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15 Genius Ideas for How to Organize a Car for a Road Trip

Nothing beats the thrill of hitting the open road, exploring new places, and creating unforgettable memories along the way. However, having a well-organized car can really make or break your road trip experience. That’s why I’ve put together 15 amazing ideas to organize a car for a road trip, so you can focus on the journey and not worry about the mess.

After countless journeys across the country, I’ve perfected the art of road trip car organization. I used to just throw everything in the car (with no road trip packing list, meaning I often forgot tons of items) and hope I would be able to find it when I needed it later. You probably won’t be surprised to hear this doesn’t work – it took me way too long to find that one item I needed, and I’d have to open everything open to find it.

Fast forward to now, when I’ve gotten much smarter about organizing and can tell you exactly where any given item is with 99% accuracy, and now I’m here to share my advice with you. Whether you’re a road trip newbie or a seasoned pro, these organizing tips and hacks will be a game-changer. From simple storage solutions to handy gadgets, these ideas are all about making your life on the road much easier.

Table of Contents

Quick Road Trip Organization Hacks

Here are a few tips to keep in mind before heading out on your trip:

• Don’t overpack . I used to be a chronic over-packer and didn’t really think about if I’d actually use an item or pack way too much food that I never ate. Take a few minutes to write down a list of what exactly you’ll use and how much of each item you’ll need to save some space before you even pack.
• Repurpose household items. While I have suggestions on this list of organization items to buy, you can also save money and get creative. Use empty tissue boxes as a plastic bag dispenser or a makeshift trash bin, and use an empty cereal container with a lid as a portable trash can.
• Keep essentials within reach. I got big on this in the past year, and it’s made road trips so much easier. Store items that you’ll frequently need, like snacks, drinks, and toys, within easy reach to minimize the need to rummage through your bags while driving.
• Clean out your car daily. At the end of each day, go through and throw out all the trash, recycle bottles, and put anything you’ve taken out back in its proper bag. You’ll thank yourself the next day.

15 Brilliant Ideas to Organize a Car for a Road Trip

These easy ideas for how to organize your car for a long road trip (like a Vancouver to Banff drive ) will ensure you keep a clean and tidy car on your next exciting road trip.

Check out my family road trip checklist and get ready to organize like a pro.

1. Backseat Organizer

First things first, use every storage compartment provided in the car to stow the appropriate items away in the right places. These include cup holders, backseat jackets, and the doors’ side pockets. When you’ve exhausted all the car’s available storage compartments, backseat organizers are your next go-to.

These are useful for ensuring there is ample space for passengers in the backseat and that the car doesn’t feel cluttered and cramped. Most backseat organizers are attached to one or both of the front seats so that they hang facing the passengers at the back.

Backseat organizers come with separate pockets where you can store different items such as toys, stuffed animals, wet wipes, and fresh diapers. It’s also a good idea to store a few disposable bags (like car sickness bags).

Some organizers sit between the seats or on the floor and feature different compartments where you can place certain items. Using a backseat organizer leaves enough space for other items like pillows, small blankets, and neck rests. Remember, the aim is to create enough room for passengers to sit comfortably.

This comes in particularly handy when traveling with young ones, and I have more tips for a road trip with a baby .

2. Organizing Containers

If you’re like me and can’t stand the idea of bits and bobs lying all over the car, you’ll love this road trip organization hack. Use small, plastic organizing containers and bottles to store pens, medication, and hair ties in the center console. Here, they’ll be easy for the driver and the person sitting in the front passenger’s seat to reach when needed.

The center console is an important area in the car that needs to be well-organized and free from clutter. This is a prime spot for keeping coins and loose change (for toll gates on the road and parking fees when you make your stops) and light snacks (like mints, dried fruit, and sweets) for the passengers in front.

You can save some cash and look around your house for useful items to turn into organizing containers. Get creative with old plastic bottles (like those used for pills) or Q-tip containers. This is also a helpful idea on road trips with couples so you can keep your snacks separate (trust me, it helps).

Driving cross country with a dog ? Make sure they have a container as well full of snacks, water, and poop bags!

I’ve been using Roadtrippers for years to help me plan out my trips and find fun stops along the way. Use my code “BTR5QTP” for $5 off when you sign up!

3. Cord Organizer

Have you ever gotten frustrated looking for the right cable or cord for a specific device? Or felt completely overwhelmed when you opened your glove box to find a jumble of cords all mixed up together?

Say goodbye to that problem for good by using a cord organizer to keep your cords in one place. These usually come in small and medium-sized cases and pouches with different colors and designs. You even get convenient cable organizers with different compartments where you can store your gadgets’ cords and chargers neatly.

Get your free road trip packing list here!

4. Organize Your Glove Box

The glove box is the car’s command center and should always be as clean and organized as possible. Remove all items that aren’t needed for your trip (yes, that includes old receipts and dirty napkins from your favorite fast food joint). Only keep the essentials.

What are the essentials, you ask? Well, that’s easy. The items best kept in the glove box are your license and identity documents, cord case (see above), hand sanitizer, and tissues. It’s also handy to keep all-purpose wet wipes, a flashlight (with fresh batteries), a roll of toilet paper, and a direction map (as a backup if you encounter any problems with your GPS navigation system ).

Another great tip I can give you is to save space in your glove box by checking for an electronic (digital) copy of your car’s manual online. If you can find one, leave the chunky printed version at home and free up some much-needed space in your glove box.

5. Pre-Packed Snacks for Kids

Some people have strict no-food rules while traveling, but I firmly believe that snacks are essential for all passengers, especially road trip snacks for kids . Pre-packed zip-top bags with the kids’ favorite munchies should be placed conveniently in the car. It’s best to ensure they are easy and quick to access, like in one of the compartments of a backseat organizer (see above).

You can also use a stackable container to organize your snacks, neatly separating the food items into sections. A major advantage of pre-packed snack bags is that you can control the snack portions your kids consume on the trip. It also eliminates mess and clutter.

I find that it’s best to organize yummy pre-packed snack bags with a full lunch already prepared. 

The following make for a well-balanced pre-packed meal:

• A delicious sandwich
• Fruits and/or vegetables
• Nuts or trail mix
• One sweet treat (granola bars are always a winner)
• A juice box (or juice inside a spill-proof cup for the younger ones)

While you’re at it, use binder clips to seal unfinished snacks (like chips and sweets) and keep your receipts together. Bring a portable mini cooler bag to keep your drinks cold if there’s extra space.

Travel Tray for Snack Time

I like the idea of a set space where kids can enjoy their meals. Why not include a trav e l tray for kids to use for eating? Little ones can also place their gadgets on them while they watch their favorite cartoons on a cell phone or tablet.

Travel trays serve multiple purposes. Use them as a mini play station for the kids’ toys and games (also great for when the kids want to color in). If you prefer not to purchase a new tray, simply choose one from your home that’s a comfortable size to use and store.

Tip: Keep the remainder of the snacks in the car’s trunk with the rest of the groceries. Only have carefully prepared, packed snacks in the car’s main area so that no one overeats and risks getting sick during the trip. We did this during our Seattle to Crater Lake road trip , and I was glad.

Make sure to reserve your rental car ahead of time! I love using Discover Cars for my trips.

6. Use Carabiners to Hang Small Items

If you’ve ever gone hiking or camping, you’ve likely come across carabiners. Fish them out of that old “outdoors” box in your garage because they will prove helpful for your road trip.

When you don’t have bag hooks to use in the car, use carabiners as clever clips . You can attach as many carabiners as you need to the front headrests on either side so that they hang off facing the backseat. Use them to suspend small items like handbags, wallets, umbrellas, and kiddy backpacks.

You get locking carabiners that will sit securely once you’ve hooked them. This is useful when toddlers want to fiddle with them while sitting in the backseat.

You’ll find this especially helpful on an outdoor vacation like a Spokane to Glacier road trip .

7. Document Holder

Every road trip requires that your paperwork is in order, and I know just the item to help you stay organized. Use an accordion file or an e xpandable file folder to keep all your essential documents and papers in one place.

Keep the car registration, your insurance information, medical cards, and information related to your destination (such as accommodation details) neatly stored in the file folder. You should also keep a printed version of your itinerary with all your other paperwork.

Make sure to label each section of the folder clearly to know precisely where to find each document when needed. File folders come in many colors and styles, which is excellent if you want to get multiple uses out of them with your home admin. While you may not think you’ll use this, I promise you’ll be happy with this car organization hack for road trips if you do need to find a paper quickly.

Tip: Print a copy of my fantastic road trip trivia questions and keep them in your document holder with all the other travel papers. When things get boring on the road, whip out the questions and enjoy some fun trivia mania.

8. Organized Box with Entertainment Goodies

This is one of the best car storage hacks for your next road trip. Use clear containers and boxes to store essential items, such as coloring books, crayons, and stationery items for the kids. By using clear boxes, you can quickly identify what’s inside of them and get what you need quickly.

In fact, clear boxes are useful for more than just the kids’ entertainment goodies. You should do things a little differently on your next road trip and use clear boxes to store other items in the trunk. These include clothes, shoes, extra toys, and small trinkets you collect along the way – you’ll be glad you took the time to organize your car for a road trip.

Tip: If you have more than one child in the back of the car, a pack of travel games is a great way to eliminate fights and have everyone entertained and playing together.

9. Pop-up Trunk Shelf

The trunk of your vehicle can be a scary place, where different family members throw things in there for “safe-keeping” (only to be re-discovered months later). Bring an end to all of that with this road trip storage idea. Start by cleaning out your trunk and removing all the old junk that may have been sitting there for a long time.

Then, to prepare for your road trip adventure, use trunk shelves (and trunk organizers ) to keep items in the car’s back storage area neat and tidy. Sometimes you want to separate certain things, like keeping muddy, wet, or dirty shoes away from other items.

I suggest you organize the trunk’s items so that those you’ll need to use often are placed on the top (or in front), where they are easy to access. Set the trunk into distinct areas: luggage, groceries, a car emergency kit, dirty clothes, and shoes.

10. Hang Your Groceries Using a Bungee Cord

This idea seems like an odd one, but I promise you it works like a charm. When traveling with groceries, the last thing you want is for separate items to escape from their shopping bags and slide all over the trunk.

That’s why using a bungee or suspension cord is the perfect way to keep them neatly packed and standing upright for the duration of your trip. Fix your cord from one end of the trunk’s side to the other. Enjoy the benefits of not having your grocery items move and shift around in the car’s back storage area.

If you don’t have a bungee or suspension cord, make use of any suitable taut rope that you can fix securely across the length of your trunk.

Tip: Distribute your groceries evenly into all the shopping bags you’ve used. Make sure not to have some bags fuller or heavier than the rest. This way, you’ll avoid the bags tearing or splitting.

11. Pre-Packed First Aid or Sick Kit

As everyone knows, especially parents, minor medical emergencies do happen while on the road. From small cuts to minor bruises and other little mishaps, it’s always best to have a traveler’s first aid kit handy to handle any medical problems when they arise.

It’ll be frustrating if you don’t have the correct items or have to search for them in odd places around the car. So save yourself the stress and hassle by organizing a pre-packed first aid bag (also called a sick kit).

Your kit should have all the medical essentials, such as:

• Bandaids (of different shapes and sizes)
• Rolled bandages
• Alcohol or disinfecting wipes
• Topical cream for insect bites, antiseptic cream
• Disposable gloves
• Painkillers
• Anti-nausea medication for car sickness
• Mini scissors
• Thermometer

Quick tip – make sure all medicines are still good and not expired!

12. Line Your Cup Holders with Baking Cups or Muffin Holders

This is a tip for decreasing the chances of creating a sticky mess in your cup holders when there are spills (and trust me, there will be, even when kids use spill-proof cups ).

By lining your cup holders with baking or muffin cups (try using silicone baking cups if you can), you protect the cup holders and keep them clean. You can change them out whenever they get too dirty, which is why it’s one of my favorite tips to organize a car for a road trip.

Sometimes you’ll travel in a larger group and need more cup holders in the car for all the drinks. Use a muffin tray , which you can place in an appropriately sized basket, as a multi-cup holder.

It’s also a good idea to keep paper towels in a convenient place in the car for quick clean-ups and tidying up after passengers eat something. And, of course, you’ll have wet wipes in your backseat organizer, which is one of my favorite tips to organize for a road trip.

A great way to prevent a mess on your seats and the floor is by using seat and floor protectors (try rubber floor mats ). These will prevent stains in your car from the mess that dirty shoes, spilled drinks, and food cause. Seat and floor protectors also come in handy when traveling with animals.

13. Use Suction Shower Caddies

Another unique road trip organization idea to store items while traveling is to use small suction shower caddies . You attach them to the windows in the backseat so that passengers can store small items like sunscreen, sunglasses, hand sanitizer, and hand cream nearby. This is also a great place to keep snacks and drinks, especially for the little ones.

14. Store the Car Emergency Kit in the Trunk

Although a well-serviced and well-maintained car shouldn’t give you any trouble on the road, it’s best to be prepared for any emergencies (like when the car breaks down). Prepare and store your car emergency kit in the back trunk to be ready when needed.

The kit should contain the basics, including the following:

• Jumper cables
• A wheel wrench
• A tripod jack
• A reflective cloth

The great thing about car emergency kits is that they already have their own designated spot beneath the trunk’s floor covering where the spare tire is typically stored.

15. Use a Designated Garbage Collection Bag

There’s nothing worse than a car full of empty snack packets and bottles lying all over the place. This is why one of my top travel tips is to have a designated garbage collection bag where you can store all your trash.

It’s a surefire way to avoid a dirty, disorganized car during your trip. You can buy a portable car trash can if you’ve got the extra bucks or use an old shopping or plastic bag.

Hang the garbage collection bag from the backseat or keep it on the floor. When you stop at a gas station or take a break to stretch your legs, you can dispose of it once it’s full. Replace it with a fresh, empty one.

Leave enough comfortable leg room if you keep any storage items on the floor. You can do this by storing certain items underneath the car seats.

Have any tips to add on how to organize a car for a road trip? Leave it in the comments!

Marissa Pedersen

Marissa is a passionate road trip enthusiast who has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada via car and continues to go on new trips every year to explore more of the country. Her love of road tripping has given her a unique perspective on the best routes, hidden gems, and must-see attractions along the way.

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Last Updated on 12/20/2023 by jettsetterstravel

14 Genius Road Trip Organization Hacks for 2024

Planning a road trip? Check out these road trip organization hacks! Tips that will help you pack efficiently & keep everything clean and organized during your adventures! 

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

A road trip is a wonderful way to travel! So many amazing places to see and experience.

Road trips have so many benefits! You will probably save money by road-tripping as opposed to other methods of travel. Road trips allow you to be flexible and go with the flow. They provide a great opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones, AND you will often find hidden gems along the way to your desired destinations.

We will be heading out on a 3,000-mile road trip soon with a 1-year-old. We will definitely be implementing these road trip organization tips to maximize space and make our road trip as seamless as possible!

These road trip organization tips will help you to feel more prepared and organized, keep your car from taking a beating, and should help keep everyone happy and entertained during the trip!

15 Genius Road Trip Organization Hacks

Snacks provide entertainment and make everyone happier during a road trip. You will save money and time by packing drinks and snacks instead of buying them at every stop along the way.

Road Trip Snack Organization:

• You can use these stackable snack containers
• These snack cups for young travelers minimize mess and promote independence
• Keep all of the snacks and drinks you will need for the day in one place and easily accessible
• This back seat snack organizer or something similar could hold your road trip snacks and drinks and sit on the backseat floor or middle seat for easy access
• Keep extra snacks and drinks packed away in the trunk so they are out of the way
• Bring a portable cooler or a portable mini fridge (if you want to avoid refilling the cooler with ice constantly) to keep drinks and snacks fresh and cold

Easy On-the-Go Snacks for Kids

• Freeze-dried fruit
• Applesauce pouches or other food pouches
• Cheese stick
• Granola Bars
• Veggies – carrots, peppers, celery
• Fruit – apple slices, bananas 

2. Cord Organization

We have soooo many cords and chargers these days! When we travel we have phone cords, watch chargers, computer chargers, sound machine chargers, camera cords, portable fan chargers, and more….and then you have all of the charging blocks that go along with the cords…you get the point.

Use a travel cable organizer like this one to keep all of your cords and charging blocks contained and in one convenient location. You can also use a bigger electronics organizer like this one to keep all of your devices and cords in.

3. Use Little Containers for Small Items 

Contain small items like loose change, hair ties, medication, pens, and more with one of these little container ideas:

• travel pill bottles
• small pencil pouches
• travel Q-tip containers
• travel cosmetic jars
• clear cosmetic bags
• Stax interlocking storage

4. Keep the Front of the Car Organized

Make the glove box and center counsel your control center with all of your important items.

Clear out any items from the glove box and counsel that you will not need for the road trip.

We usually have about 75 napkins, our car manual (which can be accessed online), and a bunch of loose change, old receipts, and other junk that just gets in the way. All of these extra items can be removed or contained.

