* This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more info.
Before the pandemic, I used to travel by plane a lot - traveling sometime by plane every other week either for work or for fun. As I've talked about, during this crazy time, I've traded in plane miles for miles on the road, and I'm going to talk about some of my favorite Road Trip Essentials. There will be a more in-depth blog post later on about how to travel long term on the road with a medical condition. But as with all things medical conditions, start small and test out what is right for you.
Traveling by car when you have a medical condition requires just as much preparation and forethought as traveling by plane. Whether its a few hours in a car, a day trip, overnight trip or extended stay, here is my checklist when I road trip:
Med Bag & Organized Medicines
Water
Waze
Healthy Snacks
Cooler and Ice Packs
Portable USB Charger
Apple Watch & Medical ID
Med Bag
A med bag is not just for plane rides, it is extremely helpful for car trips as well. In this post here about the importance of a med bag and in this post here about how I pack my medicines for the bag. So check these two out!
Having an organized, pre-packed med bag, means I can be on the road within a matter of minutes and feel safe enough to be out and about for hours or days.
The safest place to pack your med bag is somewhere cool while you are driving. If you park somewhere and leave your med back, make sure it is not in direct sunlight. For example, I will leave my bag in the back seat of the car while driving, and in my trunk under a blanket while parked.
Water
Did you know that many bottled waters contain sodium?
Even while on fluid restriction, water is an essential road trip item, but it is something to pre-plan as well because of this fact. My go-to water that is sodium free is SmartWater.
Instead of hoping gas stations have these available on the road, I bring cases of them with me in the car.
Waze
Waze is a GPS app that not only gives turn by turn navigation, but users report any instances that may result in delays or route changes. I use this app when taking car rides to avoid traffic, road closures, and even police. The best feature of this app is showing gas stations and hotels along your route. This comes in handy for bathroom breaks, gas fill ups and stops for the night. I use this app to get where I’m going quicker and safer. It can be downloaded here for androids and here for iOS.
Healthy Snacks
With a medical condition, you most likely monitor what you eat. This should not change, just because you are not at home. Do not rely on gas stations to have healthier snacks, or compromise your condition by 'giving in'. By pre-planning and packing your own snacks, it ensures that you have healthy options for your car rides. I am personally a fan of unsalted roasted mixed nuts and apples and peanut butter. I typically pack items that can stay in a car in any weather, but to each their own! Drop a note in the comments of your favorite road trip snacks.
Cooler and Ice Packs
Some medications need to be kept at or below a certain temperature or need to be refrigerated. Car rides may not be ideal for these medications, but a cooler and ice packs are a way to keep the medication at a regulated temperature. I use this Igloo Soft Portable Cooler and these ice packs here.
This is especially important if you are traveling in hotter locations and will leave your car for a short amount of time. If you do have medication that needs to be kept at or below a certain temperature, you should consider how long you will be gone and how hot it is outside before leaving it in a car unattended. It is important to note this is a temporary fix, and should not be pushed beyond its limits.
Portable USB Charger
Being on the road can be draining, not only for you but for your devices as well. I always pack a portable USB Charger in my to-go bag when traveling, and by car is no exception. Without access to normal plugs, either in the car or while exploring, having a portable USB Charger allows you to charge practicable any device on the go. I bought this 2-Pack Miady Portable Charger. It comes with 2 portable charges for USB devices. I have charged anything from my phone, to my Apple Watch (see why below), and even this USB cooler to take my more temperature sensitive meds on the go with me.
Apple Watch and Medical ID
I never leave my house without my Apple Watch and Medical ID! I have this post here about why I use the newest Apple Watch. I feel safer knowing I have medical technology at my disposal right on my wrist. From EKG to Pulse Ox to heart rate monitor, I know I am covered. Read the entire post on all the features and why its a great device that any one with a medical condition should consider buying.
As for a Medical ID, it is another surefire way for peace of mind while away from home, no matter the distance. I now have two American Medical IDs - one as a bracelet and the other as a necklace. I wear one of them when I go out of the house and hit the road so all my medical information is accessible to me and to others if I were to become unconscious. You may ask, how is it possible for a piece of jewelry to have this much information? Simple - through my Backpack Health link. Backpack Health stores all my medication lists, medical diagnoses and latest test results that is accessible through a personalized link and access code. To learn more about Medical IDs and Backpack Health check out this past post here.
Hope this gets your started on your Road Tripping Journey! With this Road Trip Essentials check list you can be on the road and on the go with minimal worrying about having all you need. As always, check with your physicians first, and then start your adventure no matter how far it takes you!
Until Next Time
#travelingwithoutboundaries #TWB #subqpump #caddms3 #pulmonaryhypertension #crohnsdisease #HHT #curehht #ulcerativecolitis #chronicillness #diabetes #invisibleillness #invisibleillnessawareness #phighter #phawareness #PHA #PH #travel #traveling #medication #medicalconditions #travelingwithmedicaldevices #travelingwithmedicalneeds #backpackhealth #medicalID #medicalIDbracelet #applewatch #igloocooler #roadtrip #roadtripessentials