Whether you’re piloting a vintage VW campervan, a 1960s Mustang, or a modern Ferrari, one thing’s for sure: packing smart can make the difference between a smooth ride and a roadside facepalm of “I can’t believe I forgot that!”. Fear not, road warrior – we’ve got the ultimate packing guide to ensure you and your car are ready for anything. From essential tools to creature comforts, here’s how to pack for perfection.
Plan for the Car, Not Just the Driver
First things first: A road trip kit for a regular car is one thing, but for classic and exotic cars, we need to think a bit differently. These special rides often have unique needs:
Classic Cars: Older vehicles might need a little extra TLC. They can be quirky – and that’s part of their charm! Packing spares and tools isn’t just for the mechanics; it’s for any classic car owner who wants peace of mind. Remember, a 40-year-old Jaguar might throw a tantrum if a tiny, cheap part fails – so better have that part on hand.
Exotic Cars: High-performance cars (think Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche) are typically more reliable (one hopes), but they have their own needs: specialized fluids, limited storage space, and oh yes – that temptation to pack only stylish outfits to match the car. Let’s balance luxury with practicality.
Bottom line: Your car is your travel partner. Pack for both its needs and yours.
Essential Toolkit and Spares 🛠️
No matter how well-maintained your car is, things happen. A basic toolkit can save the day (or at least get you to the next service station):
Tool kit: Get a compact tool roll or box with screwdrivers (flat & Phillips), pliers, socket set, zip ties, duct tape (the universal savior), and a multitool. If you’re in a classic, toss in a hammer (sometimes a gentle tap can free a stuck part – very scientific, we swear). If you don’t yet have one, this is a good place to start.
Spare Parts: Tailor this to your car. For classics, consider packing belts (fan belt, etc.), a spare set of spark plugs, points/condenser (if your car is old-school enough for a distributor), and fuses. A small can of WD-40 (try this one) and some spare bulbs for headlights/taillights are great too.
Fluids: A litre of oil, a couple of litres of premixed coolant, maybe some brake or power steering fluid. Older cars can sip a bit of oil over long distances; exotics might too if you’re pushing them hard. Also include a funnel and some rags. Check the oil is right for your car!
Tyre Kit: Even if you have a spare tyre (check it’s inflated!), also carry a tyre repair kit and a portable air compressor. For exotics without a spare, this is crucial – a can of tyre sealant/inflator can be a trip-saver until you find a proper fix. Holt’s is my preferred one, on sale here.
Jumper Cables or Booster Pack: Classics sometimes have ageing batteries; exotics sometimes sit in garages and might have a surprise dead battery. A lithium-ion jump starter pack is compact and can jump your car without needing another vehicle – very handy. Check you have the right one for your size of engine. This one is my suggested pick.
Gloves and Work Light: Pack a pair of work or disposable gloves and a good torch or head torch for any night time emergencies.
Having these essentials is like carrying a first aid kit for your car. Hopefully you won’t need it – but if you do, you’ll be the hero of your own adventure.
Paperwork and Tech (Don’t Forget the Boring Stuff) 📄🔌
Alright, it’s not as fun as talking about fast roads, but you need to pack your documents and tech gear properly:
Documents: Make sure you have your driver’s license, passport, car registration, and proof of insurance (check that your insurance covers the countries you’ll drive through!). If you’re driving between countries, you might need an International Driving Permit – research ahead. Also, many European countries require you to carry the car’s original documents; keep them safe and dry.
Car Manual: If you have it, bring the owner’s manual or a digital copy. That way if some cryptic warning light comes on, you’re not guessing what it means.
Navigation: You probably have a smartphone with Google Maps or Waze, but also consider a dedicated GPS device or offline maps (download maps to your phone in case you lose signal). For classics without USB ports, bring a 12V adapter or an external battery pack. Having a battery pack with a lot of capacity is really useful for the longer trips. For maps, go for Michelin maps. The colour coding makes route planning much better. Here’s the map for France, and this is for Germany.
Dash Cam / Camera: Documenting your epic drive? A dash cam or a GoPro can capture stunning footage of those alpine passes. Plus, a dash cam can be useful for insurance if anything happens.
