How to pack your car for a road trip
Lifestyle
5 MIN READ
Cross-country essentials
What to pack for a road trip
When it comes to road trip basics, keep in mind that the time you spend in your vehicle is both a means and an end. Sure, it’s required to get you where you’re going, but it should also feel comfortable and enjoyable. Keep that in mind as start narrowing down the pile of stuff on your bed. In the meantime, here is a road trip packing list to help get you started:
WATER
Bottles that fit in cupholders are as obvious as they are essential. Depending on the season you’re traveling in, however, you may want to consider bringing an insulated jug of ice water or a couple thermoses of coffee/tea as well.
FIRST AID KIT
At INFINITI, we’re big believers in “Better safe than sorry.” To that end, make sure you have a fully-equipped and readily-available first aid kit with you – and make sure your passengers all know where it is.
TOILET PAPER
From poorly stocked gas station bathrooms to overnight campsites and everywhere in between, a roll or two of toilet paper can – and likely will – be worth its weight in gold.
HAND SANITIZER
Without soap and water handy, hand sanitizer is the next best thing. Keeping a bottle in the glove compartment or centre console is a good idea even on a day-to-day basis.
SNACKS
Packing food for a road trip is both smart and savvy. Not only will it save you the money you’d otherwise spend on junk food, but it’ll also save you from having to make the requisite fast food detours.
DISPOSABLE BAGS
Even the most environmentally conscious among us aren’t immune to creating a bit of garbage on a long drive. Keeping a small bag or two handy that can hung from your centre console will give everyone a communal place to toss their apple cores and empty wrappers.
CHARGING/USB CABLES
Nowadays, just about every vehicle has charging ports. As such, keeping Android- and iPhone-compatible charging cables is always good business – lest you realize you need one an hour or two away from home. Thankfully, more modern vehicles like the QX60 help to cross this item off the list with their built-in wireless charging stations.
EMERGENCY KIT
In the event that you find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere while help is on its way, having a well-stocked emergency kit handy can be a literal lifesaver. Among the items it should contain: flashlight(s), batteries, candles, waterproof matches, road flares, jumper cables, rain poncho(s), emergency blanket(s), work gloves, fire extinguisher, tire sealant, ice scraper, small shovel, multitool, and tow rope.
ENTERTAINMENT
Downloaded movies and music are never a bad idea, but neither is having an audiobook or two handy. As Tammy attested in our QX80 owner’s story, listening to an audio book during a long drive is a surprisingly effective family activity.
A few extras to consider
If you have the space to spare or simply want to go beyond the essentials, here are a few more nice-to-haves worth bringing along:
BEDDING AND PILLOWS
Whether it’s to make the backseat more comfortable or because you don’t trust motels, having some blankets and pillows handy is never a regrettable decision. And in case you’re asking “how to pack bedding in a suitcase?” Don’t. Keep them on top of your other luggage (in a bag, if you like to keep things organized) in case someone in the back wants to use them while you’re driving.
TOWELS
If there’s even a chance you’re going to find yourself in need of one, bring a towel. Otherwise, make sure your t-shirts are extra absorbent.
EAR PLUGS
Uninterrupted sleep is vital – especially if you’re the one driving. Ear plugs (and a sleeping mask, if you’re sensitive to light) can go a long way toward ensuring you get some.
ROAD MAPS
The ultimate “just in case.”
Things to do before you leave home
How to prepare your car for a road trip
Beyond the things you bring with you, there are a few things you can do to ensure your road trip goes more smoothly. These include:
Utilize your seats accordingly. If you’re planning on using every seat, then you’ll need to maximize your cargo space. That means packing small and light, so encourage your passengers to use bags and backpacks over suitcases and luggage. Not only do they take up less room, but they can also fit between people’s legs a whole lot more comfortably if you’re hard up for space.
Pack properly. Avoid big, bulky suitcase if you can. Instead, opt for bags or other kinds of luggage that can be compressed. And to avoid wrinkles and be able to fit more clothes in said luggage, remember to roll your clothing – don’t fold it.
Clean your car. It’s a lot easier to keep a vehicle clean if it’s spick and span to begin with. A quick vacuum, dust and wiping of the windows can go a long way toward keeping things nice and tidy for the duration of your trip.
Accessorize. If you’re planning on heading out for more than a week or two, it’s worth considering a roof-mounted cargo pod. These containers can add a surprising amount of cargo space to a fully-packed vehicle – something you’ll likely need if you’ve got a carload of passengers. That said, it’s worth noting that cargo pods can and will affect your fuel efficiency, so you’ll want to weigh your options. Similarly, if you’re going to be doing any biking, skiing or other outdoor activities, there are a range of roof racks that you can have outfitted to your vehicle.
Keeping your car road-trip-ready
General car maintenance
Unless this is a spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment thing, it’s worth taking your car in before every long road tip – especially if you find yourself asking when to do maintenance on your car. While a through once-over is never a bad thing, there are a few things in particular you’ll want to go over.
CHECK YOUR TIRES
Having a full set of season-appropriate tires with good tread is a must. So is a spare tire. Make sure they’ve all got the right amount of air, too. Good tire pressure will not only cause your tires to wear slower and more evenly, but it’ll actually improve your fuel economy too.
And in case you don’t already know how to use one, ask your mechanic to show you how to use your car’s jack. That’s one quick lesson you won’t regret learning.
TOP UP YOUR FLUIDS
This might seem like an obvious suggestion, but the fact is there’s probably more fluids in your vehicle than you realize. Windshield wiper fluid, coolant and oil may be the usual suspects, but if you’re going to be spending an extended period of time on the road, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to have a mechanic check the rest – especially if it's been a while since you last had your vehicle serviced. Just book an appointment at your local INFINITI retailer and ask them to make sure your brake, transmission, and power steering fluids are all looking good.
Adventure in style
The INFINITI QX60 is the ultimate road trip companion. With cargo space and flexible seating galore, a full suite of our latest and greatest available driving tech and all the ambiance of a Zen garden, this is one crossover that will keep you moving – and feeling incredible.