Ultimate Packing List

for SUV Camping

If you’re ANYTHING like me, you may be scrambling last minute to make sure you have everything you need for any trip. It’s not that I don’t prepare, it’s just that I have that inevitable devil in my head telling me that there must be something I have forgotten that will be the end of the world. Phil loves to tell me ahead of all of our travels, “I think they have stores there.” While it may be true that MOST things are replaceable at your destination, who wants to spend money on duplicate items? 

Here’s our definitive guide to everything we pack in our SUV Camper when we hit the road!

While you’re at it, check out our Top 10 Items for SUV Camping to make sure you are prepared with all of the top must-have items that you need!

Please note this article does contain affiliate links, meaning we may receive a small commission if you purchase one of our recommended items (at no cost to you!). This helps fund articles like this one!

Logistics 

Electronics 

  • Phone

  • Rechargable battery packs - While we do not have these specific battery packs, they are most similar to the ones we have (which Phil received as a gift from work several years ago!)

  • Chargers (phone, laptop, battery packs, etc.)

  • Laptop/tablet (if needed on the road)

Food/Drink 

  • 2+ gallon jugs of water per person - We would recommend carrying 3-4 or more per person if you are driving through the desert when the temperatures are high!

  • Water bottle

  • Travel Coffee Mug

  • Cooler

  • Car snacks (granola, granola bars, fruit, etc.) - Make sure that you do not store food or other strongly scented items in your car while sleeping or leaving the car unattended if you are traveling through grizzly bear country.

  • Roll of paper towels

  • Trash bag/bin

  • Plasticware

  • Extra plastic bags

  • Plastic or Metal Pour-Over for coffee

  • Coffee filters (if not included in pour-over)

  • Kettle - We compared lots of options for making coffee, but ultimately decided that it would be more helpful for us to have an electric kettle since we were mostly staying at campgrounds/state parks with electricity. If you’re planning to make fires each day, we would recommend a compatible kettle or pot.

  • COFFEE!

Hygiene 

  • Wilderness Wipes - We bring these wipes with us for times when showering isn’t an option!

  • Shower toiletries for when you have access to campground showers (shampoo, conditioner, soap, face wash, etc.) 

  • Plastic tote for shower toiletries - Also, note the shower shoes below!

  • Razor

  • Lotion

  • SPF

  • Chapstick with SPF

  • Deodorant

  • Bug Spray

  • Makeup and/or other personal toiletries

  • Comb/hairbrush

  • Hair ties/clips/bobby pins

  • Tweezer/Nail Clippers

  • Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss

  • Menstrual products

  • Toilet paper (just in case…and also…you may need it after lots of 1-ply toilet paper at gas stations & campgrounds!)

Clothing

When packing clothing, we like to bring items that are versatile & easy-to-layer to save space for other items & allow for a variety of outfit combinations when you’re on the road. We also like to bring clothing that is quick-dry so that we aren’t stuck with wet clothes in the car.

  • 4 Tubs for clothing/other personal items

  • Underwear/bras

  • Undershirts

  • T-shirts

  • Overshirts/Button-Ups

  • Cardigan

  • Nice sweater or top (depending on weather)

  • Jeans

  • Shorts

  • Hiking Pants

  • Socks

  • Pajamas - I like to wear t-shirts and shorts that could double as clothing to wear around the campsite or in public. It’s helpful to bring clothing that serves multiple purposes to save space!

  • Bathing suit & cover-up (if needed)

  • Rain jacket

  • Jacket/outerwear (depending on weather)

Accessories

  • Glasses/sunglasses

  • Hat

  • Scarf/Buff

  • Jewelry

Shoes

Miscellaneous

If you’re ready to hit the road, head on over to find out what we’ve learned since diving into full-time travel!

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