The Ultimate Road Trip Essentials Checklist

Embarking on a road trip in a mobile home is a brilliant way to experience new freedom and iconic sites across the country without the stress of finding accommodation. Whether you’re in a motorhome, campervan or caravan, you’ll have access to all your essentials and home comforts whilst enjoying your holiday. 

Before you set off, however, you need to make sure you have all your road trip essentials. In this guide, we’ve created an extensive road trip packing list full of everything from documents to food and drink. 

If you’re planning your dream trip but need the right vehicle, take a look at our amazing finance options at Auto Finance. Finance a caravan, motorhome, or campervan and make your dream trip a reality on a budget!

Essential documents and paperwork

Before you hit the road, you need to make sure you have all the legal documents required to drive and cross any borders. These documents all need to be up-to-date and valid.

• Driver’s license: Ensure your license is valid and in date. You will also need to check that you have the right license to legally drive your mobile home. You need a C1 driver’s licence if you’re driving a larger motorhome, so be sure to check the requirements for your vehicle. 
• Vehicle registration and insurance: These are another legal requirement and should be kept in easy access, should you be stopped. The glove box is the standard place for these documents.
• Travel insurance: If you’re travelling in a mobile home to other countries, you will need to have your vehicle covered in the UK and abroad.
• Roadside assistance membership card: If you’re a member of the AA and have caravan breakdown cover, ensure you carry proof should anything happen when you’re on the road. 
• Passport and ID: If you’re heading out of the UK, you will need these on easy access for every family member. 

For all of your valuable ID documents, we’d recommend storing them in a safe to protect against theft. If you’re bringing other important items on your trip, stay safe with our blog on how to protect your motorhome from theft. 

Vehicle essentials

When you’re planning what to pack for a road trip, you can’t afford to forget your vehicle essentials. These will help keep you safe and prepared should you encounter any issues on the road. 

• Spare tyre: Travelling across a range of terrains to visit the UK’s beautiful sites can sometimes damage your wheels. Always keep a spare tyre in case of any punctures.
• Jumper cables
• Tyre pressure gauge
• Tool kit: this should contain everything you need, like lug wrenches, a tyre jack, and any other repair tools
• Sunshade: Motorhomes or caravans have large windows, and direct sunlight can cause excess heat, which can lead to damage and even fires in extreme cases. If you’re heading out and parking your vehicle, always have a sunshade covering your windshield. 

Navigation tools

It’s easy to get lost down Britain’s winding roads, even if you think you know the way. Always ensure you have some form of navigation tool, whether that’s an old-fashioned paper map or more modern methods. 

• GPS or smartphone maps: These will give you the fastest or most optimal route, as well as updates on traffic and any roadworks. Just make sure you download your maps for areas where the signal is bad.
• Compass: If you’re heading off for a rural walk, you should always keep a compass on hand. 
• Paper map: A traditional map is especially handy for national parks or remote areas that experience little vehicle traffic.

 First aid supplies

Anything can happen on your adventures, and so it’s extra important to make an emergency first aid kit one of your top road trip essentials. This is especially useful for kids who are prone to bumps and scrapes.

• Plasters and antiseptic wipes
• Bandages and gauze
• Paracetamol or pain medication
• Tweezers
• Scissors 
• Antiseptic cream
• Bug bite cream and repellent
• Suncream 
• Allergy medication
• Any prescription medication
• Nausea and vomiting tablets
• Travel sickness remedies
• Anti-diarrhoea tablets 
• Cold remedies 
• Motion sickness tablets
• Cold and flu remedies

Alongside general health and wellbeing items, your emergency kit should also contain practical items, including: 

• A torch: A wind-up or self-charging torch is best, as it doesn’t rely on batteries in an emergency.
• Thermal blankets
• Emergency money: We’d recommend using your safe to store this cash. 
• Flares: Whilst it’s unlikely you’ll need to use one of these, if you’re heading off on a hike during your road trip, these can help you find help if you get stranded. 
• Emergency poncho
• Swiss army knife

Food and drink

If you’re in a modern mobile home like a motorhome or caravan, you should have a fully working kitchen where you can whip up fresh meals from scratch. Even in smaller vehicles like campervans, there should be a small hob and sink for you to make some delicious meals on your road trip. Make sure you’ve got these items on your road trip packing list: 

• Cereal bars
• Snacks: Things like biscuits, crisps and chocolate are a perfect treat. Just ensure you get your proper meals in too.
• Bottled water: If you have a larger kitchen, you may also have a water tank connected to your sink with drinkable water, but it’s always good to have extra.
• Coffee, tea and hot chocolate
• Fresh fruit and vegetables: If you have a fridge or a cooler, this is a great way to add fresh ingredients to your meals.
• Dried foods: Pasta, rice, noodles, etc, act as an easy base for your dinners and can be easily stored.  
• Fresh meat: Another ingredient that’s great if you have a fridge. You can, of course, use vegetarian or vegan alternatives like tofu; the choice is yours. 
• Rubbish bag: Any waste food or packaging will need to be thrown away, so bring along a small bin or rubbish bags.
• Cutlery and crockery: You can’t enjoy a meal if you have nothing to eat it with! Make sure to pack knives, forks and spoons as well as bowls and dishes to serve up your meals. 
• Pots and pans: The same goes for cooking; you need something to cook in! A multipurpose pan and a pot for boiling water should be enough for a short trip.

