What Essentials Should I Take With Me On A Road Trip?

The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List

Strap in and buckle up - because where we’re going, we do need roads.

The open motorway awaits, but before you’re on your way, have you done all your ‘pre-journey’ checks? Or packed the car to keep every passenger happy? Most importantly, is your road-trip playlist sorted?

No matter - if you’re heading on the M5 to Cornwall, the M4 to South Wales or heading to Europe (via Folkestone Services, of course), we’re here to ensure that you and your vehicle are ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

Step one - Get the Car Ready

Your car is your best friend for this adventure - you can go further with the perfectly prepped vehicle. 

Remember the old phrase - “Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance”. It’s no different when you’re going on any journey.

Now, before the trip of a lifetime, it’s time to make sure you TRIP - National Highways’ pre-journey check list. TRIP stands for Top-up, Rest, Inspect, Prepare.

According to National Highways, over a third of breakdowns are caused by fuel issues. Making sure you’ve got enough fuel to get you there is the easiest bit of the journey. 

Whilst topping up, check your oil for optimum performance and screen wash. The latter will help you clear all those pesky summer insects to ensure, paraphrasing Johnny Nash, you can see clearly at the beginning and the duration of your journey.

Step two is where Roadchef comes in. R is for Rest and R is for Roadchef. 

The RAC recommends taking a break every two hours. Give yourself a break from the road, take a big stretch (this goes for travelling dog companions too!), refuel with a Costa Coffee and take a few moments to think about something else. Your body will thank you!

I is for Inspect. 

As your only four points of contact with the road, your tyres are the check you should do regularly. 

Legally, your tyres need at least 1.6mm of tread (the outside of a 20p piece). 

Following this, check for bulges and pressures - remember your tyre pressure requirements will change based on what items and how many people you’re carrying. 

You’ll find the requirements either behind your fuel cap or on your door pillar.

Finally, P is for Prepare. The British weather is incredibly unpredictable. Prepare for rain, clouds, fog, low sun… who knows what the weather will bring?

Food, food, food!

What is a road trip without snacks? Whether you’re leaning in to some grandparent nostalgia with a packet of Werther’s Originals from WHSmith, getting some McNuggets from the McDonald’s Drive Thru to share or doing a Costa Coffee run, snacks can make or break a road trip.

We’ve got the classics at WHSmith - including our £5.99 meal deal featuring a range of sandwiches, crisps and drinks. Don’t worry, we’re not here to judge your meal deal combo!

You’ll find a whole host of sweetie sharebags too, whilst Costa Coffee’s fresh baked goods range are guaranteed to hit the spot for that mid-journey energy lag. For those on a time limit, many of our sites have Costa Coffee Drive-Thru units for that summer Frappuccino pit stop!

Our top tip is not to overdo the salty snacks and make sure you top up on water. You’ll find LEON at twelve Roadchef locations with a range of fresh, fast and good-for-you food - including salads, wraps and nibbles.

I am the music man - making the ultimate roadtrip playlist.

Let’s forget the days of ‘Pass me the Aux’ and leaving your ‘passenger princess’ with the pressure of channelling their inner Scott Mills.

One likes pop, one likes rock, one likes musical numbers, and one likes a bit of everything. How do you balance everyone’s likes and dislikes for the ultimate playlist?

Bringing out your inner DJ is easy. By choosing a mixture of nostalgic sing-alongs and songs that suit the ‘vibe’ (that’s feeling for anyone older than 30) of the season, you can please everyone on your journey and create some epic memories too.

Whilst Roadchef has its own range of Spotify playlists for seasonal sounds, here are some suggestions to guarantee toe-tapping, steering wheel drumming hit-after-hit, all the way down the M5 or up the M1!

• Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way - with a driving beat and Lindsey Buckingham’s raw vocals, it’s possibly the ultimate.driving song. This journey is your own, whichever way you go. See Fleetwood Mac’s other driving hit, The Chain. Air guitars at the ready.
• Abba - Take a Chance On Me. Every adventure needs an ABBA hit. Whilst there’s plenty to choose from, this one has the ultimate harmonies and backing vocals for everyone to choose their role. This will make sure your playlist is more ‘Winner Takes It All’ than ‘Mamma Mia!’
• Les Miserables - Movie Soundtrack. Highs, lows, funny moments, sad downturns. Whether you’re taking a quick trip or travelling 24,601 miles, this iconic musical has something for everyone. Just choose your character and take it away.
• The Killers - Mr Brightside. If the energy is low, this song will build it up quicker than a GRIDSERVE EV charger and Costa Coffee Americano combined!
• Steps, S Club 7, Nolan Sisters - bring the school disco to the car. We couldn’t just pick one track - just Reach for the Stars with this one!.

Don’t let forgotten AUX cables or USB-C chargers hamper your journey. All WHSmith units at Roadchef have a great selection of tech accessories to keep those tunes going all trip long.

Safety first, safety always.

Safety is fun, and the best memories are made without any mishaps.

A first aid kit is an absolute must-have. Whilst not a legal requirement in the UK, it’ll. Plasters - including blister plasters for those heading to the Lake District -, painkillers and sun cream should be the absolute minimum. Who knows when you’ll need them?

Of course, battery power isn’t just for your car either. Make sure you’ve got an emergency phone charger or power bank, so that you can make a call if you need it. Being stranded without a phone might just kill the vibes of your adventure.

Ultimately, take breaks when you need them and obey the speed limits, road closures and conditions. Do not drive tired - if you feel your eyes getting heavy, either switch driver or enjoy a great night's sleep at any of the great 17 Roadchef hotels available nationwide. 

Comfort - In-car, stretching your legs and ultimate overnight stays

Comfort is the name of the game on long journeys - whether that’s in the car or when taking a break.

For comfort on the road, you can grab neck pillows and blankets from WHSmith for those cheeky little car naps.

If you’re travelling a long distance and need to rest your heavy eyes or aching bones, Roadchef operates 17 hotels across the United Kingdom. From the UK’s first two Super 8 by Wyndham hotels at Chester and Durham to our 15 Days Inn by Wyndham hotel, you can book a comfortable night’s stay from just £40.

All of Roadchef hotels boast next-level comfort with Silent Night beds and all the mod cons - plus 25% off breakfast at Days Inn by Wyndham properties, including our newly renovated Days Inn by Wyndham Chesterfield hotel.

Summer 2025 is the season of comfort for kids too; with our Two-for-£20 mix-and-match on Relaxeazz products available at WHSmith.

The ultimate comfort, of course, is taking that much-needed rest stop - no longer will you need to cross your legs. Roadchef has award-winning toilet facilities, with Killington Lake scooping Toilet of the Year in 2024.

Greener Road Trips – Because Adventures Shouldn’t Cost the Earth

Green road trips are better road trips - and we’re working to reduce our carbon footprint, whilst helping you do the same.

Whilst Roadchef are helping greener journeys by working with eco-conscious partners, recycling bins to separate your waste and energy-efficient lighting, there are great ways you can travel greener.

In partnership with Gridserve, we’ve installed high-powered EV chargers to power journeys on the UK’s motorway network. Plug-in, stretch your legs and get back on the road again in no time.

For those looking to fill up their water bottle rather than their electric vehicle, ask one of our team at any Roadchef location and they can top up your bottle for free. Our team will be happy to help.

Those looking for a caffeine fix whilst trying to save money and the planet, bringing your own coffee mug can give you a small saving on your drink in both Costa Coffee and LEON.

Final Pit Stop: You’ve arrived… nearly.

You’ve got your suitcases packed, your vehicle prepped, your route planned (along with your Roadchef break), your friends seated and belted in - let the adventure begin!

Press play, put your pedal to the metal and remember - whenever you need to recharge, rest, relax, eat, drink or just rest along the way, we’re here 24/7, 365 days a year.

Whether straight and narrow or winding roads, your adventure is supported by Roadchef.

Hit the button below and begin planning your adventure, via your nearest Roadchef service area, and let us help you create memories all year round!