5 things you should definitley pack for your next road trip

You head out on a great adventure, only to discover that you left something important behind. We’ve all been there. Sometimes — if you’re lucky — you can replace the forgotten item fairly inexpensively, but that’s not always the case. Here, we’ve compiled a list road trip must-haves you definitely want to have on hand next time you enjoy a summer getaway:

1. A first-aid kit. No one plans to get sick while on vacation, but it can happen. If you have a well-stocked first aid kit, you’ll be feeling better in no time. Some things to include: bandages, gauze, tweezers, cotton balls, antibiotic cream, over-the-counter pain medications, cold/cough syrup, insect repellent, sunscreen and aloe vera gel.

2. Battery chargers. If you plan to take cell phones, eReaders, handheld electronic devices or laptops with you, then you’ll want to make sure you have the appropriate chargers on hand, as well.

3. A roadside emergency kit. It’s always wise to have some basic safety items on hand. Include items like flares, work gloves, jumper cables, two quarts of oil, a tire pressure gauge, a pocketknife, a flashlight, rags and paper towels.

4. Cash and/or credit cards. Your preferred form of payment may vary based on where you are. Credit cards work fine for pit stops at gas stations and convenience stores, but you’ll want to have some small bills and change on hand for tolls, vending machines and other small incidentals.

5. Blankets and pillows. If you’ll be sharing driving time with someone else, try to catch some Zs when you’re not behind the wheel. A pillow and blanket make it lots easier to drift off into dreamland.