Summer is finally here, meaning you’ll be spending lots of time in the car for day-trips and vacations with the family. We know road trip packing can be stressful – it’s a parent’s job to be prepared for the unpredictable and remember everything, right?! To ensure your vacation starts off on the right foot, here is a list of our top summer road trip travel tips and tricks.

Take time to prep for your Road Trip

Dedicate time well before departure to plan your pack—yes plan. Check the weather forecast, ensure flight times are accurate, check construction and closures and find alternative routes to make a realistic travel route to get you there on time. If flying, remember to double check what you can bring in your carry-on to avoid anything being thrown out.

Avoid the morning of mad dash to gather all necessary toiletries and invest in a travel set of essentials.  Do you need a full size shampoo and conditioner for the family to share, or can you use the adorable mini travel-sized items, like a super cute and convenient mini mouthwash to maintain fresh breath on the go? If you have essentials you just can’t duplicate, like an electronic toothbrush, add them to your last minute pack list.

Make a list, check it twice

If heading on a road trip, packing the family and your trip essentials can mean a tightly packed car. Making a check list of what you really need will help eliminate those “nice to have” items that will overflow the car.

Involve the kids – throughout the week have the kids write down items they use in the day on a chalk or white board in a central location (i.e. kitchen fridge). At the end of the week, go through the list together and narrow it down to the must haves. You may be surprised by some of the things you use daily!

To pack it right, pack it light!

The lighter the better! We know packing with kids and pets it may be difficult to live by this mantra, however keeping things light and simple leaves room for souvenirs.

Downsize by bringing items that have more uses than one. Bring things like baby wipes – they work wonders for baby’s bottom and do double duty by wiping faces  clean of juice spills and other sticky messes.

Dryer sheets are a great static solution on the go. Rub along your electric-charged clothing item to help remove pesky static!

When packing clothing, try rolling versus folding. It often helps keep things less-wrinkled and can save space in your suitcase.

Car essentials

It’s easy to get tempted by road side stops for fries and ice cream, which can add up and increase your budget. Try bringing cut fruit, veggies and bags of trail mix to help curb everyone’s appetite!

Bathroom pit stops can often be annoying if certain amenities are missing – don’t leave the house without bringing your own toilet paper so you’re always fresh and comfortable. Keep your mouth feeling fresh too by bringing mouthwash and floss so you can head back into the car feeling rejuvenated, ready for the next leg of the trip.

Long car rides can often result in smells you’d wish you left at home. With leftover snacks sitting around, get rid of the odours by using an air freshener.

Safety first

Always remember to bring a first aid kit. No one wants to get sick on vacation so be prepared for everything that may get thrown your way. From cuts, bruises, to colds and allergies, be ready to tackle it all so the fun never stops