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These road trip essentials for a UK driving tour include the absolute “must haves” to bring with you. Of course, you can bring more. But without these items, you’re travelling at risk.
So before you embark on your exciting road trip, learn which five items you should never leave home without, below.
CONTENTS – In this article, you will learn about a UK road trip list of essentials you must bring with you on any car adventure, including:
- UK Road Trip Essentials
- Tools to Bring for the Ride
- Essential Road Trip Documents
- Convenient Toiletries for the Ride
- Road Trip First Aid Kit
- Final Thoughts on UK Road Trip Essentials
UK Road Trip List of Essentials
The holiday season is once again racing around the corner, as households and friend groups alike begin to plot their summer escapades ahead of the season.
But a combination of pandemic wariness and the financial downturn has seen the welcome return to popularity of the staycation. With that comes a commensurate rise in the number of people taking UK road trips.
There’s no better way to see the kingdom than from the road.
Here’s why.
You’ll be in complete control of the destination and itinerary. Plus, road trips can often reveal the best overnight stays in the most unexpected of places.
But road trip travel also affords its fair share of difficulties. Therefore, you should be well prepared. What list of road trip essentials do you need to take with you?
Here are 5 road trip essentials that will make your driving experience in the UK go smoothly.
1. Tools for A Road Trip
The biggest threat to the enjoyment of your road trip lies in the possibility of an accident or breakdown. If this happens, it can be a major source of stress—not to mention the financial burden.
So, make sure to pack some essential car maintenance tools. This is especially important for longer trips.
Some of the essential tools for a road trip include:
- A car jack
- Socket wrench set
- Breaker bar
If you have these tools with you, you’ll be better prepared for simple maintenance such as changing your car tires.
You’ll additionally want to bring screwdrivers and a jumper cable for any battery-related issues.
2. Essential Documents
You likely don’t need to hear how essential it is that you bring your driving license and vehicle registration information with you, but it bears repeating. (The good news is, as an American, you won’t need an international driver’s license (IDP) to drive in the UK.)
Ensuring you have exhaustive documentation with you can ensure your trip continues to be a breeze. This makes sense from a legal and civil standpoint.
Be sure your essential document list includes bringing any insurance certificates and vehicle repair documentation, in case of a breakdown.
If you’re coming from abroad, don’t forget your passport and proof of vaccination, too. You may not need to show them, but better to have them with you.
You’ll also want to bring your membership card if you subscribe to a roadside assistance program, like RAC Rescue.
Finally, if you happen to be traveling with your grandchildren, you’ll want to make sure you have the appropriate documentation for that, too.
3. Food and Drink for Road Trip
As with any road trip, there’s likely to be more than one protracted leg of motorway in your stars.
It might tempt you to pull over at every service station to stretch your legs and invest in a good latte. But sometimes you just need to put the miles behind you.
Buying up some salty and sugary snacks can go a long way to keeping you and your passengers happy! Be sure to stay hydrated, too. You’ll find a comprehensive list of the best food snacks for a road trip here.
That way, you can enjoy a quick break and keep on driving.
4. Road Trip Toiletries
A less glamorous part of your road trip relates to your and your trip mate’s bodily functions.
Again, service stations are not always the most well-stocked for important toiletries. In that case, you may find yourselves caught short in the middle of nowhere.
Whether you take an emergency stop or an overnight camp, be sure you have what you need on hand. Keep a toiletries bag well-stocked in the trunk to ensure you can attend to every need at any time.
Essential toiletriesfor a road trip include:
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Cleansing wipes
- Hand Sanitizer
- Facemasks
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouth rinse
- Prescription and over-the-counter medicine
You might even consider a portable women’s urinal—but hopefully you won’t need to use it!
Related: Find out the best way to organize your car for a road trip.
5. First Aid Kit for Road Trip
It is good practice to have an emergency kit packed in your trunk at all times. Pack up blankets, coats, the aforementioned tools, and a first aid kit.
The first aid kit is particularly important for road trips that go off the beaten path. Medical help could take a while to get to your location. So, having the equipment to treat minor injuries can make all the difference in comfort and safety as a result.
Related: Best Safety Tips for Summer Vacation
Final Thoughts on UK Road Trip Essentials
Car travel has advantages and disadvantages. But with a little trip planning and these UK road trip essentials, you’re ready to hit the road. Should you hit an unexpected “bump in the road,” you’ll be prepared.
That way, you can focus on enjoying your experiences without worrying about a thing.And, if you’re new to the UK, you can pay better attention to driving on the left!
Click here if you are new to road tripping and want to continue learning about essential steps in your road trip planning.
Next Steps
Read these related articles next:
- Remember to dress comfortably for your road trip.
- Consider these 12 exciting things to do In Worthing, plus other UK adventures.
- Extend your UK road on foot with these UK Self-Guided Walking Tours.
- Explore throughout the UK, including the charming country of Wales.
