A road trip packing list has two parts: what the car needs, and what the people in it need. On India's roads, where help can be hours away in the mountains and delays are common in the monsoon, a well-stocked car kit is as important as your clothes.
Start with the core lists below, then add the extras for your route and season.
Quick answer
For a road trip in India, pack your driving licence, car papers and FASTag; a car kit with a spare tyre, jack, tow rope, jump leads, torch and warning triangle; a first-aid kit and medicines; water, snacks and a cool box; phone chargers, a power bank and offline maps; and cash. Add warm layers and altitude medicines advised by a doctor for the mountains, and rain gear for the monsoon.
Key takeaways
- Check the spare tyre, jack and wheel spanner before you leave.
- Carry cash; network and card machines fail in remote areas.
- Download offline maps for areas with weak signal.
- Carry more water than you think you need.
- Tailor extras to the route: mountains, monsoon, winter or family.
Documents and money
- Driving licence and ID for all adults.
- Registration certificate, insurance and pollution certificate (originals or DigiLocker copies).
- Rental agreement, if applicable.
- FASTag with enough balance.
- Permits for Ladakh, Arunachal, Sikkim or Rohtang, printed and on your phone.
- Cash in small notes, plus cards and UPI.
Car emergency kit
- Inflated spare tyre, jack and wheel spanner.
- Puncture repair kit or tyre inflator.
- Tow rope and jump leads.
- Torch with spare batteries.
- Warning triangle and a reflective vest.
- Basic tools, spare fuses and a bottle of coolant.
- Microfibre cloths and a windscreen cleaner.
- A small fire extinguisher, if your car has space for one.
First aid, food and comfort
- First-aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, pain relief and personal medicines.
- Motion-sickness tablets, oral rehydration salts and stomach medicines.
- Plenty of drinking water, snacks and a cool box.
- Tissues, wet wipes, hand sanitiser and waste bags.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
- A light blanket and neck pillow.
Electronics and navigation
- Phone mount and car charger.
- Power bank.
- Offline maps and saved stay contacts.
- Downloaded music, podcasts or audiobooks for areas without signal.
Extras for mountain and high-altitude drives
- Warm layers, a windproof jacket, gloves and a woollen cap, even in summer.
- Medicines for altitude sickness only as advised by a doctor.
- Lip balm and strong sunscreen.
- Snow chains or local advice in winter.
- Extra food and water for long gaps between stops.
Extras for the monsoon
- Rain jackets and umbrellas for everyone.
- Spare dry clothes in a waterproof bag.
- Anti-fog cloth or spray for windows.
- Newspaper or mats for wet shoes.
Extras for winter and snow
- Thermals and a warm jacket.
- A thermos for hot drinks.
- De-icer or a scraper for early mornings in the hills.
- Snow chains where they may be required.
Extras for family road trips
- Child car seat.
- Games, books and downloaded entertainment.
- Sick bags and a change of clothes for children.
- Favourite snacks and a small treat for each day.
For motorcycle trips
Riders need a certified helmet, riding jacket, gloves, boots and rain gear, plus a tool kit, spare tubes or a puncture kit, and luggage straps. Our Adventure guides cover riding kit in more detail.
Safety
- Keep heavy luggage in the boot or tied down; loose items can injure passengers in a sudden stop.
- Mountain roads close or slow down after heavy rain, snow or landslides; check road status and weather updates each morning and avoid driving after dark.
- Permits, tolls, entry fees, pass openings and road works change; check official sources shortly before you travel.
- Distances and driving times are approximate and vary with traffic, weather, road works and stops.
What to pack
- Driving licence, RC, insurance and PUC certificate, with copies
- Warm layers and a rain jacket
- Motion-sickness tablets for winding roads
- Cash for small towns and barriers
Want the route, stops and stays planned around your dates?
FAQs
What should I pack for a road trip in India?
Documents and FASTag, a car emergency kit, first aid, water and snacks, chargers and offline maps, and cash.
What car essentials should I carry?
A spare tyre, jack, wheel spanner, tow rope, jump leads, torch and warning triangle.
What should I pack for a mountain road trip?
Warm layers even in summer, sunscreen, and altitude medicines only as advised by a doctor.
What should I pack for a monsoon road trip?
Rain jackets, umbrellas, dry clothes in a waterproof bag and anti-fog cloths.
What should I pack for a family road trip?
A child seat, entertainment, snacks, sick bags and spare clothes for children.
Do I need cash on a road trip in India?
Yes; card machines and UPI can fail where the network is weak.
