Packing is essential towards a successful road trip, without packing essential elements, boron is not included, and this can make or brake your entire trip.  Over the 350,000 miles I have put my cars on in the last 7 years, I have come up with I believe the bare essentials for traveling, I have learned many lessons with or without these items. These are listed in terms of importance. With my car.  I essentially was always ready for a road trip at a moments notice.  Average pack time for me is about 5 minutes.

Traveling hat:  In terms of this there is no question, you need this.  For the last 7 years of road tripping I have always made sure that I have always brought with me a “traveling hat”.  What is it you might say. Any non-visor or baseball hat (unless it’s mesh and bought at a convenience store.  Derby, fishing (bonus points for fishhooks) cowboy, straw.  Any of these can work.  When people see you want them to think “wow that person is traveling.”  You'll be surprised how many people on the road will wave to you just because you have an interesting hat. Here, Matt sports the Old farmer one. it causes intrigue and irony.  One might ask.  Why is a farmer wearing a Hawaiian shirt as if he's on a road trip?" and then they'll just think for a second and know.  They'll just know. Here are some other hats that were known.  Oh and a real quick RR moment.  I always wear the hats when i drive.  but we weren't allowed to wear them cause they covered our face.  So i used sock hats and bandanas as a substitute.  The bandanas were also used because my hair gets oily as crap if not washed everyday and the wax i put in my hair is annoying to get out.  So instead of wearing hats i just wore the assorted bandanas. 

 Hawaiian shirts:  Essential.  Must be worn at all times.  No questions asked.  Leave top two buttons unbuttoned.  If you have a hair chest.  Accent with some type of metal necklace, fake preferred.  This screams tourist. Be careful though.  There are rules to the Hawaiian shirt.  It must NEVER be tucked in.  And only buttoned if there is no undershirt!

Sunglasses:  To be purchased at any convenience store.  Leaving tag on is optional.  Must not cost more than $7.  Great for acting obnoxious at the store.  You can get excited and say things like “Dude, these are just like Oakley’s!” or “100% UV protection for only $5.95??!!”  Fluorescent green glasses a plus, although I have been doing extra large aviators recently.

Toiletries: You know what you need. If traveling with another friend use his stuff.  That’s less stuff for packing.  I hate little travel shampoos and conditioners that the girls seem to love.  I like bringing my huge 80 oz. Container of “BIG SEXY” shampoo.  It’s red and obnoxious and it will never get old at the fact that it takes up have of your luggage that you packed.  Also to strengthen the bonding process.  Forget something on purpose like deodorant or a toothbrush.  This will test the limits of comfort ability of your friendship.  If your friend has problems with you using his or her roll on.  Just don’t wear it, after being the car for 8 hours though.  Your friend will quickly change their mind.  Here matt is sporting not only his Hawaiian shirt and hat while brushing his teeth, but also telling me what function he needs to do.

Clothes (spring break):  If you are a man. You shall only bring one nice outfit, and two shirts max.  If you are going to a spring break destination. There will be enough credit card companies, along with every type of sponsorship handing out clothes, condoms,  coupons etc.  I went to Padre 3 years ago with 4 shirts for a week.  I came back with 9.  I wore two, and lost Blue shirt #1

Camera: I keep two in my cars at all time.  My SLR for touristy shots.  My digital one for going out.  It's tiny.  They're also made esssspensive.  So if you don't have one.  I suggest you take a small disposable.  They're cheap and it's not a big deal if you lose it or drop it. Unless your at Mardi Gras and all your boobie pictures are gone. Of which happened to my friend last year.  Actually not Mardi Gras but New years. Same thing though.  But i would highly suggest that if anyone has a digital camera to use it.  Other wise your going to have to pay to develop many crappy pictures that you thought were great pictures when you were either, drunk tired, hung over, or all of the above like this crappy picture of a water tower out in Texas somewhere.

Blanket:  Just in case your car breaks down.  I always have a blanket.  My mom has been yelling at me for years to always make sure I have one in the winter.  Mine is a fuzzy blue blanket. That I've had for years.  Also as above.  Bring the camera, so you can show everyone that your friend sleeps with a blanket with little kittens and then you can put it on your website.

Hi Joel.

Tent? I don’t have one.  I use my car.

Sleeping bag: Mine was funded a la RR.

Luggage:  I personally don’t use any. If I’m on a road trip.  It basically means I just throw clothes in my car and dig them out as needed. see picture of car above.  Explains itself.

Cell phones/calling cards: Make friends on the road.  Call them!

Emergency credit card: self-explanatory.

Shoes: I have 8 pairs of shoes in my car anyway, hell I have shot put shoes.  I don’t worry about it.  But if I’m traveling in another car.  I wear my tennis shoes.  They’re the biggest and would take up more space in the car. And I pack the “nice” shoes and sandals. 

Video camera:  Record stupid crap like the 15 minutes of the camera man going "Dude say something cool" and your friend going "I don't know what to say" And then you retort," Come on" and he quips back, come on what?" And then your like," You're totally sucking at this whole video taping thing"

"well you shouldn't be putting me on the sport like that, I'm more natural you know?"

"I know you suck at giving interviews."

"ok Mr. Road Rules, I'm used to cameras being around me"

"That comeback sucked."

"Nuh UH, you suck"

Radar detector:  Use wisely, do not abuse privilege of such an amazing device.  And do not.  I repeat.  Do not Use as a coaster for a snickers bar only to leave it in the sun during a lunch break at Macdonalds.

Pen and pad: see games 

Cooler: optional.  For parking and mass beer consumption.

Duct Tape: coming soon.

Bag:  No reason.  Seems like bag should just be there.

Harmonica: (optional) also optional to annoy your friends for 10 seconds.  That’s how long it will lose its novelty or before they beat the crap out of you.

Matches: MacGuyver always seemed to have his knife and matches.  Why can’t you?

Rob:  The Robot from Nintendo.  If he has room.