This visor tissue holder would be a great place to store tissues, napkins, or masks.

Here are the essentials you will want to keep handy up front: 

• Cell phones and charging cords (make sure cords are contained – see tip above!)
• Wallet with insurance cards, ID, money, credit cards, National Park Pass
• Mini kit with wet wipes, kleenex, hand sanitizer, medication (pain reliever, motion sickness, antiacids, etc.)
• Ziplock bags/Plastic Grocery Bags/ Reusable Wet Bag – we like to keep these under the passenger seat, which makes them easy to pull out if we need to contain any unexpected messes (soiled clothes, muddy shoes, etc.)
• Loose change  (make sure this is contained – see tip above!)
• Binder or File Folder with important documents (itinerary, lodging info, maps, directions, etc.)
• First Aid Kit – we keep this under the passenger seat

Maximize storage space and prevent things from falling in that awkward gap by using these between seat gap filler organizers.

Most people access navigation from their phones these days, so a phone mount can make that easier.

5. Keep the Kids Entertained & Organized

What to Have in the Backseat:

• Small Cooler
• Entertainment
• Blankets & Pillows

These seat-back organizers can help keep everyone’s entertainment items accessible and orderly.

These bag hooks are another backseat organization option.

Click here for 18 travel entertainment ideas for toddlers and babies that are perfect for road trips

6. Protect Your Seats and Floor

Seat protectors keep your seats from getting torn up or damaged by child car seats and can also help with spill protection. I like that they even have some additional handy storage!

These floor protectors will keep mud, spilled food and drinks, and more from staining your car floors and can be easily taken out to clean.

7. Trunk Organization

No matter what type of vehicle you have, it is important to take advantage of your trunk space. Make sure to put the items you will need to access more often on top/toward to door of the trunk.

This organizational caddy with a built-in cooler is perfect for keeping your trunk items organized.

Items to Keep in the Trunk:

• Extra food and drinks
• Dirty Laundry – reusable, washable travel laundry bag
• Car Maintenance Items

If your vehicle has stow-and-go or storage underneath the main trunk area, keep items there that you want to have on hand just-in-case , but likely won’t need to access, like emergency items or car maintenance items (snow scraper, oil, manual, jumper cables, duct tape, cold weather gear, blankets, etc.).

This hanging trunk organizer is another good option for storing maintenance or emergency items in the trunk area without taking up too much space.

Speaking of maintenance, make sure to get an oil change if needed, fill up your tires, and make sure everything is in good working order in your vehicle the week before your road trip. 

8. Portable Trash Can

Keep the car clean and fresh by keeping trash contained in a portable trash can until you can stop and throw it away.

9. Bring an Emergency Kit

We keep a small first aid kit in our vehicles. Hopefully, you won’t need it, but it is always good to be prepared. We keep extra blankets in our car as well for “just in case” purposes.

10. Dryer Sheets to Keep the Car Smelling Fresh

11. Use Packing Cubes

I love packing cubes, ESPECIALLY on road trips. You are often living out of your bag on a road trip as you go from place to place, as opposed to a vacation where you are in one place and can unpack all of your things.

12. Bring a Handheld Vaccum 

Tiny, but powerful! Quickly and easily clean up messes with this compact, handy little vacuum .

13. No Fighting Over Charging Ports

Charge multiple devices at once with this 6-port USB car charger.

14. Use a Binder or Filer to Organize Papers

I personally like to bring a binder to keep our itinerary, park maps, directions, lodging info, and other papers organized on our road trips. One of these expandable file folders would work well too.

Bonus: We love this magnetic license plate game for U.S. road trips. It’s a fun activity for the whole family! 

                         You could also print off a map of the U.S. and let the kids color in each                          state as you spot the corresponding license plate!

That rounds out our list! I hope these road trip organization tips are useful and help you feel more prepared! Get ready to have fun and make priceless memories on your upcoming road trip! 

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20 Road Trip Hacks for a Stress-free Trip

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Road trips are supposed to be fun, but they can also be stressful. 

A lot of planning goes into road trips and there are even more things to worry about once you’re on the road. 

Luckily, we have a few road trip hacks to make your life easier while you’re traveling down the open highway (or up into the mountains). These hacks will help ensure that your trip runs smoothly and you have the time of your life. 

Create Your Own Customized Road Trip Map

A road trip map for the journey ahead will ensure that you don’t forget any essential stops along your way. You could simply print out a normal map you plotted out on Google Maps. But that doesn’t even come close to the awesomeness of a customized map.  

A custom map is much easier to make than it sounds, and there are many different tools out there that help guide you through the process. Our favorite is Google My Maps but many other road trippers use Roadtrippers to plan their road trips.

To learn how you can use Google My Maps to plan your next road trip check out: How to Plan a Road Trip Using Google Maps

Get Free Paper Road Maps and Attraction Guides

There is no need to buy a road atlas or paper road maps.

As you enter each state along the interstate, you will likely find a Welcome Center. These centers offer free paper road maps of the state.

Therefore, make Welcome Centers a stop on your route. They are great for the free road map as well as a bathroom or lunch break.

Also, if you are a AAA member , you can order free road maps through them for your upcoming travels.

The Welcome Centers or Tourism Bureaus will also likely have visitor’s guides. If you look through, you may find some interesting stops along the way.

Make Time For the Small Towns

When planning road trips, many of us focus on the big cities or tourist attractions for our things to see and do. As a result, we end up driving right past those small towns along the route.

Over the years, we’ve learned that those small towns have a lot to offer, but the allure of a big city can easily overshadow them.

Small towns offer a chance to get to know the people and learn about the culture and history of an area. Stopping in small-town restaurants, shops, and museums, will also help support some great businesses.

Our favorite small-town stops have been breweries, wineries, and distilleries. They offer a chance to sit down and chat all while learning about the area.

Stay at Hotels With Free Breakfast

If your road trip requires you to stay in hotels along your route, find hotels with complimentary breakfast. Getting a meal in before you hit the road is a great money and time saver.

Complimentary breakfast means one less meal you have to plan for and spend money on. It’s also a great way to get your morning coffee and a few snacks for the day ahead.

Pack a Picnic Kit

Whether you are packing your meals or stopping for food along your way, you never know when you will need those napkins, cutlery, or plates. 

A Picnic Kit can include the following items:

• Plastic table cloth (you’ll be happy to have this)
• Steak Knife

Pack each of these items into an accessible small bag that you can set in a convenient place, such as under the passenger seat.  This way, the picnic supplies are easy to access when needed.

If you want to have everything you’ll need and keep it organized, you can always purchase a picnic kit .

Create Small Bags of Snacks for Each Day

Breaking up snacks into individual servings will not only help keep you organized but will also prevent you from eating an entire bag of chips in one sitting. 

No one has ever felt good after eating an entire 1lb of gummy bears.

You can also place individual bags of snacks in separate larger bags labeled with each day. Having small bags of snacks for each day makes it easy to grab what you need for the day and to divvy them out to each passenger.

Bring an Electric Cooler

Having a cooler to store snacks and meals will save you money. And having food on hand will prevent those hunger melt-downs that will easily ruin the mood of a road trip.

But draining a traditional cooler and restocking the ice can be a real pain.

Thankfully, there are electric coolers that you can purchase that plug into the 12 Volt outlet in your car. They come in a variety of sizes depending on the amount of space you have available.

These electric coolers are a must-have for any road trip. We like the affordability of this Igloo Cooler .

Bring Some Cash and Change

You never know when you are going to need change or cash on your road trip.

We like to keep an envelope with a little bit of cash in our glove box. That way, we always have cash if needed.

You also never know when you are going to need change. Tolls and laundry can require change, and scrambling to find some can put a damper on any trip.

Don’t Keep Your Credit Cards and Cash In the Same Place

Keep your credit card and cash in at least two different places so that if you misplace or lose one, you have a backup stash.

If traveling in a pair, this is easy to do as you can split up the cash and cards between the two of you. If you plan to use one card, maybe keep an extra card in a third place in case of an emergency.

If you are solo, keep a stash of money on you and inside a suitcase or glove box.

Raid the Dollar Store For Cheap Kid Distractions

Want to keep those kids entertained throughout your road trip?

Then hit up your local dollar store and find a bunch of little surprises to give to the kids every few hours.

These little surprises will help keep them occupied throughout the trip and help build anticipation. 

If you plan it right, you could even have themes for each gift related to where you’ll be. Some examples are bubbles when stopping at a park for a picnic or a pail and shovel for a stop at the beach.

Download Audiobooks

Keep everyone in the car entertained and mentally occupied with audiobooks. They keep your attention better than music does and helps the time fly by.

Books like the Harry Potter series or biographies read by the author are great options for road trips.

More Road Trip Entertainment Ideas: 15 Ridiculously Fun Road Trip Games Road Trip Activities: Fun Ideas for a Long Car Ride

Download the GyPSy Guide App

Before heading out on your road trip, check to see if the GyPSy Guide App has any audio tours available for your destinations. Audio tours are available for many of the National Parks and popular road trip destinations.

We absolutely love using the GyPSy Guide App, to help us learn about the area we are driving through. It’s like having your own personal tour guide in your car.

The app plays snippets of information based on your GPS location. It also has great suggestions for the best ways to see an area.

Use Suction Cup Caddies to Hold Kids Art Supplies

Kids love to be creative on road trips.

But the backseat can get messy real fast when their crayons, markers, paint, and paper start flying everywhere.

Luckily, you can buy suction cup shower caddies that attach right to the window and hold all those art supplies in place for easy access.

Not only does this save the car from disaster, but it also helps prevent stress when the kids can’t find their favorite markers.

Use a Cookie Baking Sheet For a Lap Desk

This hack is great for both kids and adults.

Instead of buying a car tray to eat, draw, or write on, use something you already have, like a cookie baking sheet.

Create a Bucket  Pulley System to Pass Items to the Back Seat

When the kid in the third row wants a snack, but the kids in the middle seats are sleeping, you’ll be happy you installed a bucket pulley system.

All you need to create your pulley system is a small bucket, some twine or string, and two suction cups.

Just attach the suction cups to the windows on either side of your car.  Then thread the string through both of them and tie a knot.

This bucket pulley system that you can use to pass things back and forth in the car.

This hack allows you to easily pass snacks, water bottles, extra toys, maps, etc., from one row of seats to another.

Use Cheap Portable Shower Caddies as In-Car Organization

Shower caddies are great for keeping all your road trip essentials organized.

So when you go to the dollar store and buy a couple of cheap ones, it will save you many headaches.

You can use them to hold everything from trash bags to paper towels, wet wipes, and tissues. They are great for keeping trash off the floor of your car and help prevent spills.

Use a Shoe Organizer for Back Seat Storage

Shoe organizers are great for keeping anything you need in the back seat organized.

They fit on most seat-backs and hold a bunch of stuff, from toys to extra clothes or food.  

Hang them from the front seats’ headrests, and you’ll have a back seat that stays organized.

Roll Your Clothes Instead of Folding Them

Rolling your clothes helps in two ways.

One, it helps keep your clothes wrinkle-free. And, two, it saves space in your suitcase or packing cube.

To make things even better, you can also roll your outfits for the day together. Roll together pants, shirts, socks, and underwear for each day. This prevents you from having to dig around your suitcase to find each piece of clothing.

Bring Overnight Bags

If you plan to stay in multiple hotels over your trip, it is a great idea to pack a small overnight bag for each person. This cuts down on the amount of luggage you have to lug into the hotel each night.

All you need is one set of clothes and essential toiletries in a small bag.

To make things even easier, label each bag with the person’s name, or get different colors, so everyone knows where their bag is.

Bring a Foldable Wagon

A foldable wagon will make it easy to take coolers, groceries, and supplies from the car to the campsite, picnic area, or hotel during your road trip.

Schedule a Car Detailing for After Your Road Trip

Getting your car detailed after you get back from your road trip will be the best decision you can make. When you get home, you can just unpack and not worry about cleaning up.

When planning your road trip budget, make sure to include the cost of detailing your car once you return.

Doing so will turn those stressful messes into “we’ll deal with that later.”

You’ll thank me later for this one.

More Road Trip Planning Tips: Tips to Help You Save Money on Your Next Road Trip When is the Best Time to Leave for a Long Road Trip? How to Budget for a Road Trip

You Got This

With these road trip hacks, you will have a stress-free road trip.

Many of these hacks will also save you money and allow you to stay organized throughout your entire trip.

Now get out there and have the best road trip that you can!

Home › Blog › 17 Crazy Smart Must-Have Road Trip Tips and Hacks

17 Crazy Smart Must-Have Road Trip Tips and Hacks

By Christine Jerry

Published Apr 04, 2024

Traveling for the holidays or enjoying family vacation? Road trips with kids can get crazy. Use these must-have sanity-saving road trip tips!  We have found the must-have genius road trip tips to make car travel around town and long road trips with kids so much easier – and even fun!

If you’ve been a regular here at One Crazy House, I’m sure you’ve become accustomed to our lists of hacks.  Our goal with providing hacks and helpful tips is to help make it just a little easier for you.

Road Trip Tips To Make Traveling With Kids Fun

With the busiest travel days ahead of us, we figured it’s time to get prepared with a few road trip tips. As any parent who has ever ventured on a long road trip can tell you, road trips with kids can be a challenge – unless you use these tips!

1. Stay Organized with Front Doormats

Getting mud in the floor, or crumbs or all. the. things. is one of the things that both decreases the cleanliness of the vehicle, but also decreases the value! But, typical car floor mats don’t always fit or offer the coverage AND STYLE that we know you want!

Outdoor-front doormats to the rescue! They are easy to cut with a utility knife and you have custom and stylish car mats, that truly work to contain the mess.

2. Make Sections with Shower Curtain Rods

Another genius tip we have to help you make the most of your trunk space is to use bins, totes, and a tension shower curtain rod to help make “sections” in your trunk. 

This part of your car becomes usable when it’s not a pile of items bouncing around.  Put the items you need occasionally towards the back of your trunk, and keep the easy-to-access space up front for things you need to grab quickly.

3. Plan Your Road Trip Like a Prep Pro

No matter where your road trip is taking you, preparation can make it stress-free and adventurous.  I love using a planning guide and this camping planner can help guide you through the process even if you never spend one night in a tent! The $7 spent on the Camping planner  is well worth it!!  Your sanity is worth it!!

3. Get Your Car Inspected

This is SO important. Nothing can derail your road trip plan faster than an unexpected mishap. Although we don’t have control over everything, we have to do our best to take preventative measures.

Before you hit the road and pack the car, make sure to get your tires checked and your vehicle inspected. You don’t need any surprises along the way if you can avoid them. There are many tire shops that are willing to do an inspection for free, so there’s no excuse not to take this preventative measure.

If the worst happens and you DO need some car repairs, you may be able to take care of them yourself! Here are 11 easy car repairs that you can do on your own .

4. Plan for Seasonal Conditions

This is particularly true if you’re traveling in the winter! You’ll want these winter car hack tips if you have to deal with snow. If you are like me and don’t deal with winter often, these hacks are essentials!

5. Pass the Time with Post-it Notes

Write down specific times on Post-it Notes stick them on the dash just below the clock. When the clock displays each time written down, give the kids a surprise. It will give them something to look forward to at regular intervals.

6. Get Crafty to Keep Toddlers Busy

This next idea from Kids Activities Blog would be PERFECT for toddlers since they are completely obsessed with clips and zippers. Check out their tutorial for this DIY Clipping Toy. Your kids will stay busy with clip after clip…

7. Save Tons on Eating Out

Eating out along the way can be very expensive, especially if you have the whole family in tow. Thankfully, meal prep for the road doesn’t need to be hard!

A good cooler will get you a long way on your meal planning goals. Fill it with bottles of water, and healthy snack foods such as:

• hardboiled eggs
• cheese sticks
• baby carrots and/or cucumbers
• pre-packaged containers of hummus
• deli meat or shredded chicken
• juice boxes
• water bottles

Then, in a separate bin, keep food items that do not need to be chilled. I like to pre-package everything into small ziplock bags so all I need to do during the trap is pass them out to everyone. I put:

• homemade trail mix
• tortillas (these are great for a quick meal – just fill them with hummus and shredded chicken and cheese from your cooler!)
• protein bars

I try to keep our food within the car fairly healthy and lower in sugar. It only takes a few hours with hyped-up children trapped in the car to clean up my diet! 

Pssst…don’t forget the napkins and eating utensils and an extra supply of wet wipes.

8. Buy a Car Trash Can – or Two!

I seriously did not realize how life-changing a simple car trash can would be for us! This is one of my favorite road trip tips! I recommend getting 1-2 smaller trash cans that can fit plastic grocery bags as the liner or use a cereal container. Whenever you stop for gas or to eat, simply grab the bag and toss it in the trash.

9. Turn Any Mug into a Spill-Proof One

We’re somehow always running out of travel mugs – thankfully, this simple hack will let you turn any cup into a spill-proof one!

