The Safe Driver

Summer travel packing

As written for CAA Niagara.

Getting the most out of the space of your vehicle is important for most vacationers heading out on a road trip, especially if driving an SUV. Here are five tips to maximize your summer packing for road trips.

• Place heavier items on the bottom of the cargo area so they are secure, and place smaller items on top.
• Fill smaller, empty spaces with smaller items in a soft-sided container, such as a duffle bag.
• Avoid placing any items over the top of the backseat to avoid them from getting loose and causing a distraction to the driver and not obstructing the driver’s view out the rear window.
• Keep a small cooler on the floor in the backseat filled with water and snacks easily reached by the front seat passenger.
• Keep loose items, such as maps, wrappers, and anything else secured so they won’t fly around with the windows down.

You do not have to be a professional packer to figure out how to fit it all in. Your goal is to plan for secure packing and maximized visibility.