How many times have you tried to plan the perfect family road trip and wondered what would be useful, or even indispensable, to bring along? Check out some of my most recommended disaster-preventing road trip essentials below.

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Not all road trip disasters are preventable (as is evidenced by the picture above). However, with these 5 essential items you’ll be well prepared for most eventualities. Some of these are useful regardless and several you hope to never need and, therefore, fall into the “ounce of prevention” category.

1. Road Atlas

I know what you’re thinking: I have several GPS apps on my phone (and an extra charger). And, so does each member of my family (for when I break or lose my phone). We even have a tablet or a computer for back up! So, why is an old-school book of paper maps amongst my top road trip essentials? And who even knows how to use an atlas anyway?

Well, I can tell you from experience that “better safe than sorry”. You never know when there will be no reception–even for brief periods. You may think you aren’t going off the beaten path, but you can get dropped in the most surprising of places. Furthermore, even the best app can occasionally tell you to “make a left turn” directly into a parade of thousands of people! True story!

I’m not saying we need to go back to the ages of the AAA TripTik (ask your parents or grandparents), but I feel a good road atlas is a responsible item for a road trip–especially when you are responsible for other people. I definitely recommend spiral bound so that it can lay flat or easily remain open. Click here to see the current edition of the Rand McNally Large Scale Road Atlas Spiral Bound. As far as knowing how to read a map–you’re on your own! Just kidding. Have your kids learn how to do it. After all, isn’t that what YouTube is for?

check out this easy 3 step method for planning your route

2. Walkie-Talkies

Having a good set of walkie-talkies should also be on your safety related checklist. The main reason is that many of the more beautiful destinations still have no cell reception (even some of the more popular and easily accessible National Parks). Furthermore, when there is minimal reception your battery drains rather quickly while searching for a signal. And don’t forget the battery used to capture the memories of the trip. So, you need a backup communication system.

As an added benefit, your kids may be so enamored by this “new fangled” way to communicate, that they may actually talk to each other and look around rather than at a screen.

The most important features I would look for in walkie-talkies are that they should be long range and rechargeable (preferably with USB). Nice features would be that there is a hands-free option, expandability, a storage/carrying case, and belt clip. Most high quality units (i.e. not a kids’ toy) will have multiple channels and call buttons. Some are even waterproof, have flashlights, and access to NOAA weather. The set pictured above is available with 3, 4, or 5 handsets and as an added bonus each handset is a different color so it can be assigned to a different family member.

3. First Aid Kit

Let’s face it boo-boos happen. It may be cliched, but you should “Always Be Prepared”. The longer and more remote your trip, the more extensive your first aid kit should be. Also, be sure to take into consideration the number and age range of people in your group.

I like the one pictured above since it comes in its own well packed compact case with clearly labeled compartments, it has a separate mini grab and go first aid kit, and a first aid guide. It contains all the basics as well items for more “serious” incidents. Crucial with any first aid kit: know what you have and how to use it and be sure to restock as needed.

4. Road Side Assistance Kit

Not only do boo-boos happen to the people, but they can also happen to your vehicle–no matter how well maintained. Don’t leave home without a good roadside assistance kit. You may not be handy or mechanical, but nobody can help you if you don’t have the right tools. Do you really want to be stranded on the side of the road with your kids?

The one pictured above not only comes with basic jumper cables and flares, but several multi-tools that can come in handy in a real emergency, a wind-up flashlight, assorted spare fuzes, and a self-contained toolkit. Like the first aid kit, this one packs into its own case for accessibility and to keep your trunk organized. Unlike the first aid kit, you do not necessarily need to know how to use these items, but if you plan to rely on the kindness of strangers, you should at least know what supplies you do have and maybe have a nice snack to offer.

5. Phone Mount

I often feel like a phone mount is a bit unnecessary, even a luxury. Can’t you just put it in the cup holder and listen to the turn by turn directions? Or even ignore it for the endless hours on the same highway? But, on our last RV Trip, my husband really wanted one–and not a cheap-o one that would keep falling. You know what they say “Happy Husband Happy Life”.

I bought one that had really good reviews and stayed attached to the dashboard without using any adhesive. This model is adjustable for all smart phones as well as being height adjustable so it doesn’t block your view or the a/c vent. The phone can be used in a vertical or horizontal position and when charging. Husband’s verdict: game changing for any RV trip.

Bonus: Personalized Water Bottle

While not one of the 5 disaster-preventing road trip essentials, a personalized water bottle for each family member is a great idea. There are the practical reasons such as knowing who each bottle belongs to and being refillable. But, if you really wanted to go all out, instead of just writing names on the bottles you could make it a trip memento or even come up with a family logo and put it on each bottle too. This can be an opportunity to instill family pride and have a tangible way to keep the road trip memories alive.

I like this one from Etsy because it is well insulated, has a straw so you don’t have to worry about little (or not so little) kids spilling, and it comes in a variety of sizes and colors.

While these road trip essentials may not be exciting and you may never even use most of them, the peace of mind of just having them can be the difference between a successful road trip and a road trip disaster.

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5 Disaster-Preventing Road Trip Essentials