These trips start at 3-days, and can be extended up … Getting from A to B via J or Z is sometimes part of the fun of a road trip. Jubel, a tech-enabled travel company founded in 2015 in California, offers customized multi … Join us for our Pack Up & Go adventure! I discovered Pack Up + Go, a year ago on social media and knew instantly I wanted to book a trip with them. Short version, I think the trip was worth 1700. Are you ready to pack up and go on a road trip? Pack these items for those long, quiet rides and for when you’re ready to have some fun. By Caitlin O'Shaughnessy, Leena Trivedi-Grenier. Road trip expenses add up very quickly, especially if you spend frivolously. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; These tools will bail you out of a sticky situation and are practically mandatory to start ANY epic road trip. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "coloradolife-20"; Daily outfits. amzn_assoc_linkid = "009d76b3808451e7850c3a27121a3ee9"; How we got stuck on “H”s, we don’t know, but we find that they are always clean, within our budget, and have great amenities. Here's how it works First, Pack Up + Go asks you to select your preferred mode of transportation and budget: Road Trip (between $350-$2,000) or Fly/Bus/Train ($450-$2,000). Water-resistant and durable this case offers plenty of protection from daily travel life. Updates every Thursday amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Take it from someone who’s been in this situation – if you lose your keys in the middle of nowhere, you could be screwed royally. Even if you’re swinging into town late or have to change plans quickly, you can make your reservations with the app and rack up those points to get free nights for later trips. Recently, he spent eight months travelling around Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, spending as much time as possible in the wilderness and doing everything to avoid the crowds. This app is totally free to join and as a member, you’ll earn points toward free stays and other perks through the rewards program. The best way to keep your road trip rolling is to make sure your vehicle is in good working order before you leave! I was such a simple child…. with pre-programmed soothing sounds to help you get to sleep and stay asleep. Pack Up + Go is a surprise travel agency that can plan your next weekend getaway in the United States, from start to finish. If a cooler is empty, fill it with something. Pack Up + Go books your travel and accommodations within that budget. Now go and get your own water bottle – save the environment, save your wallet and stay hydrated. All you have to do is fill out a quick survey and tell us your budget. With a desire to experience all things unconventional, Ralph enjoys visiting the lesser-known landscapes of the world and has ended up in some pretty strange and wonderful places. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; This means doing things like camping out as much as possible, being fuel-efficient, and cooking your own food. It would also be smart to inform yourself about how to use each vehicle tool so you don’t depend on other people’s help as much. Staying hydrated on the road will give you so much more energy and you’ll feel much better when you arrive at your destination. Some people may actually live and work in their car as a way of life i.e. Bottled water is so unnecessary and overpriced while you travel. These are the absolutely mission-critical items to have in terms of safety and physically being able to go on your road trip! Make sure you bring an emergency kit for your car on your road trip – most include a pair of jumper cables, a tow rope, a set of essential tools, and ties. Total cost of entire trip was 2.1k ish. We talked about Carrie’s introduction to winters in Colorado, but it’s worth repeating. It's a … Plane tickets, booked. Pack Up + Go’s philosophy is that each American city has something incredible to offer. . Now put in a strong, fast current. The itinerary was split up by neighborhood which was so nice! Perfect for a road trip down the 101, the California Coast is home to some of the most beautiful towns in the United States! unprepared. When traveling with an RV or camper, it can sometimes be hard to find a safe, free place to park overnight or when you need a few hours of sleep before you continue on your journey. That energy gathering inside of you? amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; As you’re prepping for your trip, swing by the ATM and get some cash! Ryan Nicholson is a homegrown born and raised Colorado native. 171 talking about this. Here is what I packed for my family's 7 hour road trip down to Maine. Plus, keep an eye out for as some local oddities! They were also really tailored to my likes. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. As COVID-19 concerns have continued to increase, many people have turned to explore the great outdoors to fuel their wanderlust. Make sure you get a system in place FIRST. Try and limit your time in the car as kids get antsy very quick. These make every road trip a little more memorable. AAA is available at every price point, from around $50-80 per year to $250 for the premium RV levels. amzn_assoc_title = ""; Road Trip Trips start at 2 nights, 3 days. On the other hand, don’t bring your entire closet with you because you need space for the other road trip essentials. Make sure to pack those suckers in about 2 to 3 layers deep. If you happen to be pulled over without a license, you could face a heavy fine. Before you leave, fill up with gas so you don’t have to stop shortly after taking off. Travelers to Colorado will know that our weather is very temperamental and