My Minimal Packing List: Road Trip Edition

Simple Living

Oct 16

I love packing. I love the traveling part to, but packing really excites me. Seriously!

As a minimalist who loves efficiency, I’m often seeking tips and tools to up my game. I recently discovered the “Carry-On Club” concept where you avoid checking a bag and instead opt for carry-on only.

While I don’t often travel by plane, the advice shared by carry-on club creators can inspire all forms of packing, and is totally rooted in minimalism. (Rilee Smith on Instagram is my favorite.)

If you’re into this type of packing, discover the Road Trip Edition of my packing list. These are for the times I travel by car or go on a bus tour.

If my husband, Shelby is joining me, we use a larger suitcase, but we’re still able to fit all of our items in one bag. Even when we travel by plane!

My Suitcase

What I Travel With: Vera Bradley Women's Softside Underseat Rolling Work Bag in Navy Garden*

*No longer available, but you can search Poshmark!

Packing cubes
I am team packing cube. While I’m intrigued by these compression packing cubes, I’ve been using my Vera Bradley packing cubes for years with no issue. Because I bring minimal clothing items, I organize my cubes by tops, bottoms, and undergarments/swimsuit. When I unpack, I take the entire packing cube out and place it in a drawer. This makes it super easy to get dressed!

Color Coordinating Outfits
I’m not afraid to rewear articles of clothing, so I pack pieces that can be mixed and matched. I also prioritize lighter items, such as merino wool (I like Woolx leggings and Ibex tops), Harem pants from Lotus & Luna (use code MISSMEGABUG for 20% off), and crop tops from Sozy that are easy to wear with different bottoms.

Branwyn Bras + Underwear, Darn Tough Socks
Made from merino wool, these are lightweight and you can rewear them. Even the underwear, though I will wear panty liners with them.

Laundry bag

My Cosmetic Bag

What I Travel With: Vera Bradley Lay Flat Cosmetic Organizer in Strawberry Ice Performance Twill

*No longer available, but you can search Poshmark!

Bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste tabs from Huppy
Castile soap
I buy it in bulk from my favorite green store and use it as a body wash and dish soap for cleaning the reusable containers I bring.
Cleanser and moisturizer, packed in Cadence leak-proof reusable toiletry containers
Chapstick, hair ties, bobby pins
Packed in a clear plastic playing card case so they don’t roll around.

My Sleep Kit: eye mask, ear plugs, nightgown, and alpaca socks
Yep, all of these fit in my cosmetic bag. I pack them on one side and my toiletries on the other.
Pads and reusable panty liners
These fit in the outside zip pocket of my cosmetic bag.

My Cooler

I always bring a cooler to keep the food I bring and leftovers cool while traveling. Ensuring where I’m staying comes with a refrigerator or mini fridge is essential.

What I Travel With: Calpak Insulated 8L Soft-Sided Cooler in Daisy

Kachava protein shakes
I won’t eat hotel continental breakfasts, and I like to reduce what I spend at restaurants, so I skip eating out at breakfast. I’ll usually prep these ahead, blending them with water or an herbal tea because I am very particular about my water.
Herbal tea bags, particularly the Lemon-Ginger Immune Toddy powder packets from Wooden Spoon Herbs.
Psyllium husk powder
To maintain my fiber intake.
Travel pill organizer with my minimal supplement routine.

Things I Pack That Are * Extra *

The below list is totally not minimal, but many of these items allow me to be sustainable while I travel.

Gua sha stone and facial dry brush
A cooler with food (see above)
Physical books
I just can’t with e-readers, I love me an actual book in hand. I limit myself to one book, and sometimes one or two magazines.
Water
As noted above, I’m very particular about my water. I’ll usually bring a gallon of water from my local spring on road trips.
Reusable containers
Bringing my own containers for leftover food is not only sustainable, they tend to occupy less space in a hotel mini fridge than restaurant take-out containers.
Insulated tumbler
Many coffee shops offer discounts for bringing your own cup! Along with the sustainability aspect, bringing an insulated container keeps my drink hot or cold way longer than a cafe mug or to go cup.
Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set
I don’t heat style my hair. If I plan to wear my hair down, I’ll sleep in this heatless curling set.
A small canvas bag and other reusable bags for shopping purchases

Common Items I Don’t Pack

This list counteracts the one above. 😉

Laptop
Because I ain’t working on vacation.

Makeup
Hair products and heat styling tools
Razor
Unless I’ll be gone longer than a week.
Shampoo/conditioner
I only wash my hair 2-3 times a week, and plan to wash it the day before I leave for a trip. If I’ll be gone longer than three nights, I’ll bring liquid shampoo and conditioner in a small reusable squeeze bottle.

Let me know your top minimalism packing tips, and feel free to share some of your *extra* packing items as well!

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