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We road trip often and have plans for a fun summer break with several trips lined up. Spontaneous long weekends visiting various Arizona and Southern California destinations also give us road tripping pro status. I have packing down to an art and can get our entire family in the car in just hours but it seems there is always that short list of items we forget. Our last road trip over Memorial Day weekend to San Diego was no different and I was laughing as I stood in the resort gift shop line waiting to pay $45 for the only 2T swimsuit in the entire boutique and one swim diaper. How did I forget our youngest daughter’s swimsuit after all she could talk about for days was this beach weekend? My list of all the things you always forget on summer road trips will be a lifesaver for our many upcoming trips and hopefully save you from a few unnecessary $45 swimsuits this summer too. We’re talking everything from your camera battery charger to easy on the go protein snacks like Lorissa’s Kitchen Korean Barbeque Beef to get you on your way for a seamless road trip.
This packing list is not covering the basics. You’re a pro, you’re great at multitasking and getting the entire family on looking at the big picture. This list is about all those little annoying BIG things you realize you forgot once you’ve arrived at your summer destination and it’s too late to turn back. Today we’re talking all the items you should have packed before you waved goodbye to your front yard. Don’t worry, you don’t need to take notes, I have an easy copy and paste at the end of this post for you to text to all the teens in your family and your spouse.
All the Things you Always Forget on Summer Road Trips
Suncare
Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are so important when you’re outside soaking up the sun. We know this. Yet, somehow when we are so excited for our road trip, we end up leaving home without these supplies. While you’re at it, throw in the family sun shirts.
Swimsuits
I wasn’t kidding about that $45 swimsuit. But isn’t it cute?
Life jackets, floaties or puddle jumpers
If you have young children, you definitely want to pack your own water safety items for water play. These are great for pools, the beach and even water parks.
Swim diapers
Swim diapers. Swim diapers. Swim diapers. Save yourself some cash and the environment by purchasing your infant or toddler a reusable swim diaper.
Beach toys
Our family always ends up on the beach. We have a sweet talking two year old that can convince anyone to share their beach toys but she’s devastated when she can’t find sand castle building supplies and purchasing those toys while on vacation usually results in overspending.
Snacks
Spontaneous road trips call for an on the go protein snack with no prep time. The kind you can truly just toss in your bag and hop in the car with! Lorissa’s Kitchen Korean Barbeque Beef, Sweet Chili Pork and Ginger Teriyaki are exactly the type of snack you want to keep on hand for those summer road trips.
Perfect for summer travel, now through August 29, 2017, you can save $1 0ff any Lorissa’s Kitchen product using the printable coupon at Kroger retailers.
These premium protein snacks are perfect for anyone living an active lifestyle that’s looking for a healthy, portable snack without sacrificing awesome flavor.
Camera battery charger
You’re already bringing electronics and chargers. You’re surely bringing your camera to capture all those perfect family memories. Don’t forget your camera battery charger.
Memory card
There have been more than one road trips where I brought the camera, arrived and realized it didn’t have a memory card installed. Not awesome.
Annual passes and theme park tickets
We visit Southern California often and have annual passes to many of our favorite theme parks. While it’s not impossible, adding time at the entrance to print tickets when you’re already annual pass holders is not something your excited family appreciates. Make sure you have your annual passes and all park tickets for summer travel before you leave your home.
Reusable shopping bags
If you’re road tripping, you’re likely making a few stops at grocery stores during your time away. We shop with reusable shopping bags at home and shouldn’t change our habits just because we are on vacation. Pack your shopping bags so you can keep up those good earth friendly habits while you’re away from home too.
We purchase our favorite road trip snacks from Fry’s, our local Kroger grocery store. The on the go protein snack can be easily found in the snack aisle at your local Kroger store.
Copy and paste this short list into a text for your teens and spouse before your next summer road trip to make sure nothing is left behind!
Make sure we don’t forget to pack these things:
- Suncare
- Swimsuits
- Life jackets
- Swim diapers
- Beach toys
- Snacks
- Camera battery charger
- Memory card
- Annual passes and theme park tickets
- Reusable shopping bags
What are the things you always forget on summer road trips?
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Oh no! We’ve forgotten the youngest’s swimsuit too lol! What a great list. We also love having Lorissa’s as a road trip snack, everyone loves it! [client]
No matter where we go on vacation one of us always forget something and we end up having to go without it or like you did over paying for the item. The snacks you mentioned sounds delicious I’m going to have to look for them the next time I go to the store .
Ugh I hate forgetting things when on road trips and it never fails too each and every single time! Those snacks look so delicious!
I am OCD, so I make lists weeks/months prior to getting away. I’ve only forgotten something once, and it was because it wasn’t on my list! :-/ We’ve tried the Lorissa’s Kitchen before, and love it!!
I’ve been super keen to try Lorissa’s brand. We don’t have it here in Australia but I’ve seen it around quite a bit on the internet! I love a good road trip and this is a good reminder of what you need to pack!
it’s not a memorable road trip unless you forget something important!! I love Lorissa’s, these tasty treats are perfect for the road.
These snacks look good! When going on trips I always try to remember to make a list. I don’t like forgetting things when traveling.
Your photos are amazing and adorable x I know the feeling, the amount of stuff you need to pack just for the kids, you are bound to forget something!!
Yes I always forget one or more of these things! You always gotta have snacks for sure!
I always forget to pack snacks. Well not for the kids. I always forget snack for myself!
I think I tend to over pack on road trips because the thing I forget is that I can always purchase whatever I forgot once I arrive at my destination. LOL
I make all kinds of lists and still forget things! I just figure I can get what I need when I get there though oftentimes its more expensive!
These snacks look really good. I always seem to forget something when we leave the house when we go on a trip.
These look like a really great protein packed snack! I see these all of the time at Walmart and I should pick them up!
I keep seeing this around but haven’t picked it up! I might need to try it
My top 3 – reusable shopping bags, memory cards and chargers. Especially the little USB car adapter thing that plugs into the cigarette lighter!!!
Without fail, the one thing we always forget on a summer road trip or vacation is sunscreen! It’s such an obvious staple to have packed for summer trips, but yet somehow it gets overlooked nearly every time!
Thanks for the list. No matter how prepared you think you are, there is always one or two things you forget! I need to create a checklist too so I will be sure I will have a stress free summer road trip this year.
We’re about to take a huge road trip soon so I am trying to figure out the snacks we want to bring. I’ll definitely have to give these a try!
Your little one is just adorable. This is so funny. We went hiking and to the river and obviously left everyones swimwear and towels…oh and or course toys to play in the sand. Total fail! This list is spot on.