Cross Country Road Trip...Must needed items to bring?

[johnmodely]

Doing an ambitious NY to Seattle cross country drive with our 3 month old in a few weeks (and yes we have a contingency plan in case he can't handle the long drive).

We are definitely bringing a little 12v mini fridge we can plug in the back, and a portable battery bank with 120v output. Any other must needed items people have done similar trips that made the drive better?

 

[jcanoe]

Road Trip Advice

 

[rwiegand]

A credit card. Given that most needs can be met along the way.

I'd carry a CCS adapter, a tire plug kit and compressor, and a 25 ft 10 ga extension cord.

 

[Jim R]

I would not carry a CCS adaptor. Plenty of SC's along the way. I'm not in favour of the tire stuff either - takes up room and tire failure is rare. I like your battery bank plan. I take some cloths and a spray bottle of water and soap to clean the bugs off my white car's front. I haven't done the East West crossing of USA, but the North South route was a breeze.

 

[tashtibet]

people worry about so many things that never happen in their lives.

 

[doghousePVD]

Unless there is a specific leg that CCS or Chademo facilitates, I wouldn’t bother. I’ve driven Maine to Texas and Florida towing a trailer and never used my Chademo. Superchargers are frequent, more reliable, and faster. In 20,000 miles of long distance trip planning, I have only found one or two obscure places where a Chademo might have been useful. Often they are located very close SC anyway.

The most common problem with long trips is having too much stuff in the car. Pack light.