10. Stretch Your Dollar

Get better gas mileage by using your cruise control feature and making sure your tires are inflated at the optimal PSI. I know it’s tempting to get to your destination faster, but keeping a steady pace will save you from filling up more frequently.

11. Use Cupcake Liners to Keep the Cupholders Clean

This is one of my favorite car hacks of all time for cup holders. If you always end a road trip with sticky cupholders (bleh!), this is one of the road trip tips just for you! Line your cupholders with silicone cupcake liners . Once they get gross, simply take them out and wash them before putting them right back!

12. Make a DIY Car Sick Bag

Got a child (or adult!) who gets car sick? Make a car sick kit by gathering up plastic bags, Dramamine, an electrolyte drink, some saltines, and disinfectant. Keep them at the ready…just in case!

5 More Car Trip Tips to Try

• Love this idea to stock up on shower caddies for the car from Grey House Harbor . An inexpensive shower caddy with a suction cup can be placed on the car window and act as an extra holding spot for toys and snacks. Genius!
• Anyone who has road tripped with kids knows that the backseat is guaranteed to be filled with crumbs by the time you get home.  With this fun road trip hack from Lemon Lime Adventures , this problem in solved! Wrap duct tape sticky side out around your kids’ feet and let them play footsies to see who can pick up the most crumbs!
• Keep your kids unplugged and entertained in the car with a printed sheet of license plates from each state from Living Well Mom . Once they have found it on the road, they can check it off and keep searching for the rest!
• I love this idea from A Girl and a Glue Gun ! Use a tackle box to put together a portable emergency kit that can join you on all your road trip adventures.
• I love this smart solution from HGTV that uses a shower caddy to hold food and snacks.

I hope you found a few helpful ideas for your next family road trip. No matter what chaos may occur, remember you’re making memories and that’s the most important thing.

For more travel tips, make sure to check out our Traveling Tips to Make Your Next Trip a Breeze , it’s full of incredible tips and tricks you’ll definitely want.

They might not always seem fun at the time, but they will always be memorable. Happy travels!

EASY MEALS, HAPPY FAMILIES

Tired of the daily dinner dilemma? Grab our FREE Meals Made Easy Planner and say hello to quick, satisfying family meals. Plus, get our BONUS Low-Stress Lunchbox Planner FREE for a limited time!

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42 Genius Car Organization Ideas, Hacks, & Tips (Perfect for Trucks & SUV’s Too)

Table of Contents

Best car organization ideas to keep your car organized and clean

Whether you spend long hours in your car traveling for work, are constantly stuck in traffic, going on a road trip, or have kids that need to be kept entertained, these car organization ideas are the perfect storage solution for anyone’s needs. 

Some of these car organizers will help you maximize storage space and find a home for everything. Others will help to keep everything you need close by keeping you safe while driving or even to stay connected while on the road. 

These car organization hacks are perfect for…

• Mom car organization tips to keep all your kid’s stuff picked up and from taking over your vehicle.
• Road trip car organization hacks to maximize space to store everything you need in a way that will make it easier to find. 
• Living out of your car organization and storage ideas to make a place for just about everything but the kitchen sink.
• Work out of your car organization ideas to create a car office where you can find everything you need easily so you don’t waste time searching for things, making your job a bit easier.
• Or just about anybody else who wants to keep their car clean and organized.

Car organization accessory ideas include…

• Seat Organizers (including back of seat organizers and front seat organizers)

Car Console Organizer

• Trunk Organizer & Cargo storage 
• Sun Visor Organizer
• Coin Holder Organizer
• Car Accessories

Car Cleaning Accessories

Glove box car organization.

• Car Desk & Car Seat Trays

Car Seat Protector

• Car Clothes Rack
• Car Electronics Organization

Check out these car organization ideas, hacks, and tips to declutter and organize your vehicle

Fun Ways To Decorate a Car for Any Occasion

Including ways to decorate a car for a wedding, graduation, driveby birthday parade, Christmas & Halloween 

Seat Organizer

Seat organizers are one of the most popular car organization products that you can get because they’re large enough to hold a lot of stuff, yet don’t take a lot of room at the same time.

They utilize space in your car that would otherwise go to waste. Here are a few different back seat organizers to fit just about everyone’s needs.

Back of Seat Organizer 

This premium leather car back seat organizer is not only functional but very sleek and stylish too. It holds all kinds of travel accessories, has cup holders for back seat passengers, and comes with a tissue box holder too. 

Back of Seat Organizer With Trash Can

Keep your car clean and organized with this car back seat organizer with a trash can , tissue compartment, and bottle holders to stash auto cleaning wipes.

Multi-Compartment Car Backseat Organizer with Tablet Holder

This back seat car organizer is perfect to keep your kids stuff organized in your car as well and keep the kiddos entertained on road trips or even when you are just running errands around town.

Portable Car Back Seat Organizer with Tray

This portable back seat organizer is another great option to keep everything organized and out of the way. It also has a table tray that can be used as a travel desk or for eating on the go. 

Keep everything you need organized and within reach with these car console organizers. There are many options to choose from including seat pockets, cup holder organizer, and seat barrier with extra storage.

Gap Filler Storage Organizer Caddy

This car seat console extension and organizers are great for creating a drop stop barrier in the thin cracks between the seat and console so you’ll never lose anything in the gaps. It also provided extra storage for smaller items such as cell phones and wallets as well as provides extra cup holders.

Car Back Seat Barrier with Extra Storage

This leather car back seat barrier is the perfect place to store your purse or just about anything else so you can keep things at arm’s reach while keeping them out of the way.

It also provides a barrier to help keep your pets in the back seat so they don’t distract you while driving.

Car Cup Holder Organizer

This multifunctional car cup holder organizer is great since it extends your center console. Plus, it can also hold smaller items such as cell phones, keys, pens, and change among other items.  

This car cup organizer is another way to keep small items organized and at the tip of your fingers. It has slots to hold two cell phones as well as pens, sunglasses, or any other smaller item that may get lost without a dedicated place to keep it.

Trunk Organizer

Utilizing your trunk’s storage capacity to keep your car interior organized is great but you also need to keep things in their place too. There are many trunk organization ideas whether you have a car, truck, SUV, crossover or van.

Cargo Tote Organizer Trunk Storage

This trunk organizer is not only great for storage for just about any vehicle whether you have a car, truck, SUV, crossover, or van with its multi compartments.

But it’ll also space-saving so you can keep everything contained without taking a whole lot of room plus it’s easily portable making it super convenient to have.

Auto Trunk Organizer

This trunk storage idea is great to create extra storage and utilize the space in your car truck that would otherwise be wasted space around the wheel wells with this amazing and simple solution.  

SUV Trunk Organizer

This super-capacity SUV trunk organizer equipped with multi-pocket storage bins and mesh pockets will keep your car trunk tidy while utilizing what would normally be unused space.  It’s also perfect for crossovers, vans, trucks, and hatchback-type cars too.

Backseat Cargo Trunk Organizer

This deluxe car backseat trunk organizer has 3 large hanging storage bags to keep everything neat and in its place. It even has a built-in cooler, perfect for road trips, and is super easy to install in any car, truck, SUV, RV, or Van around the back seat headrests. 

Trunk Cargo Shelf for SUVs and Crossovers

Not only does this retractable rear cargo trunk shelf help you organize your car but it also offers a security shield to prevent heavy objects from flying into the front of your vehicle in an accident or when slamming on the breaks to avoid one.

Cargo Organizer Trunk Storage

This metal trunk organizer storage box is another product that will help provide extra storage by utilizing dead space in your trunk around the wheel wells.

Laundry Basket Trunk Organization

If you’re looking for a cheap trunk organization idea, this laundry basket DIY trunk organizing trick from Creek Line House fits the bill.  You can use inexpensive laundry baskets or evens some cheap Dollar Tree storage bins found at any dollar store or on Amazon and you could use bungee cords to keep the baskets from tipping and in their place.

Want more organization tips delivered straight to your inbox? Just enter your email address below to sign up for our newsletter. 

Car Caddy Organizer

Caddy organizers are the go-to product to organize just about anything but are particularly great for organizing a car since you can pack lots of stuff in a small space while keeping everything organized and easy to find.

Car Organizer For Front Seat

This car caddy is the perfect car organizer for front seat to keep everything you need within reach and is great for people who need to work from their car. It has a dedicated tablet and laptop storage and multiple other pockets to keep just about anything you’d need and it’s easily portable too so you can bring it into the house or office if needed.

Passenger Seat Car Caddy Organizer 260

Here’s another option for a car front passenger seat organizer . This car caddy organizer has a dedicated tissue holder, which comes in really handy and has divided storage compartments to keep you organized. 

Car Organizer Caddy 

This portable car organizer caddy is great for either the front or back seat and has movable dividers so you can create compartments for storing and organizing anything you need. 

Car Organization Window Caddy

Here is another inexpensive and unique car organization idea for kids I found at Grey House Harbor to keep your children’s stuff close by to keep them occupied in the car. 

This unique car organization window caddy idea is perfect for road trip kid prep organization and it uses shower caddies with suction cups to cling to your car window. Here are a few caddies I found on Amazon that would work for this idea.

Car Seat Organizer Caddy

This car seat organizer caddy is great for storing all your kid’s toys to keep them entertained during long road trips or while you are just running errands around town.

Car Coin Holder Organizer

Car coin holders are not only great for car organization but are a must if you drive on the highway and have to pay tolls since you can easily grab whatever change you need without getting distracted from the road. 

Coin Case Storage Box

Organize all your change in your car with this coin case storage box that fits on your car dashboard or in your car console or glove box compartment. 

Cup Holder Coin Holder Organizer

Here is another coin organizer option that has dedicated slots for quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies in convenient cup-style storage that fits perfectly in any cup holder in your car. 

Car Sun Visor Organizer

Car sun visor organizers are another must-have product to keep your car organized and everything you need close by. Here are a few different visor organizer options depending on your needs.  

Sun Visor Organizer 880

This car sun visor organizer has multiple pockets to hold sunglasses, credit cards, cell phones, and much more. It also has a zippered compartment to store other small items such as phone charging cords and other small accessories. 

Multi-Purpose Car Visor Organizer

This multi-purpose car visor organizer is unique with its elastic band design to keep everything from sunglasses to cell phones secure and out of the way. It comes in a 2 pack so you can have one for each of your sun visors. 

Sun Visor Tissue Box Holder

Who doesn’t need to keep tissues within arms reach while on the road? This sun visor tissue box holder makes it easy to pick up spills and messes in your car to keep it clean.

This sun visor organizer is simple yet keeps essential documents such as registration, license, and proof of insurance all in one place just in case…

Your car’s glove box is not just to keep gloves and is sometimes forgotten storage that can be used to store all kinds of smaller items that are easily lost in a car if not in a dedicated place. 

Glove compartment organizer

This car registration, proof of insurance, and driver’s license holder is another great way to keep all your important documents together in one place to make them easily accessible when needed.

Expandable Document File

Keep all the documentation for your vehicle in one placed and organized in this Filofax type expandable filing system . It’s perfect for keeping all your car maintenance, warranty information, receipts, and any other document needed for your car in one place. 

Glove Box Organizer

This glove box organizer is a shelving system to add compartments or dedicated spaces to fit your needs in vehicles with a larger glove compartment.

Clothes Rack For Car

If you travel for business, are going on a road trip, or live in your car, your going to want to keep your garments from wrinkling and in good shape. Using a clothes rack made for cars is the perfect solution, here are some clothes rack for car ideas to check out. 

Head Rest Hooks

This headrest hanger holder hook is the perfect way to keep clothes, handbags, and even grocery bags organized with headrest hooks. These hooks are universal and can clip right on the bars of your headrest in seconds. 

Car Clothes Hanging Bar

Create a moving closet in your car with this clothes hanging bar that hooks right onto the hand grasps in your back seat or you can also hook it on the garment hooks if you have them.  

This hanging rod rack is perfect if you travel for business or go on road trips and can hold up to 50 lbs and is expandable so it will work in any car, SUV, or truck. 

Multi Garment Hook Clothes Hanger 

Another great option for keeping clothing from wrinkling is this multi-garment hook clothes hanger that can accommodate multiple hangers. It can be hung on the handgrips of your car or on any hook you have available. 

Car Desk Travel Tray

Car trays are the perfect organizational idea for people who travel for work or work out of their cars as well as keeping the kids occupied during long road trips.  Here are a few of the best car tray ideas that would work in any vehicle. 

Steering Wheel Tray

This car steering wheel tray is great for creating a car office so you can work on a laptop as well as eating food on the go when on long road trips

Kids Travel Car Tray

Here’s a great kid’s travel car tray to keep the kiddos occupied in the back seat. They can use this car tray to draw or do different activities that require a desk. Plus it has a no-drop tablet iPad holder stand and even storage pockets for art supplies. 

Car seat protectors are not only a must to keep your car clean, but also help to not lose value in your large investment if you have stained seats. Plus, they are super easy to pull out and wash compared to shampooing your car seats.

Back Seat Car Protector

This bench car seat protector is made out of heavy-duty waterproof material so it’s perfect for both kids and pets alike to keep your car clean and organized.

Bench & Bucket Seat Covers

These universal car seat covers aren’t only great for protecting your seats from damage and stains but can also for comfort to your ride with the 3D air mesh design for extra padding.

Car organization would be obsolete if you didn’t also keep your ride clean too. These are a few car cleaning accessories you should consider investing in to organize a car.

Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner

This high-powered corded handheld travel vacuum is the perfect car cleaning accessory that everyone should invest in. It has a 16 foot 12V cable and plugs into your car’s lighter so it’s great for car detailing and cleaning the interior.

Car Humidifier Diffuser

Keep your car smelling amazing with this essential oil aromatherapy mini diffuser plug-in . It not only looks like a cool car accessory but is functional in keeping your car humidified during the winter months when you have dry blowing air warming your car.

Electronics Car Organization

In this day and age where everyone is plugged in all the time, it would be silly of me not to mention electronics car organization ideas.  There are many car charging stations and cell phone holders to choose from so here’s a round-up of the best that I’ve found. 

Wireless Car Charger

Car charges can look classy too and that’s exactly why this wireless car charger with an infrared smart sensor is the perfect car accessory. Plus it clips in your car vents for easy installation. 

Car Charging Station

Need to charge multiple cell phones and electronics at the same time? No problem, this car charging station has multiple USB ports to keep everything charged and organized.

Car Phone Mount

This car phone mount works well for smaller vehicles that don’t have much console space. It has a strong sticky gel suction cup that mounts to your dashboard or windshield and is compatible with most phones.

Car Phone Mount Cup Holder

This CupFone universal cell phone holder fits into any cup holder in your car to mount your phone so you can easily see it while keeping your hands on the wheel. Works with most cell phones including iPhones. 

Car Organization Ideas, Hacks, and Tips Conclusion

As you can see, there are many car organization ideas that can help you get and stay organized for just about everyone’s needs. 

Pick a few organizing ideas to solve your worst storage problems so you can feel less anxiety while driving a clutter-free car. 

Do you have any other car organization ideas to add to this list? If so, please leave a comment to share them with us.

If you like this article, please share it!

Check out these articles to help you keep your home and life organized too!

Ways To Decorate a Car for Any Occasion

20 Genius Ways to Organize a Small Bedroom

Organize a Pantry in 10 Easy Steps Plus 18 Creative Pantry Storage Ideas

How To Organize a Chest Freezer (so you can actually find what you need)

Best Planners for Moms To Get and Stay Organized

Family Command Center Ideas To Organize Your Home & Family

15 Brilliant Ways To Organize Pots and Pans In Any Kitchen

Car Organization FAQ

How should i organize my car.

1. Find a place for everything 2. Utilize every small nook 3. Use a car caddy to keep everything in its place 4. Keep what you need handy & at arm’s length 5. Use a cargo tote to store larger items in the trunk

How do you keep your car clean and organized?

1. Keep a trash can in your car to pick up debris 2. Always have car wipes handy 3. Carry a portable car vacuum in your trunk 4. Find a place for everything 5. Put things back where you found them

What do you put in a car organzier?

1. Cell phone 2. Driving or sunglasses 3. Loose change 4. Car documents 5. Car accessories

Where do you keep change in your car?

The best places to keep your change in a car organization console or in a coin change holder.

How do I declutter my car?

Start by getting rid of anything that you don’t need, then find a place for everything that you use in your car on a regular basis with car organizers.

How do you keep groceries from rolling around in you car?

1. Hang your grocery bags on headrest hooks 2. Use laundry baskets tied down with bungee cords 3. Put them in a cargo trunk organizer 4. Use cardboard boxes to keep your groceries upright

How do I organize my car with kids?

There are many car organization ideas that will help you keep your kids stuff organized and out of the way. Car caddies and back seat organizers are perfect.

