We’re not new to road trips — from dance intensives to Disney detours, we’ve had our share of gas station stops, car karaoke, and snack mishaps. But after plenty of trial and error, these are the five things we actually pack every time.
Whether it’s just the two of us or a girls’ getaway with friends, this list keeps our ride smooth, our stuff organized, and the vibes strong.
💦 1. Our Matching “Stanley-Style” Water Bottles
We are those people — we don’t leave the house without our hydration handled.
- 40 oz Tumbler with Straw (Stanley Dupe) – Keeps drinks cold forever, fits in cup holders, and comes in all the cute colors. Rhapsody’s is lilac; mine’s desert rose.
- Bonus tip: Freeze water halfway the night before, then top off in the morning for all-day cold.
🛒 get the water bottle on Amazon here!
🎒 2. Packing Cubes = No More Backpack Explosions
Gone are the days of digging through a bag for one sock.
- We each use a set of packing cubes: one for clothes, one for snacks/essentials, one for entertainment.
- Her cubes are color-coded (because she’s extra like that). I use mine to keep chargers, a book, and my emergency car snacks separate from the chaos.
🛒 these cubes are our favorite. We have 4 colors.
🧼 3. The Center Console Kit (a.k.a. Mom’s Command Station)
Front seat organization = less stress. Here’s what lives between the seats:
- Reusable wet wipes + mini trash bin (for rogue gum wrappers and mystery crumbs)
- Lip balm, mints, mini hand lotion
- Portable phone charger and extra cords
- Our “snack stash”: protein bars, trail mix, sour gummies
Pro tip: Use a clear toiletry pouch to keep it all contained and grab-and-go ready.
🛒 Here’s our amazon links to our favorite console items!
🎧 4. Entertainment, but Make It Chill
We’re past the toddler games — here’s what works for our 9-year-old:
- Download movies or audiobooks ahead of time (we love Netflix + Disney+ offline)
- Wireless headphones so I can still listen to podcasts
- Travel-size art kit — think sketchpad + markers, not glitter chaos
Sometimes we even do a mom/daughter journaling challenge on the way. Road trip therapy? Yes, please.
🛒 Our girl likes these over ear headphones!
🧺 5. The “Catch-All” Basket in the Back
This one changed the game: We keep a shallow, soft-sided bin in the trunk or backseat with our “just in case” items:
- Light jackets, flip-flops, travel towel
- Extra water bottle and snacks
- Dance shoes, if we’re road-tripping to a class or intensive
- A mini cooler bag for lunch stops
Easy to grab, easy to toss in, and nothing rolls under the seats anymore.
🛒 [ collapsible trunk organizer ]
✨ Real Talk
We love the flexibility of road tripping — we can stop for silly photos, detour for snacks, or crank up the Lindy Hop playlist when the mood hits. But having a system makes all the difference.
Want to see what we packed for our last trip? Check out [Rhapsody’s latest YouTube video] and scroll below to shop the items we love!
💬 Have a favorite road trip hack or product? Share it in the comments!
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