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Getting the right music, good company, and a great destination are some of the most important factors people need to consider when planning a road trip. But packing the car also greatly affects how much fun you have.

Not being able to reach your snacks is a major failure. It’s just one of many packing mistakes you can make if you’re not careful! Here are some of the best tips for packing for a road trip. Good luck!

Before Leaving: Check & Test Your Car

Before you leave, take a walk around the house to ensure everything is organized. Road trips are different from regular errands. Packing your car is a different matter. 

There are plenty of places to store your items in newer cars, and they have plenty of room to spare. For instance, our minivan has plenty of storage under the rear seat floorboards. It’s a great place to store all of your items, but you won’t have access to it during transit.

Use a Rack

To make your road trip more convenient, you don’t need a huge truck or SUV. Instead, you can use a roof box or a rack to store various items, such as bikes and coolers. These are my favorite tools for loading bikes and other heavy equipment.

Plan Space for Emergency Items

Getting ready to pack your car can be chaotic if you have a larger family. This is why you must have the plan to get all your emergency supplies in the car. Doing so will allow you to keep track of your items and avoid getting lost in the shuffle.

If you’re planning on traveling during the holidays, you must have the plan to ensure you’ll be able to transport all of your presents. Having a plan will allow you to ensure that they’ll be stored securely and organized.

Snacks & Essentials 

One of the most critical factors you should consider when planning a road trip is having plenty of snacks. We tend to relax in the car on long trips and pick items that will not make a permanent mess. For instance, we don’t eat Cheetos or other products that can stain our car’s interior.

In addition to snacks, you should also pack small trash bags, wet wipes, air fresheners, and paper towels. You can keep a handy caddy with you in case you spill. Using smaller trash bags or grocery store plastic ones can be tossed out once you reach a pit stop.