Road Trip Packing List

Going on a road trip is something that I did with my family and stopped doing for many years until recently.  Covid 19 has made it so that our first trip back into the “new normal” will be road trips to local nature reserves and parks. We live in a GORGEOUS place so we had already planned on doing more of these but this now has given us that final push! Also, because we own a travel company, we need to stay up to date on the offerings at tourist destinations so it’s fun for us to play tourist where we live.

As always, I check the weather forecast ahead of time and then 24 hours before because we know the weather can change quickly. I will never forget the time I went to Chicago for the weekend and I brought only cold weather clothing. There was a heat wave and I had to go buy a couple of lightweight dresses and a pair of sandals…that was not ideal and cut into my “having fun” time so I never forgot that lesson.

Even though we’ll be taking our own car it’s still a challenge not to over-pack. I mean you have all the space you need now so why not?  I’ve done it…so I’ll tell you why not!  Very simply, you don’t just leave items in your car (for theft purposes) so whatever you pack in that car, has to come out at every place you stay over. And if you are going to go hiking somewhere for several hours, you don’t want your car filled with stuff…that’s way too tempting to potential thieves as they know you’re going to have your laptop and all other sorts of goodies in there.

The Biggest Differences in Packing for a Road Trip vs. Airplane Trip

-No luggage weight restriction.

-May or may not have a luggage size restriction based on your car size…but remember, if you have to take that luggage up stairs…can you? Do you want to?

-The addition of FOOD & BEVERAGES. We always bring our own drinks when we travel. And for food, we stay at many places with kitchens or kitchenettes so we add a large Cooler Box/Ice Chest. Now with my gluten allergy, we’re trying to only stay at places where we can cook…it’s just easier. So you’ve now added a whole big box and usually a couple of additional bags of groceries that don’t have to be kept cold (chips, gluten free pastas, etc).  Plus salt, pepper, oil/spray, etc

-What I do now is I cook something, freeze it, and then we take with…saves me from having to take many different ingredients and all we have to do is heat it up. I also bring all of my Gluten Free breads, crackers, etc so I don’t have to worry about if they say it’s GF but it’s really not…as that will truly ruin about 24 hours of mine (and my husband’s) vacation.

-Add in cleaning products as many don’t have them available…or they aren’t enough:  TP, Paper Towels, Dish Soap, Hand Soap, disinfectant spray/alcohol spray.  These take up very little space and save you money and time for having to go get them if you need them.

Road Trip Checklist for Staying at National Parks for 1 Week: Winter/Cold Weather

See Below this for the same Checklist for Summer/Warm Weather

This Road Tripping Checklist is based on staying at very basic accommodations. These specific National Parks lodgings are basic accommodations located in the middle of nature, something you don’t get by staying at a big hotel. Therefore, you will see many basics that we normally wouldn’t bring with us. The places are clean but basic.

Necessities to Pack into Your Purse  

• Wallet with ID, Cash, Credit Cards
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Winter Scarf/Pashmina
• Eye Mask
• Ear Plugs/extras
• Computer & charger
• Cell phone + charger
• Plug adapters (2 pin/3 pin)
• Camera + charger
• Medicines
• Vitamins/Supplements
• Baby Wipes
• Antibacterial waterless gel/hand cleaner
• Make-up bag: hand lotion, lip balm, hair brush/comb
• Close-up Mirror, tweezers

Shoes to Pack

• Tennis shoes
• Black hiking/comfortable boots
• 1 pair flip flops

Jewelry to Pack

• Very little/casual

Clothing: What to Pack for Cold Weather

• Buffs, beanies, warm scarfs, gloves
• Long underwear tops & bottoms
• Long sleeve t-shirts
• Sweaters: longer/heavier
• Sweatshirt
• Workout/Yoga pants
• Pants/comfortable for hiking
• Jacket
• Vest
• Socks
• Underwear
• Bras
• Bathing suit (I never travel without one)

Toiletries to Pack

• Shampoo
• Leave-in Conditioner
• Hand Soap
• Body Wash
• Hair bands
• Face wash
• Make-up Wipes/Make-up Remover
• Razors (2/3)
• Baby Wipes
• Day cream, night cream, tinted sunscreen, regular sunscreen, body cream/vaseline
• TOILET PAPER
• For Period: tampons, pads, shorts
• Nail file, clippers
• Hygiene sprays & refill

Food, Kitchen and Laundry Items to Pack

• All food, oil, spices (basics)/salt/pepper
• Paper Towels
• Serviettes
• Garbage Bags (small /large)
• Vitamins, Protein Shakes, Green Powder
• Firelighters
• Charcoal/Wood
• Ziplock bags
• Lighters/Refill
• Laundry detergent
• Pillows
• Body Pillow Case
• Books
• Bug Spray

Road Trip Checklist for Staying at National Parks for 1 Week: Summer/Warm Weather 

Clothing to Pack

Instead of the cold weather items above, substitute these items for the warm weather:

• Short sleeve t-shirts
• Sweatshirt
• Yoga pants
• Shorts or skort
• Socks
• Underwear
• Bras
• Bathing suits
• Sundress
• Sarong