There’s no denying that a road trip can be one of the most memorable adventures you can enjoy during summer. Road trips are a fantastic way to see the United States while making life-long bonds with your family and friends. Before you hit the road, though, it pays to take the time and effort to pack your car correctly. Packing correctly will add to your fun and, more importantly, reduce everyone’s stress level. 

To help you pack your car for maximum fun, NSA Storage put together this handy guide! Read on to pack like a pro for your next road trip and enjoy it to the fullest!

Why Packing Your Car Right is Important

Not convinced that packing your vehicle correctly is important? Well ,if you’re travelling a long distance with several people, and especially if you’re traveling with kids, you’ll want to stay organized so that things like electronics and snacks are easy to find during the trip. That way, everyone stays happy and entertained. It also minimizing the chances of forgetting something at home if you pay close attention to what you’re packing and where. Plus, you’ll be able to maximize the space in your vehicle and bring everything you might need for vacation fun!

How to Pack Your Car: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Make a Packing Plan

As with most activities, making a plan before you start is an excellent idea. When packing your car for a summer road trip be sure to:

• Make a checklist of everything you’ll need. (See below!)
• Separate daily use items from things you won’t need until you arrive at your final destination.
• Group your things into categories like snacks, toys, electronics, clothes, etc.
• Re-check your checklist before leaving!

2. Skip the Suitcases

Suitcases are great when you’re traveling by plane, boat, or bus. For a road trip by car, however, they can be bulky and often don’t always fit well into your vehicle. Instead, use:

• Duffel bags for clothes. You can often squeeze these into tight spaces.
• Soft-sided coolers rather than hard-sided. Like duffel bags, you can squeeze these into tighter spaces more easily.
• Clear plastic bins for things like first aid, snacks and small toys.
• An over-the-seat organizer for items you use the most

Unlike most suitcases, the containers above can be squashed or smooshed into place and help you maximize your space!

3. Load the Heaviest Items First

If you do take large suitcases or a large cooler filled with food, be sure to load them into your vehicle first. They should be towards the bottom and center of your car, to keep it more stable while driving. Also;

• Don’t place heavy items on top of lighter, more fragile items.
• Try to keep your car balanced on both sides.
• Never block windows or mirrors with anything.

4. Make Essential Items Easier to Grab

Having to dig through a bag or bin to find something can be stressful, especially for smaller kids. Instead, keep the following items towards the top or somewhere more accessible, including:

• Phone chargers
• Baby wipes or paper towels
• Water bottles
• Snacks
• A first aid kit
• Travel games

5. Use All Your Car’s Space

Packing your car for maximum fun on your road trip means maximizing all of your vehicle’s space. Here are a few examples of efficient car packing:

• Use the footwells below seats for snacks, activity bags, shoes, etc.
• Fill empty spaces wherever possible with soft items like jackets, pillows, and blankets.
• As mentioned earlier, use over-the-seat organizers
• If necessary, purchase a cargo box to attach to your car’s roof. These are great for things you’ll need when you arrive at your destination.

6. Involve the Entire Family

Since it’s summer, the kids will be on vacation, so be sure to get them involved in packing your car. One excellent way to do this is to give each child their own backpack and have them fill it with:

• Their favorite stuffed animal or toy
• A pillow
• Headphones
• Coloring books
• Travel games
• Their favorite snacks

7. Pack Your Car for Safety

Just like any other car ride, safety should come first when packing for your road trip. Below are a few tips to help you and your family stay safe on the road:

• Don’t stack anything above the back seat. This will keep the driver’s view clear.
• Secure anything loose with bungee cords or cargo nets.
• Keep emergency items in easy to reach places including a flashlight, first aid kit, jumper cables, etc.
• Don’t bury safety gear under other stuff.

8. Have Fun Packing!

Let’s be honest; packing a car isn’t exactly the most fun activity. However, if you get the family involved it can be a little more fun (or at least less boring). Here’s how:

• Create a “packing playlist” of your favorite music
• Have a race to see who can pack their bag the fastest.
• Depending on the bags you use, let your children decorate them using magic markers, stickers, or crayons.
• Give each of your children their own, designated space in the car to use. 

Road Trip Checklist

As promised, here’s a comprehensive checklist to use when packing your car:

• Chargers for all of your devices
• Snack and drinks
• A first aid kit
• Any necessary medication
• Blankets and pillows
• Bug spray
• Sunblock
• A roadside emergency kit
• Trash bags
• Toys and games
• Entertainment devices like tablets
• Summer shoes and clothing for your final destination

Store Your Gear with NSA Storage After the Trip

The most successful road trips, as we’ve seen, begin with packing your car correctly. If you do it right your road trip will be more fun, less stressful, safer, and infinitely more enjoyable. We hope the guide above empowers you to do exactly that!

If you need to store your stuff after your trip, NSA Storage can help. Our clean, safe, and secure storage units are located in many cities and towns across the United States. You can rent a storage unit from NSA Storage as long, or as short, as you like. Until next time, have a wonderful, memory-making time on your next road trip, and be sure to send a postcard!