Long road trip packing: complete essentials guide

Lengthy road trips are an awesome way to experience the best of # vanlife. But why not make your trip even more amazing by packing smart and bringing everything you need for a fantastic adventure? From basics to luxuries, spring trips to winter treks, we cover every aspect of what to bring on a long road trip – read on for the ultimate packing list for the open road!

(And don’t forget the most important item of all – your road trip vehicle. At Camplify you can hire a campervan, motorhome or caravan almost anywhere in the country, to suit every budget. Have a browse through our vans to hire in the UK.)

What to bring on a long road trip: the ultimate packing list

Basic essentials

Of course, any trip of any length will need the absolute essentials, so we’ve listed them for you. You might also like to look at our wild camping essentials and ourcamping with dogs checklist to be fully prepared for any type of trip!

Vehicle essentials

Vehicle essentials you absolutely must have on your trip relate to the legalities, safety and upkeep of your hire van. Paperwork and road safety equipment are both non-negotiable must-haves. You will need:

Van and driver paperwork

Bring your driver’s licence (in date!) and the paperwork relating to your hire of the van (e.g. a printout of your booking, plus the name and phone number of the van owner). It’s unlikely you’ll be asked for the latter, but you don’t want police asking why you’re driving a vehicle registered to someone else!

Your licence should suffice as general ID, but we recommend carrying ID for each passenger also, especially if you’re travelling with children who have a different surname to yours.

Also, bring the van manual (ask the owner for this).

Insurance information

Again, it’s unlikely you’ll need this, but if the worst does happen and you’re involved in an accident, you don’t want the added stress of locating your insurance details too.

Every booking made through the secure Camplify platform has insurance included at no additional cost. Learn more about our hirer insurance policy.

Spare tyre

Always carry a fully inflated spare tyre in your van and check regularly to ensure it’s still fit for purpose. This is a legal requirement in some European countries. Don’t forget you’ll also need a wheel wrench and tripod jack.

Van must-haves

Your van must-haves might differ from your travelling partner – they might insist on a coffee machine while your thoughts don’t go beyond a comfy berth and extra pillow. But there are certain van must-haves regardless of individual tastes:

Maps

Don’t rely on Google Maps or your satnav – these are almost always ideal for any type of trip, but you’ll need an analogue alternative if you get lost somewhere and there’s no signal for phone/cell service. Plenty of local libraries have AA or Ordnance Survey maps to borrow.

Phone holder

Keeping your phone securely attached to the dashboard is good for safety and for your phone.

Outdoor dining kit

Even if your trip isn’t in the height of summer, you’ll want some outdoor kit for meals. A table and a couple of folding chairs are all you need if you’re pushed for space.

Headlamps

A headlamp for each person is always useful, to cook after dark, to get to the campsite toilets or to find your way back from the local pub.

Cash

Just as you shouldn’t always rely on your smartphone or satnav, you shouldn’t only rely on debit or credit cards. Always carry enough cash for at least a basic food shop, a campsite stay and a fuel top-up. Remember to bring change for any toll roads.

Cleaning wipes and air freshener

To deal with spills… and stinky feet.

Entertainment

Again, everyone is different here – your “van entertainment” might be a book or the van radio, while someone else might refuse to consider a trip without a full library of films and music. But the below entertainment items should keep everyone happy:

Headphones

Even if you and your travelling companions have similar tastes in music, podcasts, films or audiobooks, sometimes it’s nice to listen to stuff on your own. Headphones and a “white noise” playlist are essential kit if your campsite is noisy or you have trouble sleeping. Don’t forget the chargers!

Laptop or tablet

While you can book into campsites or check your route on your phone, a laptop or tablet is handy for watching films and TV series. Download a wide selection onto your device before you leave, so you don’t have to rely on wifi.

Music kit and speakers

An iPod, a smartphone with Spotify, pre-loaded podcasts… make sure you bring devices – and chargers – for all your audio requirements.

Kindle or e-reader (and charger)

Stock up your e-reader with your holiday reads before you leave, or download the latest books, newspapers and magazines while on the road.

Board game/s

Never underestimate the entertainment potential of an old-fashioned board game or two! Travel versions of games like Scrabble or Monopoly are always handy to have around just in case, or travel very light indeed and keep your games kit down to a couple of packs of cards.

Key things for keeping cosy

There’s no need to travel without items of comfort. Bring whatever you like and whatever makes you comfortable – as long as there’s room, you can bring it!

Blanket/throw

Even summer nights can get cold, and a blanket or throw is ideal for nights around the campfire. These can double up as picnic blankets or extra warmth in bed too.

Pillows

Even if your van hire includes these along with bed linen, you might want to bring a couple extra. Travel pillows work well to save space, but feel free to bring your favourites from home!

Warm socks

You’ll need to bring enough socks to last throughout your trip (see “Clothing” below), but a good, thick pair of warm socks for nighttime – or sitting around the campfire – will never be a wasted bit of kit. Knee-high football socks are surprisingly suitable for travelling!

Clothing and other personal belongings

As mentioned above, even summer nights can get cold. You’ll also want to bring clothes for different times and activities, e.g. outdoor days or a night at the pub.

Travelling outfits

You don’t want to wear jeans or restrictive clothing if you’re driving or sitting in the passenger seat all day. Bring two pairs of comfortable loose-fitting trousers, two pairs of shorts, a couple of T-shirts and a couple of long-sleeve lightweight tops for day to day wear, plus trainers, sandals or slip-on boots. The amount of undies and socks you bring is up to you, but we recommend at least five pairs of each to keep you going between laundry visits.

All-weather clothes

If the weather is warm enough, your travelling outfits should be enough for general wear. But you’ll need to be prepared for all weathers, so also bring at least one warm jumper, a hoodie or fleece, a pair of thick trousers and/or leggings, a thermal undershirt and a few pairs of thick socks.

