Road Trip! If just the sound of these words sparks your desire to take a vacation, you are not alone. According to statistics, 45% of Americans plan to travel by car this year to avoid airport hassles and enjoy the scenery that North America has to offer. But experts warn that to make sure you have a safe vacation, be prepared with an emergency kit in your vehicle.

"Emergency kits need to be tailored to how you anticipate them being used," Dr. Pat Salber, founder of The Doctor Weighs In website and an emergency physician, tells Newsmax. "For example, if you are hiking in remote mountains, you would want to include items aimed at preventing illnesses and injuries such as moleskin to prevent blisters, sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

"You would also want to include items to treat any injuries likely to occur so Band-Aids for cuts, compression bandages for sprained ankles, and over the counter NSAIDS such as ibuprofen to treat pain."

Salber adds that you should also understand the risk for any infectious diseases in the areas you will be visiting and ask your doctor for medication that specifically deals with that threat.

"You should carry an array of antibiotics as suggested by your physician to treat a serious infection in case you can't get to a doctor," she adds. "If there is a risk of altitude sickness ask your doctor to prescribe acetazolamide."

Naturally, if you or any member of your family has severe allergies or is on medication, make sure that you carry an Epi Pen and have plenty of backup meds. Call ahead to identify nearby hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics in the vicinity you will be visiting. Make sure that you have prescriptions for emergency refills.

Here is a list developed by the Cleveland Clinic of suggested over-the-counter (OTC) items to pack in your emergency kit. As Dr. Salber notes, you can personalize your kits by deciding which items are the best to bring in your situation:

• Antiseptics (betadine, alcohol)
• Antibacterial soap or towelettes, hand cleaning gel
• Personal toilet tissue, washcloths
• Sterile bandages, ACE rolled bandages, cotton
• Scissors, tweezers, teaspoon, tablespoon
• Digital thermometer
• Aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen
• Motions sickness pills such as Dramamine® or Bonine®
• Sunscreens for face and body with a minimum SPF or 30
• Anti-diarrheal mediation such as Imodium®
• Antacids, acid blocking medication such as Pepcid® or Pepto-Bismol®
• Laxatives or stool softeners (diet variance and travel can cause constipation)
• Over-the-counter sleeping pills
• Salt tablets where excess sweating occurs in a tropical area
• Sports drinks like Gatorade® or PowerAde®
• Insect repellant with 30% to50% DEET
• Common cold and allergy medicine such as antihistamines and decongestants
• Extra pair of eyeglasses and contacts, hearing aid batteries
• A list of emergency contact numbers