If you’re wondering what to cook when on your break, we have 10 easy meals to cook in your caravan for inspiration.

Soft furnishings

If you’re heading on a holiday for a few days, you’ll likely be staying in your mobile home overnight. This means you’ll want to bring some extra essentials to ensure everyone is comfortable when sleeping or relaxing. 

• Bed sheets and duvet covers: Most mobile homes have at least one bed, so make sure you have all the right bedding. 
• Cushions and pillows
• Duvets and extra blankets
• Seat cushions: Long drives can be uncomfortable, especially if you’re the one driving. Add some extra lumbar support with a seat cushion to keep you feeling comfy. 
• Sleeping bags: If you’re camping outside of your vehicle or if you want some extra layers, a sleeping bag is a great option.
• Window shades: Ideal for privacy or if you want some light but need an extra bit of shade from heavy sun rays.  

Toiletries 

Almost all modern campervans and motorhomes have a toilet, and many also have a shower. To keep yourself fresh and clean during your time away, don’t forget these items:

• Toilet paper and baby wipes
• Hand sanitiser and hand soap
• Body and face wash 
• Body lotion and moisturiser
• Lip balm
• Tissues
• Make up and make up remover
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Razors or an electric shaver
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant 
• Sanitary towels or tampons
• Nappies, if you have a baby
• Handheld mirror

When you do shower in a motorhome, there are a few constraints, like space and water restrictions, so be sure to stay aware of water and gas usage. There are also some creative ways to shower on a road trip that can help you save money and time, too.

Clothing

The clothing you need for your trip depends on where you’re heading off to and what season it is. It’s always good to have a mixture of warm and cool clothes, should the weather change.

• Socks and underwear: Always bring spares just in case
• Thicker layers: Jumpers, jogging bottoms or thermals for cold weather
• Basic base layers: T-shirts, leggings, shorts or dresses.
• Pyjamas, slippers and sleepwear
• Rain jacket and insulated coat
• Wellies or walking shoes
• Trainers or comfortable shoes
• Hat and sunglasses
• Gloves and a scarf
• Swimwear or swimsuit

If you’re not exactly sure where you’d like to visit, check out the best motorhome and campervan routes in the UK! You’ll find a wide range of places to suit every explorer. 

Entertainment

The British countryside can be beautiful, but hours on the road can be hard, particularly when stuck in traffic. Make sure you have plenty of entertainment options, especially if you’re travelling with kids. 

• Radio or portable speaker: Ensure you have a playlist saved that doesn’t need the internet when there’s no service.
• Audiobooks, physical books or Kindle
• Board games or card games: Classics like draughts, chess, UNO or even Monopoly can entertain for hours
• Newspapers and magazines
• Handheld gaming consoles 
• Laptop or tablet 
• Play sets and plush toys

Entertainment isn’t all you need if you’re travelling as a family. Check out our top tips for campervan travel with kids to make sure you’ve got everything covered for a smooth journey.

Tech and devices

Whilst most people will remember to bring their phone everywhere they go, you’ll also need everything that comes with it, as well as the other essential tech you use at home. 

• Phone charger: USB cable and wall plug
• Power bank or portable chargers
• Digital or disposable camera
• Dash cam: We’d always advise having one of these to show any footage to your insurance provider should an accident occur.
• LED lamp: For reading or extra light at night.
• Extension cord
• Exterior security camera
• Portable wifi box: This will help you stay connected when travelling in a campervan or motorhome.

Other road trip essentials

There are a few other bits and bobs that don’t quite fit into the above categories but are still worth remembering:

• Bath and beach towels
• Umbrella
• Storage bags 
• Plastic bags or a laundry bin
• Backpack or travel bag
• A watch or a smart watch
• Booster seat for children 
• Purse or wallet
• Credit card or spending money

Make your journey smooth with the right tools

Packing well is the key to ensuring a smooth, stress-free journey. With the right tools and essentials, you’ll be ready for anything your trip throws at you. From surprise showers to unexpected extended stays, with our road trip checklist, you’ll be able to handle anything.

If you’re looking for more advice on mobile homes, or maybe you’re looking to get on the road with your own vehicle, get in touch with our team. We offer campervan finance, as well as finance for motorhomes and comprehensive advice on loans.