42 Genius Car Organization Ideas, Hacks, & Tips {Great For Truck, SUV, Crossover, Van, & RV’s  Too}

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With the phased reopening of national parks and a slow comeback by the hospitality industry, more and more travelers are itching to explore, and are opting for regional road trips instead of international flights. Knowing how to organize your car is key to having a stress free adventure , and keeping it that way doesn’t have to be time consuming. These simple and ingenious hacks will save your sanity on the road.

Plug Into a Multi Outlet Adapter

With a car full of road trippers and maybe some younger ones in tow, you’re sure to have plenty of gadgets that you’ll need to keep charged. After hours of streaming movies on the iPad and navigating the roads on your phone with Google Maps, a multi outlet adapter will come in handy for charging all of your electronics at the same time. This way, nobody has to fight over who gets to charge their devices when. This 4-port car charger can accommodate up to four devices simultaneously, and since one of those ports is an 18W USB-C port, you can even plug in a small laptop or a Nintendo Switch on the go. Just be sure to get long-enough charging cables to reach into the back seat.

Strap on a Car Trash Can

Part of the fun of a long road trip is being able to snack , but it inevitably ends in a pile of candy bar wrappers and chip bags at our feet if we’ve forgotten to pack a plastic bag or bring along a car trash can. Putting the garbage all in one bag makes it easy to empty it at the next rest stop. This StashAway Console hangs from the headrest or the center console so you don’t have to give up precious leg room, and keeps your car free of clutter, as it holds 1.5 gallons of trash. It’s lined with a durable vinyl that makes it leak proof if you hastily stash a water bottle in there, and its sturdy build keeps it from tipping over as you navigate windy and bumpy roads. The StashAway Console features three storage pockets which can hold hand sanitizer, wipes, and extra trash bags so you can clean your hands and prep the trash can for your next segment of the drive after emptying it out. If you’re in a pinch, a common household item like this cereal dispenser will also double as a trash can.

Keep Cool With a Car Cooler

Having to pack a cooler with you in the car can take up a lot of space especially if you’re already traveling at maximum capacity, but it’s also annoying to have to stop and reach in the trunk each time your kids ask for a drink. Go for a compact car cooler to keep your food and drinks cool, and by opting for freeze packs, you no longer need to stop at a McDonalds every few hours to get fresh ice cubes. This car cooler by Arctic Zone is leak proof and its interior is lined with an easy-to-wipe material. A thoughtful feature is the removable SmartShelf, which lets you separate soft foods like sandwiches, boiled eggs, and yogurt tubes from bottles of drinks to avoid crushing the food. If you like to stop at parks and scenic viewpoints for snack breaks, this cooler is equipped with an accessory pocket that holds cutlery and wipes so you can park, pick up the cooler, and go.

Get It Together With a Grid Organizer

Grid organizers are designed so you know exactly where everything is placed at a glance. All of your essentials are laid out in front of you and secured in place, and you’ll always know if you’re missing anything before leaving a destination. For easy access to essentials as a driver, attach a Grid-It organizer to your visor with your sunglasses, a couple of pens and a paper map, just in case you lose signal on the road and forgot to download an offline version. Or use a grid organizer to keep all of your charging cables separated. If you’re planning on going on hikes, then switch it up and attach a flashlight, carabiner, and sunscreen to your grid organizer. What makes it convenient is that you can take the whole grid and toss it in your backpack when you reach your destination. With this, you don’t have to pack everything in Ziploc pouches and dig through a seemingly bottomless pack to find the one thing you need.

Share the Screen With a Headrest Mount

In addition to playing classic road trip games like I Spy and 20 Questions, backseat entertainment is a must to help tiny travelers pass the time. Whether you’re taking along an iPad for movies or offering your phone to the kids for music and games, a headrest mount will ensure a seamless experience. This one by Macally attaches to the headrest and is versatile as it can hold different devices, whether it’s your phone or tablet. And because the mount extends, the screen can be shared among all passengers in the back row, which is especially convenient if your kids like to play Mario Kart on the Nintendo Switch while you drive.

Make a Play Nook With a Shoe Organizer

Take this opportunity to craft a hanging toy nook and bring along your child’s favorite items. Using a shoe organizer , which you can hang from the neck rest of the front seat, fill in the pouches with stuffed animals, baby wipes, crayons, and coloring books, so your child has easy access to all the items. This shoe organizer takes advantage of unused space, and because it’s made from mesh, your child can see at a glance exactly what’s in each compartment.

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14 Ways to Get Organized for the Best Road Trip

Does the term “road trip” leave you breathless with excitement…or paralyzed with panic? Traveling by car (especially with family) can feel stressful, but it doesn’t have to.

To ensure the most comfortable, enjoyable road trip possible, you’ll just need to get organized and plan ahead. I’ve researched the best road trip organization tips and resources to help!

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission from qualified purchases at absolutely no cost to you. Please see the Disclaimer for more information.

1. Check Ahead for Road Closures & Weather Forecasts

The first tip for getting organized for a road trip is to plan ahead . It’s always a great idea to check your route for any road closures due to construction and weather forecasts.

One place to look is the National Traffic and Road Closure Information page of the Federal Highway Administration website. It links to each state’s Department of Transportation site as well as the National Weather Service and other resources.

If you use a navigation app, Google Maps and Waze can alert you of accidents, construction and road closures and can divert you ahead of time.

2. Get a Pre-Trip Car Inspection

A pre-trip car inspection is extremely important, particularly if you’re embarking on a long road trip.

It’s even more important than having enough snacks for the kids!

Long trips cause stress and wear on a car, and there’s nothing worse than breaking down on a long stretch of highway. (Been there, done that. Not fun.)

Before embarking on any car travel, be sure to do the following:

• Check the oil (and change, if necessary)
• Check and top off other fluids, including brake fluid, windshield cleaner, and coolant
• Inspect the air filter (if dirty, replace)
• Check the battery (consider replacing if it’s a few years old)
• Check the air pressure in your tires and inflate to the recommended PSI (don’t forget the spare, too!)
• Inspect the tread on your tires (replace if they’re below 2/32″)
• Make sure all lights and signals are working
• Check the wiper blades (replace if worn)
• Wash the car to ensure maximum visibility
• Give the car a test ride to check for any unusual noises or vibrations

If you don’t want to do all of this yourself (or you’re not sure you know how), you can make an appointment with your mechanic to give the car a complete look-over and tune-up.

I’ve chosen this option before when I was driving an older model car and wanted to be extra sure it was safe for a long trip.

3. Make a Road Trip Essentials Packing List

A packing list is a huge help in staying organized on a road trip. Think about every situation that may arise during the trip, and purchase and pack accordingly!

As you make your list, consider:

• Clothing and toiletries for each passenger
• Entertainment for kids
• Electronic devices and chargers
• Food and snacks
• Drinks, especially water
• Pet needs if applicable
• Comfort items like pillows

4. Have an Emergency Travel Kit

Stay prepared for any curve in the road with an emergency travel kit. If you have one you’ve used before, check that it’s fully stocked before you hit the road. At a minimum, your kit should include the following:

• Jumper cables
• Emergency warning triangle(s)
• Air compressor/tire inflator
• Air pressure gauge
• First aid essentials

Amazon sells a 76-piece kit from the American Automobile Association’s exclusive licensee. This kit meets AAA’s minimum standards for quality and safety. It contains just about anything you might need if you find yourself with a dead battery, low tire pressure or other roadside emergency.

5. Give Each Passenger a Travel Pillow

Maintaining a proper comfort level for your passengers helps ensure everyone arrives at the destination in a good mood. A nice travel pillow goes a long way in the comfort department.

The example below features a memory foam core with a washable micro-fiber cover for comfy softness. Add a travel blanket or two, and everyone will arrive at the destination feeling well-rested and ready for adventure.

6. Install a Car Cooler with Snack Tray

Let your passengers satisfy their need to nibble and sip with a handy car cooler/snack tray/travel organizer. It conveniently keeps drinks cold, snacks plentiful, and has pockets for books and other travel necessities. The flip-top lid serves as a snack tray and play surface for travel games, too.

7. Assign a Colored, Reusable Water Bottle to Each Passenger

It’s easy to get dehydrated while traveling. Give each passenger their own color-coded insulated water bottle to use in the car and while hiking or adventuring.

Stainless steel, reusable water bottles are a great way to keep drinking water cold longer. Plus, they’re durable and environmentally friendly. And they don’t have to cost a fortune! Check out these affordable options:

8. Install Dual-Port USB Phone/Device Chargers

Traveling with friends or family members in the car? Be sure to have enough USB charging ports or you’ll have a mutiny on your hands. This Amazon Basics dual-port USB charger works for both Apple and Android devices. Just plug it into the car’s DC adapter and you’re set. (Charging cables not included.)

9. Avoid Bathroom Accidents With a Travel Potty

Road trips with young kids require LOTS of potty stops. But what if the next rest stop is miles away (or worse, closed)? I highly recommend a travel potty! We used one all the time when my son was potty-training (and for a year or so after, on long road trips).

This model is collapsible, so it travels nice and light in the trunk or backseat. It cleans easily and comes with a storage bag.

BONUS TIP: For up-to-date information on rest stop closures, here’s a handy list of Department of Transportation links and phone numbers for every state.

10. Stock Up on Travel Toilet Paper

11. Don’t Forget a Map (Paper or Downloadable)

If you’re headed to a location where cell service may be iffy (and you don’t have a navigation system in your car), a map will really come in handy.

You can order maps online from AAA or download a mobile map that can be used offline from Maps.me .

12. Install a Car Trash Can with Lid

Keep all of that road trip trash contained and secured in a covered car trash can. The example pictured below attaches to the center console or hangs from a headrest for easy access. It comes with a vinyl leakproof lining to keep liquids from spilling onto the car floor.

Traveling with pets? Check out the Travel sections of Puppy Supply List: Organizing For a New Pet Ultimate Kitten Supply List for pet travel essentials!

13. Plan for the Unknown

On any road trip, it’s best to plan for the unknown— no matter where you’re going. Rest stops and points of interest you planned to visit may be closed. Unexpected weather or events may divert or detain you.

I recommend bringing a few “extras” along that you might not normally pack, just in case:

• Sheets, pillows and pillowcases
• Reusable travel utensils and straws
• Disposable toilet seat covers
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Ear plugs and sleep mask
• Body and hand wipes
• Dry shampoo
• Hand cream & body lotion
• Extra toothbrushes & toothpaste
• Clorox wipes and Lysol spray for sanitizing surfaces in hotel rooms (don’t forget the TV remotes!)
• Mini hairbrush and hair ties
• Hair gel and hairspray
• Extra cash and change on hand for tolls, vending machines, roadside stands, etc.
• Portable chargers for phones and tablets
• Lint roller
• Swiss army knife with bottle opener, tweezers, scissors, screwdriver, etc.
• Plastic grocery bags for extra trash, or to carry items to/from the car

14. Pack the Car Like a Pro

After the pre-trip inspection and packing list comes the actual packing of the car. Knowing how to pack a car efficiently is crucial! Check out this great video from AAA for travel organization tips that maximize your cargo space:

Travel safe!

RELATED ARTICLES:

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24 Genius Road Trip Hacks Seen on Pinterest

 Didier Marti / Getty Images

​If you're planning a family road trip with kids, Pinterest is a fantastic place to find clever tips on how to reduce car-trip mess and stress. From repurposing a plastic cereal container as a trash can to creating more hotel beds, these road trip hacks below will help make traveling with the family a whole lot smoother. The best part? These tips are very easy on the wallet.

Use Shower Caddies for On-the-Go Meals

From a BuzzFeed roundup of simple road trip hacks, inexpensive dime-store shower caddies can come in handy when you hit the fast-food drive-through. With multiple compartments, these caddies make it really easy to store your drinks, meals, and snacks without having to worry about spillage or crumbs getting everywhere.

Use Cupcake Liners to Keep Car Cup Holders Clean

So smart! From  Kids Activities Blog comes an easy and oh-so-simple way to keep your car's cup holders clean and gunk-free. Place cupcake liners in the cup holders, and when they start getting overly filled with crumbs and grime, you can replace them in just a few seconds—it'll save you so much time not having to wipe your car down.

Make a DIY Car Sickness Kit

If your kid is prone to getting car sick, you need to be prepared for the occasional mess.  Cul-de-sac Cool shows you how to create a DIY ready-to-go car sickness kit containing everything you'll need when the "uh-oh"s strike. In each kit, you'll store disinfecting wipes, napkins, a drink containing electrolytes (like Gatorade), bottled water, hand sanitizer, a light snack, a motion sickness wristband, and motion sickness medication such as Dramamine. Of course, you'll also need a gallon Ziploc bag for throwing up in, plus a second plastic bag just in case, and a trash bag to store anything that's covered in vomit.

Recharge Your Phone From the Hotel Room TV

Forgot your charger? The Krazy Coupon Lady  says that some hotel room TVs have a USB port on the back; check to see if your TV has that capability before you make a last-minute trip to the store.

Use a Shoe Organizer to Corral Baby Essentials

 Just one of several good hacks on PopSugar Mom: Use a shoe organizer to keep baby care essentials handy. You could steal this idea for toddler toys, sanitizing wipes, snacks, and just about any kind of backseat flotsam and jetsam. 

Turn a Cereal Container Into a No-Spill Trash Can

Who knew? Those plastic cereal containers make for surprisingly good trash cans. They're narrow enough to squeeze into the backseat, plus the lids snap tightly into place—even if you or one of the kids accidentally knocks it over, there will be minimal-to-no spillage. Thanks again,  BuzzFeed .

Look at Your Rental Car's Fuel Gauge to Find the Gas Tank

Renting a car? Country Living  says to look at the fuel gauge to quickly determine which side of the car the gas tank is on. So, if the arrow next to the gas pump icon is pointing to the left, your gas tank will be on the left side. No more getting out of your car at the gas station and realizing you parked in the wrong spot.

Make a Travel Game From an Altoids Tin

Inventive folks find all sorts of clever uses for empty Altoids tins. Here,  Melissa's Bargains  shares a tutorial for how to make a travel-sized tic-tac-toe game that would be perfect for family car rides. All you need to make it is an Altoids tin (or other small, metallic box), glue, scissors, a ruler, button magnets, scrapbook paper, and acrylic paint. Because you'll be playing with magnetic buttons, you won't lose your game pieces, and it's small enough to fit into your purse.

Use Suction Shower Organizers to Hold Kids' Art Supplies

Do your kids love to draw and color in the car?  Moser Moments  recommends using inexpensive suction shower organizers on car windows to hold their crayons, markers, and other gear. They'll help keep the floor clear of clutter, as well as store everything in one easy-to-find spot.

Hang Bags With Carabiners

Want to keep your handbag within easy reach?  HGTV  has an inexpensive DIY solution. Use carabiners as hooks for tote bags, umbrellas, and other hangable items to keep your essentials accessible.

Catch Popsicle Drips With a Cupcake Liner

Yet another ingenious use for cupcake liners! Keep little kids stain-free and your car cleaner by using liners to catch popsicle drips on summer vacations, recommends  Mommy Shorts .

Let Your Map App Lead You Back to Your Parked Car

One of the best travel hacks we've ever heard is this one from PureWow , which solves the problem of how to find your car in an unfamiliar city. When parking, just drop a pin on your map app before you head out to dinner or for a day of sightseeing. If you need a little assistance on your way back, your GPS will lead you right back to it like a homing pigeon.

Pack Solar Lights for Evening Picnics

As noted on the  Starling Travel  blog, cheap and cheerful solar lights are a handy take-along item on a family road trip. Even when you're not camping, you can use them for dinnertime picnics and all sorts of evening outings.

Use Cookie Trays as Backseat Desks

Cookie sheets make awesome backseat desks for kids. The raised edges keep crayons from rolling off and the metallic surface is super for playing magnetic games and puzzles of all kinds. In this pin,  Cultivated Lives  shares how cookie-tray desks are great for coloring and sticker play.

Build a Makeshift Toddler Bed in Your Hotel Room

Sick of cramped hotel rooms when you're on the road?  Walking on Travels  suggests 10 different ways to create more beds in a hotel room. Among the different options, you can push chairs together to create a toddler bed, or book a room that has a sofa bed.

Keep Behavior in Check With a Visual Reminder

How did one family manage to drive 16 hours with four kids on their best behavior?  Less-than-Perfect Life of Bliss  swears by "kids clips" made with scraps of paper and some stickers. Each kid gets their own clip on Mom's visor as a reminder to be kind and nice.

"The rule was simple: as long as they were doing well, the clip stayed up. But, if anyone made a bad choice [and] decided to be ugly or whiny, their clip came down. And if the clip came down, they would miss out on the next fun thing, whether it be a pack of gum at the next gas stop, an ice cream cone, getting to choose the next movie, or having extra time on the iPad."

Create a Road Trip Countdown for Kids

This fun hack from  Suitcases & Sippy Cups  is guaranteed to stop the "are we there yets" in their tracks. Create a road trip countdown using a string and some cards listing cities or towns you'll pass on your route. Every time you hit a milestone, a card comes down, giving your kids a visual cue that shows how close you are to your final destination.

