by Jenny Sherman

Created on: June 01, 2009

It's finally that time of the year when you don't need a coat when you leave the house, when watermelon overflows in the supermarkets and the daylight lasts long after you get out of work. That's right, its summertime. And who wants to be inside? Summer is the season when roughly 50 percent of Americans take vacations, and 50 percent of these trips will be celebrating a great American tradition: The road trip. The U.S. Department of Energy says Americans will drive a total of about 1300 billion kilometers this summer for vacation, and why not join them?

But what to take? No matter where you find yourself, you want to be prepared. So here is a list of things you definitely don't want to forget.

First-aid Kit. Make sure its stocked with band-aids, hydrocortisone, disinfectant, scissors and a muscle wrap.

A cell phone. Emergencies happen, and you don't want to ruin your trip by getting stuck in the middle of nowhere with no contact. And don't forget your car charger.

A Road Map. Kerouac didn't have one, but I would recommend it.

Bottled water. Always keep water in the car in case of emergency, the bigger the container, the better. It is good for brushing your teeth on the go too.

Cooler. You may want to pull over and have a picnic instead of eating unhealthy fast food. With a cooler, you will always have a cool drink on hand, and you can keep fresh the produce you buy at roadside stands.

Car needs. Tire gauge, AAA card, jumper cables, insurance and your license your vehicle will be working overtime.

Comfortable clothes. Bring one nice outfit in case you find yourself in a classy place, but most of the time you will be lounging, stretching or exploring. Make sure you pack your most comfortable clothing, and pieces you don't mind getting dirty.

Flip flops and walking shoes. For getting in-and-out of the car quick, flip flops suffice. To explore a rocky mountainside or pristine lake, sturdy walking shoes will do.

Bathing Suit. The summer heat will have you searching out the closest waterhole, so always carry a bathing suit. Why not bring two or three? They take up virtually no space, and you may find yourself wearing it all the time.

Sunscreen. Choose an SPF of at least 15 to protect yourself from burns and skin cancer. Opt for a natural sunscreen with zinc oxide.

Camera. Make sure you show all your friends and family an impressive coverage of the trip, and the kooky signs you will see along the way.

Music. It's good to listen to local radio to get

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