Waterproofs

Always be prepared for rain. You don’t need waterproof trousers if packing light – an extra pair of leggings to change into will do instead – but a waterproof jacket or raincoat with a hood is a must.

Also, don’t forget flip flops or sliders for campsite showers!

Swimsuit

Have your swimsuit or swimming trunks handy at all times – you never know when you’ll come across a hidden cove or pond for a dip. Bring a small clothesline and a few pegs so you can get your swimming kit dried right away.

Outdoor gear

You should also bring the below outdoor clothing items depending on the season and where you’ll be exploring:

• Boots/walking shoes for day hikes

• Day bag/small rucksack

• Sarong

• Beanie hat

• Water flasks

Toiletries and medical items

Pack a large wash bag with items you normally use day to day, e.g. shampoo, shower gel, razors etc. Of course, you’ll be able to pick most items up en route if needed, but always have essentials just in case: soap, antiseptic, hand gel, wipes or cloths, painkillers, toothbrush and toothpaste, and tampons/towels or cup will see you right even if you’re off-road for a while.

You’ll also need:

• Sunscreen and after-sun cream

• Insect repellent

• Lip balm

• Face masks

• Towels (unless included in hire)

• Any medications you take, including a copy of the prescription if possible (if you don’t have this, have your doctor’s name and phone number written down somewhere handy)

First aid kit

All Camplify vans carry a first aid kit, just in case. However, you can also bring your own first aid items, such as:

• Antiseptic

• Plasters

• Bandages

• Scissors

• Tweezers

• Tick remover

• Rehydration sachets/diarrhoea treatment

Food and snacks

Food essentials

Even if you’re planning to stay close to towns and villages for your first couple of days, bring enough food and snack essentials to keep everyone going for at least a day – you don’t want to be hungry if you break down miles from anywhere. Having a basic food kit handy is also useful to keep kids happy before you’re familiar with the van and how it works.

Buy a lidded plastic container and fill it with these basics:

• Bread/bread rolls

• Butter

• Tea

• Coffee

• Dried or UHT milk

• Oats and/or cereal

• Pasta

• Lentils

• Tins – baked beans, peas, tuna, soup

• Jars – pasta sauce, pouring sauce, curry sauce

• Crackers

• Powdered soup sachets

• Fruit

• Water

• Squash

• Crisps

• Biscuits

• Nuts

• Energy bars

• Baby food if needed

• Paper plates

• Travel knives, forks and bowls/plates

We recommend booking a restaurant in advance for your first night, to get the trip off to a relaxed and luxurious start… or of course, you could pick up fish and chips at a nearby takeaway! If you prefer to prepare dinner in the van or have a barbecue, do check the map route of your first day’s travelling to make sure you can source all the ingredients close to your campsite or overnight spot.

Cookware

For the rest of your trip, make sure you have one “dinner set” for each person – a knife, fork and spoon each, a plate, a bowl and a glass or mug. Camplify rental vans usually have this included, but consider checking the listing to see if it comes with:

• Pots and pans – one saucepan and one frying pan is all you need if pushed for space: with a bit of careful prep these will be enough to prepare most meals

• Kettle

• Camping stove

• Extra cutlery, including teaspoons

• Utensils including tongs, spatula and ladle

• Chopping board

• Decent chopping knife

• Bread knife

• Camping/Swiss army knife

• Sponge and washing-up liquid

• Collapsible washing-up bowl

Depending on your cooking ability and the meals you’re planning, you may also want to bring:

• Crockpot/stew pot

• Coffee maker

• Salad bowl

• Wine/beer glasses

• Steak knives

• Plastic drinks jug

Paper napkins/kitchen roll and baby wipes are always handy too, as are plastic bags, ziplock bags, food storage containers and extra water bottles.

Cool bag/cool box

Many vans on Camplify come complete with a camping fridge. If your listing does not include this, a small cool box or cool bag with two ice packs will easily be sufficient if you intend to eat out most of the time and only need room for milk, butter, a couple of water bottles and maybe some locally sourced meat/fish for an evening barbecue.

Bring as big a bag/box as possible if intending to wild camp or spend a few nights off-grid. You can also add sandwiches, ham, cheese etc to the cool bag for your first couple of days in case of emergency, as above.

Water and containers

Again the quantities of these will depend on whether you’re stopping at a campsite every night, wild camping most nights, or travelling very rurally in low season. Always always have at least one container of water in your van, for drinking if off-grid or for washing, dishwashing and emergencies (like an overheating engine) if staying fairly close to civilisation.

Barbecue

We reckon this is essential on any trip! Your van might come with a barbecue included – check the listing – otherwise, you can buy a cheap disposable at most supermarkets or garages. Remember to pack fuel and charcoal if not using a disposable; and barbecue tongs and skewers whichever option you go for.

You should also bring:

• Firelighters, including spares

• Matches and lighters

• Newspaper – handy for lighting barbecues/campfires plus cleaning down tables and benches

• Camping lantern and batteries charger

Sauces and condiments

A small to medium plastic box with an airtight lid should have enough room to carry some or all of these:

• Salt and pepper

• Ketchup

• Barbecue sauce

• Sweet chilli sauce

• Herbs and spices – basil, paprika etc

• Minced garlic

• Cooking/salad dressing oil

Ready for your long road trip?

From the absolute essentials to the home comforts, now that you know what to bring on a long road trip, we hope your adventure will be smooth sailing! The next step? Book a hire van on Camplify to get started on your road trip – we have vans to suit every type of trip and any budget.

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By hiring with Camplify, you are also helping local families who share their van on our platform and supporting many local companies across the UK in addition to ours. So we are very grateful to you.

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