Tether a Sippy Cup to the Car Seat

Little kids just love tossing their sippy cups on the ground, and if you've repeatedly scrounged around the car floor in search of one (and what parent hasn't?), you'll appreciate the genius in this tip from MomLovesBest . A short tether tied around the cup keeps just-tossed drinks within reach. For safety, make the sippy lasso just long enough for your child to comfortably get a drink.

Roll Dice in a Transparent Container

Leave it to an elementary school teacher to come up with this smart tip. If your family likes to play board games on the road, keep the dice in a small transparent Tupperware-like container to keep them from getting lost, as recommended on  Cardigans and Curriculum .

Get a Heads-Up on Your Exit Lane

Driving in unfamiliar territory? Don't stress about whether your exit will be to the left or right. Simply look at the top of the highway signs for an early heads-up. If the exit number is pushed flush left, your off-ramp will be to the left. And vice versa.

Store a Stash of Quarters in an M&Ms Minis Tube

Turns out that an empty M&Ms Minis tube is the perfect size for a roll of quarters. And as Southern Living  points out, those coins can come in mighty handy at toll booths and rest area vending machines. 

Change Your Phone's Lock Screen

If you lose your phone while you're on the road, how could a Good Samaritan return it to you quickly?  SmarterTravel  recommends changing your phone's lock screen to an image that displays your emergency contact information, including your email address and an alternate phone number.

Let Young Artists Use the Car Window As a Canvas

If your kids love to draw, give them a set of washable window markers for drawing right on the car window (fun stencils are optional), suggests  Frugal Family Times . For clean-up, bring a package of window wipes.

Silence the 'Are We There Yet?' Chorus

If your kids keep asking how much longer until you get to your destination, it's time for this nifty trick from  Down Home Inspiration . Simply laminate a map (or pop it into a transparent binder sleeve) and trace your route using dry-erase markers. Even young school-age kids can see how far you've come and how far you've still got left.

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Want to get more organized and stop feeling overwhelmed? Get our FREE Guide The 30-Minute Organizing Secret.

Travel Tips to Organize Your Car for a Road Trip

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Learn how to organize your car for a road trip! Plus discover planning tips, car storage hacks and travel tips so you’ll be prepared for the unexpected.

Going on a road trip can be a wonderful way to see new places and embrace your sense of adventure as you head to your vacation spot. Traveling by car isn’t always the easiest way to reach your destination. As you plan your route, organize your car for a road trip and prepare for the unexpected along the way, you’ll find quite a bit of work goes into organizing a successful road trip.

Before you read any further, grab a copy of our Road Trip Planner! It has all the following information and SO much more (like maps and packing lists). You’ll be so glad you have it.

Wondering where to begin? Get our FREE guide, The 30-Minute Organizing Secret , and discover easy ways to overcome the chaos of clutter – even with kids at home!

Are you considering a road trip for your spring break travels or are looking ahead to ways to spend your children’s summer break ? You’ll find plenty of helpful tips, tricks, and ideas here to help you plan ahead and organize your car for a road trip.

The easiest place to start is with the  5-Day Kickstart.  You’ll reset your brain in just 5 days, so you can focus on planning the trip, not worrying about your unorganized car.

Getting Ready For Your Road Trip

A key to a successful road trip? Plan ahead! Don’t wait until the morning you’re scheduled to leave to get your family ready. If you wait to the last minute to organize your car for a road trip, you’ll be hopelessly behind and in for a stressful journey.

Instead, if you want to set yourself up for a successful and stress-free road trip, you should:

Know your route.

It’s always a good idea to know where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. Use Google Maps or a similar tool to find the easiest way to get from Point A to Point B. Then, do some research to see where you can stop along the way!

After all, one of the best things about road trips is the fact that you can stop to check out fun local attractions. See if your route will take you past well-loved landmarks like the Cadillac Ranch or the World’s Largest Ball of Twine. Then make it a point to pause for a quick photo opp and stretch break.

Prep and pack in advance.

Packing for a road trip isn’t the same as packing for a flight. You still need to bring the essentials, like clothes and toiletries. However, you’ll also need to prepare for spending long hours in the car. You’ll want to bring along snacks, games, and other things to keep you comfortable and entertained on your journey.

Make your packing list at least a few days before your road trip begins. This will give you plenty of time to wash all of your  laundry , audit your snacks and entertainment options. Plus you can pick up any last-minutes necessities from the store.

We have a few more tips than these, too! Check out these suitcase packing tips that will give you more room than ever.

Organize the car!

You’re going to be spending quite a bit of time in your vehicle as you head toward your destination. So it’s smart to spend some time setting everything up before you go.

Make sure things like drinks, food, toys, chargers, and pillows are easy to access. You’ll also want a way to securely store those items when they aren’t needed. Don’t be afraid to invest in storage solutions to maximize space, like trunk organizers and storage bags with handles.

How To Keep Your Car Organized On Your Road Trip

You can spend hours organizing your car before your road trip begins. However, keeping it organized once you’re on the road is another story altogether.

Spending hours in a cluttered, disorganized vehicle is a quick way to ruin a road trip. Take steps to minimize your stress and make it easy to get and store the things you need with some car storage hacks.

Tips To Organize Your Car For A Road Trip

You’re going to have much more stuff in your car than usual when you’re on your road trip. Instead of letting yourself get overwhelmed by everything, control your clutter.

Keep your car organized with some of these helpful car storage hacks:

• Take advantage of the space behind your seats. You can hang bags to collect trash. Find an organizer to keep your kid’s toys and games at arm’s reach. Or add hooks to hold your purse or other bags off of the floor.
• Get creative when it comes to organizing your car with containers. Equipped with multiple compartments and handles, shower caddies can be a great way to organize your car for a road trip. Use them to store and organize everything from snacks and drinks to small toys, books, tissues, and other essentials.
• Don’t let spare change fill up your cup holders or get lost between seats. Keep coins contained in an old Android mint container or plastic pill bottle. This way you’ll also be prepared for any tolls you encounter on your trip.
• Bring binder clips! Binder clips can be used to close chip bags, keep receipts together, clip things to your visor, and organize cords and cables.

How To Prepare For The Unexpected On Your Road Trip

It’s easy to think that everything will go well during your travels, but don’t be fooled. There are plenty of problems that can strike while you’re on the road that can put a serious dent in your road trip plans. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prepare for the unexpected.

Don’t Let Car Problems Ruin Your Road Trip

Get your car tuned up before you go. Swing by your local mechanic and let them make sure everything is in good working order. Change your oil, rotate your tires, and take care of whatever routine maintenance you need to address before hitting the road for a longer-than-usual drive. Putting an unusual amount of stress on your vehicle can bring problems to light and can be an easy way to ruin a road trip.

Anticipate – And Plan For – Potential Problems

No matter how well you organize your car for a road trip, there’s still the possibility that something could go wrong on your journey. While you can’t possibly prepare for every single instance, you can take a few precautions to keep you and your family safe and ready for almost anything:

• Keep an emergency kit handy. A well-organized car should always include a standard car emergency kit . Car emergency kits typically come equipped with roadside flares, jumper cables, and other tools that may be useful if you find yourself stranded on the side of the road. While you hope you’ll never need to use this, anything from a flat tire to a more serious concern can leave you grateful you had one stashed in the back of your trunk.
• Bring a paper map and cash . There are still parts of the country where GPS won’t work well, or at all. You may also find plenty of situations, from tolls and parking fees to small rural shops, where you may not be able to pay using a credit or debit card.
• Prepare for unexpected messes. If someone gets carsick or spills a snack or drink, you’ll want to be able to clean it up ASAP and minimize any long-term damage to your vehicle. A first aid kit , wet wipes, garbage bags, and paper towels are all smart additions to any road trip packing list.
• Overplan. Be prepared for more than you think might happen. Use a travel planner to keep track of all your documents and contingency plans.

Loose things in your car could become projectiles in a car accident. As you choose car organizers, make sure they are secure.

You know you have too much stuff when there isn’t room to comfortably sit and move your feet in the car. Don’t be boxed in by totes and bags.

Use spill-proof cups and eat snacks that aren’t messy. Don’t bring things that can spill on your road trip either.

Now You’re Ready to Hit the Road

Don’t let your next road trip become a source of stress! Instead, plan ahead to ensure a successful journey. Now you know how to adequately prepare and pack smart for your adventure.

You’re ready to organize your car for a road trip – and know how important it is to keep it organized as you go! Better yet, you’ll also be able to anticipate potential situations that could throw a wrench into your travel plans. With all these tips, you’ll be well on your way to a smooth and stress-free road trip.

Struggling to get motivated? Sign up to get our FREE guide, The 30-Minute Organizing Secret , and discover easy ways to overcome the chaos of clutter – even with kids at home!

More Family Organization Articles:

• Garage Organization: Your Complete Guide – Come home to a clean garage after your next road trip with these tips.
• How To Store Plastic Food Containers Once and For All – Use these to bring snacks and hold other miscellaneous odds and ends during your road trip. Just make sure you put them up when you get home!

Carrie is the expert organizer and founder of Clutter Keeper® where it's her mission to help you get organized and stay organized so you can focus on what matters most to you -- creating a home you love.

With a husband, two kids, and a scruffy dog at her home in Michigan, Carrie knows firsthand just how messy life can be. However, with simple systems, like her E.A.S.Y. Process to organize absolutely any space and her signature home decluttering program, the 5 Day Kickstart , she'll help you ignite your organizing spark so you're motivated to overcome your clutter chaos once and for all.

She also helps guests plan vacations at Sunshine Villa at Glenbrook Resort , their short term vacation rental home in Orlando.

That’s a good idea to use clips to secure your chip bags. That way you wouldn’t have to worry about them spilling all over the floor. I have been on enough road trips with the kids to know that if they pass around the bag with it being open, it will spill all over the floor.

Wow, thanks for all these tips! We take a lot of family road trips, and I just never feel properly prepared. I always have that nagging feeling that I forgot something. After read your post, I realize that I need a car trunk organizer for organizing various things. Seriously, thanks for all these awesomeness.

Hi Gio, We’re so glad these tips will be helpful to you for your next family road trip. Wishing you healthy and happy travels! Best wishes, Carrie Clutter Keeper®

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Seriously Brilliant Road Trip Hacks for Your Next Family Vacation

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Before you load up the family truckster for your next family vacation, you absolutely MUST take a look at these brilliant road trip hacks.  From activities to organization to snack time, these road trip hacks will make your life on the road oh-so-much easier!  Whether your travels take you nearby or far far from home, a little pre-planning and prep will go a long way.

Best Family Road Trip Hacks

Great food road trip hacks.

1. Throw a cooler in the back of the car and fill it with juice boxes, water bottles, soda, whatever your family prefers to drink.  Use the ice machine at your hotel to fill the cooler with fresh ice every morning before you hit the road.  Stay hydrated and save money and time by not having to stop for drinks! We usually pick up a case or two of bottled water before we leave home. I always feel physically better when I keep up with water consumption when we are traveling.

2. Family favorite: packing cold cuts and fixins for sandwiches!  When we stop for lunch, we make up hoagies and sandwiches. I usually pick up a Walmart grocery order the day before we head out of town and load up on cold cuts, cheese, condiments, etc. When we travel in our camper, these items go in the fridge and/or cabinets. When we are driving without the camper, we use a big cooler with plenty of ice to carry the food.

3. Use old coffee creamer bottles to hold snacks like this example from Stockpiling Moms !  The flip-top lid makes the snacks easy to dispense and helps prevent some mess from spills.

4. Self-serve snacks: We have also had a lot of luck using these small plastic organizers to create snack boxes for the kids on road trips. You can fill them with any snacks you’d like and the kids get a variety of food in small portion sizes.

Kid Activity Road Trip Hacks!

1. Bring a hula hoop , jump rope or bubbles to give kids a quick and easy way to let off some steam!   When you give kids a chance to burn off some of that pent up energy that comes from hours in a car, everyone is much happier when it’s time to get back on the road. Utilize bathroom and gas station stops to give the kids a few minutes to move around. My kids love challenges so something like “How many jumps can you do in a row with the jump rope?” always get them moving!

2. Make a travel coloring kit like this example from Living Well Mom. Toss some crayons and a few small coloring pages into a container and you’re set.

3.   A bag of pipe cleaners will result in long periods of happy kids!   (Got a toddler?  Toss them an empty water bottle to put the pipe cleaners in over and over and over again!) See how we put together a few toddler friendly road trip activities for Landon when he was younger.  They kept him occupied for hours!

4. Collect old thank you cards and envelopes in a ziploc bag with a pen for an instant “post office” letter writing station.

5. My kids would LOVE a portable lego kit like the one that Mama Papa Bubba made!

6. Hand toddlers a deck of cards .   You won’t believe how long they can play with this one!

7.  Magnets on a metal cookie sheet or cake pan are also wonderful boredom busters!

8. Make up some Road Trip Goodie Bags .   These are great ways to reward good behavior! Check out our post for tips on what to fill them with and grab our free printable bag tags!

9. Make a printable road trip journal .  Put that printable in a binder with other free road trip printables and you will have a great activity book for the kids to work their way through as you drive.

10. Stock a dollar store treasure box full of prizes.  Let the kids earn Adventure Bucks for good behavior that they can redeem for prizes!

Best Car Organization Road Trip Hacks

1. Use silicone cupcake liners in your cup holders to keep them clean.   There’s nothing ickier than trying to clean out sticky dirty cup holders in a car.  Avoid the situation entirely simply by placing a silicone cupcake holder in each cup holder.

2.  I really love this car trunk organization idea using regular old shower caddies .   This example is from The Castro Family Happynings.

3. Turn a cereal container into a car trash can.   This example is from Better Homes and Gardens.

4.  Use suction cup shower caddies to hold snacks and art supplies like this example from Grey House Harbor .   (Just make sure to lock the windows or else you might have a big mess on your hands!)

5. These multi-device USB car chargers are absolute SANITY SAVERS in our car!   Whether we’re road tripping near or far, we always have umpteen devices that need to be charged.

6. Not an IN-car hack, but when you park, drop a pin on your phone map.   This will help you to remember in what garage or parking lot you left your car!  That’s a handy tip when you’re in an unfamiliar city.

7.  Use cheap plastic glasses cases from the dollar store to store various chargers and other cords. This is example is from our camping site, Glamper Life .

8.  Keep a claw grabber in the car.   Oh how I wish I had discovered this idea sooner!  If I only had a nickel for every time the kids dropped a blankie or pacifier or snack on the floor and no matter how I contorted my body, I could not reach it!

9. Another parking lot tip – take a picture of where you parked so you can locate your car!

10.  Keep a first aid kit in your car for any bumps and bruises that may occur.   Other great items to toss in this kit include bug spray, sunscreen, ponchos and wipes.

We made up dollar store first aid kits and mini first aid kits on the super cheap.  It’s so nice knowing that we have these supplies in the car wherever we road trip to!

What are YOUR best road trip hacks for families?  I would love to hear them!

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4 thoughts on “Seriously Brilliant Road Trip Hacks for Your Next Family Vacation”

What a brilliant ideaCan’t wait for another trip❤️ Thank you for sharing

Glad they were helpful!

My kids are all grown but when we would travel would wrap their happy meal little toys from before the trip in old wrapping paper. I would give them a new “gift” everytime they were bored with the toys they were playing with.

When we are traveling for our summer vacation, we make each of our kids(pre-teens 10,11 &12) take their lunch boxes from school. We pack light snacks, drinks and junk food of course that are all right out of dollar tree). The front pocket holds their devices and side pouch holds their headphones and chargers or visa versa. its like an all in one deal. No ones asking who took who’s charger and they can eat when they’re ready while on the road. So no random stops outside of gas stops or stretching.

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The Ultimate Guide to Road Trip Hacks: From Packing to Snacks

Are you planning a road trip and worried about everything that could go wrong? Fear not! We’ve got you covered with some hilarious but practical road trip hacks. From seating arrangements to playlist ideas, here are our top tips for a smooth and fun road trip.

Table of Contents

Embark on the Perfect Road Trip With 8 Road Trip Hacks

Planning an epic road trip adventure ? Look no further! This ultimate guide is packed with invaluable tips and tricks to make your journey on the open road smooth and enjoyable. From genius hacks for efficient packing to suggestions for delicious and convenient snacks, we’ve got you covered. Discover how to optimize your vehicle for comfort, navigate unfamiliar routes like a pro, and make the most of your road trip hacks.

Whether you’re embarking on a solo adventure or hitting the road with friends and family, this guide will ensure that every mile is filled with excitement and memorable moments. Get ready to hit the road and create unforgettable memories with our comprehensive road trip hacks. Did you know that the total length of the U.S. Interstate Highway System is long enough to take you to the moon and back, not once, but over 30 times? That’s a lot of road to cover, and whether you’re embarking on a cross-country adventure or a weekend getaway , road trips hold a special place in our hearts. They’re a unique blend of freedom, discovery, and the unexpected. In this ultimate guide , we’re going to show you how to turn your road trip into a smooth and memorable journey filled with laughter, great music, and unforgettable pit stops. Buckle up, because the road awaits, and we’ve got the perfect roadmap for your next adventure!

