Host and travel expert Samantha Brown has traveled more than 2.5 million miles and traveled to more than 65 countries throughout her storied career. During the most recent season of his Emmy Award-winning PBS series “Places to Love by Samantha Brown,Brown added 2,448 miles to that total by completing his multi-year journey along Route 66, which spans all eight states along the Mother Road.
“The history of Route 66 is fascinating and I met so many wonderful people. That’s why it’s called the Mother Route; it’s really what gave rise to the tenacity, spirit and incredible optimism of this nation,” Brown told TPG. “I don’t say this lightly, but in my 26 years of traveling it is the most incredible trip I have ever taken,” he added.
Related: 8 Best Road Trips to Visit National Parks
November 11, 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Route 66, with celebrations taking place throughout the year. If you plan to tackle your own Route 66 Road Trip If you have other summer road trip plans, Brown shared some of the items she always keeps in the car for long trips. We added some of our own TPG-tested travel items to create the ultimate road trip packing list.
Frisbee or ball
“I’ve taken a lot of road trips with my kids, so we always bring a Frisbee or a ball,” Brown said. “We are not athletes at all, but we want to leave time to relax, rest and stretch our legs.” When you take a Frisbee, ball, or other portable outdoor game, your rest stops can become opportunities for a physical and mental reset after spending hours cooped up in the car together.
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Snacks and water
Sure, you could stop at gas stations along the way to pick up supplies, but that’ll get expensive pretty quickly. Instead, start your trip with a stockpile of snacks and drinks, and make just one or two stops to enjoy those “special comforting road trip snacks.” For me, these include Nerds Gummy Clusters, Pizza Combos, and a fountain of Diet Coke that is too large for human consumption.
If you want to protect the environment while protecting the cash in your wallet, invest in a reusable water bottle (or several if you’re traveling with the family). You can fill them before leaving and refill them with water from the fountain machines at a gas station.
Buy on Amazon: CamelBak Chute Water Bottle$19
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emergency kit
Buying an emergency roadside kit is a lot like buying car insurance. You hope you never need to use it, but you’ll be grateful you spent the money if you do. A complete emergency kit includes items such as jumper cables, tire repair tools, a flashlight, a portable air compressor, safety equipment, and a first aid kit.
Buy on Amazon: car emergency kit$89.99
wet wipes
Whether you are traveling with children or not, wet wipes can come in handy. Whether it’s sticky hands or a questionable gas pump, wet wipes can quickly leave that grime on your rearview mirror. Opt for antibacterial wipes in a resealable package that disinfect while cleaning and store easily in the glove compartment.
Buy on Amazon: WipeEssentials Hand Sanitizing Wipes$9.99 for a 3-pack
portable charger
In addition to the charging cables you probably already have in your car, it’s a good idea to have a portable power bank on hand for charging on the go. This is especially true if you are traveling with a large group or have multiple devices to charge. Look for a portable charger that can charge multiple devices simultaneously and make sure the battery is full before you go on a trip.
Buy on Amazon: Anker 3-Port Power Bank$49.99
Comfortable clothing
Brown also recommends traveling in comfortable clothing. “When I fly, I usually wear one or two really nice outfits, but on a road trip, everything is super casual,” she said. “Everything I wear should be able to transition pretty easily from sitting in a car to going for a walk or stopping to grab a bite to eat,” she added.
When speaking with TPG staff, some added that they also carry a blanket or sweatshirt in the car when traveling, as it is difficult to find a temperature that everyone likes and if you are cold, this can be helpful.
Buy on Amazon: EverSnug 2-in-1 Travel Blanket and Pillow$29.95
Game and activities
Even the most resplendent scenery can get a little monotonous after a while, especially for kids, and it’s helpful to have some games and activities to pass the time. This could be something as simple as looking for license plates from all 50 states on the backs of iPads so kids can watch a movie instead of asking, “Are we there yet?” for the 75th time.
Below are some activities that can help keep boredom at bay:
Buy on Amazon: LCD writing tablet$15.99
Buy on Amazon: Melissa & Doug Reusable Play Activity Book$8.99
Buy on Amazon: Road Trip Car Bingo$12.49
Buy on Amazon: Seat back iPad holder$17.99
Related: The 12 Best Road Trips to Take as a Family This Summer
Sunglasses
Forgetting your sunglasses is a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things, but it doesn’t feel that way when the sun is shining through the windshield and you still have several hours of driving ahead of you. That’s why many TPG employees keep a pair of emergency sunglasses in the car at all times.
Don’t worry too much about style… you’ll only need them if you forget your stylish sunglasses at home. These sunglasses are just a backup plan to protect you from the sun, not a fashion statement.
Buy on Amazon: 3 pack polarized sunglasses: $23.99
garbage bags
For better or worse, litter and road trips go hand in hand. A grocery bag or small trash bag may work well in this situation, but there are also trash bag systems made specifically for your car. They come with several bags that attach to the back of your car seat, so when you remove a full bag, there’s a new one waiting right behind.
Buy on Amazon: Tossits Disposable Recycled Car Garbage Bags$12.99
Map or guide
As Brown prepared to complete Route 66 in its entirety, he didn’t rely solely on a mapping or GPS app. I frequently consulted Jerry McClanahan’s “Route 66: EZ66 Traveler’s Guide.” In addition to detailed maps, this Route 66 guide includes information on restaurants, must-see attractions, and even interactive games and scavenger hunts you can take along your trip.
“[Route 66] It ebbs and flows through interstate highways and historic sections, so you have to be very aware that you are on the right path,” Brown said. “Your guide literally helps you mile by mile,” he added.
Whether you are navigating dirt roads or a better paved path, using a guide to the area you are visiting can be beneficial beyond simple directions. They can help you discover a destination from a local perspective, with tips, dining recommendations, photo opportunities and more.
Buy on Amazon: “Route 66: EZ66 Traveler’s Guide – 6th Edition“, $42.30
Bracelets or anti-nausea medications.
Some people are more prone to travel nausea than others. If you are among those unlucky enough to suffer from travel-related stomach problems, there are several remedies that can relieve your symptoms. Some of the most useful tips are to avoid reading books or looking at your phone. Eating mint-flavored candies can also help. But if you need something more effective, look for anti-nausea bracelets or over-the-counter medications (these are only recommended for passengers, not drivers).
Buy on Amazon: Tablets to relieve nausea with less drowsiness Dramamine$7.72
Buy on Amazon: Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Bracelet$10.99
AAA Membership
If you ignore the AAA membership emails that appear in your inbox once or twice a year, it’s time to reconsider this service. AAA’s benefits go beyond roadside assistance, although you can draw the line at membership services for flat tires, dead batteries, and more. AAA also offers trip planning services, discounted theme park and attraction tickets, member-only hotel and car rental rates, and more.
AAA memberships start at $72 per year with up to two additional cardholders free. Learn more here.
Downloaded maps and entertainment.
When you drive from sea to sea (or anywhere in between), you’re likely to encounter spotty cell service along the way. To make sure you don’t get lost or bored when this happens, download maps, movies, games, music, and TV shows to your device before you travel.
Apple Maps offers downloadable offline maps, so you’ll never run out of driving or walking directions when navigating a new location. While it’s not as vital, it’s also smart to download entertainment to your phone or tablet to ensure you can keep listening to your favorite road trip playlist even in the middle of nowhere.
