Would You Survive a 24-Hour Road Trip? Here’s What You’d Need

Road trips make for some of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences, whether you embark on a journey of personal exploration or invite your closest family and friends to join you. Most day trips require spending a few hours in the car, but a 24-hour road trip takes it to the next level. Where would you go if you had a full tank and only a day to make it there and back? 

Once you’ve committed to spending 24 hours behind the wheel, with nothing ahead of you but the open road, there’s no turning back. Before you slide into the driver’s seat and crank up the travel tunes, take a moment to gather everything you need to survive a 24-hour road trip. Just don’t forget to pack the perfect scents for car rides that last for many more adventures to come—available only at Drift. 

Prepare Your Car for the Road Ahead

It’s nearly impossible to start—let alone survive—a 24-hour road trip if your vehicle isn’t roadworthy. Before you leave, get your car inspected and set the mood with a premium car freshener to start your journey off right. And don’t forget to add a portable car battery jump starter and tire inflator to your list of essential gear.

Inspect and Inflate the Tires

If you plan on preparing your vehicle for the road ahead yourself, the tires are one of the best places to start. Inspect the tread for any damage or debris, and verify that the tire is wearing evenly across its surface. Check the sidewalls as well, especially where the tire meets the wheel rim. 

Verify the proper tire inflation specification in your owner’s manual and inflate your tires to that pressure rating. If your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), you will need to monitor the pressures as you travel, especially when gaining or losing elevation. Don’t forget to inspect your spare tire and verify its pressure as well. 

Top Off Your Car’s Fluids

Running out of windshield washer fluid on a 24-hour road trip might not seem like that big of a deal, but there are several vital fluids your car needs to function properly. Mechanics will inspect your car’s fluids and top them off if you pay for an inspection, but you can also do this part yourself. Verify the levels of your car’s power steering fluid, brake fluid, coolant, oil—and yes, windshield washer fluid. 

Get an oil change before you go, because 24 hours on the road means a lot of work for your vehicle, especially if you don’t drive that often otherwise. A fresh oil change ensures your car’s engine performs at its peak. Plus, it’s part of responsible vehicle maintenance. 

Add Drift Signature Scents for Car Interiors

There’s one final—yet vital—step in preparing your vehicle for your long-haul road trip: adding a Drift air freshener designed specifically for your car. Whether you slip the Wood or Stone car freshener over your visors or clip the Metal car freshener onto your car vents, you’re ready to take on whatever adventures lie ahead. These refreshing, indulgent scents will forever tie your best road-trip memories to a pleasant and unforgettable experience. 

Best of all, Drift premium car fresheners incorporate sustainably sourced materials, like alder wood, organic stone, and alloy metal. Our essential and fragrance oil blends are free from harsh chemicals, including formaldehyde, phthalates, parabens, and propylene. These deluxe car fresheners are also safe for pets and kids, vegan, and cruelty-free. 

Pack Road Trip Essentials

Now that your car’s ready and you’ve got stylish Drift luxury car fresheners to establish the vibe, it’s time to pack your bags for a 24-hour road trip like no other. Do yourself a favor and create a list of things you don’t want to forget. Here’s a handy list of essentials no road tripper should be without: 

• Sunglasses

• Hiking boots

• Car cellphone charger

• Pillow

• Road atlas

• Hat 

• Power bank

• Comfortable shoes

• Wet wipes

• Sunscreen

• Microfibers 

• Gum

• Personal hygiene products

• Trash bags

• Cooler 

• Blankets

• Tissues

• Hand sanitizer 

• Backpack or tote bag 

Modern-day smartphones make it easy to capture your road trip in the moment, but there’s nothing like having a physical reminder of your memories to interact with later. Plan to bring a small container or box with you as a catch-all for the trinkets you pick up along the way. You might be surprised by what you fill it with. 

Build an Emergency Kit

The best 24-hour road trips are exciting and memorable for all the right reasons, but life has a way of throwing the unexpected at us, often at the worst times. Preparing for those moments—even if they never come—can help you breathe easier as you put your car into drive. Below are the emergency supplies you should carry with you on any road trip, even if it’s just to the grocery store and back: 

• Flashlight (with extra batteries)

• Bottled water

• Non-perishable food

• Gloves

• Duct tape

• A first aid kit

• Rope

You can purchase emergency car kits online or easily assemble one yourself. Just think of what you’d need to survive if you were suddenly stranded and only had a bag of essentials with you. Remember that most of these survival situations happen when conditions are at their worst, so prepare accordingly. 

Fill Downtime With Entertainment and Fun

In the span of your 24-hour road trip, there’s bound to be an hour or two where you’re traveling between destinations and need something to fill the time. Audiobooks can fill the silence and help the miles go by faster, especially if you enjoy mysteries or thrillers. If you’re looking for something a bit shorter than a full-length audiobook, podcasts are the way to go. 

Creating your own road-trip bingo cards before you embark on your adventure takes some planning, but it’s often well worth the good-natured competition and laughter. Add specific state license plates, wildlife, vehicle types, road markers, or anything else that might be hard to spot along your journey. If you’ve got your smartphone handy, you can even take a picture or video to capture the moment. 

Survive 24 Hours in the Car With Drift Premium Scents

After a few hours cooped up in the car, you may wish for a refreshing scent to keep your mind alert. The exclusive lineup of Drift luxury car fresheners tucks away out of sight, offering subtle fragrances to keep your senses engaged without overpowering them. Explore Drift’s signature scents to select the one that best suits your tastes, and subscribe to our Scent of the Month Club to receive a refreshing new scent every month.