Plan Your Seating with a Game of Human Tetris

Before you even think about packing for your road trip, take some time to plan out your seating arrangements. To avoid any potential arguments, why not play a game of human Tetris and see how everyone fits best? If you have a smaller car, try to pack everyone into the backseat. If there’s room for a third person in the front, have them sit in the middle so they can be the designated referee. And if you’re driving a larger vehicle, think about putting the kids in the back and letting the adults have some peace and quiet up front.

Pack a First Aid Kit: Band-Aids for the Boo-Boos and Vodka for the Adults

When hitting the open road, it’s important to be prepared for anything. That’s why packing a first aid kit is one of the most essential road trip hacks. Don’t forget the Band-Aids for the boo-boos and vodka for the adults (just kidding, but it might help)! Your kit should include items like bandages, disinfectants, painkillers, and allergy medication. It’s also a good idea to pack a few extras, like a toothbrush and toothpaste, wet wipes, and a change of clothes. That way, you’ll be prepared for any bumps in the road (literally or figuratively).

Choose Your Stops Wisely: How to Plan the Perfect Road Trip Itinerary

A road trip is more than just driving from point A to point B. It’s about the journey and the memories you make along the way. To make the most of your road trip, you need to plan your stops wisely. Here are some tips for planning the perfect road trip hacks:

• Choose destinations that are meaningful to you or that you’ve always wanted to visit.
• Consider the time of year and the weather in the areas you’ll be visiting.
• Don’t try to do too much in one day. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy each destination.
• Plan for unexpected delays or changes in your itinerary.
• Research local attractions and activities ahead of time, so you don’t miss out on anything.

With a well-planned itinerary, your road trip hacks will be full of adventure, excitement, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Get Your Car Road Trip Ready: Tips for Car Maintenance and Preparation

Your car is your trusty companion on your road trip. To ensure a safe and enjoyable journey, you need to get your car road trip ready. Here are some tips for car maintenance and preparation:

• Get a full tune-up before hitting the road. This includes an oil change, tire rotation, and brake inspection.
• Check your fluids and top them off if needed. This includes engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid, and brake fluid.
• Test your battery and replace it if needed.
• Check your tire pressure and tread depth.
• Pack an emergency kit with tools, a spare tire, and jumper cables.

By taking care of your car before your road trip hacks, you’ll be able to avoid unexpected breakdowns and enjoy a smooth ride.

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Embrace the Journey: How to Make the Most of Your Road Trip

A road trip is more than just a mode of transportation. It’s an adventure that should be enjoyed to the fullest. To make the most of your road trip hacks, you need to embrace the journey. Here are some tips for making the most of your road trip:

• Take your time and enjoy the scenery. Stop and take pictures or go for a hike.
• Be open to new experiences and try new things. This could be trying a new restaurant or activity.
• Don’t be afraid to get lost. Some of the best experiences come from exploring new areas.
• Connect with locals and learn about the area’s culture and history.
• Make memories with your travel companions. Play games, have deep conversations, and enjoy each other’s company.

Create a Playlist: The Ultimate Karaoke Party on Wheels

When it comes to road trips, one of the best parts is the music. But what if you don’t have a lot of time to make a playlist? Or what if you’re not sure what to put on it? Fear not, we’ve got you covered. Here are some tips for creating the ultimate karaoke party on wheels playlist:

• Start with your favorite songs. This is a great way to get the playlist started off on the right foot.
• Think about the mood. Do you want to be pumped up for the drive? Or do you want something more mellow?
• Create a mix of old and new songs. This will keep things interesting and avoid any awkward silences.
• Add some variety. Throw in a few ballads, some rock songs, and maybe even a few rap tracks.
• Make sure the songs are upbeat. Nobody wants to listen to a slow song while driving down the highway.

Pack Kitchen Supplies: No Drive-Thru Runs Needed

Now that you’ve got your car packed, it’s time to think about what you’ll need to eat on the road. Rather than stocking up on expensive and unhealthy convenience foods, we recommend packing your own kitchen supplies. This way, you can cook your own meals and snacks and save money in the process. Some essentials to pack include a stove, pots and pans, plates, cups, utensils, napkins, and a cooler. You might also want to bring along a blender or food processor to make healthy smoothies and snacks. With these supplies, you’ll be able to cook anything from simple sandwiches and salads to more elaborate meals like curries and pasta dishes.

Bring Portable Activities for Kids: No “Are We There Yet?” Needed

When it comes to keeping kids busy on a road trip, you can never be too prepared. Some of our favorite activities include coloring books, puzzles, and card games. If you’re traveling with a younger child, you may want to bring along some toys or stuffed animals to keep them entertained.

And don’t forget to pack plenty of snacks and drinks to keep everyone fueled up! With the right activities and snacks on hand, you’ll be able to avoid the dreaded “Are we there yet?” questions and keep the whole family happy.

Conclusion: Hit the Open Road with Confidence

With these road trip hacks, you’re ready to hit the open road with confidence. From planning your seating and packing a first aid kit to creating the ultimate playlist and packing your own kitchen supplies, you’ll be able to enjoy a smooth and fun road trip . Don’t forget to bring plenty of activities and snacks to keep everyone happy along the way. So, what are you waiting for? Get packing and hit the road, and always Travel Till You Drop!

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• April 28, 2023
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Road trip hacks that’ll improve your journey

We love a good travel hack – and this time we’re setting our sights on road trips. Besides the fact that they’re a great way to relax and go on an adventure, road trips also let you discover hidden gems you may have missed otherwise (and certainly would have missed from the air).

The best road trip hacks to enjoy your journey

The point of a road trip is to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. To help, here are some of the things you should do.

1. Plan ahead

If you’d like to have a flawless road trip, you should plan ahead of your journey. First, decide the route you’d like to follow and how fast you’d like to cover the whole route with your travel companions. You should also decide whether you’ll stay in motels, hotels or even campsites. Planning ahead of your journey will allow you to have a rough idea of what to expect on your trip. Find more tips in this article on how to find the best accommodation along your route.

2. Choose a destination

While planning your road trip, you should settle on sites you’d like to see while on the road. The duration of your road trip should influence the number of sites you visit. If you plan on having a short road trip, it’s in your best interest to visit a couple of places for a relatively longer period rather than stop briefly at numerous destinations. Visiting these few places will be more fun as you’ll have more time to enjoy them.

3. Have your documentation intact

Before hitting the road running, it’s essential to ensure that you have some form of identification. If you are a domestic traveler, you should carry a copy of your driver’s license and/or state-issued identity card. If you’re a foreigner, you’ll need your passport and foreign driving license.

4. Budget adequately for your road trip

Before hitting the road, consider how much you want to spend on the trip. With a budget, you’ll be able to manage yourself accordingly throughout the trip, as you’ll easily determine the type of places you’ll affordably eat at, sleep in, and visit while on your road trip.

5. Rent a car

Once you’ve determined your budget, you should find a rental car. The car you rent should be large enough to accommodate you, all those you intend to travel with, and your luggage. It should also be capable of easily maneuvering the type of terrain you intend to drive. You should rent a car with low fuel consumption to save on gas.

Before heading out on a long road trip, it’s logical to assume that you’ll have to take your personal car to a mechanic for full maintenance services, which are ordinarily costly. By renting a car, you’ll avoid having to incur this cost. Hence, renting a car for your road trip can be economically wise.

When you search cars on KAYAK, you’re comparing options from a wide range of travel providers and car rental agencies so you can find exactly what you’re looking for. We also offer car-sharing options so you can compare prices across all car types and find the perfect wheels for your trip.

6. Learn how to change a tire

You can never really know when or where you’ll have a flat tire. Therefore, it’s better for you to learn how to change a tire ahead of time.

7. Be prepared for the weather

Upon selecting the destinations you’d like to visit and the route you’d like to follow, it’s advisable that you research the weather you’ll encounter while on your road trip.

8. Find nearby affordable stays on KAYAK

If you’d like to have a memorable road trip, factor in where you’ll sleep while on the road. Sleep and exercise are vital for the success of a road trip, as, without them, you will be mostly tired all through your journey.

When you search on KAYAK, you can see all our accommodation options in one place. From hotels to cabins to homes to RVs to campsites, you can search it all at once.

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9. Have some backup directions

Getting lost while on the road can be exhausting. To avoid such a scenario, when renting a car from your preferred car rental company, make sure it includes a working GPS. Most car rental companies usually install GPS systems in their cars upon request by their clients. More often than not, GPS systems are reliable. However, in remote areas with minimal network coverage, they sometimes are not as reliable. Therefore, you should be prepared for such a situation by having backup directions, such as an atlas or a paper map.

10. Put together a playlist

Being on the road can, at times, get boring. Without music, an audiobook, or even a podcast playing, you may doze off. To do away with boredom, load your favorite songs, audiobooks, and podcasts on your phone. You’ll probably find yourself singing along to your favorite tunes throughout your journey.

11. Adopt lightfoot driving

Lightfoot driving is a skill not many drivers have mastered. It involves applying light pressure on the gas pedal with the aim of accelerating smoothly and gradually. If you adopt lightfoot driving, you’ll enjoy better fuel efficiency, a smoother ride experience, and less wear and tear on various parts of your rental car.

12. Get a first aid kit

Accidents occur all the time. If you get involved in a major one, you should make a point of contacting the relevant authorities. However, in case you get involved in a minor accident but sustain minimal to no injuries, you can use the products in a first aid kit to relieve the discomfort. A fully fitted first aid kit is just as important as a GPS. Most car rentals usually offer first aid kits upon request. Although it might cost you a bit extra, it’s extremely crucial that you have it.

13. Have a co-driver

Driving is normally mentally and physically exhausting if done for a long period. In fact, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that each year, about 100 drowsy-driving crashes are reported. Annually, these crashes result in roughly 800 casualties as well as 50,000 injuries. To avoid suffering this fate, before heading out on your road trip, you should agree on who your co-driver will be. Having a co-driver will help you have a smooth journey, as when you’re tired, they can simply take over the wheel and continue your journey. Once you settle on your co-driver, you should inform your car rental of their details. If the co-driver is your partner, you’ll pay no additional charge, as, at most car rentals, a renter’s spouse or domestic partner who is of age and has the necessary documents can act as co-driver without paying extra. If, however, you choose your friend or outsource a co-driver, you’ll incur an additional charge. Alternatively, if no one in your road trip group is comfortable driving, adopt frequent short rests on your route and don’t drive for more than a few hours at a time. Short rests will keep you rejuvenated throughout your journey.

14. Don’t hesitate to ask locals for directions

Even with GPS, you can still find it difficult to determine where you are. If you find yourself in such a position while on your road trip, don’t hesitate to ask for help from locals.

KAYAK has information on some of the best sites to visit while on different routes in the USA. Given that the information on our platform will help you choose destinations across the country, you may find places that inspire your route, or a detour, on your road trip.

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11 Ways to Stay Organized While Traveling

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We are the editors of SmarterTravel! Together we have appeared in countless travel publications including ABC News, Huffington Post, Travel + Leisure, USA Today, and more. We dedicate our days to creating and producing expert travel content, including packing tips, general travel advice, destination inspiration, and helpful videos. Follow us across social media on YouTube , Pinterest , Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter or drop us a line to say hi at [email protected]!

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Even the most prepared tourist can feel completely off-kilter when staying in new surroundings or dealing with the many unknowns of travel. Thankfully, a bit of preparation and some clever travel organization hacks will keep any trip from devolving into utter chaos. Here are a few on-the-go travel organization tips to keep you sane, no matter where your journeys take you.

Download Itinerary Apps

The days of juggling printouts of flight info, hotel reservations, rental-car confirmations, schedules, maps, and directions are over. With the help of itinerary apps, you can organize all of your itineraries on your smartphone. The best of the bunch is TripIt . Simply forward confirmation emails to TripIt and it will generate a complete itinerary for you, then customize your itinerary by adding maps, directions, and notes. You can even share your account with others, making group travel a cinch.

Use a Packing List Before and During Your Trip

You should always make a packing list before you even pull your suitcase out of the closet. (And to get started, download a copy of our Ultimate Packing List .) But what about when you’re on the road? It may be a good idea to print a duplicate copy and pack it in your suitcase. That way, you can check it against your belongings while on the road to ensure you leave no item behind. When you’re repacking at the end of a long vacation, you can check items off as you place them back neatly in your luggage.

Use Packing Cubes

A trusted workhorse in organizing your travel bag is packing cube sets. I’ve used durable eBags packing cubes for years to separate clothes by type and to keep my toiletries and accessories separate. Packing cubes are the easiest way to turn your suitcase into a compartmentalized closet, and make unpacking at your destination incredibly simple.

Organize Your Technology

Carry a lot of technology with you on your travels? Then you know how easily cords get tangled and gadgets get lost. Cocoon makes several accessory organizers that feature an organization system with rubberized elastic bands to hold your chargers, headphones, backup storage, and other accessories in place (some even come with pockets for your tablet and computer). These flat, lightweight cases fit easily into carry-on bags and are invaluable on the road.

Carry a Well-Organized Wallet, Satchel, or Money Belt

A high-quality, well-organized wallet is indispensable for travel: This one has plenty of pockets for clever storage, but isn’t too bulky to pack and stick into your pocket or handbag. Eagle Creek has a number of smart options with sufficient organization for your passport and boarding passes, while Bellroy’s leather travel wallet earns praise for its clever, sleek design and included mini travel pen.

You can also get a designated small satchel or discreet money belt to use on your travels—this will force you to prioritize what you need and make you less susceptible to theft. I’m a fan of small cross-body satchels with secure zippers like Travelon’s Anti-Theft Crossbody . Secret pouches that can go under your clothes or a coat also work well, like Zero Grid’s Neck Wallet , if you want something stealthy and light.

Hang Your Toiletries

Anyone with a hefty toiletries bag knows how hard it is to keep all those tiny travel items organized and accessible. The solution is a hanging version—you can hang it open at the hotel to see all your toiletries at once, and still zip it up and stash it away when you need to. 42 Travel’s unisex toiletry kit has high-density, water-resistant fabric and mesh pockets that let you see inside its biggest compartments while it’s hanging.

Organize Your Seatback

Family road trips are a blast until you realize you need something you packed away in the trunk. Keeping everything you’ll need in sight is simple with a seatback organizer. Autoark’s insulated multi-pocket version has a main bag that’s big enough to fit drinks and snacks inside, plus outer compartments for all your smaller necessities.

Organize Your Undies

The only way to pack underwear is to awkwardly attempt to fold it, fail, ball it up, and stuff it in the corner of your suitcase, right? Wrong. Underwear bags are a life-changing travel accessory, especially for women packing bras and other intimates that can get lost or damaged in a stuffed suitcase. Mochithings’ Underwear Pouch v2 has a zippered section perfect for stacking bras or other undergarments, plus small top-flap compartments and a detachable zippered pouch. All your tiniest necessities will be at your fingertips when you need them, and not buried or tumbling out when you open your bag.

Use Plastic Bags

Simple plastic baggies come in handy for many packing situations—dirty clothes, wet items, carry-on liquids, jewelry, etc. Whether you grab a handful of Ziploc kitchen baggies or invest in reusable multi-sized ones like Travelon Packing Pouches , keeping some stashed in your suitcase is one of the easiest travel organization tips on this list.

Unpack Immediately

Living out of a suitcase can lead to a disorganized vacation. When you arrive at your destination, always unpack immediately, even if your trip is a short one. Fold clothing and place it into dresser drawers, hang up any garment that may wrinkle, arrange your shoes in the closet, and unpack your toiletries in the bathroom rather than leaving them in their quart-sized plastic baggie. You’ll feel more relaxed and at ease, and you won’t be pulling clothing out of a rumpled pile on the floor.

Recreate Your Home Environment

There’s something about a hotel room that makes even the neatest person messy (and turns the naturally disorganized into a hot travel mess). One thing I always do when staying in a hotel is to make my surroundings as home-like as possible.

At home, I keep my keys and wallet on a table near my door, so I recreate that in my hotel room by placing a bowl or box near the door for my purse, keys, wallet, lip balm, etc. That way, I never forget to grab something essential as I’m heading out for the day. When possible, I unpack my clothing into the same dresser-drawer configuration that I use in my own dresser at home, and I arrange my cosmetics and toiletries in a similar fashion in the bathroom. I even charge my iPhone in the same location as I do at home. It sounds a bit type A , but it keeps me organized during hectic trips—and it ensures I never leave anything behind.

What are your best travel organization tips? Share them in the comments.

