Road Trip Gift Basket

This guide to packing a road trip gift basket will have you ready for your next long drive in no time. Or, you can assemble a gift basket for a friend headed out on the road.

Planning the perfect road trip gift basket is a fun and thoughtful way to enhance any journey, from national parks exploration to family visits.

Whether for road trip enthusiasts or simply adding excitement to a long drive, this guide will help you craft the best road trip gift ideas tailored to the recipient’s tastes and needs.

Ready to turn those long stretches of open road into a delightful adventure? Let’s dive in!

Why a road trip gift basket?

Recently, some friends had to make an unexpected road trip, 5 hours to Virginia and 5 hours back in one day.

They needed to make minimal stops to maximize the time they could spend at their destination, then head right back home to fly out early the following morning.

My friend asked me to help her put together a road trip food package.

I wanted to include some homemade items along with lots of healthy snack options like vegetables with hummus, fruit, and nuts.

To keep sandwiches fresh and drinks cold, I also added a small insulated bag, a perfect addition to any road trip basket.

Here’s what I included:

Fruits: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, grapes
Veggies for dipping in hummus: celery, carrot sticks, pepper strips, grape tomatoes, sugar snap peas
Cooler Items: chicken salad sandwiches, smoked salmon wraps, cold beverages
Other Treats: hummus, breakfast cookies, garlic pretzel chips, mixed nuts, homemade popcorn, Ghirardelli dark chocolate squares, gum, M&Ms, Werther’s caramels
Additional ideas: hand lotion, neck pillow, map of driving area in case of GPS failure, audiobook, magazines

My friend texted me during the trip and let me know how the basket was alleviating stress and making the ride more enjoyable. The next time you have to take a road trip, whether for pleasure or otherwise, be intentional about your food packing.

A nourishing, delicious road trip food package can become a delightful component of the adventure.

What to include in a road trip gift basket

The road trip gift basket you create can be filled with essentials and extras tailored for any road trip lover. Here’s what to consider:

Road Trip Essentials:

Water bottle: Stay hydrated with this water bottle during those long stretches between rest stops.
First aid kit: An essential for any journey, this first aid kit has everything you need.
Roadside emergency kit: Includes jumper cables, a must-have for long trips.
USB ports: For device charging, especially when relying on Google Maps.
Car organizer, packing cubes: Keep things tidy in a compact size.
Travel pillow: For comfortable resting in the back seat or hotel room.
Audible subscription, picnic blanket, Rand McNally road atlas: For entertainment and on-the-go eating and help if out of satellite range.
Small insulated bag or cooler: Essential for keeping sandwiches and drinks cold.

Snacks and Fun Things:

Road trip activities: Dry erase boards, fun games for kids.
Snack pack: A variety of different items to keep hunger at bay.
Themed canvas tote bag: A stylish way to pack food and other small items.

Special Gifts:

Gift card: Choices like Amazon or National Forest passes.
Birthday or travel gift baskets: Tailor to the likes of your road-tripping friends.
Goodie bags, road trip care package ideas: Add different styles for a welcome surprise.