How to Prepare for a Long Car Trip

Last Updated: June 14, 2022

One day your friend calls you up and asks if you want to take a trip with them. You say yes, pack excitedly, and then ask your friend how you're getting there. If they say you're going by car, you'd better be ready.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Getting Ready Ahead of the Trip

1
Make lists a week or two before the trip. List what will go in your suitcase and make another list of things you need to do before the trip. This can include getting a car tune-up, or washing/waxing/cleaning the car. This will help you be less stressed since everything is written on paper, and you will be less likely to forget something.
2
Make sure you have everything you need, including things to entertain you or young children. If you have a portable DVD player, make sure everything is set up in the car the night before, as it will save time later. Make sure you are keeping track of any of their devices (Gameboy, DS, iPad, etc) ^{[1]
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3
Charge your electronics. Even if you have a car charger, it will be easier to sit back with your phone than being tangled with a cord.
- Download what you need. Want the hottest new songs to listen to during the car ride? Download it. Want to get the new game that just came out? Download it. Want to watch the movie your friends say is awesome? Download it. Don't wait for the last minute to download new songs, apps, and movies.
4
Talk to people going on the trip beforehand. If you have people going with you on the trip, make sure you have everything planned out. Set a time for rest stops and when to switch turns in driving.^{[2]
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- If you are one of several who drives, create a schedule to figure out who drives when and where.
- Plan when you will take rest stops and when you will get food.
5
Be sure you have booked your hotel two or three days before you reach your destination to ensure availability.^{[3]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Packing

1
Bring a large enough bag. You don't want to be cramming all your hand luggage into your handbag.
2
Pack your suitcase a few days before the trip. This gives you time to think about adding things in or taking things out and will generally make you less stressed before the trip.
- Pack comfortably.
3
Pack an additional "carry-on" bag. This could include some books, electronic entertainment (handheld games, mp3 players, laptops, DVDs if the car has a DVD player, etc.), non-perishable snacks (such as granola bars and cookies), and drinks if you have a cooler. Remember that if you bring carbonated drinks, they may go flat.^{[4]
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- Pack a pillow to sleep well.
- You could go to your local library and check out books. Or get new books on your Kindle. Books are a good and easy way to pass time in the car. You could also get magazines or newspaper articles.
- Talk to your family. Find out who wants to watch which movie at what time. It can become a big problem when you all want to watch a different movie or listen to different music.
4
Prepare your snacks. It's better to prepare your snacks beforehand than be scrambling to fill resealable bags at the last second. If your whole family is sharing a snack, don't bring the whole bag. Then you have to pass the bag around the car. It's easier to separate servings into resealable bags or plastic food containers so each family member can grab their own snack.^{[5]
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Research source} Some good snacks to take might be:
- Pretzels, chips
- Cheese sticks
- Veggies such as celery bite-sized pieces, carrot sticks and cherry tomatoes
- Fruit such as mandarins and apple slices.
5
Pack some stomach soothers. Bring gum, peppermints and ginger on your trip. These foods can help ease queasiness on the trip and can help calm down the person eating or chewing them.
6
Pack emergency supplies. In case there's a breakdown or accident, pack blankets, torches, a first aid kit including painkillers, drinking water and extra snacks.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

On the Day of the Trip

1
Wear something comfortable. Under your regular clothes, wear something comfortable (maybe even pajamas). Wear a pair of sweatpants, a light t-shirt, and a hoodie. You don't want to be uncomfortable for the entire length of a long car trip.
2
Check everything one last time before you leave. Make sure everyone has used the bathroom, that you have money for gas, that there is entertainment in the car, and that nothing was left on in your house.
3
Choose your seat once you get in the car, if permitted. Try not to sit behind someone who is notorious for pulling their seat back. Sitting by the window is generally a good choice, as you can open it if you need air and you can view the sights that you pass by.
- Don't fight over seating. Switch around and share the different places.
- Be considerate of anyone who gets very sick in the back seat––let them sit in the front.
- If the car is busy, try not to sit by someone who annoys you.
4
Drive to your destination. Punch the location in on your GPS system if you have one. Go to rest stops on the way there to get meals and use the bathroom.^{[6]
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Community Q&A

Question

How much clothing should I bring if I am going on a three day trip?

Community Answer

Have at least three comfortable outfits, but wear something comfortable underneath. It's a good idea to bring a couple extra shirts and pants as well. Better safe than sorry!
Question

What can I do to prevent me from getting car sick?

Community Answer

Suck on peppermint or sip peppermint tea to avoid feeling car sick on a long trip.
Question

What kind of snacks should I you take?

Community Answer

Try to take something small like a bag of chips, nuts or small cookies. If you are notorious for getting carsick, you might want to go for crackers instead. Definitely pack drinks like water, an energy drink, or just some water. Don't bring anything too messy, as it's hard to clean up in the car but have some wipes too.

Warnings

If you're prone to travel sickness, take a travel sickness tablet before leaving, and take the packet in your bag just in case. Even those who aren't sensitive to travel sickness can get queasy at times.

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Check your car a couple days before hand so you don't have to worry about it breaking down on your trip.

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Don't bring a bag of entertainment items that is too large; chances are, you won't use all the items in the overstuffed bag and it takes up valuable floor space, which will just make the car feel more stuffy and overcrowded.

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Don't wait until the last minute to get gas, as there might not be a gas station around. Get gas when you can only go 5-10 miles, so you have enough gas to go to a gas station.

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