Must Have Travel Essentials & My Experience With Runaway Campers

Traveling can be hectic, and remembering to pack the right items can be tough, even if you are ‘just’ traveling within the US. For me, having a travel essentials checklist and my Runaway camper is an absolute must.

Having a checklist ensures I don’t forget the essentials like toiletries, chargers, or weather-appropriate clothing. My runaway camper, on the other hand, adds a level of convenience and comfort that makes every trip feel like home away from home. It’s compact, easy to tow, and equipped with just the right features to make camping or road-tripping stress-free.

Whether I’m heading to the mountains, the beach, or a national park, this combination of planning and preparation allows me to focus on enjoying the journey rather than worrying about what I might have left behind.

In this article, you will not only learn about my personal experience travelling in my Runaway RangeRunner, but also my travel essentials.

In this article:

• Travel Essentials Checklist
• How Our Runaway RangeRunner Made Us See Less Is More

Must-Have Travel Essentials Checklist

Compression Socks

Compression socks are your best friends when it comes to keeping your legs feeling great on a long drive (or a flight)! They’re designed to aid in proper blood circulation, help reduce swelling, and provide that extra support your legs might need.

If you’re an athlete, a frequent traveler, a mom-to-be, or you simply spend long hours sitting or on your feet, these socks are perfect for you! With a wide range of styles, sizes, and compression levels available, they’re comfy, functional, and a fantastic way to promote happy, healthy legs.

Eye masks

Eye masks are a great way to ensure you get the quality rest you need to maintain your energy while traveling. They’re a simple way to help you catch some quality Z’s by blocking out light and creating a cozy, dark environment.

Plus, many eye masks come with fun features like cooling gels that can reduce puffiness and help your tired eyes feel refreshed, or aromatherapy inserts for increased relaxation. When you’re traveling, you might need to sleep at odd hours or with intrusive lights shining on your face. An eye mask can help you sleep despite these obstacles, or simply rest your eyes after a long day of map-reading and sightseeing.

Neck Pillows

Let’s face it: traveling can be a pain in the neck, literally. That’s where neck pillows swoop in like tiny, supportive superheroes, saving the day (and your cervical spine). These trusty travel companions are designed to cradle your neck like it’s the most precious thing in the world, keeping it aligned and preventing you from waking up feeling like you just lost a wrestling match with your seatbelt.

Available in all shapes, sizes, and materials, neck pillows cater to every kind of traveler. Memory foam options are like the overachievers of the pillow world—molding perfectly to your neck as if whispering, “I’ve got you.” For those of us who believe travel should feel like a five-star spa, there are neck pillows with cooling gel layers or covers so soft you’ll wonder if they were spun by angels. For the cost and space-saving traveler, inflatable pillows can offer adequate support as well.

Reusable Water bottle

A sustainable and eco-friendly choice for staying hydrated on the go. Designed to reduce plastic waste, these bottles are durable, lightweight, and available in various sizes, colors, and materials like glass, food-grade silicone, stainless steel, or BPA-free plastic. Perfect for work, travel, or outdoor adventures, they keep beverages hot or cold for hours while promoting a greener lifestyle.

Explore the various options out there these days, such as the classic bottle, foldable or collapsible bottles (so you don’t have to hang on to a bulky, empty bottle), and Camelback-style water bags that fit well in most backpacks.

Reusable Utensils

Reusable utensils are an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic cutlery and go great with your reusable water bottle. They are typically made from durable materials such as stainless steel, bamboo, or silicone, ensuring longevity and reducing waste. These utensils are perfect for daily use, travel, camping and picnics, or meals on the go.

By choosing reusable utensils, individuals can significantly minimize their environmental footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future. Many sets come with convenient carrying cases, making them easy to transport and clean, encouraging a shift towards greener habits. To clean them, simply rinse well with water or wipe with a napkin, place them in the carrying case, and wash properly when you get back to a kitchen sink (or you could use an eco-safe dish soap on location, such as the Tangie dish soap bar!)

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil can be used in aromatherapy to help alleviate stress and anxiety. As reported by Medical News Today, peppermint oil is also recognized for its potential health advantages in treating nausea, certain skin issues, as well as symptoms of the cold and flu.

You can either breathe in the scent directly from the bottle or apply it to your skin, but make sure you dilute the oil with coconut or another carrier oil before putting it on!

Medical Supply & Hygiene Items

When you’re setting off on your travels, it’s really important to make sure you’re packed with the right medical supplies and hygiene items. After all, staying healthy and feeling your best can make all the difference in enjoying your adventures! In your toiletries pack, be sure to include these important items:

• Insect repellent
• Antibacterial ointment, Sterile gauze pads, and bandages
• Hand sanitizer & Disinfectant wipes
• Sunscreen (at least SPF 50)
• Moisturizer
• Prescription medications (with copies of prescriptions)
• Pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
• Antihistamines (for allergies)
• Anti-nausea medication
• Laxatives and/or anti-diarrheal medication
• Thermometer
• Blood pressure monitor (if necessary)
• Glucose meter (for diabetics)
• Any other medical devices you require on a daily basis

Electronics

When traveling, having the right electronic devices can enhance your experience, keep you connected, and ensure your safety.

