Road trips are like a rite of passage – they stick with you forever, whether they go perfectly or hilariously off-course. It’s the freedom, the wanderlust adventure, and the thrill of discovering new places and a few people along the way. If you’re planning a road trip this year in North America or Europe, here’s your ultimate guide to packing smart, staying organized, and squeezing your favorite cashmere sweaters and slippers into an impossibly tight space because you’ll also need to save space for your first aid kit, lunch box and tech devices. Keep in mind that the journey starts with the planning. Everything starts with a vision, a plan and the smart efficient preparation.
What to Pack and How to Pack It
Clothing
Packing for a road trip is an art. You want to be prepared without overpacking. The trick is versatility:
Layer Up: Think t-shirts, long sleeves, hoodies, and a light jacket. Layering helps you adapt to changing weather. Prioritize comfort. Soft, breathable natural fibered fabrics.
Shoes: Bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes, sandals and perhaps a pair of low pumps or strapy heels in a natural color.
Essentials
Important Documents: Don’t leave without your driver’s license, passport, car insurance, registration, and roadside assistance info. Make sure everything is up to date.
Navigation Tools: A GPS is great, but also pack physical maps. They never run out of battery.
First Aid Kit: Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any prescription medications. This is my compact First Aid Kit.
Gadgets and Accessories
Chargers and Cables: Keep your devices powered with a multi-port car charger and a few extra charging cables. I personally invested in a portable Solar Panel. It’s light weight and folds up nicely into my shoulder tote bag.
Entertainment: Download playlists, audiobooks, and podcasts. Consider a portable DVD player or tablet for movies. I love to travel with Board Games. Here are a few of my favorites. Here.
Camera: Sometimes our phones don’t have quite enough space available so I prefer to pack a compact digital camera like this one from Sony or an Analog camera to shoot 35 mm film.
Food and Bevies
Cooler: A compact cooler for drinks and perishable snacks which is usually the case with me. I prefer fresh food whenever possible. Traveling can be taxing on your body so it’s important to nourish yourself with fresh food.
Healthy Snacks: Avoid the lure of fast food traps with nuts, fruits, granola bars, and other healthy options.
Water Bottles: Use only Stainless Steel bottles or glass. Get yourself some water filters like these Stay hydrated with refillable water bottles.
Comfort Items from home
Blankets and Pillows: For those impromptu naps and comfort during the long stretches of highway.
Reusable Shopping Bags: Handy for groceries and other purchases along the way. I love this company. They have amazing, recycled material totes with beautiful motifs. They seem to last forever too.
What to Leave Behind
It’s easy to overpack, It’s very tempting but remember, space is limited:
Excessive Clothing: Pack smart, not more. You don’t need three pairs of jeans for a week-long trip. Two well fitted pairs which goes with everything is enough. Maybe one stone washed and one dark.
Bulky Items: Leave behind anything that takes up too much space and isn’t essential. Try and find cashmere sweaters which are light weight and go with everything. They can elevate any look.
Valuables: Keep valuables to a minimum. The more you bring, the more you have to keep track of and that’s a drain and defeats the purpose, right?
Safety Tips and Tricks
Vehicle Check: Before you go, make sure your to get a “trip check” Check tire pressure, oil levels, coolant, wiper fluid and have a functioning spare tire. – I would suggest watching a YouTube video on how to change a tire. That’s just me. I would totally do it. Not all men know how to do it you know. Lol
Stay Alert: Don’t drive when tired. Take regular breaks and switch drivers if possible.
Emergency Kit: Have a kit with jumper cables, a flashlight, batteries, and basic tools.
Documents and Insurance
Ensure you have all necessary documents:
Driver’s License: Valid – make sure it hasn’t expired. Believe me, it’s easy to overlook.
Car Insurance: Make sure it covers road trips and a second driver.
Registration: Ensure it is also current.
Roadside Assistance: Have the contact information handy. In the States I always had AAA and absolutely loved them. In Europe, I use ADAC which covers the entire EU. Amazing and they are so reliable and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend.
Luxuries and Comforts
While it’s important to pack light, a few luxuries can make your trip much more comfortable:
Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot: Stay connected even in remote areas.
Travel Apps: Google Maps for navigation, finding accommodations, and local markets especially for fresh organic food
Solar Charger: I would highly recommend getting one. They really work and can be super handy in an emergency situation like if your car battery dies in the middle of the desert. They are even great to take to the lake for a day trip. I personally like this one.
Maximizing Fun on the Road
Playlist, Good Books and Board Games
Music: Create a a few playlists which everyone can enjoy. Music can set the tone for the trip especially if you can sign along together
Audiobooks and Podcasts: Perfect for keeping everyone entertained during long stretches.
Reading Material: Bring a few good books or magazines for downtime.
Healthy Snacks
Fruits and Veggies: Pre-cut veggies, apples, and bananas are easy and healthy. I would leave the pineapple behind. It’s super acidic and can upset your stomach while driving.
Nuts and Seeds: Trail mix. Yes, I am a “Granola Head” at heart. What can I say, I love to make my own trail mix. Wholefoods has a great bulk loose dry goods section. It’s heaven for me. It’s great for protein and energy.
Whole-Grain Snacks: Think granola bars, Oatmeal bars – I will share my home-made Protein Bar in another post. I use dates to sweeten it. It’s amazing and kids like it as well.
The Journey Is the Destination
Planning and packing for a road trip is where the experience begins for me. I truly love it. There is an art to packing. It builds the excitement and sets the stage for an epic adventure.
Travel with Compatible People: Ensure your travel companions match your vibe and pace. Trust me. I don’t recommend going with someone you wouldn’t share a water bottle if need be. The truth is, you should probably get to know someone and how they react in different stressful situations. Are they resourceful? Are they a team player? Are they flexible and level headed in stressful situations?. Do you have the same or similar recreational habits and interests? Make sure they can swim !! and I mean that metaphorically as well. They just need to match your vibe and go with the flow.
Flexible Itinerary: Plan, but don’t overplan. Leave room for spontaneous detours and discoveries.
Lastly, Enjoy the Ride: The journey is just as important as the destination. Make the most of every moment. With smart packing, a bit of organization, and the right mindset, your road trip will be a memorable journey from start to finish. Safe travels!