From the Floors Up

Road Trip Ultimate Planning List – Part 4

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We’ve arrived at the final segment in our series about how to pack smartly for a road trip. It is work, but it’s worth it because road trips are a wonderful way to bond with loved ones and your favorite friends. Just remember, start planning early if you can. More planning equals less stress.  Now, let’s get this finished so you can put the pedal to the metal!

DOCUMENTING

  • Camera, video camera, tripod, memory card
  • Free disk space on camera-phone, SD card with additional memory
  • Journal and pens
  • Calling card for meeting friends along the way

TECH

  • Wall and car charger for phone
  • Laptop, tablet charger
  • Backup batteries or portable charger if possible
  • Headphones

ENTERTAINMENT

  • Books and magazines
  • Preloaded Kindle or Ipad

PETS

  • Pet sitter if they’re staying behind, leashes, treats, plenty of food and supplies, special instructions
  • Medications, veterinarian’s phone number, phone number of pet emergency room near your destination
  • Food and water, dishes
  • Two leashes in case you lose one
  • Crate or bed
  • Sweater, snow shoes, for furry friends not acclimated to cold weather
  • Shampoo and brush if muddy puddles or skunks are possible
  • Tweezers for boo-boos
  • Shade source for outdoor protection
  • Ground stake for tie down – NEVER leave a pet in a car that is even slightly warm, as glass magnifies heat

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Gifts for the people you’re going to see, or plan to give to travel companions
  • Binoculars

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

  • Check the weather – again!
  • Download all content on entertainment devices
  • Download all apps and try out to ensure they work
  • Make sure you have your glasses if needed
  • Call hotel concierge to pre-arrange entertainment plans
  • Exhaust all information sources so your trip is a no-brainer
  • Program air conditioning and heat settings in your home to avoid unnecessary utility bills
  • Double check all locks, windows, doors
  • Note that you closed garage door
  • Turn off coffee pot
  • Load the car the night before to avoid delays and frustration
  • Check oil, top off car fluids, check tire pressure, (do this throughout the trip if you’re going to be on the road for an extended period of time)
  • Set up “auto photo backup” to a cloud drive so you don’t lose all of your photos if you lose your phone
  • Consider micro chipping your pet in case he or she decides to go on a solo adventure

Road Trip Ultimate Planning List – Part 2

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Welcome to part two of your list. If you haven’t already, make sure to read Part 1 of our road trips series.  Road trips are amazing! It’s a bit of work to get ready for them, but there’s something about zooming through the wind and watching the landscape fly by the widows that does a lot of good for the soul. Here’s what to pack next:

CLOTHING

  • Stain remover
  • Dirty laundry bag
  • Detergent if washing on the road, hangers to air dry
  • Lint roller
  • Underwear and undershirts
  • Swimsuit
  • Socks
  • Hosiery
  • Pajamas (according to temps)
  • Heavy coat
  • Light jacket
  • Shoes: sandals, snow boots, flats, sneakers, heels, sport, dress shoes, casual shoes
  • Belts, ties, scarves
  • Jewelry, watches
  • T-shirts, tank tops, casual tops, dressy tops, sweatshirts, hoodies
  • Jeans, casual pants, shorts, dress pants, sweatpants, yoga pants
  • Sportswear
  • Special event garments

WEATHER

  • Sunscreen, sun hats, flip flops
  • Gloves, scarves, long underwear, snow boots
  • Umbrella
  • Raincoat, galoshes

BAGS

  • Suitcases
  • Totes
  • Purses
  • Clutch
  • Tiny “essentials-only” purse or wallet – cards, cash, keys, phone

KEEPING THINS CLEAN

  • Paper towels
  • Wet wipes
  • Trash bags
  • Multipurpose spray cleaner or antibacterial wipes

FOOD

  • Bottled water – fewer bottles, more roadside refills
  • Cooler, ice
  • Bottle opener, wine key, can opener
  • Plastic ware (plates, bowls, utensils, cups)
  • Napkins, baggies, plastic containers
  • Dry goods for snacking
  • Easy meals (sandwiches, pre-steamed rice and veggies, pre-cooked scrambled eggs and bacon, store bought to-go kits like tuna and crackers, etc.)
  • Fruit that doesn’t require cold storage

COMFORT

  • Small pillow and blanket for backseat napping
  • Earplugs
  • Sleep mask

Road Trip Ultimate Planning List – Part 1

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Yay! We are quick approaching road trip season. No other form of travel is quite as cleansing and liberating as a road trip. Before you adopt your carefree attitude though, you should take great care to prepare and pack well. There are a lot of example packing lists on the web, but we found that they are almost too extensive. So we’ve compiled what we feel is the ultimate list because it covers the basics without making your brain hurt just by looking at it.

First and foremost, the golden rule is this: Bring less stuff and more money! Then focus on what’s most important and work your way down.

Despite narrowing down our list quite a bit, it turns out there’s still a LOT of stuff to remember so we’ve segmented our list into four parts. This makes it easy for you to tackle the various considerations without feeling overwhelmed. Now, let’s get started. We recommend first reading all four blog posts to give yourself an overview and an opportunity to make notes. Don’t worry, they’re brief and to the point. Then come back to this list one and start checking things off until you’re done with all of it!

TRAVEL PLANS

  • Itinerary – use a travel app and carry a written copy
  • Tickets to special event

CAR & ROADSIDE

  • Double check roadside assistance coverage, bring membership card
  • Ensure auto insurance coverage includes all that you expect
  • Two copies of insurance and registration
  • Jumper cables, spare tire, car jack
  • Atlas, in case electronics fail
  • Emergency roadside kit
  • Flashlight and extra batteries, tripod light for mechanical emergencies
  • Extra washer fluid

FUNDS, IDENTITY, ACCESS

  • Cash – lots of it, find a safe hiding place
  • Credit Cards – call ahead to release funds for unusual spending, make copies of cards front and back in case they get lost
  • Know your Paypal password in case you need it, and check for bank transfer limitations on amount and time necessary
  • Driver’s license and passport if you have both, in case you lose one; also make copies of them
  • Extra set of house and car keys
  • Back up copy of crucial contacts / phone numbers in case electronics fail

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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