I’ve spent the last several years of my life perfecting my list of carry-on essentials down to a T, but now that most of us (including myself) are opting for trips that are driving-distance in lieu of hopping on a plane, I decided it’s time to update my list of necessities. While traveling by car still somewhat limits how much you can pack, you can also have some items handy that you normally cannot bring right onto the plane with you (such as a full arsenal of skin care!) Check out my list below, and send me a DM on Instagram if you have any road trip recommendations of your own!
Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Travel Bag
This is my go-to duffle bag whether I’m flying or driving, but I especially love it for a road trip because it can expand to give you even more packing space! Traditional hard luggage sets can get clunky in the car depending on the size of your trunk space or number of passengers, but a great duffle offers much more flexibility no matter the size or shape of your vehicle.
In addition to its expandability feature, I also chose this bag because of its sleek and masculine look. Its khaki nylon material, leather trim, gunmetal details, and adjustable 14 inch strap help me look stylish as I’m toting my things around from place to place. To top it all off, the Longchamp Le Pliage bag is foldable and packs away easily.
Allbird Tree Dasher Sneakers
If you’re anything like me, feeling comfortable is just as important as looking camera-ready while traveling. When I know I’m going to be doing a lot of walking (which is the case at one point or another with virtually any trip that I take), I like to know that my feet aren’t going to be aching at the end of the day—or even worse, just a few hours in—and that I will also always be dressed appropriately for whatever site we’re visiting. The Allbirds Tree Dasher sneakers were the perfect find. They aren’t too casual or athletic-looking. To the eye they’re more of an everyday shoe but with the flexibility and comfort of a high-performance running sneaker.
Karma & Luck Bracelets
The Karma & Luck collection of hand-made, spirit-centered jewelry is an awesome line of both women’s and men’s accessories, offering a variety of different stones that manifest different intentions and energies. I own several, but I love the Healing Courage bracelet in particular for traveling. The vibrant stones are meant to eliminate fear, guide your spirit to a state of balance, and protect you against negative energy.
Huawei P40 Pro Smartphone
If you’re in the market for a new phone before your next vacation, I highly recommend checking out the Huawei P40 Pro, which without-a-doubt offers the best camera I have ever come across on a smartphone. The phone is sleek and easy to carry, and the pictures it takes are truly incredible. You can read my full review on this phone here.
AG Hair Hand Sanitizer Spray
Hand sanitizer was always a go-to travel essential for me, but prior to 2020 I never really gave it too much thought. That all changed due to the pandemic, and I found it important to make sure I was sanitizing smartly. The AG Hair Hand Sanitizer Spray is the perfect product for traveling. Not only does it kill 99.9% of germs, but unlike many other sanitizers on the market it is 98% natural and it also has soothing and moisturizing properties so your hands won’t dry out. I also love that this one comes in a spray bottle for easy sharing. Rather than passing it around (and having everyone touch the same bottle!), you can easily hold it and spray everyone’s hands for them.
Gentleman Givenchy Cologne
After a long ride in the car, it’s important to have a good scent easily accessible. You never know when you may need to quickly freshen up at a moment’s notice! I love this new scent from Givenchy because it has a striking combo of woody, spicy, and cocoa scents. It’s super unique and helps me feel very put together, even after a long day of traveling.
Omorovicza Blue Diamond Eye Cream
Ever fall asleep in the car, wake up a few hours later and can’t believe how puffy your eyes look? It really happens to the best of us and can make you feel a little self-conscious to arrive at your destination with bags under your eyes. The Omorovicza Blue Diamond Eye Cream specifically targets puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines, making it a must-have for the tired traveler.
LASPA SPF50 Ultra Sunscreen Stick
Just because the weather is cooling down doesn’t mean you don’t need to continue protecting your skin from the sun. The LASPA SPF50 Ultra Sunscreen Stick is a lifesaver in this department. Did you know that UVA rays can still damage your skin through a car window? While it won’t cause sunburn, it’s still a good idea to always protect yourself with SPF any time you’re going to be exposed to the sun in some capacity. It’s intuitive to do this in the summer months when we’re actually sun-bathing and at higher risk for sunburn, but we often forget that our skin needs to be continually protected to help prevent aging and skin cancer.
Queen of Hungary Mist
The Queen of Hungary Mist by Omorowicza is another great product for helping yourself feel refreshed after a long day of travel. Give yourself a quick spritz of this rose-scented facial mist to help your skin look instantly refreshed, balanced, and hydrated. I like to use this if I’m starting to feel tired during my drive, when I first arrive to my destination, and prior to going out at night if it’s been a really long day and I need a quick pick-me-up.
Noize Gavyn Lightweight Vest
When traveling to cooler climates (or really anywhere during the winter), a vest is a great wardrobe staple that will look chic in pictures but also help keep you warm. Some puffy vests can be cumbersome to pack though, so I like to travel with this lightweight one from Noize that can easily fit into my bag when I’m not wearing it.
ZERO by Skin Academy Day Cream
Many people tend to get dry skin in the car due to the artificial heat or air blowing in close proximity to the face, even if you’re not always prone to dry skin. I keep this super potent plant-based Zero by Skin Academy Day Cream with me so that I can quickly moisturize and soothe my skin without having to wait until I get where I’m going. It’s enriched with Shea Butter and Coconut oil to help heal and hydrate.
And of course, while I don’t have a specific brand or maker to recommend, I think it is important to remind everyone that while the world continues to deal with COVID-19, a mask that covers your mouth and nose is another travel essential we all must remember to have handy. Most businesses and hotels are requiring you to wear one when you’re not in your own room or seated at your table, so this is an absolute necessity to have on hand. Many major retailers are now carrying masks, and you can also check out Etsy to find a wide array of fun mask patterns that will also help support small businesses.