A Complete Wyoming Road Trip Packing List: The Essentials
So you are taking a trip to Wyoming, the state of sprawling prairies, imposing mountain ranges, and the call of the wild. On our Wyoming road trip we traveled through the northern part of the state, visiting the Devils Tower, Bighorn Mountains, Thermopolis and Yellowstone to name a few places. Enter the Complete Wyoming Road Trip Packing List.
Planning a road trip through this breathtaking state is an experience in and of itself. But as with any journey, ensuring you are well-prepared can make all the difference.
Wyoming is the tenth largest state in the United States and is a vast area to drive through. With a smaller population you travel through many small towns, so popping into a store to pick up something you forgot isn’t always the easiest to do. You need to ensure you have the essentials for your trip.
Note, our trip included my dog as well, so there will be a section at the end, if you are including your furry friend on your adventure.
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Car Essentials for your Wyoming Road Trip Packing List
First, ensure your car is completely checked before you leave, including tire pressure, oil change and top up of all fluids as required.
If you are planning to rent a car, then you can compare car rentals to find the best for you.
Here are a few other things to have in your car:
- Drivers License
- Car Registration and Insurance Information
- Extra Car Key (not on the same keyring!)
- AAA membership
TIP: Take a picture of your identification and paperwork and store it on your phone and email it to yourself. If you lose your phone and your wallet, you can access your email to have a copy of your documents.
Maps and GPS
While digital GPS systems are invaluable, carrying a physical map is a good back up idea, because sometimes you may hit areas without a signal and find that a map is what you need. If you choose to use a maps app like Google Maps, you should have no issues driving as long as you start the app in an area with a signal.
Roadside Emergency Kit
Carry an emergency kit that includes jumper cables, spare tire, first-aid kit, and essential tools.
Flashlight
The one on your phone may just not cut it. If you get stuck, or even if you are looking in your car or exploring somewhere in the evening, this is a great necessity to have.
Phone Mount
Today, many cars have built-in GPS but some ‘old school’ people like me, used our phone as our navigation. We started out without a phone mount and soon realized we needed one. So we stopped in a larger city in Montana and purchased a mount for our phone.
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Car Phone Charger
If your car doesn’t have one already, then you should get one. Let’s be honest, you probably have at least 4 things that need to be charged.
Paperwork & Essentials for your Wyoming Road Trip Packing List
Next you will find all the things you will need to make your trip a safe, enjoyable and unforgetable trip!
- Passport (if coming from another country)
- Travel Insurance – Highly recommend SafetyWing
- Cash / Debit Card / Credit Cards
- If you are visiting the USA from another country, consider getting an eSIM Card for your mobile phone, to avoid the high roaming changes and stay connected. I recommend Airalo as it works great and is relatively inexpensive.
- Park pass. There is a good chance you will be going to one of the seven National Parks in Wyoming. You can purchase the America the Beautiful pass and it will cover all the national parks in the United States.
Depending what you are planning to do on your trip, it may determine what you plan to wear. Wyoming has an average annual rainfall of 13 inches, so it has relatively arid weather. Depending where you are in the state, the weather can be unpredictable, so ensure you are prepared.
Basics:
- Tank Tops / T-Shirts
- Shorts / Capris / Pants
- Skirts or Dresses
- Underwear
- Socks
- Sleepwear
- Swimsuit
Layers:
- Light waterproof jacket
- Fleece jacket, hoodie, sweaters
Shoes:
- Sneakers
- Flip Flops
- Hiking boots; If you are planning to hike, then check out this post for all the tips for hiking.
Personal Items:
- Toiletries
- Sunglasses
- Hats
- Sunscreen
- Towel
- Insulated Water bottle
- Daypack (my favorite is Osprey, especially with a pocket to hold the water bottle)
- Medications, Pain killers,
- Wipes/tissues/hand sanitizer
- First Aid Kit
- Insect Repellent
- Duct Tape – you never know what you might need to fix that is broken!
- Scissors / Pocket Knife
- Toilet Paper
Comfort Items:
- Pillows
- Blanket
- Deck of Playing Cards
- Games
- Books
Food and Stuff
- Ice Packs
- Ziploc (Zippered) Plastic bags for storing food
- Water – keep hydrated during your trip whether driving or participating in activities
- Tea or Coffee
- Snacks like nuts, chocolate, candy
- Fruit, fresh or dried
- Vegetables and dip or hummus
- Protein Bars
- Hard Boiled Eggs
- Cheese Sticks
- Crackers
- Cooler Bag – this is a must have for any trip
Portable Car Charger
With all the devices people have today, whether it’s an iPad, camera, tablet or mobile phone, a powerbank is a great thing to have. It’s good in the car but can also be used outside of the vehicle, especially if you are hiking or camping. This portable charger is a great option.
Binoculars and Camera
Personally being an avid birdwatcher, I take my binoculars everywhere. There is a good chance you will see wildlife in Yellowstone, driving through the mountains or even on the side of the highways. You can observe animals from a distance and at the same time create a great connection to nature.
Dog Essentials
If you are bringing your furry friend on your road trip, here is a list of things to have so they can have a great vacation too:
- Bed
- Blanket
- Toys
- Leash – bring two. My dog decided to chew through both of hers in one day! Luckily we were close to a city so were able to stop at the pet store and buy a new leash.
- Longer leash & stake – great to put outdoors and let them be able to roam with less restriction.
- Vaccine Certificate (if you are crossing the border, this is their passport)
- Water & Food Bowls
- Treats
- Food
- Travel Water Bottle – great for in the car or hiking and another must have
Ready to get packing? Download your free Wyoming Road Trip Packing List so you can check off your items as you get ready.
Visiting Wyoming can be an amazing experience, leading you through vast landscapes filled with history, wildlife, and awe-inspiring vistas. Our road trip through Wyoming was one of the best things we did, and I can’t wait to go back and explore more.
With the right preparations and our complete Wyoming road trip packing list, you’re set to have a great vacation.
Don’t forget to download your packing list now!
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Excellent list of must-haves for a road trip to Wyoming – or many other places. It’s been a few years since we did a road trip here and I wish I had followed this packing list!
As a pet parent, I love you included a section for dog essentials. This is such a great guide!
My dog was with us when we went to Wyoming so I had to include the dog stuff.