Planning on hitting the road this summer? You’re not alone. The AAA predicts that millions of Americans will be foregoing the ever-rising expense of air travel in favor of four wheels. And why not? Road trips can be a relatively low-cost option to see the country – and enjoy the ride while you’re at it.
Whether you’re planning on making road trips from NYC, Chicago, Atlanta, or another big city – or just rambling from your small corner of the USA, it’s critical to be prepared…and that includes properly packing and storing your belongings for the duration of the trip.
Summer Car Storage Tips
The first step in deciding how to pack your vehicle for any upcoming journey is figuring out who’s going to be on the trip. Driving for miles on your own is obviously going to look quite different than including your partner, kids, or pets. Every additional passenger adds more complexity – and more stuff – to the equation. Below, we’ll tackle a few common scenarios.
Solo Road Trip
Let’s face it: a solo road trip is your easiest option. Just you, your vehicle, and the wide open road. As far as storage goes in the car, you’re going to want to make sure you have any items you might have immediate need for riding shotgun. After all, there’s no one there to hand you a bottle of water, a snack, or a phone charger. We like this type of seat organizer to keep everything nice and orderly, though you can definitely DIY your own to save costs.
Keep your trunk well-sorted by packing light. Try to keep it limited to one bag you can carry in and out of hotels, along with items like a first aid kit, emergency car kit, and extra cords, batteries, etc. to help ensure your safety.
Road Trip with Kids
Road tripping with kids really ups the intensity. All of a sudden you’ve got to find room for car seats, snacks, stuffies, you name it. There are a bunch of different storage options on the market (check out this piece from The Container Store for a great list), so shop around to find one that best fits your family’s needs and vehicle.
When traveling with kids, it’s important to have a first aid kit, toys, activities, wipes, paper towels, trash bags, wet bags, sick bags, blankets, pillows, entertainment, and more at the ready. As far as summer car storage tips go, we recommend cleaning out your glove box and adding as many “immediately accessible” items as possible to it. The last thing you want to do is be fumbling around on the side of the road for a band aid while your kid screams. Also, be sure to invest in seat protectors. Ask us how we know.
Road Trip With Pets
When it comes to road trips, pets are, in many ways, similar to kids – except a lot hairier and more prone to peeing and pooping in the great outdoors. Note we said “more” prone. You’re going to need to pack and store your items thoughtfully to make sure that they (and you) have everything necessary for the trip – and are comfortable throughout it.
Pets can’t tell you what they need, so be prepared with food, water, treats, toys, blankets or beds, and crates if necessary. Don’t forget bowls to feed and water them, as well as a leash and plenty of plastic bags for waste. Car leashes are also an important investment to keep dogs as safe as possible in the event of an accident. Last but not least, it may also be a good idea to get your dogs a dental cleaning before trips of any length. Being in a closed space with a panting dog can quickly remind you of the importance of canine dental hygiene. Ask us how we know.
What to Pack…and What to Store
Whether you’re taking a motorcycle, car, or RV, summer storage tips need to include advice for your vehicle and the home you’ve left in the rearview. Following are some suggestions for both although, as with anything, your mileage may vary. Be sure to take your individual situation into account.
Road Trip Must-Haves
Make certain the following are up to date and easily located in your vehicle. There’s also a great list here that includes more suggestions.
- First aid kit, including items for motion sickness
- Emergency car kit (along with flat tire repair tools)
- Emergency roadside assistance contact numbers
- Phone charger
- Water and food
- Blankets
- Trash bags or bin
- Toilet seat covers and extra toilet paper
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
Summer Storage
Your storage needs are going to depend on how long a trip you’re planning on making. If it’s over a few days, and you have valuable items that you normally keep outside or otherwise unsecured, it is wise to invest in a self-storage unit for the length of your trip. Belongings you may want to store include:
- Outdoor grills (be sure to remove the propane tank prior to storage)
- Outdoor furniture and décor
- Bikes, scooters, and other recreational items that aren’t making the trip with you
- Motorcycles and ATVs (be sure to empty the gas tanks)
- Hand tools, lawn mowers, weed trimmers, and other frequently stolen maintenance items
We hope our summer storage tips and packing advice gives you everything you need to feel safe, comfortable, and worry-free while you’re on the road this coming season.
One critically important addendum to your travel plans we haven’t mentioned is to let your friends and family know your itinerary, rough though it may be. Keep minds at ease and increase your safety by remaining in contact with at least one person throughout the trip. We recommend planning to check in at least once a day, at a specific time, so that your network is quickly alerted if you vary from the routine. Of course, if you’re planning on going somewhere with limited reception or WiFi, you need to make that known as well.
Bon voyage! Don’t forget to send postcards!