Chargers & Mounts: Pack charging cables (bring extras, they love to hide or break), a phone mount for the dash or windshield (so you’re not fumbling with your phone while navigating), and maybe a multi-port USB charger if you have several devices. My personal suggestion is here- I have two!
Portable Wi-Fi or SIM: If you need to stay connected, consider a portable hotspot or at least a local SIM card for data in each country – especially if you’ll use navigation and music streaming a lot or if your trip is quite long in duration.
Tech can be a lifesaver, but it can also be a distraction. Use it wisely – maps and tunes, yes; constant work emails, no! This is a road trip, after all.
Comfort and Convenience Items 😎
Let’s make sure you (and your co-pilot, if you have one) are comfortable and happy on the road:
Seating Comfort: Long drives in a classic can be, well, bouncy. Consider a small cushion or lumbar support if the seats are old or bucket-style race seats. Your back will thank you after 8 hours on the road.
Sunglasses & Sunscreen: Driving all day, you’ll get a lot of sun through that windshield (and even more in a convertible). Protect your eyes and skin – nobody wants a “driver’s tan” (one arm cooked, the other not) or sunburned knees.
Driving Gloves: A bit of persoanl preference. If you’re in a classic with a skinny wooden steering wheel, a pair of driving gloves not only looks the part but also helps grip and comfort. Even in exotics, some like gloves to avoid sweaty palms when driving spiritedly.
Earplugs or Noise-Cancelling Earbuds: This might sound odd, but some classics have very noisy cabins at highway speeds. A simple set of foam earplugs can reduce fatigue on long stints. Or use earbuds with mild noise-cancelling to cut droning, but be safe – you still need to hear sirens or horns.
Snacks & Water: Always have a stash of snacks. Granola bars, nuts, fruits, or the usual road trip snack selection! For drinks, a cooler with water and maybe some caffeine (energy drinks or cold coffee) for when you start feeling drowsy. Stay hydrated – it’s easy to forget when you’re having fun driving.
Wet Wipes & Paper Towels: Sticky fingers from that Nutella crepe you grabbed in a French village? Spilled coffee during an enthusiastic launch from the toll booth? Wet wipes to the rescue. Also good for a quick face refresher on long days.
Rubbish Bag: A simple plastic bag for wrappers and rubbish keeps the car tidy (especially important if your passenger footwell doubles as storage in a tiny two-seater).
Comfort items might seem trivial until you really need them. A little organization goes a long way to keep the cabin enjoyable. You want great memories, not memories of how uncomfortable you were.
Luggage Logistics: Packing Light vs. Packing Right 🧳
Space might be at a premium. Classic cars often have small boots (trunks for our friends across the pond) and odd spaces (the spare tyre might live back there, eating up room). Exotics? Frunks (front trunks) are often tiny, and interiors have just a smidge of cargo space behind the seats, if that.
Tips for managing luggage in tight quarters:
Soft-sided bags: Ditch the hard suitcases. Use duffel bags or soft luggage that can squish and mold to available space. Much easier to fit in that irregular boot space of a classic or the frunk of a supercar, or even on the back seats.
Pack multi-use clothing: Choose clothes you can mix, match, and layer. A light jacket that’s rainproof, jeans that work for walking around and a casual dinner, etc. Fewer shoes = more space.
Use Dead Space: Tuck small items into nooks: an extra pair of shoes can sit in the footwell or behind a seat. Tools can sometimes go in compartments with the spare tyre. Just secure items so they don’t become missiles if you brake hard!
Roof Rack or Cargo Carrier: If you have a classic with rain gutters, you might fit a vintage-style roof rack – great for a spare tyre or luggage (and it looks cool). Some exotics obviously can’t do that, but a few (like certain Porsche 911s) have aftermarket racks available. Alternatively, a rear luggage shelf or rack (think classic MGs or Triumphs often had them) can carry a suitcase or two – just waterproof-wrap anything up there.
Leave Room for Souvenirs: You will buy Champagne in Champagne and wine in Tuscany. Trust us. Or beer steins in Germany. Or some quirky antique in a village market. Point is, leave a little spare space for treasures you pick up along the way, or you’ll be strapping a shopping bag to your roof like a true tourist.
Packing light is great, but ensure you have what you truly need. It’s a balance. And remember, worst case scenario, you can always do a laundry stop or buy something you forgot.
