Essential Packing Guide for a Road Trip
Embarking on a road trip is the epitome of freedom and adventure. Picture yourself cruising along scenic highways, exploring breathtaking landscapes, and immersing yourself in the great outdoors.
Whether you're a seasoned van life enthusiast or a first-time RV traveler, one thing remains crucial for an unforgettable journey: knowing how to pack effectively for your road trip.
Road Tripping in an RV or Van
THE PERKS TO ROAD TRIPPING
The only barrier to space on a road trip is simply the size of your vehicle. No need to cram equipment into a carry-on or hope that your bag makes the weight requirement.
As long as your van or RV has ample room, you’re all set to bring all that you need.
MORE PERKS OF ROAD TRIPPING
FREE ACCOMMODATION
Swap out the Buick for a van or RV for your road trip and your accommodations are free! You’ll be able to camp when and where you’d like with ample freedom.
RELAXED ITINERARY
Not having to worry about airport traffic, boarding times, and hotel check-ins, your itinerary clears right up! Traveling in a van allows you to change your route or destination at any time, without the constraints of fixed itineraries.
COST-EFFECTIVE
Compared to staying in hotels or resorts, traveling in a van can be more budget-friendly. It reduces accommodation costs, and with the ability to cook your meals, you save on dining expenses.
While you are able to bring what you need on a road trip, to be able to stay organized and clutter-free it’s still important to be mindful when packing for your trip.
Follow the Tripped Packing System for the best ultimate packing process.
Pack Up in 3 Steps
PULL
PUSH
PACK
Easier said than done?
1. Pulling Your Clothes
Begin by pulling from your closet and drawers everything you’ll need for your
Favorite day of the trip
Most important day of the trip
Travel day
You may be on a road trip for a vacation or maybe you’ve decided to work from the road! Days on your road trip may look very different so pulling for these three specifics will ensure you have all of the bases covered.
1a. Pull Favorite Day
Your favorite day of your trip is also known as your “dream day”. This would be your ideal day on your trip and you can make it what you’d like it to be!
EX. FAVORITE DAY OF YOUR ROAD TRIP
This day may look something like:
Breakfast at your Campsite - No need to change out of your pajamas here! Start your day in what you went to be in while enjoying a cup of coffee.
Head Out on the Road - There’s nothing “favorite” about road tripping in something uncomfortable. Suit up in your favorite lounge clothes, put on a good podcast and head on the road. Important Items here: sunglasses, shoes, and your ID!
Picnic at the Beach - You see a pull off for a secluded beach. Stop for a picnic because, why not! Do you have a towel to set down? Do you want to change into sandals? Pull these items.
Stop in Town - You’re running low on a few essentials so you head into a quaint town to roam main street. Do you want to change into something else in case you find a Happy Hour? Do you have a tote bag for carrying your new finds?
Dinner at Camp - You are at camp for the night and toss back on your pajamas or lounge set. Don’t forget to pull for your favorite sweatshirt for ultimate coziness by the fire.
Off to Bed! - Do your pajamas you woke up in work? Do you want to add another pair?
A perfect day of road tripping. This day can look however you want it to. Just don’t forget to think of every item you may need for each step of your day.
TIP: While you pull for day, don’t forget to pull shoes, accessories, and specific toiletries as well!
1b. Pull M.I.D (Most Important Day)
Your road trip may have a specific destination or a stop along the way that you are most looking forward to.
Whatever your reason may be, begin to pull for that Most Important Day.
EX. A Day Trip to Moab
Breakfast in the RV - Perk of being in an RV is no getting dressed for a continental breakfast! Wear what you woke up in for breakfast in your van.
Early Morning at the Park- You’ll want athletic clothes for visiting Arches National Park. Because you woke up early to beat the crowds, throw in a sweatshirt for the morning chill. Don’t forget hiking boots and socks!
Trip to the Food Truck Park- After a great day at the park, head into the town of Moab to visit the food truck park for a bite to eat. Do you want to change out of your sweaty park clothes? Toss a fresh pair of clothes into a compression cube for a quick change.
Swimming in Ken’s Lake - Drive the RV over to Ken’s Lake to cool off. Pull your swimsuit and a towel to be sure you’re prepared.
Dinner at the Campsite - Another meal right in the RV! Put on a comfy lounge set to enjoy dinner by the campfire.
Tip: If planning to have a campfire, you may want to toss in an extra lounge set. One for use around the campfire and one to keep smoke-free for driving days.
