Everything You Need to Pack for a Frugal Summer Road Trip

Without plenty of snacks on-hand, you are destined to spend your road trip noshing on convenience foods that may not be budget-friendly. Packing healthy snacks will help you set yourself up for success-and perhaps avoid less healthy fast food options.

Having some sort of GPS, whether its in your car or on your phone, will help you navigate to each destination on your journey. Without GPS, it's far too easy to get lost and waste time and money driving aimlessly in the wrong direction.

Technology that makes travel easier is great-as long as it's working, that is. You'll definitely want to bring a paper map along on your road trip so you'll know where you are if your GPS stops working or your phone dies

A spare tire is a road trip essential if you don't want to have to pay for a tow in the case of a flat. Keep a spare tire in your trunk (and learn how to change a tire) and you'll never have to worry.

Don't forget to bring cash on your road trip-even if you think you won't need it. You may wind up needing to pay for something in cash that you didn't expect-like food in an out-of-the-way diner that doesn't accept credit. An ATM card is also smart to bring since you could wind up needing cash in an emergency.

For the same reason you need to bring cash and an ATM card, you should also bring a credit card just in case. Since many hotels, motels, and resorts won't let you book a stay with debit, your credit card could actually be essential.

Whether you rent a car or drive your own, what happens if you break down on the side of the road or get a flat tire at night? Bringing a flashlight along can make it possible for you to assess the situation and change a flat tire if it's required.

Driving with the windows down seems like a good idea-that is, until you are inundated with bugs. Bring bug spray so you can keep the bugs at bay on the road and stay protected when you get outdoors for some fresh air.

No road trip would be complete without an interesting lineup of tunes. Make sure to create a road trip playlist ahead of time so you're not beholden to the whims of random radio stations that will change constantly the farther you drive.

A road trip may be your time to get away from it all, but you'll still want photos to commemorate the event. Make sure to bring your favorite camera or a smartphone that takes great pics. You won't regret it.

A great playlist can kill some time, but it never hurts to bring some road trip games along-or, at least, learn about some you can play on your own. Everybody knows about the license plate game, but you can also play I-Spy, 20 Questions, and more.

If you want to get cozy when you're not driving, don't forget to pack supplies for an old-fashioned nap. A blanket is a travel essential anyway and a pillow will help, but you can also pack a special travel pillow if you want to sleep upright.

Having a roadside emergency kit is crucial when you're in the midst of a road trip. At the very least, make sure you have a set of jumper cables on-hand so you can ask someone for assistance-and a jump-if your car battery dies.

Most road trips require a lot of time spent in a car, which means you'll likely be eating and drinking on the road and away from a sink. Make sure to pack some hand sanitizer so you can stay fresh and clean.

Bringing snacks like crackers and chips is always smart, but what about food and drink that needs to stay cool? Bringing a cooler on your road trip will ensure you can bring beverages and snacks that require refrigeration and help you save money by avoiding fast food.

Eating and drinking in the car means messes and trash, which could make your road trip sressful. Make sure to pack some small trash bags so you can keep your car clean while you're en route. Keeping all your trash together makes it easy to clear everything out each time you stop as well.

You'll need to bring car insurance information on your road trip whether you rent a car or drive your own. If you don't have all your details with you, you could wind up with a costly traffic ticket and a big hassle on your hands.

Also remember to bring your driver's license! Once again, you'll need it to operate a vehicle whether you have a rental or your own. Without your license, you could be in deep trouble if you get pulled over-and you may face steep fines.

It never hurts to have some batteries along for the ride, whether they're for your camera or some other device. Bringing batteries for all your devices will ensure you don't have to stop and buy some during your trip.

You will absolutely want to keep your phone fully charged during your road trip, not only because you can use it if you're in trouble but also because you may want to take pictures. Bring phone charger cables that work in your car so your phone battery never goes kaput.

Whether you love basking in the sun while you're on the road or not, you'll want sunscreen along for those times you step outside. Wearing sunscreen is the best way to protect your skin, and it will be cheaper to buy it at home before your trip.

If you're worried about running out of gas, carry a gas can in your car. Having one handy will make it possible to refill if your car breaks down and you have to hitch a ride to the closest filling station.

Staying hydrated on the road is a must but polluting the environment with disposable water bottles is totally avoidable. Bring your own water reusable water bottle so you can refill at gas stations or restaurants and drink plenty without adding to landfills.

Having a first aid kit is smart if you are planning a road trip, so remember to bring one along. It is always nice to have band-aids, disinfectant, and basic medications if you get hurt, get sick, or just have a headache.

Last but not least, don't forget to stock the car with tissues or paper towels-especially if you're traveling with kids. Road trips can get messy if you're living in your car for hours at a time, so you need a way to clean up. Wet wipes are also smart to bring along.