Safety and Legal Must-Haves ⚠️
Each European country has its own rules about what you must carry in your car. Some common requirements (check specifics for countries on your route):
Reflective/hi vis Vests: Many countries (France, Italy, Spain, etc.) require a high-vis vest for each occupant, stored within reach (not in the boot) to wear in case of breakdowns. Pack a couple of these; they fold small. These ones look great.
Warning Triangle: If your car didn’t come with one, get a collapsible triangle to set out if you break down. It’s law in many places, and here is my suggested one.
First Aid Kit: Also required in some countries (like Germany). Even if not, it’s smart to have plasters, antiseptic, etc., for minor issues. My suggested kit is here.
Fire Extinguisher: Required in a few countries (and by some car clubs for events). A small automotive fire extinguisher could be useful – classics especially, with older wiring or fuel systems, can be a tad more flammable (knock on wood you’ll never need it). Go for a reputable brand such as this one.
Breathalyzer (France): France used to require drivers carry a breathalyzer kit in the car. They don’t really enforce it now, but kits are cheap and small – up to you if you want to toss one in. These are the ones you need.
Spare Bulbs: Also technically required in some places. Even if not, having spare light bulbs (and the tool to change them) is wise. A burnt-out headlight on a country road at night is not fun.
Documentation Stickers: If you’re coming from the UK, you might need a “UK” sticker on your car now (post-Brexit rules) when driving in the EU. And if your car is older and doesn’t have EU-style license plates with country code, you’ll need that country code sticker. Also check on low-emission zone stickers (like the Crit’Air vignette for French cities or similar in Germany) if you plan to enter certain cities. The magnetic ones are best, here.
Sound like overkill? Perhaps – but think of these as set-and-forget items. Pack them once and you’re good to go, and you’ll avoid fines or hassle during a roadside check. Plus, you’ll feel like a responsible road trip Jedi, prepared for anything.
Personal Essentials: Don’t Leave Home Without…
Finally, round out your kit with personal must-haves:
Cash & Cards: Carry some currency for each country (tolls or small villages might be cash-only), and have a couple of different credit/debit cards in case one isn’t accepted. Keep some coins handy for parking meters.
Apps & Info: Download any useful apps – e.g., translation apps, local emergency numbers, weather apps, and the locations of dealerships or specialists for your type of car (just in case). Knowing where the nearest classic car-friendly mechanic or the Ferrari service center is along your route can be comforting.
Entertainment: Playlists, podcasts, or audiobooks for the long motorway stretches. Make a killer road trip mixtape (well, playlist… but mixtape sounds cooler) to sing along to. Pro tip: include some tunes that match your route – maybe Italian opera while cruising Tuscany, or some ABBA when in Sweden (if you go that far north).
Medications: Any personal meds, plus maybe some pain relievers (after a long drive, a little ibuprofen can help those shoulders), motion sickness pills if anyone needs them, etc.
Passport Copies: Have digital and physical photocopies of important docs (passport, etc.) stored separately, just in case.
With all these packed, you’re essentially bringing along peace of mind. It’s like having a co-pilot who quietly says “don’t worry, I’ve got what we need” whenever a situation arises.
Final Check: Pack, Prep, and Go!
Before you leave, do a quick dry run of packing. Fit everything in your car to be sure it works. The night before, go through a checklist (use this article as a guide) to ensure nothing is forgotten. It’s much better to realize “oops, I left the tool roll on the garage floor” while you’re still at home than when you’re 200 miles down the road.
Remember, the goal of packing perfectly isn’t to cram your car to the gills – it’s to enable a worry-free adventure. The open road awaits, and you want to be focusing on the freedom and fun, not stressing about what you forgot. By handling the prep work now, you set yourself up for a golden journey.
Now, with your ultimate road trip kit ready, you can cruise through Europe’s highways and byways with confidence. When the unexpected happens (and at some point, it will), you’ll meet it with a cool smile and a “no problem, I’ve got just the thing for that” attitude.
Before you hit the road, here’s one more pro tip: Subscribe to our newsletter for more savvy road trip advice, detailed gear checklists, and destination guides. We’ll keep you one step ahead on your journey. Happy travels and happy packing! 🎒🚘
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