I learned a new way to pack for a road trip recently, but I can’t decide if I am thrilled that this new packing method will make things so much easier, or mad that it has taken me so long to figure it out. Think of all the time, energy, and frustration I could have saved myself if I had only known this before!
What is this little miracle packing tip? It’s so simple, really. Instead of packing all the necessities of each person (or two) for the entire trip, pack each suitcase with everything the entire family will need for each night or stop. Using this method, you only need to bring one or two suitcases into the hotel each night. You can also more easily pack the car, placing the bags needed later in the trip on the bottom.
I took this new packing method for a test drive recently on a road trip to Houston and I was really happy with the results. Here’s how I made it work:
- One bag was designated our everyday bag and into went the things we would need every day. This included underwear and socks for everyone for the entire trip, swimming suits, pajamas, and toiletries. Having all the swimming suits and pajamas in one bag was such a headache saver. Normally, my kids cross the hotel room threshold and become streakers in an attempt to get out of their clothes and into the pool as fast as possible. Then, the inevitable “Where’s my swim suit” comes at me from four directions and suitcases are pilfered and destroyed in the search. Having them all in one place was so much easier. It also really came in handy for the nights when we rolled into the hotel way past bedtime. That everyday bag was the only one needed to get clothes changed, teeth brushed, and everyone into bed.
- Bags for daily clothes were packed for each night (or two) that we would be on the road. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I could pack for two nights for the entire family in one small suitcase. When, we travel, I like to dress my kids in similar colors, not only because it looks cute in pictures, but because it makes packing easier. For this road trip packing method, I would pack all the similar outfits in one stack, that could be easily removed in the hotel and everyone dressed quickly.
- Label each suitcase. You can go with the ‘Bubba’ method of using a strip of duct tape, or use another type of tape, like electrical tape. I found that by the end of the trip my strips of electrical tape had become much less sticky, so it the future I will make a loop of tape to stick around the handle, so they stay put.
What great travel tips have you learned lately? Share your best tips and link up below
I also tried out the "By the Day" suitcase packing method over Spring Break. We were traveling around Japan where I had heard that the hotel rooms were quite tiny. I didn't want to have a different luggage for each of us open on the floor. So, I packed by the day. We also had an "Every Day" bag with jackets, swimsuits, PJs and toiletries. It worked great until I did laundry. Then, I was in such a rush to repack and get out of the room before Check Out time that I just threw everything in wherever it would fit without sorting it by day.
This is a great idea. When we were travelling with our kids when they were smaller I did something really similar to this. That way you only need one bag in the hotel room. Much easier and way less confusion.
I love this. We do this method when we road trip because sometimes it is just so much easier to take out one bag and leave the rest in the car.
Great tip! I'm going to try this method on our next big trip and see how it works for us. Not sure what my kids will think- right now I only ever pack for me and my husband- they have their own bags so I don't know how they will feel about the shared luggage space. We'll see…it's worth a try. Lugging five full size suitcases into a hotel in the middle of the night certainly isn't ideal.
Our suitcases are all different colors. We employ this strategy, including a small red "emergency bag" with a backup outfit — or outfits for the little one. That way, if something happens, the system doesn't fall apart. The emergency bag gets us through! Love your tip!
Thanks for the linkie party!
This is a great idea! I've done a single overnight bag when we had plans to stop en route to the main destination, but have never planned it by day for the entire trip. Keeping the swimsuits and PJ's all in one bag is smart too. I bet this method keeps the mess down in a hotel room.
I think this is a great idea, but I don't know if my daughters would be willing to forgo trying on every outfit they've packed each and every morning while deciding which one looks the best.
How do you feel about leaving all the other stuff in the car though? Never worry about things getting stolen?
Ha! I thought I was a road trip pro, but I don't know why I NEVER THOUGHT OF THIS!! What a great idea. Now I can feel less like a pack horse every time we pull up to a new hotel 🙂 Thank you!
Packing by the day instead of by the person is one of the best tips I've ever read. This is the first time I've seen it, too. Thanks for sharing! When we travel we put a few clothes from each person in each suitcase. That way, if one gets lost in-transit we will (hopefully) have another suitcase with a few essential items for everyone – like at least one clean change of clothes. Your idea of actually planning each day takes our idea one step further. Awesome!
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who likes to dress the family in "coordinatiing outfits!" We got teased so bad a few years ago that we all looked too matched in our vacation photos. But I loved how great we looked as a unit! hehe When the kids were smaller and I travel from Guam back to Indiana with just the kids and me, we have several over night stops. I packed all 3 of our clothes for each day in a space saver bag. So each night I only opened one space saver, and didn't have such a problem re-packing. I need to try this again, our last holiday apartment was a mad house by day 3! Thanks for sharing!!
Great ideas. Why not try putting each person’s undies, swimwear, and p.I’d in large zip bags to cut down on the rummaging thru the communal bag?
Our dog has his own backpack! That way when we check into a hotel, one person can handle the human supplies and keys and the other can wear the dog backpack, carry the dog bed in one hand, and manage the leash (and dog!) with another.