Road trip packing checklist for India

By the CostMyTrip team · Updated 2026-09-21

A good checklist prevents the two things that spoil a trip: forgetting a document, and realising you have no help at a highway breakdown. Use this list and adapt it to your route and season.

Documents

• Driving licence for every driver, and a photo ID for everyone travelling.
• Vehicle registration certificate, valid insurance and a current pollution-under-control certificate.
• Printed or offline copies of hotel bookings, tickets and darshan slots.
• FASTag with a healthy balance.

Car kit

• Spare wheel in good condition, jack and wheel spanner.
• Tyre inflator and a puncture repair kit.
• Jump leads or a portable jump starter.
• Torch, reflective triangle and a basic tool kit.
• A phone holder and a car charger.

Health and comfort

• First aid kit with bandages, antiseptic and your regular medicines.
• Motion sickness tablets if anyone needs them.
• Water bottles and a snack box.
• A light blanket, sunglasses and a hat.

Money and phones

• A small amount of cash in small notes for parking and local shops, since not every place accepts UPI.
• Power bank and cables.
• Offline maps for areas with weak signal.

Seasonal extras

In summer, carry extra water and a sunshade. In monsoon, pack rain covers for luggage, a towel and spare footwear. In winter on higher roads, add warm layers and check for fog.

The CostMyTrip planner includes a packing checklist that adds suggested items for your trip, and you can tick items off on your phone.