More from SmarterTravel:

• Ingenious Packing Tips Every Traveler Needs to Know
• How to Pack Efficiently: 8 Products That Can Help
• The Ultimate Packing List

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2016. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Shannon McMahon, Dara Continenza, and Margaret Leahy contributed to this story.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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23 Road Trip Hacks That’ll Save Your Sanity

California and Utah, Photos:Adam Clark/Brody Leven

These brilliant ideas will help you survive—and even enjoy—your next family adventure

When it comes to a road trip , it’s often about how you get there, not where you’re going. Make sure that journey is memorable for the right reasons with a few tips and road trip hacks we’ve road-tested ourselves. They might not prevent the inevitable “Are we there yet?” but we know they will ease some of the other trials of taking a long car ride with kids. And to mix it up, try our list of car games when they need a break from the screens!

1. Give the kids the map. Hand over your GPS during times of the trip when you actually know where you are going. Let the kids “navigate” and tell you which way to turn. Or hand them a road map and have them help figure out the route. Get tips on teaching kids how to read a REAL map here .

2. Bring enough headphones for each kid. It will ward off any complaining or whining. If your crew likes to listen to or watch the same thing, try BuddyPhones , kid headphones that come with an audio splitter for sharing.

3. Surprise observations. During the trip, have each person write down an observation or memory from the day. If you’re traveling more than one day, do it each day of the journey, there and back. Don’t share what you’ve written until you are home. Then have each family member read out loud their main “thought” for the day. It’s okay if it’s, “I wish we were there” or “I saw a giant clown on the side of the road.” You’ll get some laughs and relive the trip in a new way.

4. Use a shower caddy for mess-free eating. Tired of balancing lunch on your lap? Give each kid—and yourself—a caddy so that meals are contained in one neat place.

5. Stash plastic cutlery and napkins in the glove box . It’ll make eating in the car that much easier.

6. Make a killer playlist. It can make or break a road trip. Trust us. Find family friendly tunes, starting here .

7. Beat the sniffles. Use a rubber band to lash a full tissue box to an empty one. Use the empty one to dispose of used tissues right after using, so they don’t end up all over the car/on the floor/in your snacks.

8. Make up some car bingo. Purchase a stack of ready-made car bingo games, or go the simple route by making a “checklist” of cool things you see on the road. The first person to fill up a checklist gets to pick where you make a pit stop for dinner.

9. Hang a shoe organizer on the back of each front seat. Big kids will be able to reach for books, snacks, and games on their own (and ideally they’ll be able to put everything back, too).

Related:  The Ultimate Guide to the American Road Trip

10. Kick off your shoes. For long rides, many kids like to take their shoes off. Let them, but have a bag handy to stash the shoes or keep them by the door of your RV, so they’re easy to find for pit stops.

11. Download Sit or Squat . You’ll be able to scout clean bathrooms on your route. This is a road trip hack you can’t live without.

12. Chuck garbage into a plastic cereal container or old wipes box. They usually have lids so your vehicle won’t smell like Eau de trash. Put them throughout your RV or car!

13. Pack clothes in stackable laundry baskets (instead of suitcases). The idea is that each traveler has their own basket filled with clothes and other belongings (diapers, lovey, etc.). It’s much easier to see if you’re forgetting anything and it’s a cinch to load and unload.

14. For impatient travelers, use “Sticky Note Time Tabs.” How it works: Write increments of time (i.e. 1:15, 2:15, 3:15) on sticky notes and adhere them to the center console below the clock. Kids pay attention to when the clock time matches the sticky note time. When they notice it, you remove the sticky note (and give them a surprise, if you’re feeling generous).

15. Organize a glow stick dance party while driving at night. There’s nothing fun to see out the windows, so might as well bring the fun inside your vehicle. Hip hop hooray to kiddos’ fave tunes and score major brownie points for your efforts.

16. Cover seats with a fitted sheet. Be prepared for a mess by stretching a sheet over the seats. When you get to where you’re going all you have to do is shake the sheet out and BAM!… your ride is spotless once more. One of our more genius road trip hacks if we don’t say so ourselves.

17. Make edible necklaces for the journey. String flavorless floss with things like cereal, grapes, and pretzels. It will fill their bellies and keep them busy at the same time.

18. Get snap happy. Give the kids disposable cameras (or old smartphones) so that they can take pictures of what you’re driving by for a travel log.

19. Let the creative juices flow. Since playdough can get stuck in floorboards (and hair … and under fingernails), bring along a roll of aluminum foil and/or a box of pipe cleaners—both can be molded into shapes, animals, and skyscrapers.

20. Nip car sickness in the bud. If you or your kiddo gets nausea from reading on the road, simply tilt your head from side to side for it to go away. Just try it!

21. When you see a fun road stop… stop! This is how road trip memories are made. If you’re the planning type, visit roadtrippers.com to map out a few awesome layovers, and be sure to check out our favorite roadside attractions , too.

22. Pack a potty. This is an important road trip hack if you’ve got potty-trained littles: Open and lay a disposable diaper into the bottom of a toddler potty. If you’ve got miles to go before the next rest stop, pull over and let them use this—the diaper will soak up a #1 and contain a #2 until you find a proper spot for disposal.

23. Have plenty of other screen-free activities on hand. When your kids are bored of playing car bingo (it’s inevitable), have something else from our list ready to go .

Related:  16 Roadside Attractions You’ve Got to See to Believe

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11 Little-Known Road Trip Organization Hacks with Kids (Keep Parents Sane)

By: Author Amanda L. Grossman

Posted on Last updated: February 29, 2024

Steal these genius road trip hacks for kids we’ve figured out after logging almost 70 hours in the car with a preschooler.

How important is organization to your road trip with kids?

Between stops to see stuff, pit stops at convenience stores, and just needing to get to things during the road trip itself – I'd say organization for your family's road trip is essential .

Since moving to a location that’s a great jumping-off point for road trips – think the Rockies, the beach, the Grand Canyon, all within 3-8 hours from us – we’ve been on the road a lot in the last two years.

Which means, we’ve had to figure out some pretty genius road trip organization hacks for kids.

Keep reading to pick up some serious road trip organization hacks, gained from hours upon hours of experience.  

Genius Road Trip Organization Hacks for Kids

There are soooo many opportunities to make your next road trip a raving success! Or, at the very least, much less obnoxious than they’ve been in the past.

Keep your kids happy, organized, and (can I just say) out of your hair on your next road trip with these genius hacks for kids.

1. Use a Shower Toy Organizer in Genius Ways

I got this genius idea last summer about how to increase the use of space in our car: by using a mesh bath toy organizer .

This is the one we use, and its suction cups are very strong.

We’ve used it as a grab-n-go sun station for when we stop for hikes (with sunscreen, hats, etc.). Like when we recently went straight to Big Bend National Park and stopped off for a hike before checking into our hotel – we simply opened up the back hatch, got our sunscreen and hats, and were off.

And as someone who once took a 9-month-old on a 9-hour car trip, I can confidently say that I wish I had thought to use it as a diaper-changing station. Instead, we had to stop every few hours and use the gas station bathrooms, after lugging my diaper bag inside with me – yuck!).  

Other uses include:

• Pet Clean-Up Station : again, this would’ve been really helpful after our cat peed in his pet carrier on our 12-hour trip between Houston and El Paso. Also helpful for doggie stops.
• Grab-n-Go Hotel Bag : on some of our really long trips, we’ve gotten in really late at night, and being able to grab just the essentials (like toothbrushes, covers/blankies, stuffed animal, etc.) and get to sleep was about all the energy we had.
• Play Station : You could put this near your child’s window, and include things you want them to have easy access to (including sanitizing hand wipes, to use before a snack!).

Use your imagination – this one is a game-changer.

2. Do Timed Bursts of Clean-Up

Things can get messy or cluttered really easily on long car rides, especially with multiple kids.

Let everyone know that the family will be doing timed clean-up bursts each hour (or whenever it suits you).

This means you set your phone alarm, and when it goes off, everyone cleans up the area around them – toys get put back into bins, pencils/crayons/etc. back into containers, window paint cleaned up (just pour a little water onto a paper towel and hand it back), trash sent to the trash bag person, etc.

It’s like a clean slate ( which feels really, really good 4 hours into a road trip… )!

3. Add a Cloth Bin Next to Each Child

Putting a bin next to our kid’s child seat? Was such a game-changer.

I am able to stock it with books, a few toys, and even this shark toothbrush holder (which is where I have him keep any crayons/pencils/small items that would otherwise get lost in the bottom of the bin).  

4. Stop Less Often with this Bucket Pulley System

Look at this woman’s genius road trip hack – a bucket pulley system ! She and her family can now easily get things back to kids ( allll the way to the back of their van) without having to stop.

And the kids? Well, they seem to think it’s pretty cool, too (bonus: that means it’s part of their entertainment!).

5. Have Everyone Wear Flip Flops for Easy Pit Stops (and Comfortable Riding)

I don’t know about you, but I find long road trips infinitely more comfortable if I can do them in my bare feet (not as a driver, but as a passenger).

So do many kids! But putting socks and shoes back on for pit stops is a disaster – particularly if your kids are young. Instead, have everyone wear flip-flops for the car ride. That way, they can pop them on and off easily.

Psst: Don't forget to have some fun, yourselves! Here's my article on 17 things to do in a long car ride for adults .

6. Give One Family Member Trash Collector Status

I say “status”, because you’re going to give this person an extra reward for doing such a good job!

Make sure they’re sitting next to the car’s trash bin, or that they have grocery bags/a garbage bag.

The reward to doing this job – making sure everyone’s trash gets into the car’s trash bag throughout the ride – could be as simple as giving them first pick on their bed at the hotel, or choice over what you all listen to, or some other privilege.

7. Prep for Your Pit Stops

Use this RV app to map your route out with a few interesting side notes and places to stretch the kiddos’ legs.

Even better, put a bin in the truck (as the last thing you pack), that you can quickly access when you stop at parks or any area. Include things like bubbles, a frisbee, and anything else to encourage your kiddos to let loose and run around.  

8. Use the Try-Something-New Mantra Leading Up to Your Trip

In the weeks leading up to road trips and trips of any kind, we let our picky (with eating) 5-year-old that on trips, we do things differently.

This opens him up to do something that he normally wouldn’t do at home – try new foods much quicker. Which is fantastic!

He started eating bacon in Michigan. He picked up a Honey Nut Cheerios snacking habit from our trip to Pennsylvania. Which is also where he tried French toast for the first time.

For someone who eats far fewer types of food than other kids his age, this has been huge for us. It could be huge for your kids, too.

You just need to prep everyone ahead of time.

9. Use a Toddler Clock for Young Kids

For young kids who cannot tell the time yet, a road trip can seem even more agonizing.

Bring or buy a toddler clock for them (it changes colors when it’s time), and then set their alarm for specific times when they get to change out to a new activity, or each hour, or when the next pit stop will be, or some other meaningful time (even snack time).

It helps kids to feel more in control, plus they get to be in charge of something.  

10. Keep a Grocery Bag Holder Nearby

I can’t tell you the number of times that I’ve needed more grocery store bags to hold trash, wet items, and anything else (and didn’t have them).

Use your household grocery bag holder , and hook it to the pocket behind the passenger seat for easy access.

11. Don’t Forget the Play Tray, Play Bin, and Clipboards

Ever wondered how to keep your kids busy on a road trip? I wrote a whole article on car activities for 4-year-olds (that is also very relevant to other ages).

I’d also like to add how helpful it is to take a clipboard and play bin or play tray on the trip. You can then print out activities for them to work on. Not only that, but the play bin/play tray will help them to be able to play with something without dropping smaller pieces.

Hint: I like for these to be deeper than a play tray so that it’s less likely that the toy/activity will fall out.

Keep coming back, as we've got more road trips planned and I'll continue to experiment and add more ideas here. In the meantime, tell me which of these road trip hacks with kids worked the best for your family!

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12 Car Organization Hacks Essential for Traveling with Kids

By Peter Swanson November 20, 2019

When you're traveling with kids - whether locally for day to day activities or when taking a road trip, there are a few essential car organization hacks that can make the trip a lot better.

Following are some of our favorite hacks that are simple to implement but provide a lot of convenience and benefits for both parents and kids while on the road.

An Umbrella

While not an earth-shattering idea, it's amazing how frequently you will wish you had an umbrella with you - after you've forgotten it at home . To be ready for the unexpected, we always keep one right beside the driver's seat. Just make sure when you do use it, you remember to air it out to dry thoroughly before wrapping it back up to keep in the car.  You don't want anything nasty growing in the folds.

Cup Holder Liners

This is not an original idea but wow, is it useful. Instead of the mess of cleaning out crumbs and trash from your car's cub holders, you insert a silicone cupcake holder into them which catches all the mess. When you reach your destination, or whatever frequency is needed when commuting locally, just pull them out, dump the mess, and give them a quick wipe to clean. Way easier!

CD / DVD Portable Case

Turning on the radio, you're not sure what might come on. Some music may be too overwhelming for our young children's ears so it's always best to have your personal playlist ready. If you don't want to hook the speakers to your phone, you can use your car's built in player. This handy CD holder fits anywhere in the dashboard and it can hold up to 20 CDs. Bring your kids' favorites music and sing along in the car - great especially for long car rides!

Clip On Cell Phone Holder

No more fumbling for your phone in the car with this phone holder. Simply attach on to the a/c and it clips your phone in place. There are different types of phone holders on the market like the expandable mounts or this pop socket one that you can easily slip your phone into. With a phone holder you can hook up your phone to your car speakers easily. Having a phone holder in the car is also convenient when you're using your phone as a GPS.

Car Trash Can

Having a trash can in your car can be a game changer! You can keep all your trash in one place and when you're ready to dump it out, just pour the contents out into your garbage bin. This trash can is leak proof and also easy to clean with its special lining.

You can see the one we recommend by clicking here .

First Aid Kit

It's always best to be prepared whatever the circumstances may be. Having a first aid kit in your car at all times is convenient just in case you get small accidents while on the road. Cuts, scrapes and burns are common injuries to expect so prepare a first aid kit with the appropriate supplies.

Hygiene Kit

You can also bring with you some other basic essentials like hygiene products such as floss, q-tips, and chapstick. Put these all in a pouch for a more neat and organized look.

Kids Activities

When things get a little boring and the children are starting to feel restless, having some fun activities packed in the car can help with their boredom. You can pack coloring books, sticker books, or just plain notebooks and just let their imagination run wild. Aside from coloring books, you can also pack some board games or handheld video games and activities for more fun options.

Diaper Changing Kit

If you have small children, you might need to change their diapers often. During long car rides there's just no guarantee you'll be able to find a stop in time. Bringing a diaper kit in the car can help you just in case you need to change your children's diapers on the go. Keep all the essentials in a large bag and hook it up on the back seat or just stow it away somewhere.

Portable Organizer

It's not a bad idea to have more organization options in your car. A portable organizer can be a versatile storage option. Look for one that has a big compartment and includes pockets for more storage. This way you can keep all your things in one bin and not worry about leaving a mess every time.

We recommend getting this organizer from Lusso Gear . 

Travel Tray

Storing a travel tray in the car is also a convenient hack. A tray can serve different purposes like for eating, coloring, and other car activities. Look for a tray that can hook around your car seat so it doesn't fall during the ride. And also check for cup holders - this helps preventing spills inside the car and making more mess.

Lusso Gear also makes a new version of the travel tray you can see here .

Laundry Basket

This may sound unconventional but trust me on this: having a laundry basket in your car can work wonders. It's big enough to hold a bunch of things, but also just the right size that it can be stowed away and not take up so much space. This definitely comes in handy when you're getting groceries and you don't want your items sprawled out in the car. Put those groceries in the basket and pick it up and take it with you inside the house when you get home. No muss, no fuss!

This may seem like a lot of items but most of them are not large. You can pretty easily stash them in a few nooks and compartments around your car and you'll be glad you have them when that time comes.

And remember to check out Lusso's full line of interior accessories for your car while the limited time 15% discount is available.

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10 Hacks for Your Family Road Trip

Tips for traveling with kids on a road trip.

When we decided to go on our first big family road trip the first thought that came into my mind was “How will we survive this with 3 little kids?” With three kids under six years old, I knew that it would take some organization and planning to make sure all our ducks were in a row and to ensure everyone was taken care of during the long rides on the road. I’m sharing the 10 Hacks for Your Family Road Trip that we will forever us for all future family vacations!

We were so excited to head to Utah for our big family road trip. We had traveled before with the kids, but nothing like 12 hours in the car. Luckily I found some really great hacks that made traveling in the car with little ones fun and bearable. Here are my 10 hacks for family road trips and traveling with kids.

If you LOVE to travel, make sure you check out the adorable National Park Themed Birthday we threw for Duncan! It is the cutest EVER! TAG ME on Instagram @projectwhim if you try anything from the blog! I love to see and share!

Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Hack #1 Car Organization

With 5 people crammed into a car I had to stay organized to stay sane. I found some really great items on Amazon for keeping the car organized. My favorite were these backseat car organizers . They come as a set of 2 which was perfect for each girl. I used them to store their headphone s, tablets, color books, loveys, water bottles, sunglasses, face masks, etc. Anything that I thought the girls would want easy access to while riding in the car.

