I've spent more than 400 hours on road trips across the US. Here are 8 things I always pack for a long-haul drive.

I've spent more than 400 hours on road trips across the US. Here are 8 things I always pack for a long-haul drive. Business Insider's reporter has been on more than a dozen road trips. Here are her essentials for a smooth ride. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I'm 30 years old, and I still don't know how to drive, but that hasn't stopped me from spending hundreds of hours in the passenger seat on road trips across the country.I've road-tripped more than 26,000 miles across 31 states in every region of the continental US.When it comes to packing up the car, I've certainly made some mistakes. I've forgotten important items and wished I'd packed essentials I hadn't even considered bringing.But 400 hours and more than a dozen trips later, I think I've mastered the art of packing for a road trip. Here are the things I'll always bring with me, no matter the destination. I often forget to pack motion sickness medicine for road trips and end up stopping for some on the way. The author uses Dramamine to combat motion sickness. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I've always been prone to motion sickness, but even if you're not, driving on winding, hilly roads may make you feel woozy if you're not used to them. I always pack my own source of caffeine. The author's favorite Mio flavor. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I hate that I need caffeine to stay alert, but that's where I'm at.I love a coffee stop on a road trip. But I don't like to rely on them for caffeine because costs rack up quickly — especially on long journeys.I prefer to bring Mio Energy to squirt into my water bottle. It adds a flavorful boost similar to Gatorade and keeps me hydrated. I download playlists and podcasts to keep the car entertained. The author's downloaded playlist. Joey Hadden/Business Insider When you're driving on open roads, you never know when you'll lose service. Especially when road-tripping with others, comfy shoes feel essential to sustaining my good mood. The author wears her comfiest shoes for a 30-hour train journey in 2021. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I always pick a cozy pair that slips on and off easily, like Wally shoes or Crocs. Another mood booster for me is a clean car. This car probably doesn't have a trash can inside. victorass88/Getty Images From empty food containers to candy wrappers, a road trip can quickly make a car messy. So don't forget to bring a small trash can or bag to keep things tidy. Don't forget wipes — especially when eating in the car. The author packs wipes for a trip. Joey Hadden/Business Insider When something spills, or your hands are sticky, you'll be glad you packed them. And lastly, don't forget a camera to capture those stellar American landscapes. The author stops for photos during a road trip in southwestern America. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Of course, there are other essentials for road trips, like emergency gear, sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle. But the items on this list have helped me make a long, bumpy ride go smoothly. Read next Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Joey Hadden is a travel reporter and photojournalist at Business Insider based in NYC. She covers transportation modes, alternative lifestyles, and luxury travel. Many of Joey's stories are visual features that give readers a front-row seat to her personal experiences at home and around the world.Joey graduated from St. Edward's University in May 2019 with a BA in Photocommunications. Since joining Business Insider in 2019, Joey has traveled by train in seven different countries, including overnight rides lasting up to 53 hours. She's ridden on many different train lines, including Amtrak, Via Rail, Nightjet, and the iconic Orient Express of the 21st century, among others. During her travels, she's slept in countless accommodations — five-star hotels, unique tiny homes, and private train cabins, to name a few.When traveling in North America, Joey takes readers inside the continent's wealthiest enclaves where billionaires hide away, from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to Medina, Washington. When she's not taking trains, notes, or pictures, Joey spends her time singing and playing drums for the indie-rock band Blanket Approval. Travel Road Trip Lifestyle More Photos