Backpacking Essentials For Your Road Trip

If you’re on a road trip, you need driving music. – Edgar Wright

Well, this is true indeed but technically you need something more with you to make your road trip sensibly beautiful and safe. Of course, you also feel the same otherwise you will not be here reading this article with the title “Backpacking Essentials For Your Road Trip”!

Now, when you are about to start your road trip and want to make it successful for your soul, mind and body; it is essential to know what exactly you must have in your backpack; especially when you are on the roads of India.

Yes, we are talking about the roads which are may be considered as an example of poor infrastructure or inadequate maintenance but these roads can take you to some insanely beautiful destinations. Moreover, they can be the witness of some of the remarkable adventures of your life.

Backpacking Essentials

•  A Road Map: Yes, we know that you have a Smartphone and are completely aware of the term “GPRS” app but what if the network of your mobile is not working rightly on a particular area? This can happen to you when you are on the high altitude areas, such as, Manali to Leh Highway or Gurudongmar Lake in Sikkim. A conventional paper map will save you in such situations and you must not forget it.

• Hand Sanitizers: You must have enough stock of hand sanitizer and liquid soap with you while traveling on the roads of India. There are places on the highways where you may not get decent toilets, which means you will not get a chance to wash your hand properly if you do not carry these objects with you. So, it is better to have them with you on your road trips in India.

• Hand And Face Towels: You must have it because the country belongs to one of the hottest regions of this planet and the rate of humidity is very high. On top of that, the pollution is also notably high on these roads. A face towel is an essential part to wipe out the sweat while riding the vehicle.

• First Aid Kits: When you are on a road trip, you must be prepared for accidents and injuries. Hence, having a first aid kit with you is mandatory. Apart from all your regular medicines, you should have some drugs for emergency situations. Bandages, motion sickness tablets, antiseptic creams, etc. must also be there in the kit.

• Paper Napkins And Newspapers: While driving a car on the Indian roads, you cannot forget to have newspapers and napkins. These objects will be useful in case you have to throw something in the roadside dustbins. Just wrap and throw them! The napkins are useful to wipe your face and hands after using the liquid soaps.

• Power Bank: How can you forget that! It is one of the most important objects that must be packed for every trip; whether it is on road or not. This one will help you to keep your phones charged and you can stay connected (if you really want to while on an adventurous road trip) to the rest of the world easily.

• Some Safety Objects: Pepper spray, scissors, torch or flashlight, small knife and matchbox are some of the objects that you should have with you in your backpack to be prepared for a sudden, dangerous and unwanted encounter.

• Extra Pair Of Glasses: If you wear glasses and have serious eyesight issue then you must have an extra pair of glasses with you while going on a road trip because the one you are using currently may get damaged during the trip and that extra one will be your companion for the rest of the journey.

Few More Things That You Should Not Forget

So, these are some of the important things that you must put into your backpack while packing for your next road trip by car on the Indian roads. However, there are a few more things that you must consider to make your trip hassle-free and easy for you.

·    Proper Planning

Do not step out of your house without proper planning. Yes, you heard it right that “sudden plans are always beautiful” but in some cases, it can cost you a lot of trouble too. Hence, it is always better to plan your trip and then start your journey. Book the hotels, check the weather of the locality you are going, check the road condition of your route, know the best possible route for your destination and make sure that your car tank is full.

·   Get Proper Information

Always help yourself with the proper and latest information about the places you are aiming to visit during your next road trip. What is the condition of the roads and how is the current climate of that place? Is it a safe place for a solo traveler or small families (in case you are traveling alone or with your family)? What are the route options you can have for that area? How much time it will take you to complete that journey? Do adequate research on the internet so that you can enjoy every bit of your trip.

·   Last But Not The Least Thing To Add To Your List

Music! Yes, it is!

You should never forget to store all your favorite songs to your phone’s memory card or pen drive so that you can play them during the trip and enjoy your journey to the fullest.

They say; “the best thing about a road trip is, you do not need to reach the destination to enjoy your trip” and it is absolutely true. A road trip can itself be an unforgettable experience for a passionate traveler if he knows how to make it the same. You will never understand the attraction of road trips if you have never tried one. Therefore, stop thinking too much. Now when you have the list; just pack your backpack and start your trip!

Have a happy trip!