can go from lovely and sunny to hailing and even snowing in just a few hours. Be sure to run any errands before you leave for your road trip. Another great resource to check out is this list of free RV camping sites! It doesn’t matter how far you go. We love the Fuelcaster app by Esurance which helps you to find the best prices on gasoline in your area. You have come to the right place. Instead of always getting take food in styrofoam or plastic container opt for Tupperware These things pack up nice and small and really come in handy for long travel days when you don’t have easy access to food. A first aid kit will be able to handle most of these minor situations. If you have a truck, seriously consider turning the bed into your sleeping space. Sounds like you’re getting excited…. EXPAND this box for info, links, etc. amzn_assoc_asins = "B0006HXJFK,B0043D68YW,B07S2QRBW3,B07RYMGLNK"; What’s a road trip packing list without some entertainment?! It’s important to check the weather at your destination and also along your route. They’re not that interesting, sure, but they are all road trip essentials, so be sure to scan this part of the road trip packing list carefully to … Everything ran as smooth as silk. © 2021, The Broke Backpacker. We also love taking some solid trail mix with us to keep us snacking! You’ll find unusual roadside stops, scenic bypasses, and historical markers. Especially if you’re from out of town, this can be an amazing opportunity to grab super fresh, super delicious foods you don’t often get in your own hometown! One AFAR editor let the surprise travel agency Pack Up and Go plan a mystery road trip—one where she didn’t find out her destination until the moment she walked out the door. Our favorite Audible hack is to sign up for a subscription (usually about $15), use your credit to download a book, then unsubscribe. We like using Campendium to help us find campgrounds with spaces available for our Teardrop trailer! First and foremost, you’ll want to keep in mind that all trailers and motorhomes have weight limits. These documents should be in your car at all times, regardless if you’re packing for a last-minute road trip or just going to the grocery store. You don’t have to worry about planning a trip and doing the research because the amazing staff at Pack Up + Go do that for you!! But I’m already plotting my next adventure. This calculator will help you to assess the many different costs and the time it will take to travel from your front door to your final destination for both driving and flying. More information. Keep up with us as we travel throughout the year but especially during our summer adventures! This will allow you to see which is more cost-effective and which might save you more time. For ladies and people with kids, having a clean bathroom can feel like a real luxury while on the road, so use this app to find a little luxury on your drive! 1. Just like you never know what could happen to yourself, one never knows what can happen to their car. The company tends to avoid more obvious choices like New York City , Los Angeles , and Las Vegas , preferring to give to mid-size or small cities like Portland , Maine , or Burlington , Vermont , a chance to shine. Get insider tips for renting an RV from RVshare. Our favourite travel backpack is the Aer Travel Pack 2. Another great thing to pack for a road trip is collapsible Tupperware. The Broke Backpacker team has tried out over thirty backpacks this year! Our Experience (Pack up and Go unbiased Review): Pack up and Go sent us to San Francisco for the weekend. Anyway, if you have got kids, this can be a super fun activity to provide hours of driving entertainment. Wal-Marts are a well-known secret among transients as overnight parking is usually allowed at these. It’s always a good idea to check your tires and have good quality tires before you take a trip. These people need to be both mobile and efficient, which demands a special road trip essential list. We’ve condensed all our experience into this one mega-post to make sure you know what to bring on your next adventure. Single-use plastic bottles are a huge threat to Marine Life – Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Some of the snacks you can carry include peanut butter sandwich, carrot sticks, hard-boiled eggs and much more. There’s nothing worse than a fun vacation derailed by surprise blizzards (yep, it happened to us!) If you’re a smartphone user and rely on your phone for navigation, you definitely need to download your Google Maps routes for offline use. Thinking about renting an RV online? Aside from contemplating your navel or singing along to music, try listening to an audiobook or a podcast. One of our favorite apps is the iExit app, available on Apple and Android devices. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Pack Up and Go travel agency CEO Lillian Rafson stops by to talk more about how she plans weekend getaways for her clients! Step out the car, do some stretching, whatever you like. We are the #1 resource dedicated to planning a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Invest in a good quality water bottle and fill it periodically. Tending to the rugrats is not my speciality. Check or change the oil, top up your windshield wiper fluid and power steering fluid. amzn_assoc_asins = "B07CMNMLNK,B00X9KV0HU,B0007XJOLG,B0051U7W32"; For multiple day journeys, it can be a real drag to haul around your giant suitcase with all your belongings in and out of hotels every day. Why not invest in a proper kitchen for yourself so you can cook your own food? You’ll have to get a special locksmith to come out there or even have your car towed. Imagine a 2 lane road in the country. Listen in or continue reading below for the best road trip essentials and travel hacks that we use while exploring Colorado. Day trips are the perfect way to add adventure to your life. We definitely recommend Holiday Inn Express hotels, as they are dependably clean, affordable, provides a free hot breakfast, parking, and wifi, and are in many great locations around the country. A WorldVia Travel … And seriously, who carries a checkbook anymore? This is the ultimate road trip packing list, the perfect guide to what to bring on a road trip. Forget one of these on your road trip packing list and you’ll never miss it so much. Traveling foodies will love the TVFoodMaps app! To find out why we recommend World Nomads, check out our World Nomads Insurance review. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Unless you plan on including an auto shop’s worth of tools in your road trip packing list, you can’t be prepared for every disaster. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Check out this post for plenty of intel on staying safe whilst traveling. For Pack Up + Go Road Trips, you’ll receive curated stops to eat, drink, and play on the way to your mystery destination!But, before you hit the road, make sure you include these road trip essentials so your adventure will go … Follow my adventures on Instagram here. This means that if you book your accommodation, buy a book or sort your insurance, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You may have a hard time deciding how many clothes you really need to bring. You can get creative with your cooking and even involve (here’s a road trip idea) the kids. Trying to reorganize the car halfway through a trip is a nightmare and probably going to be a huge ordeal. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Travel Hack: We don’t know why, but we love hotels that start with “H”. Also, bring your own water bottles with sippy tops or straws! Just make sure you have a plan B for rain. When people hear the word “Road Trip”, they either jump up for joy or dread hearing those words.To be honest, going on any trip is always a blast, but it is especially fun when you are going on a road trip!So pack your bags, we are going on a road trip!A huge plus of a road trip is that you can organize the trip anyway you want. That car AC can dry you out! We'll take care of your travel + accommodation arrangements - all while keeping your destination a surprise. Check underneath the floorboards for additional space as well. Whether it’s a drive within Colorado or a trip across state lines, here are the road trip essentials and hacks you need! Finally, fill the space with bowling balls. This can be very helpful if you’re out in the backwoods with no reception and get lost along your way! A road trip is an adventure. Who doesn’t love to load up on some candy bars and chips, individually packaged snack things like those dippable cheese and crackers and some jerky before a road trip? The official Highway Code recommends taking a 15-minute break every two hours and I completely agree. Review since I am tired right now. Pack Up + Go revolutionizes travel by planning curated vacations around the United States. The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. Instead, pack the most important essentials (and any valuables that you don’t want to leave in the car) in a smaller overnight bag so you can quickly grab and go check in when you arrive at your hotel for the night. A Road Trip is the more “classic” surprise Pack Up + Go Trip! These are the most important things to bring on a long journey – the absolute road trip necessities that you shouldn’t ever leave the house without. This is an important travel tip and a safety tip as well! With membership, you’re entitled to roadside and emergency assistance including towing, fuel delivery, locksmith service, and so much more. Not picked the perfect travel backpack yet? amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Nothing to fear! You’ll get to enjoy the outdoors and save a lot of money in the process. One of my favorite road trip games to play with kids is iSpy. Viewing entries tagged road trip. Pack Up + Go Review. After several months of waiting, I can’t believe it’s over. You should always have emergency cash hidden on you – pick up this awesome security belt with its hidden pocket before you travel, it’s perfect for hiding money, a passport photocopy. You may also want to get your brakes inspected and check the tires for excessive wear or a slow leak. Welcome to our ultimate Pacific Coast Highway road trip planner! Pack Up + Go plans trips around the United States. Planning your next day trip can be easy and totally free! We may earn a small commission if you book or buy through the affiliate links here, so thank you for that! It forces everyone to get off of their devices and explore what is around them. With the Sit Or Squat app by Charmin you can find the cleanest public restrooms anywhere, and share you own feedback to help other travelers as well. Form first -aid kits to card games, we’ve listed all of the absolute must-haves that will make your trip a full success. These tips and helpful apps will help make your road trip as smooth as possible. All rights reserved. There it is, folks: our comprehensive road trip packing list. If cost is a concern, you have got to try the Fly or Drive Calculator from BeFrugal.com. