Road Trip “Just in Case” Bag
I am going to be so blunt at the beginning of this post and say this: I am a worrier and that is where this list was born from. I worry a lot, but I do my best to be down to earth about my worries and think about things logically, so that’s how this list was honed.
Essentially, I am very used to things going to plan but with a road bump along the way. When I say that, I mean a scenario like this: we plan to go to a grocery store on a day where we are at an AirBNB and then it’s raining all day so it sucks to load the car up after being in the store. A small hiccup that can be remedied with some down to earth preparation. That’s what this list is. Small amounts of preparation to not take up too much space in your vehicle while being good to have around, to save you some irritating moments and some peace of mind. Because I already worried for you.
Here’s what you need to recreate my little “just in case bag”—
Insulated freezer bag
Small bag/backpack/totebag
reusable bags
packing cube/pouch for all the little things
poncho
small umbrella
first aid kit
pain medication
baby wipes/wet wipes
hand sanitizer/spray
reusable straw
reusable cutlery kit
water bottle
Here’s how you do it—
get all your little things— the first aid kit, medication, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, straw & cutlery, poncho, anything else smaller
put all that in the packing cube/pouch
put that in the small bag/totebag
put the other items in the small bag/totebag— small umbrella, water bottle
put the small bag in the insulated bag alongside the reusable bags
now you have a Russian nesting doll version of a car bag.
Now I’ll explain myself.
By putting everything into a smaller pouch, now you have flexibility to get whatever bag you need and not have to dump everything into your car. If you need the insulated bag, you can take out the tote bag and everything is still contained. If you need the tote bag, you can put the contents in the insulated bag. If you need the insulated bag and the tote bag, then you can take out the small pouch and have the bigger items be out of any bag, or put it into a reusable bag. And if you need all of it, you just keep it in the insulated bag.
Now, because some of this sounds like the ramblings of an insane person, I have made you a little graphic to explain all of it——
Here’s some product ideas for each of the loose descriptions.
Freezer/insulated bags—
ALDI cooler bag (Insulated Thermal Bag) — IKEA Cooler Bag (FRAKTA) — IKEA Cooler Bag (NABBFISK) — Target Soft Sided Cooler (Sun Squad) — Target Soft Sided Cooler (Embark) — Tirrinia Wine Tote Cooler
Why? Having an insulated bag on hand is especially handy for a few reasons, one of them being grocery shopping on a hot day. I live in the south and sometimes I have to go to multiple stores for a shopping trip so a bag like this keeps milk, meat, vegetables, and ice cream cold enough to not be ruined before we get home. I personally have an ALDI Jute Bag. These are also good for road trips when you have to buy groceries or go to farmers markets.
Small bag/Backpack/tote bag—
Target Tote (Open Story Packable Tote) — IKEA Shopping Bag (SKYNKE) — Target Tote Handbag (Universal Thread Tote Handbag) — Quince Backpack (Revive Nylon Backpack) — Quince Backpack (All-Day Neoprene Backpack) — Quince Totebag (Revive Nylon Large Tote) — Target Backpack (Universal Thread Soft Utility Backpack) — Target Backpack (Open Story Signature Commuter Backpack)
Why? Having a bag, or backup bag, can be helpful when you’re traveling and have bought something you need to carry or you’re out and about and need another bag to store items. Ideally, this fits into the cooler bag from above.
Reusable Bags —
IKEA - Target - Publix - literally anywhere just keep your eye out for them.
Why? You know how bad Walmart bags are? That’s why. Reusable bags are great. They save crappy disposable bags, they are good for heavy or pokey/boxy items, and overall they’re better than using disposable bags. If you’ve seen that fear-mongering video about how plastic reusable bags are no better, then look for organic cotton bags. Plus, for puffy items like pillows, stuffed animals, and blankets, they are wonderful on a road trip. (I recommend IKEA cotton bags!!) There is also a very distinct experience of going to a Publix at 8 p.m. and buying 10 waters because you have no self control and 10 waters are a lot to carry in a very bad plastic bag so. That would be good to have a reusable bag. Based off of something I did.
Packing Cube/small pouch —
Why? To keep all the little things contained. You don’t need it if you want to just keep them in a reusable bag in the tote. You could also hide things in here if you need to.
Poncho & Small Umbrella —
Why? Not an either or, have both. Small umbrella is good for running into the store when it’s raining, a poncho is good if your car breaks down and you have to go lift the hood to see what’s going on. In all seriousness, a poncho will keep your clothes from getting soaked, which will keep you not sick if you do have to go out in rain or snow.
First Aid Kit —
Why? You should already have this. In fact, have two. Have one for your car and one for this bag monstrosity. Then you are prepared. You will get a gnarly papercut when you least expect it. Or something worse. You need at least bandages and wound ointment.
Pain Medication —
Why? You don’t want a headache or knee pain on a road trip. Or just in a car.
Wet Wipes & Hand Sanitizer —
Why? Sanitizing wet wipes are sticky and they suck at cleaning anything. So have wet wipes to clean well and hand sanitizer if you actually need to sanitize your hands.
Reusable Straws & Cutlery —
Where to get some: Target - IKEA - Aldi
Why? Have you ever gone to a McDonalds at 11 p.m. because you drove 5 hours and you’re tired and they forget your straw and you’re too tired to go back and get it? That’s why. Also it’s just convenient if you already have a straw.
Water Bottle —
Why? If you have a water fountain, it’s cheaper than a plastic water bottle.
This is a good thing to have on road trips and honestly to just have in your car if you commute a lot. Have a little bag of life to help you out. On that note, I hope this was helpful for you to think about what might make your life a little easier. If this doesn’t sound like it would, then don’t do it! You don’t have to take this as gospel, just an idea to help you travel. If there’s one step that would be helpful for you, then do that one. Anyway, I hope that any of this was helpful for you, and if it wasn’t, it was at least a fun little read.
Have a good day/afternoon/night and have safe travels—
Annie.