I got to be a part of the Catalyst Road Trip Podcast yesterday, and everyone was asked what their favorite road trip experience was. I’ve been thinking about that question ever since, and I realized that a good road trip isn’t dependent on where you’re going, or even who you’re with. It has everything to do with whether or not you brought your road trip essentials. Here are mine.

1. Combos, Mambas, Milk Duds, and Mountain Dew – I have made sure to cover the four road trip food groups here: salty, fruit, chocolate, and drink. This balanced diet is essential. Interestingly, I don’t like any of these things outside the context of my car.

2. John Denver’s Greatest Hits - Thank you Mom and Dad for indoctrinating me at an early age. Now I’m unable to travel long distances without poor quality loops of Rocky Mountain High and Leaving on a Jet Plane.

3. Thick Skin – Without fail, when I start telling my wife a story on a long car ride, she is asleep in less than 2 minutes. She swears that it’s the car that puts her to sleep, but the jury’s still out.

4. Video Camera - Tripp, Dan, and I made this music video about 5 years ago on a road trip from Wisconsin to Minnesota.

What are your road trip essentials? Maybe I need to incorporate some of your stuff into my routine.