Travel Essentials: Must Have Items
We’re sharing travel essentials and must-have items for every trip today!
One of the best things about summer is the freedom to take more road trips and vacations.
Summer brings a sense of adventure and offers endless opportunities to hit the open road and embrace spontaneous getaways.
The longer days and warmer weather are perfect for creating new memories, whether you’re seeking relaxation or excitement.

I love that so many people are celebrating a back-to-basics kind of summer season and have been planning staycations and playcations to discover small towns, big cities, national parks, and darling hole-in-the-wall places favored by locals all across the country.

While we’re still trying to figure out how best to manage Piper in the car, we know traveling with people and pets of all ages is the kind of thing where practice makes perfect.
That’s what I’m telling myself anyway😉

So, now that summer trips are officially on the horizon, I thought it would be fun to share must-have travel essentials to help make things easier.

Favorite Travel Essentials: Must-Have Items….
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- Portable Packing Cubes (have and love the packing cubes from this brand, 20 colors available depending on size)
- Leisure Suit (great for long flights or car rides, 22 colors available depending on size)
- Bucket Booster Seat (have and love for Piper, it’s washable and easy to clean)
- Insoles (one of my girlfriends uses these and raves about them; you might have to trim them for a more custom fit)
- Travel Steamer (highly rated and comes in 3 colors)
- Drink Tumbler (currently have the 20 oz, and bring them on every trip, probably need to upgrade to the 30 oz)
- AirTag Case (lots of colors available, and I love that they can be attached to dog collars too)
- Toiletry Bag (gifted, and it was a hit, 14 colors available depending on size)
- Clear Pouches (have and love in the brown, 14 colors available)
- Dog Leash (have and love, 9 colors available depending on size)
- Makeup Remover Wipe Singles (love that these are portable, also available in fragrance-free)
- Travel Hair Dryer (collapses for easy storage, 2 colors available)
- Portable Air Compressor (I’ve lost count of how many times this has saved us on road trips. We’ve gifted it to friends and family as well)
- Airplane Phone Mount (pocket-sized for hands-free viewing, multiple colors available)
- Jewelry Organizer (have and love in green and have gifted in blue, 3 colors currently available)
- Document Organizer (organizes your essential cards, papers, and passports, 21 colors available)
- Pet Hair Remover (great for quickly cleaning up pet hair)
- Blister Bandages (these come in multiple sizes)
- Backseat Organizer (currently in my cart, trying to decide if we need the tray, so let me know if you have thoughts)
- First Aid Kit (a must-have for every trip)
- Front Pocket Air Tag Wallet (highly rated for a slim fit, 14 colors available, I need to order one for my Dad)
- Electronics Organizer (gifted, and it was a hit, 10 colors available depending on size)
- Instant Camera Mini (love the idea of printing out your vacation photos in real time, 5 colors available)
- Pet Water Bottle (have in Pink for Piper, and it’s super easy to use, 7 colors available depending on size)
- Sound Machine (have the older version of this, use it daily, and take it on every trip for Piper)
- Bite Box (a great option to gift or if you’re short on time picking up snacks for trips)
- Roadside Emergency Kit (another must-have for every car)
- AirTags (a travel kit standard)
- Luggage Travel Cup Holder (one of my girlfriends has this and loves it for flights with littles, 14 colors available)
- iPhone Portable Charger (S has and loves and keeps in hurricane kits, 5 colors available)
- Wipes (have, love, and put in every travel bag)
- Ear Plugs (great if you’re easily overstimulated or simply need a break from noise, 4 colors available)
- Snackle Box (ordered these after our last trip, they’re great to take to the beach as well)
- USB Travel Adapter (worldwide travel adapter)
- Waterproof Phone Pouch (lots of colors available, great for cruises and waterparks)
- Suitcase Set (I have and love in white, my Mom has in black, 3 colors available)
Not pictured but worth noting…
- Medical Emergency Cards (great for travel)
- Studs (have and love, a great option if you want to leave your real studs at home)
- Sweater (have, love, and carry the navy on every trip, 17 colors available, and super easy to layer)
- Luggage Scale (great to use at home so there are no surprises at the airport, 7 colors available)
- Luggage Tags (gifted these to my Mom, 21 colors available)
- Insulated Lunchbox (have and love in blue, it makes packing snacks and drinks easy)
- Cooler Tote (this matches my luggage set, 25 colors available depending on size)
- Car Trash Can (adding to cart after our last trip)
- Pet Wipes (have and love for Piper, we have the lavender scent, but there is also an unscented version)

Summer Travel Plans…
It’s been really exciting to see so many people sharing photos from trips they had planned before the pandemic began.
I love it when travel dreams come true!
It’s clear everyone is eager to make up for lost time now that the summer travel season is in full swing.

If you’re planning a trip, don’t forget to check popular destinations early and consider exploring lesser-known gems to avoid crowds and experience something new.
Whether you’re a seasoned road warrior or just starting out, every journey brings its own unique joys and challenges, so remember to embrace it all!

I hope this travel essentials list has helped.
Let us know where you plan to vacation this year and the travel essentials you can’t live without!

Other Vacation and Travel Posts to Explore…
How to Bring the Feeling of Vacation Home

Simple Ways to Feel Organized After a Trip

Many blessings,
CoCo

This is a great list of travel essentials! I never think to include the first aid kit…so thank you! That toiletry case looks like something I surely could use too.
Happy travels to you 🙂
Maria
Thank you, Maria! There are times when all 12 of us travel together with all 3 dogs so we’re constantly looking for easy ways to get everything packed and settled without too much drama. I used to forget about the first aid kit too but we’ve used it on multiple occasions and have been thankful to have it in the car. I’m still searching for an easy way to store and organize it all so I’ll let you know when I find one. Hugs and hope you get to travel some place fun this year too, CoCo
This is a great list of travel items. I’m glad you included items for our fur babies! 😊