Road Trips. Most of us have spent an extended period of time in a car at some point in our lives. Either to the beach, mountains, amusement parks or to visit family in a state far away. For me, the longest road trips throughout my life had always been visiting my family in Pennsylvania.

I grew up in North Carolina so for any break from school or holiday we would pack our luggage, the dogs, and ourselves into the car and make the 8 to 10-hour drive. Since moving to Pennsylvania for school, we don't make the trip as often.

Recently, we had the opportunity to drive back home to North Carolina and it reminded me that there are some essentials to keeping your sanity when you're packed into the car for so long. After making countless trips on I-95, I got quite good at packing for the road.

Here are 7 of my Road Trip Essentials:

1. Pillow and Blanket

If you have a dad like mine, you've been in the situation where you've been awake before the sun was up to get in the car and on the road before the highway traffic starts. After you settle in and take your shoes off, it can be nice to curl up in your seat with your favorite pillow and blanket and pass a big chunk of the time with a nap in the car.

2. Energy Drinks

If you also have a Dad like mine, you've waited until all the traffic is off the road and started your journey later in the evening. When you leave North Carolina at 8 pm and the GPS says you're not going to get there until 5 or 6 in the morning, then you know it's time to crack open a Red Bull and get a little twitchy in the passenger seat.

3. Sunglasses

The sun and I have had a never-ending beef over the past two decades, so I don't step out of my house or hop in the car without putting on my Rayban's.

4. Headphones

Luckily, this last trip was just my Dad and I which means the music we listened to was a comfortable mix because we both have similar music tastes. Unfortunately, not everyone gets as lucky as I do and can't stand the music their parents listen to. To resolve that problem, don't forget to pack a pair of headphones.

5. Gas Station Snacks

Twizzlers, Bugles, Peanut M&M's, and Extra Dark SourDough Pretzels. I always look forward to the dial on the front dash getting close to E because I know that means it's almost snack time!

6. Phone Charger

The days of the conventional GPS are dying out now that the phone in your pocket can pretty much do it all. The last thing you want is your phone dying and being stuck with no music and no help getting to your destination.

7. A Book

There's no better place to start your next favorite book series than traveling down the highway with the world flying right past you. Personally, I can't stand reading off a screen, nothing is better than that new book smell and the feel of paper under your fingers. I always go for the paper option over an app on my phone.