
Road Warriors Share Their Very Best Packing Tips

Weekend getaways can sound so carefree—that vision of driving down the highway belting out your favorite tunes on your way to a new destination. What’s not so carefree? Running around the house scooping up shoes and keys and phone-chargers only to realize somewhere around Exit 10 that you forgot a critical item. Packing mistakes happen to the best of us. But travel pros know how to make the task as easy-breezy as possible, so they spend less time digging through the medicine cabinet and more time singing to their favorite playlist. We tapped 10 travel experts to share their tried-and-true packing tips for quick trips so you can make your escape with the same confidence and ease.

Have toiletry kits filled
"To streamline packing before a trip, I always keep two dopp kits fully equipped and ready to go. One contains a full set of toiletries—SPF and bug spray are essential!—all sized 3.4 ounces or less. And the other holds chargers, cords, and the other tech accessories that I’ll certainly forget otherwise. This strategy cuts my packing list down significantly—instead of scrambling for dozens of small items around the house at the last minute, I can simply drop these two pre-packed kits into my suitcase and I’m halfway done."
—Eric Odone, Senior Vice President - The Americas at Qatar Airways
Simplify your outfits
"Don't stress. Pack one dress, just in case you end up somewhere nice. I always pack two tops for every pair of pants, shorts, or skirt. Color co-ordinate all pieces to cut down on the number of shoes. I used to say, pack black and be done with it, but the color brown works too. Use accessories to make outfits look different."
—Heather Poole, flight attendant and author of the New York Times bestseller "Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama and Crazy Passengers at 30,000 Feet”

Don't forget first aid—and a swimsuit
“I've recently added a 9-1-1 kit to my suitcase for an added layer of safety and peace of mind. As a new mom, you can't ever run out of band-aids or not need a sewing kit (I've used mine three times this month!) and I've found keeping a spare swimsuit on-hand helps me say 'yes' to spontaneous swims and adventures. You never know what a vacation will bring, but my travel bag has me covered from mountain hikes to pool time."
—Talya Regan, Director of Marketing for The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark
When in doubt, list it out
"Make a morning-of packing list to ensure items that you use up until you're leaving like your toothbrush, deodorant and chargers, make it into your bag... [And] when coming to the Outer Banks, make sure you bring your flip flops!"
—Geoff Young, Managing Director at Sanderling Resort

Pack must-needs first and don't overdo shoes
"Prioritize what you absolutely need first. This includes items that can't easily be bought in transit, such as prescription sunglasses or contacts, medications, and your passport [if needed]. Once those essentials are tucked safely away... I dedicate the rest of my suitcase space to neutral, versatile, weather-appropriate pieces that go well together no matter how I combine them... Lastly, don't overdo it on the shoes! For most quick trips, I often end up wearing only two pairs—sneakers or boots for casual and outdoor pursuits, and sandals or flats for dinners out."
—Lindsey Olander, freelance travel and lifestyle writer
Use packable bags
"I've come to really embrace the spontaneity of travel, especially over the past year... The [Away] Packable Sling Bag has become my go-to for last minute getaways. It packs into a tiny zip pouch—so it takes up virtually no room in my luggage. And it's constructed with 100% recycled lightweight, water-resistant nylon—so it's durable enough to handle whatever outdoor adventure comes my way. It also holds my wallet, keys, sunscreen, water bottle, and snacks—all the items I need easy access to while out and about."
—Cuan Hanly, Away Chief Design Officer

Teach kids to pack for themselves
"The two biggest tools for helping kids pack well and quickly are packing lists and packing cubes. When it's time to pack, we sit down together, count out the days we'll be away, look at the weather, and think about what activities we need to pack for. Now that they're 7 and 9, they're confident enough to take the packing list, grab a packing cube or two, and pack themselves up in a few minutes.... The fact that I no longer pack for them gives me extra time to pack and organize before we go!"
—Christine Sarkis of FamilyVacationist.com
Give in to overpacking on road trips
"Unlike most other forms of travel, I actually encourage overpacking when taking a road trip (as long as you don't obstruct your views or make the backseat uncomfortable), because you never know what a road trip can bring you. I always have a first-aid and safety kit in the car and pack a duffle bag of clothing that covers a range of temperatures and weather conditions (i.e. umbrella, hiking shoes, day pack, rain jacket, bathing suit, microfiber towel, sunglasses, baseball hat, and layers). A cooler is a must for easy access to drinks and snacks, I just bought the Yeti Roadie and highly recommend it for road trips."
—Ashley Rossi, Managing Editor Togo RV and Roadtrippers

And pack things that spark joy
"For any last-minute trips, I take a quick glance at the weather, grab any items that I am currently loving and throw them in my suitcase! The beauty of a last-minute trip is spontaneity, and in this example, I would try really hard not to overthink the packing as it sets the tone for this kind of departure. You can't go wrong with any items that are currently sparking joy!"
—Sara Banks, Founder and CEO of SteamLine Luggage