My other favorite find was a car trash can . Why it took me this long to get a trash can for my car, I have no idea? With all the trash, and there was a lot of trash passed around, this was one of the best buys for the trip. An added bonus is that it is insulated and waterproof so you could also use it for drinks if you wanted to. I will be keeping the trash can in my car forever.

Set of 2 Back Seat Car Organizers | Collapsible Waterproof Trash Can |

Hack #2 Distractions While Traveling

All our kids are little, so they can quickly become bored. I didn’t want to have to rely on the tablets the entire time we were in the car, even that can get boring after a while. So, I packed plenty of fun activities for the girls. I bought them Crayola Dry Erase Board Binders . The girls loved them, and Duncan surprisingly played with it for a long time. He found it fascinating that he could scribble on it and then wipe it away. But these Sticker Books were the WIN! There are so many different themes to choose from, beautiful stickers, coloring pages and the perfect size for in the car. The Best Part- NO MESS! These entertained the kids for hours and are my go-to for traveling. I also bought everyone a Road Trip Bingo game which was really fun for all of us to play. The kids got a kick out of searching for things outside the car. Color books and Twistable Crayons are great too.

Hack #3 DIY Road Trip Fun Bags

This was the hit of the trip. You will have to try this Hack for Family Road Trips. I bought all kinds of small, inexpensive toys for the kids. Included in the bags were cloud putty , lego DOTs bracelets , some surprise balls that they could open, fun activity packs from the Dollar Store, matchbox cars for Duncan, etc. I picked one toy and one treat (bag of mini Oreos, cookies, and fruit snacks) and separated them out into paper bags. When the kids would start to get restless, I would grab a Road Trip Fun Bag and toss them back to the kids. They had so much fun with these. They loved that they didn’t know what was inside and that they would get something new to play with for a while. This is my favorite hack for the trip.

Lego DOTS Bracelets | Cloud Putty | Paper Lunch Bags | Mini Toy Cars

Hack #4 Containers for Food

Another genius idea for your next road trip. These plastic storage trays were used SO much on our trip. You get 2 for $2!! When we stopped for fast food, I would put the little bag of French fries, the box of nuggets and their juice box all in one plastic container and hand it back to them. This way we didn’t have nuggets flying all over the car and the kids could easily eat with their food in their lap. I also used these containers when we stopped in Grand Junction to grab Palisade Peaches (cue mouthwatering). The girls could eat their juicy peaches without juice getting all over their clothes and then when they finished, they would throw the pit in the container and hand it back to me.

2pk Storage Trays

Hack #5 Car Sick Kit

Oh, the dreaded car sickness. Everly is one of the kids that gets extremely car sick. Even if we are driving around for 10 mins, she can start to get queasy. I put together a car sick kit for her so if she started feeling bad, I could quickly help her feel better or do some quick cleaning if she got sick. In the clear bag I included some small trash bags , extra pair of clothes, crackers, water bottle, peppermint essential oil, motion sickness medicine, cleaning wipes, ginger chews, and a microfiber cloth. This was up by me so I could easily get to it while we were driving. Fortunately, we only had to pull the kit out once for her. The Peppermint Oil saves us 90% of the time. To use, she takes the cap off and she smells it straight from the bottle. You can also snag a car diffuser and diffuse peppermint and lemon oil while you travel. Your car will smell divine, and the combo will help when kids start to feel queasy. Another great tip we got from a follower on Instagram was to suck on a lemon. That one helped too! So, add some lemons to your bag!

Large Clear Makeup Bags | Peppermint Essential Oil | Kids Motion Sickness Medicine | Ginger Tablets | Small Trash Bags

Hack #6 Pack with a Purpose

Staying organized while traveling is a necessity for me. One of my favorite ways to stay organized is to pack together like-minded items. I bought a bunch of clear makeup bags and zip up containers so I could separate items by use. For example, all the medicine went in one container and all the kid’s bathroom accessories (hair ties, toothbrush, etc.) went in another. I used these clear packing cubes for swimsuits and the smaller one for sunscreen. I loved how it zipped up and kept wet swimsuits from ruining our other clothes. The pouch of sunscreen was really helpful because I could take the pouch and toss it in the pool bag or in our hiking backpack. Made it really convenient and easy. For our Texas Road Trip, I got this adorable Road Trip Bag . The quality is amazing, and we used it to carry all the kids’ toys that they wanted to bring.

You then want to pack the back of the car first with items you don’t need to get to. We started with all our bags of clothes. Then as you pack closer to the trunk door we put things that we might need to reach while on the road. I used my favorite Collapsible Utility Tote for things we might need at arm’s reach.

PRO TIP : I learned this the hard way: Don’t bring your expensive purse on your road trip. I was lucky that I bought this adorable (and really inexpensive) leather backpack for our TX road trip. At the start of the trip, I accidentally spilled an ENTIRE bottle of bug spray inside my backpack. It completely ruined it. So glad it didn’t happen in my expensive handbag. (BTW: I was so sad this happened, and I loved the backpack so much I repurchased it)

There were some home essentials I am so glad I added at the last minute. If you are staying in a hotel or an Air B&B or trying to picnic on the road these items are a MUST for a road trip.

Trash Bags : For dirty clothing or trash

Paper Plates and Plastic Utensils : For meals on the go, or eating in a hotel when you don’t have a dishwasher.

Paper Towels : Quick clean ups or to use as napkins

Plastic Cups : I used plastic cups for giving the kids baths and for drinks other than water.

Clorox Wipes and Lysol : Because Corona and I wanted to spray everything down when we got to our hotels and Air B&B’s.

First Aid Kit : You never know when you will need a band aid.

Nail Clippers : We had to use nail clippers twice on the trip. So glad we brought these.

Toilet Paper : Incase you find yourself in the middle of nowhere and the urge to potty strikes.

Road Trip Tote | Set of Clear Makeup Bags | Clear Packing Cubes | Collapsible Utility Tote | Large Leather Travel Tote | Leather BackPack

Hack #7 Snacks and Treats

Don’t forget to load up on all kinds of snacks and treats for the ride. Not only do these come in handy when everyone start to get bored, it can lengthen your ride until the next stop if you choose things that take time to eat. I loaded up on lots of individual sized snack bags like goldfish, animal crackers, raisins, peanut butter crackers and pretzels. Healthy options were a must too. I premade bags of sliced cucumber and bell peppers and grabbed a bunch of whole apples and peaches. Surprisingly, the healthy options were the first to go. I made sure all the snacks were in the passenger seat with me so anytime one of the kids started to get a little feisty, I’d toss them back a snack. Worked like a charm!

Hack #8 Get out and Stretch

When the kids start to get restless and the distractions are no longer working it’s time to get out and stretch. It’s amazing what a 15 minute stop can do for everyone. Try to utilize those bathroom breaks or lunch pit stops as an opportunity to get the wiggles out. We made our own picnic lunch in a parking lot and then had the kids jump and run around some construction cones we found. Not only was it totally fun and something they will remember (Dad jumping over the cones), but it energized them enough to get through the rest of the drive. If you find yourself driving by a beautiful spot and you know the kids are starting to get antsy, use the opportunity to get out and check out the scenery. Take some pics and then get back on the road.

Hack #9 Bring Comfort Items

I am the type of person that can’t sleep without my pillow from home. So that was a must on my list. I also made sure to pack the kids’ loveys and blankets so they would have their comforts from home and easily fall asleep in the car. This was extremely helpful with Duncan. When he would start rubbing his eyes, I would lay his blanket on his lap and turn on our portable sound machine (one of my favorite baby items EVER) and rub his leg a little bit and he would quickly drift off to sleep. I also made sure to bring a heavy throw blanket from home. This was mainly for me. I have trouble sleeping without heavy blankets, so I brought this incase the places we were staying had the thin sheets on the bed. I ended up using it more than I thought. We sat on it for road trip picnics and for when someone got cold in the car. It was also nice to cuddle with at night after the kids went to bed while rex and I played cards or relaxed on the couch.

Hack #10 Get Digital

Don’t forget to pack your tablets for the ride. As much as I dislike too much screen time, sometimes throwing on a movie is the best way to knock out a few hours of the drive. We only had 1 tablet so we decided to buy a Kindle Fire so the girls would each have their own (in case they wanted to watch 2 separate things). They each got their tablets, and I preloaded their favorite movies (and some new ones too) on them. You can also download Audible and get books! When they wanted to watch a movie or listen to a story they could relax with the tablet and headphones. It was definitely a life saver when they were just wanting to zone out a little bit, and it helped keep the car nice and quiet!

We purchased the 10 inch Kindle Fire in the pretty teal color and I was really impressed with it! I actually preferred it over our other tablet.

We were so surprised by how well the kids did on the road. All the planning and organizing really helped us quickly meet everyone’s needs and keep them occupied. It ended up being such a memorable family vacation that we can’t wait to plan our next road trip adventure.

Interested in Exploring Utah for your next family road trip? Check out all the fun (family friendly) things we did and saw! Exploring Utah

Check out our latest road trip to Texas ! Click HERE to see all the fun and unique things we did in TX.

If you love these 10 Hacks for Family Road Trips make sure to check out my blog post on 7 Creative Ways to Gift Experiences for Kids | Laundry Room Makeover for Under $200 | Kids Sleep Roller Recipe for Natural Sleep Support | Our First Year of Homeschool | The Ultimate Barbie Doll Storage Solution | DIY Non-Toxic MAGIC Stain Stick |

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for more tips, DIY projects and fun activities for kids. Check out my saved “Road Trip” and “Utah” highlights to watch videos of our trip.

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9 thoughts on “ 10 hacks for your family road trip ”.

Your organization is so on point. The paper bags are so cute.

Nathalia | NathaliaFit – Fitness & Wellness Blog http://www.nathaliafit.com

Thank you! The kids really loves them!

Wow! This is amazing! We haven’t done a massive road trip with our 3 kids yet but I can’t wait to come out of lockdown and take advantage of our beautiful country (Australia)! All of these were amazing tips, I especially loved the trash can! Why I don’t have one of these now is beyond me haha x

Thank you!! Yes, I can’t believe I never thought to put a trash can in my car before this. Haha

That looks fun! I have yet to go on a road trip yet with my kids, but if we ever get the chance we will use some of these hacks for sure! Useful tips!! http://www.parentingpain.com

Thank you! It’s a great way to travel right now!

I love these tips! My kids are a little older, but there’s so much here that is valuable for any age. I love the garbage can you found, and the plastic trays are so awesome! Thanks for sharing.

Thank you! Yes, the plastic trays were great for us adults too!

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How to Survive a Road Trip with Kids: Organization

Part 3: Family Road Trip Organization 

This article is Part 3 in a three-part series on surviving road trips with kids.  As you may recall, in Part 1 I shared our three keys to a successful road trip with young children: keep them busy, keep them eating, and stay organized.

Part 1 covered road trip activities.  From toys to activity books to car games, it detailed everything you need to keep young children busy on a road trip.

Part 2 dealt with snacks.  A crucial part of any road trip (with or without kids!), this post shared our favourite road trip snacks, and our tips for minimizing the mess.

Today we’re talking about how to stay organized on a family road trip – our top 10 “family road trip hacks”.  Through trial and error, we’ve figured out what works best for our family – hopefully it will help you too!

This isn’t a packing checklist.  If you’re looking for a packing list, you can find our printable list here .  Instead, this article looks at how we stay organized on a road trip – from the pre-trip planning to how we organize the car.

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1. Schedule Your Trip Carefully

This is easy for me to say, and much more difficult to put into practice.

Some people swear by driving at night, putting their kids “to bed” in the car.  We tried it once, and it was such an absolute disaster that we vowed never again .

Others have the most success leaving early in the morning.  They transfer their children right from their beds to the car in hopes that they’ll go back to sleep.  Again, we’ve tried this, but our kids weren’t having any of it.  They are too excited to be going on a road trip, and once they’re up, they’re up for good.

We’ve had the most success planning our travel around nap time.  Our kids who need a nap  usually fall asleep, and even the older ones who don’t nap at home often succumb to the soothing motion of the car.

A couple of words of warning:

• First, be aware of elevation changes.  We’re always driving through the mountains and have had many a nap spoiled by popping ears that wake a child up.
• Second, if your little one wears a pull-up for sleeping, put it on him or her in advance.  We’ve had to scramble to find a place to pull over when my newly potty trained son was threatening to fall asleep.

2. Pre-Plan Your Stops – But Stay Flexible

Before you leave, plan some potential stops along the route.  I like to look for parks with fun playgrounds, and restaurants with play areas, to give the kids a chance to stretch their legs and burn off some energy.  Make sure your little ones aren’t just confined to a stroller or high chair – they need to move their little bodies too!

That said, all plans go out the window if you have a sleeping child you don’t want to wake, or an inconsolable little one that demands a stop NOW.  Give yourself a few options, but sometimes pulling over at a random exit is the best you can do.

3. Give Yourself More Time Than You Think You Need

If you have a hard deadline at a certain point in your trip, leave yourself way more time than you think you need.

Many of our trips involve a ferry, with a set reservation time.  We always build way more time into our schedule than the trip “should” take, to allow for unplanned stops.  I’d much rather arrive early and give the kids extra playtime at the ferry terminal than miss our reservation altogether.

4. Napkins, Paper Towels, and/or Wet Wipes Are Your Friend

Although we do what we can to minimize the mess, with travel-friendly snacks , spill-proof water bottles ( baby , big kid ), and snack traps , spills and sticky fingers still happen.  Keep a stash of napkins, paper towels and/or wipes in the front seat to deal with the inevitable spills and messes.

5. A Garbage Bag is a Must-Have

My kids are always passing me garbage – which I suppose is preferable to throwing it on the floor!  A garbage bag (or use a cereal container if you’re feeling fancy) is an absolute must to keep the garbage under control.

6. Pre-Portion the Snacks

I mentioned in  Part 2 that I pre-portion the snacks for my older two.  Handing them each a ziploc bag filled with all of their snacks for the trip has drastically cut down on disputes and limits the passing things back that I need to do.

Not only do I portion out the snacks for the trip there, but I do it for the ride home at the same time.  This avoids any scrambling on the day we’re heading home to come up with snacks for the trip.

7. Corral the Toys

Make things as easy as possible for everyone to find.  My boys each have a  Ikea GLIS box  filled with their chosen toys for the trip.  I corral the baby’s toys in a large ziploc, and everything gets placed in one storage bin that’s tucked in the backseat under the baby’s car seat.

8. Limit What Rides Up Front

There’s something about road trips that turns the backseat of the car into a disaster very quickly.  To avoid this, I limit what we store up front to only the necessities.

All of the snacks and entertainment items are packed in their respective boxes or ziploc bags, and placed in a storage bin ( this is our favourite – it fits perfectly under the baby’s car seat).  In it you’ll find road trip activity binders, any other books the boys have chosen, the boys’ toy boxes, any other toys I’ve chosen to surprise them with, a ziploc bag filled with the baby’s entertainment items, snacks (portioned in individual ziploc bags), headphones, iPads, and water bottles.

The bin is large enough to hold everything without being crammed (especially once we distribute the water bottles and snacks), but not so big that it becomes a catch-all for other items.

9. Have an Accessible Bag for Pit Stops

In addition to the snack and entertainment items that we store up front, I like to pack another accessible bag with any items that we may want on a pit stop.  This includes hats, hoodies, sunscreen, our picnic blanket, and any winter gear that we may need.  This goes in a bag that is easily accessible through the trunk.

10. Sleep Necessities Should Be Easy to Find

Finally, when I’m packing my children’s suitcases, I give some thought to what our schedule looks like.  If we’re going to be arriving right before bedtime, I’ll pack their sleep necessities (playpen, sheets, PJs, diapers/pull ups, loveys, monitors, etc.) in one easy-to-find bag, so I’m not having to dig through every bag before I can put them to sleep.

As you likely gathered from this Surviving Road Trips with Kids  series, the carefree road trips from years past are a distant memory.  However, with some planning and organization it is possible to make road trips with children tolerable, and sometimes even enjoyable!  Good luck and safe travels!

6 thoughts on “How to Survive a Road Trip with Kids: Organization”

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My husband and I are taking our two young kids on their first road trip and we are not quite sure what to expect, so I am glad that I found this article. I like that you say to schedule the trip carefully and make sure to pre-pan your stops so that you know of good places to pull off for a break. Also, it makes sense that you say portion the snacks before you leave into separate containers so that you will have the right amount for the whole trip and your children will have enough food for the whole trip.

We had to really change our thinking when planning our stops. Pre-kids we would usually stop for food at a restaurant, but with the kids we have much better luck packing a picnic and stopping at a playground or park. Good luck on your trip!

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Hi! I’m Laura. My husband and I are juggling two busy professional careers while raising three kids – two boys, ages 8 and 6, and 3 year old girl. I love organizing and crave quiet, which is often at odds with our very busy family. My goal with this blog is to create a resource for all of us to quiet the chaos in our lives, to give us back the time and energy to focus on what’s important. Thanks for joining me!

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