Get Organized for a Holiday Road Trip

Recently, I provided some tips on how to pack for holiday travel.  If your future travels include a road trip, there are some specific things you want to consider before heading out:

• Schedule Maintenance – If there is any maintenance that is due on your vehicle, get it taken care of before hitting the road.
• Plan Your Route – Even if you have a GPS, this is still an important task.  A GPS can be very helpful, but most GPS users have questioned the logic or accuracy of a route at some time or another.  By doing advance research on current construction projects, you can avoid long delays.
• Be Flexible! – Do you have to leave during peak rush hour?  If you can be flexible with your schedule, you can save yourself this frustration.
• Create a Packing Zone – As you gather the items to load in your car, put them all in one place so you can see what you have.  Consider what things you might want easy access to and load those last, protect fragile things, and keep your travel documents and snacks within reach.
• Use Car Organizers – A trunk organizer can help to keep some of the smaller items together.  If you are traveling with children, a backseat organizer is well worth the investment.  It gives them a way to organize their drinks, snacks, games, activity books, etc.  This is especially helpful in the wintertime when the floors get wet and messy.  Media organizers are also helpful to keep CDs and DVDs safe and organized. If you are tight on space, Space Bags can be a great help. We use one large one for all of our winter gear.
• Pack Snacks – Use a small cooler to keep fruits and veggies cold.  Also pack plenty of water.
• Provide Games & Activities for the Kids – Our family favorite is the license plate game.  We track of which states we see along the way and try to get as many of the 50 states as possible.  Also consider a new activity book or travel game that you can surprise them with part way through the trip.
• Pack Audio Books – Go to the library and check out some audio books or DVDs (if you have a DVD player).  These can really make the time fly!
• Pack a Roadside Emergency Kit

Being well-prepared for your road trip will reduce your stress and ensure your family memories will be the best they can be.

– Donna Lindley, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Rochester Hills, MI-based Organize Your World, Inc.

For more travel organizers visit the Travel section at Organize-it.
Or check out our travel gifts collection!