Essential items for a road trip in Europe

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

Was hoping to spend 3 or 4 weeks driving round northern Spain and possibly into France this summer. Probably not going to happen this year now but am carrying on with the finer planning details regardless (lots of time to fill which I won't have when things are slightly more normal). Accommodation likely to be a combination of hotels and self-catering. I've pretty good lists from previous holidays of 'usual' holiday stuff , and for the car know we'll need spare fuel, additional insurance and will need to check extra things that might be required legally in those countries. What I would appreciate help with is things that you have found useful on driving holidays - either things to make life easier on the road, or things you have taken with you that you wouldn't take when flying (for example when we used to drive to self catering holidays, I'd take a bottle of star drops which can be used for hand washing clothes as well as cleaning and washing up. )

Thank you!

Sorry, I didn't read all replies.

I usually calculate any road toll expenses and keep the cash in a separate purse. (I don't use cards as it can be costly on exchange rates and fees.)
Have all insurance, passport & vehicle documents as paper copies in a waterproof wallet with some emergency cash.
Plenty of water and some food other than sweets and snacks. (We have boild eggs, rye bread & carrots- they keep and are far more substantial to keep fatigue and headaches away!)

Oh, and take both sets of car keys and keep them separately in case someone locks a set in the car boot... 😂

Take an extension cord with you. You only need one plug converter and you get 6 plugs.
Also if your a tea lover take tea bags.

Long road trips I absolutely love listening to podcasts so can always find one the whole family will enjoy

I'll be looking for a few places to stay where we have a Kitchenette, so boiled eggs are a great idea. Also carrots and humus. Thank you!
I'm determined we'll eat well on the road. Will take cutlery and good plastic plates and bowls, plus a sharp knife and small board so I can make salads too
Great point re keys!

@FizzyMess

Take an extension cord with you. You only need one plug converter and you get 6 plugs. Also if your a tea lover take tea bags.

Long road trips I absolutely love listening to podcasts so can always find one the whole family will enjoy

Extension cord great idea, also podcasts, which had prompted the idea of audio books. We always take tea with us - it's never the same abroad is it? I also take peppermint tea and a flask for hot water then I don't need milk while travelling. Once we've things booked will decide whether we need a travel kettle or whether there are kettles in enough of our booked hotels not to bother

Cash
Scissors
Chargers and one cable per human.
Bin bags - for rubbish, leakages and unexpected sickness.
Tissues/toilet paper/wet wipes
Decent snacks
Boiled sweets
Pain killers, travel sickness pills (always assume someone may be stricken, even if they've never been before - you can buy Dramamine over the counter in Spain), rehydration sachets, blister plasters
Neck pillow
Hats and sunscreen in easy reach for unscheduled stops.