Organize Your Car for a Road Trip

While it’s a good idea to keep your car organized for your day-to-day transportation, it’s a little bit different to organize for a road trip.

Organizing your car for your trip will create the space you need to make your journey more comfortable. Not to mention, it will let you find what you want when you need it.

Declutter

The first thing is to remove everything that normally rides around in your car that you will not need for the trip. For me that would include the assortment of shopping bags that I stash in the back seat and quite a bit of organizing tools that I always carry. You might have a sports bag for the gym or menus in your glove compartment.

As you embark on your trip, continue to declutter as you go. At each stop get rid of empty food containers, wrappers, or any other trash.

Develop a plan

Envision a clear picture of what this trip will look like. Develop a list of everything you might need to make this trip a success. I like to make two lists, one for my suitcases and one for the packing of the car.

Containerize

Pack up items for how and when you will use them. For example, I pack snacks in a zipped container that I keep where I can reach it easily. I often pack a cooler with lunch items. And then in a larger container I pack food that I want to take into the hotel or have for the trip home. This I store towards the back of the trunk.

If traveling with children prepare containers for favorite toys or books that are nearby. You can also have a container packed in the back with some items to take into the hotel.

Use visor organizers and storage bags to keep most frequently needed items close at hand.

The glove compartment, once decluttered, should hold essentials like your car manual, current registration, car insurance, a map (GPS can go offline), medical information, emergency contact information, and a small flashlight.

There are also great car trunk organizers to help containerize like items.  Having your jumper cables, portable air compressor, tire pressure gauge, heavy duty flashlight, and gloves all in one easy to pull out container can be very helpful should there be a need. Having a first-aid kit available is also a good idea.

Zone out your car

Instead of just shoving items where there is a space, deliberately zone out your car.

In the front seat area have all of your essentials. This is where you will stash your sunglasses, your navigational device along with its charger, your itinerary and any directions. Have nearby your beverage and any snacks you will want before stopping to eat.  Also have a trash bag and tissues under the passenger seat.

In the back seat area have a cooler with a towel on top for items that you want to keep cool.  Have some extra towels or hand cloths in the back seat pockets to mop up spills. This zone is where you will pack the bags for the children and any pillows, sweaters, or small blankets.

In the trunk area store your trunk organizer, extra food and beverages, any extra items for your vacation like sand toys or beach chairs. This is where you will store your luggage. If you are making a one-night stop along the way to a final destination, pack a smaller suitcase and have it handy to pull out.

Don’t overpack

While you want certain special items for your trip, bring only what you need. For clothing plan to layer up rather than bringing outfits for every possible situation. Pack food that you will consume as you travel. While you don’t want to spend a lot of your travel time in a grocery store, it is better to pop in from time to time than pack your whole pantry. 

The less stuff you have, the easier it will be to find what you brought and the less you will have to haul into the hotel.

Conclusion

By organizing your car and creating a functional space, your road trip will be more enjoyable and stress-free.

Bon-Voyage and safe journeys!

If you are ready to work on any specific organizing project and want some tips, encouragement, or accountability join Diane Quintana and me in our Clear Space For You virtual clutter support group. You could complete a small project or set up an organizing plan during the call. The group will offer ideas, support, and gentle accountability for working on developing plans or projects.

Jonda S. Beattie, Professional Organizer owner of Time Space Organization, and co-owner of Release, Repurpose, Reorganize. She is based in the Metro-Atlanta area. As presenter, award-winning author, as well as a retired special education teacher she uses her listening skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of different learning techniques, ADHD specialty, and paper management skills to help clients.