration all day long.

5. Mini Cooler. Packing a few provisions is key. I like to usually pack a few peanut butter sandwiches in case you hit a stretch of road with little to no food options.

6. Gum. Enough said.

7. Granola Bars. Good for an emergency snack or an accompaniment to that peanut butter sandwich. Also double as great breakfast options when you hit the road early in the morning.

8. Quarters. In case you want to stop and smell the roses along your way, a few bucks in quarters are essential for any meters you may encounter.

9. Cash. Along with quarters I like to carry a mix of smaller bills, especially on road trips in Cali as we have so many State Parks to stop at, but most are self serve parking on the honor system. So it's especially important to have a bunch of singles and fives to pay the parking.

This was a stop at a CA state park. Glad I had those singles!

10. Sunglasses. An absolute must. I always have at least one pair in my car in case a friend needs to borrow a pair too!

11. Camera. Whether it is your iPhone camera or a digital SLR, a camera is an absolute must. I am such a big photographer and when road tripping my camera is always handy in case I want to pull over for the perfect shot.

12. Comfortable but Cute Outfit. Since you are most likely going to be stopping to take pictures a cute outfit is of course desired, but one that is comfortable is a must. I usually go with shorts or a skirt and a button down chambray shirt. I also like to have a baseball cap handy as the wind blowing through your hair can get it pretty ratty.

13. No hurry. This is an essential state of mind. When road tripping I find the most important thing is to be in no rush. It's about the journey not the end destination, so take your time, stop at that roadside attraction or state park, rest when you are tired and eat when you are hungry. Most importantly, just let yourself have fun!

Roadside America is one of those roadside attractions that is worth the 30 minute stop. Largest model town in the US.

Some of the best road trips I have ever taken were a spur of the moment weekend trip with my husband up the California coast and driving back from St. Louis after my college graduation with my baby sister. Both times we had zero rush and the trip was more important than the final destination.

This roadside beach was worth the stop for sunset.