Don't store stuff in your car. Instead, make a clear plastic bin with everything you’ll need for road trips, and only put it in the car when you go on an adventure. (
The best part is having a bunch of useful things with you, but there are other side benefits:
- You can easily decide to take a different car and still have all the basics with you.
- Your car will be less likely to be broken into.
- Things like snacks and medicines won’t bake in your hot car for months.
Also, before pulling out, spend 1-2 minutes sitting in the car thinking about anything you forgot (e.g. a wine bottle opener or leaving a spare key for the person feeding the cat).
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Binoculars ()
Pocket microscope & binoculars
Sunglasses
Arm sleeve (sun protection for your driving arm—can just cut an old sleeve off of a dress shirt)
Quick/easy calories
Headlamp
Wet wipes (e.g. Burt’s Bees)
Kleenex (I’m brand-loyal on this one)
These slim wallet packs (best deal at Target) are nicer than the brick-like pocket packs
Hand sanitizer
Caffeine (they make caffeinated clif bars and pills and such)
Various charging cables/power banks + usb converter for the cigarette lighter port
Bug spray
Heat packs/hand warmers
Bluetooth speaker
Luci inflatable solar light (the "color" one) ()
Luci solar light
Multitool (w/ knife and bottle-opener)
Minimal medicine cabinet: pepto bismol/tums, antihistamine, pain killers, etc.
N95s (2)