Summer is here, and that means more families are packing up the car and hitting the road. Whether you’re heading to visit family or escaping to your favorite vacation spot, chances are a road trip is in your near future! 

As a mom of two young kids, I’ve learned that a smooth road trip starts with a well-organized car. Between snacks, activities, and quick stops, the key to an enjoyable ride is preparation. I’ve gathered all my favorite tips to help you get your car ready, keep your kids happy, and stay sane along the way.  

1. Clean Out the Car Before You Go

Start fresh! Even if it seems silly to clean a car that’s about to get messy again, a clean start helps everything stay more organized.  

• Pull Out Everything Check under seats, in cup holders, and every hidden storage space. You’ll be surprised what piles up (hello, old snack wrappers and broken crayons!). 
• Vacuum & Wash Mats Especially after winter, your car's floor mats are probably due for a good shake and rinse.  Invest in rubber mats made for your car for easy cleaning.  I love Weather Tech Mats.
• Sanitize Surfaces Wipe everything down—steering wheel, dashboard, door handles.   Keep wipes like these in your car for quick clean-ups.
• Organize Your Console Keep the essentials within reach:  
  • Tissues 
  • Charging cords 
  • Lip balm  
  • Coins 
  • Pen/pencil 
  • Keys 

Glove Compartment Check Stick to essentials:  

• Registration & insurance 
• Extra napkins 
• Roadside assistance info 

2. Pack a “Summer on the Go” Trunk Kit

I keep one tote in the trunk stocked with everything we might need, so I’m not scrambling before every outing. Trunk Kit Must-Haves:  

• First aid kit 
• Paper towels & wet wipes 
• Extra water bottle 
• Hand sanitizer 
• Folding chairs & blanket 
• Umbrella 
• Sunscreen & baby powder (great for sandy feet!) 
• Reusable shopping bags 
• Small roll of garbage bags 

Having these items always ready makes beach days, hikes, and sports games a breeze.  

3. Entertainment for the Kids

The secret to a peaceful road trip? Happy kids! Here’s what goes in our backseat activity bag:  

• ipad or Amazon Fire for kids with downloaded shows or games 
• Headphones (and extension cords for 3rd row access) 
• Paper, markers, clipboard 
• Favorite books 
• Healthy snacks like granola bars or trail mix 

BONUS TIP: Bring our best-selling Road Trip Activity Pack!

It includes 60+ fun printable games and activities for the whole family—designed to fit in a binder and be reusable with sheet protectors and dry erase markers. From license plate games to scavenger hunts, it’s a must-have for long drives!  

4. Invest in a Rooftop Cargo Box

If you're doing frequent or long-distance travel, a rooftop box gives you so much more space in the car (and a lot more sanity!). It’s been a game changer for our family.  

Our family uses this one.

5. Pack Less, Stress Less

It’s tempting to bring everything—but don’t!  

• Stick to basics that can mix and match. 
• If laundry is an option, pack fewer outfits. 
• Most forgotten items can be picked up at your destination anyway. 

Organizing Tip:  I love to use packing cubes to make sorting and unpacking my family's clothes a breeze on vacation.  Bonus is they also save space.

6. Document Your Destination Details

Avoid the dreaded “Where are we going again?” moment on the highway. Keep a physical list of:  

• Hotel/VRBO address and phone number 
• Any tickets or confirmation numbers 
• Contact details of friends or family 

You’ll thank yourself later. 

You are now ready to begin your road trip!  With a little bit of pre-planning you will have so much less stress during the trip.

Happy Organizing!

Kristin

Kristin Vander Wiede is a Professional Organizer and owner of Livable Solutions Professional Organizing and Life's Lists