This post has been sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company and Pringles. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Over the past few years Rob and I have been fortunate enough to explore various parts of the country thanks to his job in the Air Force. When you move to a new place, not only do you get to explore your hometown, but you also get to explore the surrounding areas. When we lived in Las Vegas we took numerous road trips to San Diego, LA, Utah and Arizona. Now that we live in Florida it’s been fun to explore more of the south. So far we have driven to New Orleans, Charleston, Asheville, Chattanooga and stopped in other cities along the way. Since we take so many road trips, our packing strategy is pretty much down to a science. Here are some of my tips to help you pack like a pro for your next adventure!
Download audiobooks or podcasts. A day or two before we leave, Rob always downloads a few nonfiction audiobooks for us to listen to. This makes the time go a little faster, plus I feel more productive since we are learning something. However, he really likes finance-related books, which make me fall asleep after about 5 minutes so I bring headphones to listen to some blogging podcasts instead.
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Pack a cooler with drinks. Lukewarm water will not quench your thirst after being in the car for hours. I like to bring this insulted tote from Sam’s Club and fill it with ice packs and drinks. These Coca-Cola® Mini Cans are a great size and the perfect pick-me-up! A refreshing, caffeinated sip instantly fixes that lethargic slump caused by hours of sitting. I also bring vitaminwater® to stay hydrated. There’s nothing worse than getting to your final destination with a headache and just wanting to take a nap!
Bring your own pillow. I always bring my pillowcase when I travel, but if we have space in the car I also bring my own pillow. First of all, it’s perfect for napping in the car. Rob has an entire album on his phone with photos of me passed out in the passenger seat—clearly I’m not the most helpful driving partner. Plus I usually find mine to be more comfortable than the hotel’s.
Don’t forget snacks! We try not to stop too often along the way, so I make sure to pack enough snacks to avoid getting hangry. Pringles® are great for car rides because the can fits in the cup holder and you don’t have to worry about the chips getting broken when stuffed into a bag. Plus they taste amazing! The box from Sam’s Club includes the original flavor, sour cream & onion and cheddar cheese, so we have plenty of variety. Trail mix is another great snack for car rides, especially ones that have nuts for some fat and protein. I like that the Member’s Mark Tropical Trail Mix includes walnuts and cashews along with the fruit.
Plan your outfits out beforehand and take photos of them. I like to plan my outfits in advance to make sure I have everything I’ll need. It’s helpful if you know what you’ll be doing on the trip and the weather so that you can plan accordingly. I snap a quick mirror selfie before putting the items in my suitcase so that I can remember what I planned and throw the outfit on without much thought. I always wear a casual, comfy outfit in the car. A loose pair of shorts with a soft tee is my go-to combo for summer road trips.
Use travel-sized toiletries. Even though you don’t have to keep liquids under 3 oz. like you would if you were flying, I still like to bring my travel-size toiletries. It saves a lot of space in my weekender bag or suitcase. The fewer trips I have to make from the car to our hotel room the better! I bring small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hair products and lotion. Instead of bringing liquid eye makeup remover and my face wash, I just bring these makeup remover towelettes. You can use them to wipe down your hands in the car after getting gas or spilling your fast food. Win-win!
Do you have any other road trip packing tips? Let me know in the comments!
