How to Pack for a Long Road Trip

At McCluskey Chevrolet, we don’t just sell the best Chevrolet vehicles in Ohio. We also provide information to help you care for your car and get the most enjoyment from it. The fall is the perfect time to take a long road trip, and we’re here to give you some advice on how to pack your car for the trip to make sure you’re prepared.

Consider a long drive through the Midwestern byways to enjoy the last of the fall leaves, or go even farther and look at the canyons and other natural landmarks of the West. With a comfortable car and the right supplies, you’ll have the perfect seat from which to enjoy it all.

Here’s what you need to do to pack for a long road trip:

Make Clothes Do Double Duty

When you are going on a long trip, you may feel tempted to take enough clothes to create an outfit for each day. If you do so, you will end up with a ton of clothes and suitcases taking up the room in your vehicle. You’ll have less room to stretch out and get comfortable.

Instead, you should pack clothes that can do double duty. For example, a single pair of black pants can be worn with just about any shirt or sweater and for just about any occasion. A simple black jacket is enough to keep you warm, and will pair with any outfit, saving you the bulk of packing many jackets. Pack about a week’s worth of clothes with interchangeable pieces, and do laundry along the way. You’ll save space but still have plenty of options to create new looks.

Pack Food Like a Hiker

Eating out everywhere you go can start to get expensive fast. You should pack food to eat instead. However, packing food can also take up a lot of space fast.

Think like a hiker when you pack. Hikers don’t have a lot of space in their packs (nor can they handle a lot of weight), so they pack foods that are lightweight, easy to cook and nutritionally dense. Some good examples are envelopes of dried oatmeal or soups, bags of trail mix, and dehydrated meat (or jerky). You should pack foods that can be easily heated or reconstituted with a bit of water but that will lay flat and light. You should also choose foods that will be very filling so that a little goes a long way.

Bring Multimedia Devices

Even with the most gorgeous scenery for much of your trip, you can still hit boring stretches of road. It’s important to bring along things to keep you entertained (while you’re not driving, of course). Pack a multimedia device like a tablet to listen to music, watch movies, read e-books, play games and more. Of course, a portable DVD player also works in a pinch.

When you’re ready to take your next long road trip, use these simple tips for packing to make it a successful one. When you’re ready to shop the best used cars in Cincinnati, head in to McCluskey Chevrolet. We have some of the best prices on the largest selection of cars in the area.