• Portable Charger
• Phone Charger
• Noise Cancelling Headphones [If needed]
• E-Book Tablet

Tip: Download offline maps and travel apps before you go.

Handheld GPS System [For Remote Hikes and Drives]

Handheld GPS systems are designed for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts who need reliable navigation tools, even when there is no cellular or wifi connection. Featuring a user-friendly interface, it provides accurate location tracking and detailed maps to guide you through unfamiliar terrains. Its compact design ensures portability, while the durable construction withstands harsh weather conditions.

Equipped with long-lasting battery life and advanced satellite connectivity, a satellite GPS ensures you stay on track during your expeditions, making it an essential companion for hiking, camping, and exploring the great outdoors. Many also come with safety options to regularly ping your location to a few trusted contacts in the event you get lost or injured in the wilderness. Make sure you communicate your travel plans clearly with your friends and family before you go, and agree on a plan of action in case of emergency!

International Travel Checklist / Airplane Travel Checklist

When traveling internationally, or even just on a domestic flight, you’ll need to ensure you have a few specific things for this mode of transportation.

Valid ID or Passport: A Real ID-compliant driver’s license or a valid passport is required for all flights in the US (a regular driver’s license won’t cut it anymore), and you will need to present it in order to get your boarding pass. You will also need your passport ID to check in at any hotels abroad.

Travel Insurance: Protects against unexpected delays, cancellations, or medical emergencies.

Toiletry Kit (TSA Compliant): Include travel-size toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, and other personal care items. Must follow TSA’s 3-1-1 liquid rule for carry-ons. Also be sure to check the TSA’s list of which items are allowed in your carry-on vs checked bags, and which items are completely prohibited from your luggage.

Local Currency: A few weeks before your trip, ask your bank or local AAA if they will exchange some USD to the local currency of wherever you’re going. Many institutions offer this service fee-free or with a low fee; if you use the service at the airport, expect to pay a 15-25% fee. For most places, the equivalent of $50-$100 USD should be enough if you also have a travel debit card or an internationally accepted credit card.

Living Light: How Our Runaway RangeRunner Made Us See Less Is More

We’ve been adventuring in our Runaway RangeRunner (a 6×8 hard-sided camper”ette”), and it’s honestly changed the way we experience life outdoors. Compact but mighty, the RangeRunner has given Darrel and me more freedom, flexibility, and connection to nature, while aligning beautifully with our commitment to low-tox living and eco-conscious travel.

Along the way, we’ve:

• Found clever storage solutions (like 5.5” tall under-bed bins with half-lid access- GAME CHANGER!)
• Modified our setup with comfort in mind—from foam flooring to soft, natural-fiber bedding and minimalist table ideas (including a pool-noodle-padded fender table!)
• Built layered bug protection using natural sprays, incense, mesh shelters, and cooling mist fans.
• Added rechargeable accessories for lighting.
• Explored portable toilets, floor upgrades, and compact, chemical-free fire extinguishers.
• Cooked up no-heat, vegetarian-friendly camping meals for 98° Florida trips (hello, black bean corn salad + yogurt oats!)

Our custom curtains and bedding deserve a spotlight, too: My friend Mike made them using completely repurposed materials. He reused fabric and cloth tie-backs from other projects, thrifted thread, and even the wood panel they hang from was scrap wood from our garage. Talk about form meeting function—with a whole lot of heart.

We also purchased the BOXIO sink (sanitation is important!), and during that process, I entered my email for a giveaway on their website. A few weeks later, we won the BOXIO toilet! It was a huge win, especially since just days earlier I’d gone to REI and bought a fancy 5-gallon bucket with a toilet seat. No comfort- all function. Now, we do our business in style in the middle of the night—LOL.

Our tiny campette, we named her Terrapin – Terra for short, because of her hard shell, and well, also because Terrapin Station is my favorite Grateful Dead song.

Terra is now officially outfitted with an air conditioner, running water, a composting toilet, and two beds. What more could a girl want?

And of course, we keep it clean (literally!) with Tangie products that align with our toxin-free values, but they also follow the 3-1-1 TSA rule :

Stain Remover Bar – because s’mores accidents will happen (and they are worth the mess!)

Hand Soap Bar – perfect for portable use, and refilling the small foaming pumper that sits by the sink.

Dish Soap Bar – tough on mess, gentle on nature – easy to pack and store between trips.

Shampoo Bar & Conditioner Bar – doubles for hair and body while traveling light. Less to tote into the community shower.

We’ve leaned heavily into natural solutions, minimalist packing, and intentional upgrades that don’t sacrifice comfort or values. Each decision has layered more joy, less stress, and less waste into our adventures.

But we didn’t figure all this out on our own. I have to give credit and a huge, loving shout-out to three YouTube channels that shaped our camper journey:

• Traveling Robert for real-life RV life insights and destinations
• Playing with Sticks for showcasing how to make small campers truly livable, along with solid gear reviews
• Runaway and Seemore for the best bed layout for Terra, that we probably would have never thought to do!

Why this blog matters: Most people think “eco” means giving things up. Having Terra has shown us the opposite; that living light is about freedom, clarity, and connection to what matters. This camper has become our rolling reminder: less truly is more… especially when you do it your way.