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "coloradolife-20"; Because I was flying out of New Orleans, I figured the West coast was just too far for a weekend and that we would go somewhere closer. While it’s technically illegal in most states, camping in certain public areas – like parking lots – is not always enforced. I read quite a few articles when I first discovered the mystery travel agency. Make Sure You Get There! digital nomads. It’s possible to spend less $100/day, but you need to have extremely strict habits. Travel, Girls' Trips. A lot of travel insurances offer roadside assistance. If you’re on an epic road trip abroad, be sure to check and see which countries require an International Driver’s Permit. Know your limits and stay under them. Unless you know the region you’re driving in very well or intend on just asking for directions, a map is an absolutely necessary thing to bring on a road trip. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; This website will help you find available spaces and you can sort by price and amenities, and even find dump sites where you can drain your gray and black water. In our 2020 Future of Travel Survey, we found that more people than ever are interested in Road Trips and domestic travel! amzn_assoc_title = ""; Here are a few essentials that we always pack when we take off for a long-haul journey: You never know when the rest stop bathroom will be out of soap or paper towels and make handwashing impossible! Whatever you do, don’t leave without these top 10 road trip essentials on your packing list! travel insurances offer roadside assistance, need hiking boots for the adventurous stuff. Okay, other clothes. I would recommend using Pack Up + Go to anyone and everyone. Close, https://www.facebook.com/Roaming-Ralph-1777819155804007/about, Ralph is a former manager in the hospitality industry turned wild child. If your car suffers catastrophic damage, you’re going to need roadside assistance for towing and repair. That is essentially what hiking the Narrows is like. countries require an International Driver’s Permit. Pacific Coast Highway road trip ranks pretty high among bucket list travel experiences. Featuring multiple exterior and interior pockets, the Icon laptop backpack allows maximum organisation and easy access to your belongings, with a dedicated laptop compartment to stow your gear away safely. Bonus points if you bring some flavoring packets to make your water more interesting. Enter Pack Up and Go, founded in … For the sake of transparency, some of the links in our content are affiliate links. We love the Hilton, the Hyatt, and Holiday Inn Express. Being prepared (or not so much!) We work hard to put out the best backpacker resources on the web, for free! Check out these travel tips to create your perfect Colorado trip planner! Please visit the link to find out how you can help keep the site going . Never leave home on an empty tank! Everyone appreciates a clean bathroom while traveling, right? I usually pack a to-go cooler for a long road trip. Itinerary planned. If you’re just buying plastic bottles, not only will you be wasting money, but you will also be creating clutter in your car (plus the environment and shit, man). Jubel. Great hotel room that could accommodate our special needs. Since most people use their phones as an MP3 player these days, an auxiliary cord is crucial to preserving your sanity. You choose the amount you want to give. Ryan's a classically French trained chef so he LOVES to try new foods and places to eat. Did we miss anything, like any family road trip essentials, in this list? But this is especially true if you are visiting a cold state in a winter month! Except for maybe a warped head gasket. I thought these were good suggestions to improve your road food options. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "false"; “Find out how YOU can support the site. Regardless, I highly recommend packing some camping gear. By checking the weather conditions along your route, you can better plan and change your route if necessary. The alternatives are gas station food, unless you don't care about making time. Jennifer + Richard took a trip to Saratoga Springs, NY: "We absolutely loved our experience! amzn_assoc_linkid = "93d91ab05174de91b49c511e96520c73"; Answer 1 of 11: I’m not sure where in the forums to look for reviews for Pack Up + Go and similar sites; you fill out a survey with some information about your budget and interests and they select a trip for you. Unless you’re an influencer posting daily photos, you don’t need a different outfit for … Don’t overlook what you kind of clothing you’re putting in your road trip checklist – you’re about to be limited to whatever you pack. One of the best things to do on a road trip cross country is to spend a few days in the wilderness. I only link to stuff I’ve actually used and never endorse products or services that are not up to scratch. Please leave a comment if you feel like we missed anything or want to add to this guide! It’s possible to spend less $100/day, but you need to have extremely strict habits. Obviously, you shouldn’t even be driving without one. If you travel often throughout the year, you’re sure to break even on the cost of the membership just in discounts on hotel stays (like we do!). You don’t want to be halfway through your road trip and have your car break. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; 2K overall was spent. Find us on Instagram @hashtagcoloradolife. But hey, at least they got each other? Pack Up and Go (Photo: Courtesy Pack Up and Go) Want a weekend getaway in the U.S. without any hassle of planning it? Catch up on all things Pack Up + Go! That will fuck everything up; they’re as bad as mosquitoes. