Aug 21, 2026

Car Essentials for a Road Trip?

I feel like this may have been asked before, but I can't find it through a search. Or maybe I thought of asking it and never did! Either way, tell us what things you like to have in your car when you are going on a road trip?

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BigfamJapan

Irish, Mom of 4, currently also living beside the In-Laws. 25+ years back and forth between Ireland and Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com

4 Answers

genkidesu

1 hour ago

Your article covers a lot of the things I already use! I also like having a phone charger in the car so my battery never runs low. Aside from that and your list though, I usually think that most other things I may have forgotten can be found at a michi no eki!

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BigfamJapan

about an hour ago

@genkidesu ah, good one on the charger. We had been using portable chargers, but I've gone right off them with all the reports of fires, especially in summer heat.

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genkidesu

about an hour ago

Also, I don't think a portable toilet is a bad idea at all! I remember a few years back, there were people stuck on the Kanetsu Expressway out here in Minamiuonuma for almost 2 days. (https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASPDM6V41PCWOIPE00J.html)

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BigfamJapan

about an hour ago

@genkidesu I kind of remember that, and this year there were at least a couple of times that people were stuck overnight. Definitely a consideration for snow country. We were noticing the difference in the roads when we were in Nagano and Niigata! Like red and white poles, and machines and pumps on the side of the road, presumably something to do with snow? That could be a post for you: "Things you find on the expressway in Niigata!"

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Car Essentials for a Road Trip?

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1 hour ago

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Car Essentials for a Road Trip?

4 Answers

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