LIFE IS A HIGHWAY
There is a lot of ground to cover. Choosing to road trip in an RV or van allows to to enjoy not only the destination, but also the journey!
Stop when you want, take lots of pictures, and you’ll get there when you get there.
1c. Pull Travel Day
When on a road trip, every day is essentially a travel day! This does not mean that each day needs a new travel outfit. Mix and match from what you’ve pulled to enjoy comfy travel outfits every day of your trip
REMEMBER
Many established campgrounds have laundry options for you to refresh your clothes through out your trip! While some now take credit card, it is smart to be sure to have a nice collection of quarters to use if needed.
Tip: Think about items are you already planning to pack such as leggings and a pull over to double use as your travel outfits.
Road Trip Bag
Pack your essential items into a bag to keep handy while driving. This bag can double as your hiking bag, or can be a tote for bringing to the grocery store. It’s nice to not have to dig for your everyday items while on the road.
Important Travel Items
Unless you’re crossing borders, the only main travel item you’ll need is your driver’s license! If you’re planning on visiting multiple National Parks, you may want to look into getting an annual National Parks pass.
These passes are $80 and allow you unlimited entry for an entire year!
2. Toiletries
You may have some, how do we put this, interesting bathroom situations while on the road. Your RV may be equipped with a bathroom, but chances are there isn’t much storage. Toiletry organization is crucial to a stress-free road trip experience.
Tripped Travel Gear 3-1-1 Toiletry Set
This toiletry set was made for the road!
Hook for hanging the toiletry set to free up counter space or for easy access in crowded campground bathrooms.
Liquids Bag to bring into communal showers. The clip allows you to hang it from anywhere to be able to keep your items off of the ground.
The snapping clear pouch addition is great for packing sunscreen, chapstick, and other essentials while out and about away from your vehicle.
Must Haves
While it’s easy to stop by stores while on a road trip, you don’t want to spend half of your trip in a Walmart. Be sure to have essentials like sunscreen and bug spray before you head out.
Accessories
While pulling, you’ll want to include accessories you’ll need along your road trip as well. Items like hats, shower shoes, and backpacks are road trip accessories to think about bringing with you.
If you’re tight on space, try the foldable Tripped Travel Gear Daypack that is a perfect backpack for day trips, hikes, or for carrying your pet’s essentials in.
2. Push Through Panic
If you’re starting to panic about the amount in front of you, remember that you’re at an advantage. While overpacking can make you feel crowded and overwhelmed, you do have the space to bring a little extra compared to what you could bring on a flight.
2a: PULL WHAT-IFS
What if items on a road trip can be simple:
“What if it rains?”
“What if there are no stores for miles?”
With ample space, there is room for you to pack more what ifs if you’d like. Such as:
“What if I find a great spot to surf?”
”What if I want to go for a bike ride?”
Being able to bring more of these “what if” items will only elevate your road trip experience!
3. Prepare to Pack
You’ve pulled everything you need. You’ve pushed through your questions of “what if”. Now it’s time to pack! To begin to pack, lay out your items like so:
Informal to Formal - Starting left to right, lay out your clothes from informal to formal in a row.
On a roadtrip, you’ll probably have more informal than formal. It is nice to have one “formal” option if planning to stop in cities for dinners or meet up with friends. This formal item could even be your “what if” item.
Top to Bottom - Lay your tops in a row from informal to formal at the top of your space. Your bottoms will go underneath your tops also laid now left to right, informal to formal.
Shoes - Lay out the coordinating shoes also from least formal to formal at the very bottom of your space. Don’t forget socks!
TIP: Use this step as a chance to see if there are any gaps in the items you’re packing. If there are, fill in those gaps now.
3A. USING COMPRESSION CUBES
To keep organized in a small space, compression cubes are key! No more shirts flying out of overhead compartments. Using compression cubes will allow you to pack big while living in a small space.
Stash the Stink
Dual-Sided Compression Cubes are great for when you’ve gone a few extra days without laundry.
Use Different Colors
Assign to different color compression cube set to each person on your road trip to be able to differentiate whose is whose.
HEAD OUT ON THE ROAD
Using the Tripped Packing System will ensure that you’ll be organized and comfortable during your next road trip. With road tripping in an RV or van, your possibilities are endless!
Don’t believe us? See the Tripped Packing System in use as Lloyd and Mandy, road trip experts, pack for their RV road trip.
For a guide to the right way to pack:
