What to take on a trip by car: a complete list of things for traveling

Are you planning a long trip by car? Even if you are an experienced driver, getting ready for a trip often turns into chaos: you forgot your phone charger, didn’t check your spare tire, or your first aid kit turned out to be expired. This article will help you create a complete list of things for the trip, so as not to miss anything - from mandatory documents to little things that will make the trip more comfortable.

We have divided everything you need into categories: documents, safety, tools, comfort, food and hygiene. And they also added unique life hacks for traveling with children, animals and in extreme conditions (for example, how to escape mosquitoes in the forest or what to do if your car gets stuck in the mud). At the end there is an interactive checklist that you can download or print.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re going to the sea, to the mountains, or just to a neighboring town - correctly packed items will save time, nerves and can even save lives. Let's start with the most important!

1. Documents: don’t even move without them

This is the category without which you will not be allowed to leave the city. Check in advance that all the papers are in place - otherwise you risk getting a fine or even being left without a car.

Mandatory minimum for a driver:

• 📄 Driver's license (check expiration date!)
• 🚗 Vehicle registration certificate (or PTS if the car is new)
• 🛡️ OSAGO policy (electronic is possible, but it’s better to have a printout)
• 🆔 Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation (if you are traveling abroad - a passport)

If you are planning a trip abroad, add:

• 🌍 Green card (international insurance policy)
• 🚘 International driver's license (if required)
• 📋 Power of attorney (if the car is not yours)

⚠️ Attention: If you have electronic insurance policy, save it on your phone in PDF format and check if the file opens without the Internet. Traffic police inspectors have the right to fine for lack of access to a document.

For traveling with children, do not forget birth certificate (if the child is under 14 years old) and notarial consent from the second parent if you are traveling abroad without him.

2. First aid kit and safety equipment: a lifeline in emergency situations

A standard car first aid kit is good, but it often lacks important medications. We have compiled extended list, which will come in handy on a long trip, especially if you have children or elderly people with you.

A basic first aid kit (according to GOST) should include:

• 🩹 Sterile bandages (2 pcs.) and non-sterile (1 pc.)
• 🧴Iodine or brilliant green (in a bottle, not in a pencil - they dry out)
• 💊 Analgin, paracetamol, aspirin
• 🧻 Cotton wool, bactericidal plaster
• 🩺 Scissors, medical gloves

Additionally, we recommend taking:

Drug	Purpose	Quantity
Smecta or Enterosgel	Poisoning, diarrhea	2-3 sachets
Cerucal or Dramamine	Motion sickness	1 pack
Suprastin or Zyrtec	Allergic reactions	5-10 tablets
Ammonia	Fainting, insect bites	1 bottle

⚠️ Attention: If one of the passengers chronic diseases (asthma, diabetes, heart problems), take individual preparations with a reserve of +2 days. In some regions, pharmacies work on schedule, but the medicine you need may not be available.

In addition to the first aid kit, take:

• 🔦 Flashlight (preferably a forehead one so that your hands are free)
• 🔥 Fire extinguisher (check the expiration date!) and warning triangle
• 🧤 Thermal blanket (will save you if the car breaks down in winter)
• 📱 Powerbank 20,000 mAh (to charge the phone if the generator burns out)

3. Tools and spare parts: so that the car does not fail on the road

Even if you are not a mechanic, minimal set of tools should always be at hand. Breakdowns happen even on new cars - and there won’t always be a service station nearby.

Required set:

• 🔧 Jack and wheel wrench (check if it fits your wheels!)
• 🚘 Spare wheel (or repair kit for tubeless tires)
• 🔩 Screwdriver set (flat, cross, torx)
• 🔨 Pliers and adjustable wrench
• 🔋 Wires for lighting (even if your battery is new)

For long trips add:

• 🛢️ Gasoline canister (5-10 liters if you are traveling to deserted areas)
• 💧 Distilled water (1-2 liters for topping up the radiator)
• 🧴 WD-40 or liquid key (to unscrew rusty parts)
• 🔥 Spark plugs (1-2 pieces in reserve)
• 🔗 Towing rope (length at least 4 meters)

⚠️ Attention: If you're traveling in winter, be sure to take ice scraper, snow brush and liquid for defrosting locks. Do not use hot water for this - the locks may rust!

For SUVs and off-road trips add:

• 🏜️ Shovel (preferably folding, metal)
• 🧗 Traction mats (if you get stuck in mud or snow)
• 🔗 Winch (if you are planning serious off-roading)

4. Comfort in the cabin: how not to get tired on a long trip

Long hours behind the wheel tire not only the driver, but also the passengers. A few simple things will make your trip more enjoyable:

For the driver:

• 👓 Sunglasses with polarization (so as not to be blinded by oncoming traffic)
• 💺 Seat cover (if you have leather seats and it's hot)
• 💦 Thermos with water (1-2 liters, so as not to be distracted by stops)
• 🎵 Playlist with music or audiobooks (download in advance if you are traveling without the Internet)

For passengers:

• 🧸 Neck pillow (especially important for children and the elderly)
• 📱 Chargers for gadgets (into the car and into a 220V socket)
• 🎮 Tablet with movies/games (if you are traveling with children)
• 🧦 Plaid or blanket (in the car the air conditioner often blows)

For trips with animals:

• 🐕 Carry or seat belt (for dogs/cats)
• 💊 Sedatives (if the pet does not tolerate the road well)
• 🍖 Food and water in a separate bowl
• 🧻 Wet wipes and cleaning bags

How to calm a child on a long trip?

1. Take your favorite toy or blanket - familiar things have a calming effect.

2. Download new cartoons to the tablet (those that the child has not yet seen).

3. Stop every 2-3 hours to stretch.

4. Give your child a “responsibility task,” such as watching for road signs or counting cars of a certain color.

5. Food and water: what to take so as not to waste time in a cafe

Snacking on the go saves time and money. The main thing is to choose food that will not spoil or spill throughout the cabin.

Ideal travel products:

• 🍎 Fruits (apples, bananas, pears - do not wrinkle and satisfy hunger)
• 🥜 Nuts and dried fruits (calorie and healthy)
• 🍫 Chocolate (bitter is better - it doesn’t melt so quickly)
• 🥪 Sandwiches (with sausage, cheese or chicken in pita bread)
• 🧀 Cheese in vacuum packaging and crackers

What to take from drinks:

• 💧 Water (1.5-2 liters per person, preferably in 0.5 liter bottles)
• ☕ Thermos with tea/coffee (if you like hot drinks)
• 🥤 Juice in tetra packs (will not spill, unlike glass bottles)

⚠️ Attention: Don't take it on the road dairy products, mayonnaise salads or perishable foods - they can go bad in just 2-3 hours without refrigeration. If you can't do without them, use cooler bag with cold accumulators.

For long trips (more than 500 km) take:

• 🍲 Thermal container with hot food (soup, porridge)
• 🍴 Disposable tableware (forks, spoons, cups)
• 🧻 Wet wipes and antibacterial gel

6. Hygiene and life: to feel fresh

Even on a short trip, hygiene products will come in handy - especially if you are traveling with children or in hot weather.

Minimum set:

• 🧴 Toothpaste and brush (even one-time use)
• 🧼 Soap or antibacterial gel
• 🧻 Toilet paper (in case the gas station doesn’t have it)
• 🧺 Wet wipes (for hands and surfaces in the car)

For women:

• 🩸 Sanitary pads/tampons (even if “those days” are not soon)
• 💄 Wet wipes for makeup removal
• 🧴 Hand cream (leather dries quickly in a car)

For men:

• 🪒 Disposable razor
• 🧴 Deodorant (preferably in stick format rather than spray)

If you are going outdoors or camping, add:

• 🧴 Mosquito repellent (preferably in the form of a spray or cream)
• 🔥 Lighter or matches (in a sealed bag)
• 🧴 Sunscreen (even if it’s not hot, it’s easy to get sunburned in the mountains)

7. Emergency Stuff: When Things Go Wrong

Hoping for the best is good, but being prepared for the worst is better. These things take up little space, but can be a big help:

If the car breaks down:

• 📱 Phone list (tow truck, insurance, friends in the destination city)
• 💰 Cash (10-20 thousand rubles for unforeseen expenses)
• 📡 Area map (paper if the connection is lost)

If you are in an accident:

• 📸 Camera or phone (to record damage)
• 📝 Euro protocol form (if the accident is not serious)
• 📋 Pen and notepad (to record witness details)

If you are stuck in a deserted place:

• 🔦 Signal whistle (it can be heard further than the scream)
• 🔥 Candle in a jar (will provide warmth and light for 6-8 hours)
• 📡 Walkie Talkie (if you are going to the mountains or deep taiga)

⚠️ Attention: If you are going to remote regions (Siberia, Far East, mountains), inform relatives route and arrival time. If you go missing, rescuers will know where to look for you.

8. Checklist: download and print before your trip

In order not to forget anything, we have prepared interactive checklist. You can:

• 📱 Save it to your phone
• 🖨️ Print and tick
• ✏️ Add your own points

Before driving off, check again:

1. Are the windows and doors of the house closed?
2. Are gas and electrical appliances turned off?
3. Is there a connection with someone close to you (tell me the route)
4. Is the gas tank full?
5. Are there any suspicious sounds in the car (knocks, creaks)

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

🔹 Do I need to take the original PTS with me?

No, if the car is registered with the traffic police. Enough vehicle registration certificates. However, if the car is new (less than 30 days from purchase), the original PTS is still needed.

🔹 How much water to take on the road?

Count on 1.5-2 liters per person per day. If you travel to hot regions (Crimea, Sochi, Central Asia), increase the norm to 3 liters. Don't forget about animals - they need water too!

🔹 Is it possible to carry a gas canister for a tourist stove in a car?

Yes, but with reservations: the cylinder must be new, refilled at a certified station, and transported to well ventilated place (for example, in the trunk). It is prohibited to transport cylinders with a volume of more than 5 liters without special permission.

🔹 What to do if you forgot your license at home?

If you have electronic rights in the "Government Services" application, show them to the inspector - this is a legal document. If not, you can ask your relatives to bring the original (but this is risky, since driving without a license is fined). As a last resort, apply for a temporary permit from the traffic police (if you have a passport and vehicle registration certificate).

🔹 Do you need to take a fire extinguisher with you if you have one in your car?

Yes, but check it out expiration date (usually 5 years). If a fire extinguisher is expired, its presence is equivalent to its absence - a fine of 500 rubles. Also make sure it secured (does not lie around the trunk) and is accessible from the passenger compartment.