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Why stop at yet another McDonald’s when you could dine at restaurants featured on Top Chef, Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and Best Thing I Ever Ate? If I hadn’t had insurance, I would have been fucked. This might mean cutting back on the amount of stuff you pack into the RV, but minimalism during RV trips is a small price to pay for safety on the road. And no list of road trip essentials would be complete without mentioning AAA. Planning to go on the best road trip in the world? If you need to have access to your phone, for maps and what-not, buy a mount for it. I’ve claimed my travel insurance three times. Bring clothes and shoes to accommodate any kind of weather so you’re not stuck out in the cold (or blistering heat!) It is fun, interactive, and can be as difficult or easy as you would like. A week before your departure, you receive an exciting email containing the weather forecast for your mystery destination, recommended items to pack (a bathing suit vs. hiking boots), any luggage size restrictions, where to go and when (for example, Grand Central Station on Friday at 10:30 a.m. Taking a road trip with a toddler can be difficult, without games or entertainment. Check out the energy bites from Pinole Blue. We hope it works well for y’all! By now you should kind of know what you’ll see in this guide. One week and a whole lot of mystery later, I’m home and getting back into my routine after our Pack Up & Go trip. What are some things to do on a long car ride by yourself? Thank you for your support! Road Trip Foods If you want to make your road trip fun, prepare some healthy food and you will end up saving as compared to buying gas station snacks. With bigger-name best-sellers going for $40 or $50 per audiobook, you can end up saving a lot, and once you download the book, it will stay in your Audible library forever (even if you cancel later). Here is all the info you need to decide which trip type is perfect for the vacation of your dreams! amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; That could potentially ruin your hard-earned vacation. The open country is calling our names, and we must go because it’s been a rough week at work and things are always better out there in the world. Because it’s road trip season, baby! If there is no auxiliary port in your car, buy a radio transceiver or use a portable speaker. She estimated that Pack Up + Go would plan 50 to 100 trips a year, but already after six months, it has handled approximately 250 trips. Here's when to go and which mountain drives allow you to see the scenic fall foliage. Go minimal. Whether you want to do a road trip through the USA or check out the amazing roads on the coast of Australia, you need to be prepared. These Bose sleepbuds mask the sounds of the road (or snoring husbands!) A vehicle can mysteriously fail, break, run into a ditch; all that and even more. amzn_assoc_asins = "B0194WDVHI,B07CZDXDG8,B01CU1EC6Y,B00X5RV14Y"; If you have trouble sleeping in the car or when staying in a new location, ear plugs or sleepbuds (like these from Bose!) What are some family road trip ideas when kids are involved? 2+ Travelers Plane/Train Trip - $1,300. Written by Corinne Hogge high winds, torrential rain, or even wildfires. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; The excitement of ripping that envelope open on the morning of your trip is indescribable. will make or break your road trip. Travel Hack: As much as we love audiobooks, they can sometimes get expensive to download. SOOO! Take your car to the shop and have it checked before going anywhere. Since getting our Teardrop trailer, we have started going to Allstays.com to find free places to park overnight without being bothered or bothering others. The Incase Icon Pack is the best travel backpack if you’ll be working on the road and need a sturdy, durable pack to keep your laptop safe while exploring new areas. Having a smart road trip packing list goes a long way! The iExit app tells you what’s coming up at each exit on the interstate. It seemed a lot, but we stayed in a 5 star hotel, got tickets to a funny comedy show, and got really good recommendations. Make sure you have all of the following items so you can work and then play. emily hines. That sensation where you can’t stand still? www.ashleynewell.me/2017/04/vacation-with-surprise-destination-pack.html Pssssst! You can follow his adventures at, I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. Up and Vanished is a great one to listen to while road tripping! Sign up and get our GREATEST TRAVEL SECRETS direct to your inbox! What you pack into your bag is just as important as planning your trip ahead. Wonderful trip! . Are you ready to create your Colorado bucket list? Pack up and go follows a pack of friends on the road trip of their lives. Thanks for your support. One of the only things to do on a long car ride by yourself is to listen to music or a podcast. It’s very dangerous to be looking down at your phone while driving. “Pack Up + Go combines spontaneity with relaxation. Trust us, you’ll be devoid a real shower more often than nought. Now put walls up on either side that go 3 stories up. Just enter your destination and the app will suggest restaurants that have been featured on television cooking shows. Check out these additional road trip packing hacks and take your game to the next level! Whatever you do, don’t hit the road without travel insurance. You’ll also find some cold climate road trip hacks to make sure you’re ready for snow. I’m back in Pakistan! Pro tip: Charge your portable phone charger before you leave! Unless you plan on eating out every night with greasy spoons or snacking the entire way, you’re going to have to cook eventually. Allstays will help you find a rest stop or a Walmart parking lot nearby, and can even help you find a more scenic place to park for free as well! Get packing for a road trip and get out there! Solo Traveler Plane/Train Trip - $1,000.