It’s summer, aka the perfect time to take a road trip! Whether you’re traveling with your significant other, or just enjoying a weekend of exploring with your bestie, Wendy Vazquez rounded up some essentials that you’ll need to ensure this road trip is perfect.

Think of a summer road trip as a vacation. Who says you need to get on a plane for it to be an actual vacation? This warm weather is calling for you to get to know your surrounding towns, or explore a national park. In order to ensure you have fun throughout the entirety of your road trip, not just at your destination, we’ve rounded up the ultimate summer road trip essentials!

The Perfect Outfit

First of all, you NEED to be comfortable! Road trips are not the time to put on your most glamorous and uncomfortable items. Prepare for the upcoming weather, and wear comfortable yet stylish items. Either way, you’ll be sitting in a car for at least a few hours, so comfort is key. I personally prefer a super relaxed uniform: think high waisted leggings and a tee with some slip-on sandals. I leave all of the sass to a handbag.

Of course, you should totally feel free to pack cute stuff for your destination, but I use the car ride as a super casual OOTD moment.

Plot Out a Route

There is such a thing as overplanning when it comes to road trips. You never really know what you’re going to drive by that will catch your eye. I’m not the kind of person that sticks to hourly check-ins on road trips. I leave time for the silly stuff. There’s always an antique store that catches my eye and ends up taking an hour of time.

As long as you know where you’re going, then you’ll be fine. Making stops along the way is what a road trip is all about, so take advantage of this and don’t be afraid of making too many stops. I usually carry a personal planner with me, or a notebook to jot some things down. I’ll make a sheet with just the addresses that we plan hit and use Google Maps to find the best routes, and even find surrounding places to stop for a quick bite.

Don’t Forget the Snacks

Speaking of food, forgetting snacks is the best way to get off on the wrong foot. A road trip requires fuel…for your car and your body. I love junk food, and of course, road trips are an easy way to grab way too many unhealthy snacks. That’s why it’s important to plan this ahead of time. I always bring my refillable S’well bottle with me to stay hydrated. Or I’ll take along a flavored Bioactive Detox Water.

I make it a rule to stick to healthy items in the car. Otherwise, it’s so easy to indulge in Doritos…and then find you’ve finished a family-sized bag in one car ride. Trust me, you will not feel good! Schedule a lunch stop or two at a convenient diner along the way. But if you’re like me and like to have something to nibble on, then my go-to is usually the gimMe Snacks Organic Seaweed Thins. They fit perfectly in my purse, and are a much better option than chips or candy.

A Killer Playlist

Road trips are the perfect time to sign up for a trial for Spotify. Curate your own personal playlist, or pick an already-made list. And trust me, there is a playlist for everyone and every kind of road trip. Plus, it has throwbacks that you and your boyfriend or friends will totally get into on your way to your destination. Just make sure that you download the music onto your phone before hitting the road so that there’s no buffering or lagging.

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