Be Ready for Road Trips With These Essentials

Nicola Bridges on Mar 22, 2025

When I'm heading out on a last-minute travel assignment, my go-bag is always road-trip ready so that I can leave on short notice. Here are some essentials I keep packed that serve me well on the journey and at my destination, no matter where the drive takes me.

Food first! I try to avoid the temptation of drive-throughs and truck-stop gas-station food. It's why I always have a zipper tote ready in my go-bag loaded with healthy bites. My favorites?

Confetti Lovely Veggie Chips: These upcycled chips made from ugly veggies are deliciously light when you don't want heavy snacks weighing you down on a long drive. With their origins in Southeast Asia, they come in delightful flavors of Tandoori Curry, Teriyaki BBQ and Summer Truffle, making a variety pack perfect for road trips.

Safe Catch Wild Elite Tuna Pouches: You may think fish is a curious snack to pack. But these single-serving pouches are a healthy and handy superfood on the go, and they come in cool flavors that include Chili Lime, Rosemary Dijon and Citrus Dill. They also have the lowest mercury of any brand, guaranteed because each fish is hand-tested.

Being comfy is key when you're sitting in a car seat driving for hours, and whatever I wear on the journey also needs to work for when I get to wherever I'm going.

Curious Creatures Sun Dog Pant: Made for cyclists as warm-weather riding pants, Sun Dogs provide lightweight warmth for driving, and they layer easily when stepping out into chilly weather. Unlike pants that can pinch when you're driving long hours, these have a comfy midrise knit waistband, and their overlapping ankle cuff snaps release to vent your ankles stuck in one driving position on long trips.

Le Bent Feathertop Ultralight Hooded Long-Sleeve Tee: This is a great top for long-haul driving because it's versatile throughout road-warrior weather and climate changes. I particularly love that it's lightweight for layering in cool temperatures but cool enough not to have to peel off when the interior heat is on high. This tee is also an all-rounder: Its featherweight fabric makes it a slim pack in your bag and a quick dry when hand-washing in hotel rooms. Added bonus? It doubles as a great yoga top when you're rejuvenating from an exhausting day on the road.

Columbia Paracutie Mid Cargo Windbreaker: For me, no brand beats Columbia for travel-friendly lightweight coats and jackets. The Paracutie Windbreaker rolls easily to keep next to my car seat, and its two-way zipper gives extra mobility and comfort without bagging up when I'm driving. Its Omni-Shield technology fabric provides light warmth and repels rain. When you step outside your vehicle, just pull the hood and waist drawcords and you're tucked in against windy, wet or cool weather.

When it comes to footwear, it has to be durable and comfortable for driving or for a quick change to slip on for tromping in potential roadside mud and wet.

The Original Muck Boot Co.'s Arctic Sport II Mid Boot and Originals Ankle Boot: I wear muck boots daily on my ranch season-round (only those from The Original Muck Boot Co. make the cut), and I keep a second pair in my truck, always at the ready for road-tripping in all kinds of weather. The comfy but durable slip-on ankle boots are easy to drive in, and the Arctic Sport II Mid Boot provides extra traction and great protection for roadside puddle-jumping. Both are 100 percent muck-proof and waterproof, made of a soft rubber-coated neoprene and have a rugged rubber outsole for nonslip traction. Unlike other rain boots made to keep your feet dry but not necessarily comfy, their insulated bootie linings keep them super cozy.

Minnetonka Torrey Boots: These moccasin slipper-style lace-up ankle boots are my other go-tos for driving, especially when I'm heading out at my destination and going from the car to a coffee shop or out for the evening. That's because these puppies have heavily treaded soles for traction on short wintery walks but are also fashionable, with a ragg wool exterior in eye-catching designs. They're also supremely warm and cozy thanks to a soft pile lining.

Finally, don't forget Fido.

Trot Pets Bowl Set: Collapsible travel bowls can be tricky to pop open, flimsy and don't tend to last long before leaking. If you spoil your mutt at home and clock frequent travel miles with your furry friends, this set -- including a water bowl and puzzle slow-feeder bowl with travel lids, plus a no-mess, easy-wipe silicone mat -- is super sturdy, comes in fun colors and slips easily under a car seat.

----

WHEN YOU GO

Confetti Lovely Veggie Chips: six-pack, $33, confetti snacks.com.

Safe Catch Wild Elite Tuna and Wild Pacific Pink Salmon Pouches: 12-pouch pack, $35.99; safecatch.com.

Curious Creatures Sun Dog Pant: $180; wearcuriouscreatures.com.

Le Bent Feathertop Ultralight Hooded Long-Sleeve Tee: $160; lebent.com.

Columbia Paracutie Mid Cargo Windbreaker: $90; columbia.com.

The Original Muck Boot Co. Arctic Sport II Mid Boot: $130; Originals Ankle Boot, $95-$110; muckbootcompany.com.

Minnetonka Torrey Boots: $79.95; minnetonkamoccasin.com.

Trot Bowl Set: Small, medium or large, $149 to $159; trotpets.com.

========

Nicola Bridges is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.