What to pack for a camping road trip
A camping road trip needs more than a tent and sleeping bags. You will also need food that travels well, a way to keep it cool, cooking and washing equipment, reliable lighting, and chargers for the drive between campsites. Pack by use: sleeping, cooking, eating, cleaning and driving. Check the full list at least three days before departure, then test the tent, lamps, batteries and gas burner before loading the vehicle.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Camping tent
- Tablesqty 2
- Folding chairsqty 4
- Camping matsqty 4
- Sleeping bagsqty 4
- Cushionsqty 4
Equipment
- Coolersqty 2
- Gas burner
- Gas cylinderqty 2
- Power banksqty 3
- Car chargerqty 2
- Navigation system
- Flashlightsqty 4
Lighting
- Camping lampsqty 2
- Headlampsqty 4
Kitchen
- Cooking potsqty 2
- Frying pan
- Cutting boardsqty 2
- Chef's knife
- Kitchen tongs
- Serving spoonsqty 2
Tableware
- Camping platesqty 4
- Camping bowlsqty 4
- Mugsqty 4
- Disposable cupsqty 4
- Cutlery setsqty 4
Cleaning
- Dishpan
- Reusable dish towelsqty 4
- Dish brush
- Towelsqty 4
- Clothesline
- Clothespinsqty 20
Safety
- First aid kit
- Pocket knife
- Work glovesqty 2
Tools
- Hammer
- Pioneer shovel
- Tent repair kit
- Ratchet strapsqty 4
- Paracord
Catering
- Groceries
- Oatmeal - 1 kilo
- Muesli - 1 kilo
- Bread - 6 loaves
- Whole wheat wraps - 3 packs
- Butter - 2 tubs
- Peanut butter - 1 jar
- Jam - 2 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 1 pack
- Cheese - 1 kilo
- Ham - 500 gram
- Eggs - 24 pieces
- Whole milk - 4 liter
- Yogurt - 2 kilo
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 500 grams
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 3 crates
- Sparkling mineral water - 2 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 1 bottle
- Apples - 12 pieces
- Bananas - 12 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Bell peppers - 6 pieces
- Onions - 1 kilo
- Garlic - 3 bulbs
- Carrots - 1 kilo
- Lettuce - 3 heads
- Potatoes - 3 kilo
- Rice - 2 kilos
- Pasta - 2 kilo
- Pasta sauce - 4 jars
- Tomato paste - 2 cans
- Beans - 6 cans
- Corn - 4 cans
- Tuna - 4 cans
- Chicken breast - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian burgers - 8 pieces
- Frankfurters - 2 cans
- Stock cubes - 1 box
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Curry powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Peanut sauce - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 2 bags
- Plain chips - 2 bags
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilo
- Muesli bars - 24 pieces
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Marshmallows - 2 bags
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs
- Toothpicks - 1 pack
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Freezer bags - 1 box
- Firelighters - 1 pack
Tips
- Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour of driving, then add extra water for campsite setup and the next morning. Split drinks and food between two coolers so one can stay closed while the other is used.
- Count one plate, bowl, mug and cutlery set per person, plus two spare sets for shared meals. Disposable cups are useful for quick stops, but do not rely on them for every drink.
- Take one sleeping bag and camping mat per person, then add a cushion for each sleeper. A trial setup at home can reveal missing poles, damaged fabric or bedding that does not fit before you reach the first campsite.
- Allow one flashlight or headlamp per person and at least one camping lamp for the cooking area. Charge power banks and check the car charger the day before departure rather than discovering empty batteries after dark.
- Pack the gas burner, gas cylinder, pots, frying pan, boards and knife together in one cooking box. Put the dishpan, brush, reusable dish towels and towels where they can be reached before the tent is unpacked.
Frequently asked questions
- What food should I buy for a camping road trip?
- Choose meals that can be cooked with one burner and stored in a cooler, such as pasta, rice dishes, soup and sandwiches. Plan at least three meals per person for each full day, plus snacks and one backup meal in case of a late arrival.
- How much water do I need for a camping road trip?
- Pack at least 2 litres of drinking water per person per day, with extra for cooking, washing dishes and the first campsite setup. Carry enough for the drive to the next reliable refill point rather than assuming every stop has potable water.
- How early should I buy supplies for a camping road trip?
- Buy non-perishable food, gas, batteries and cleaning supplies at least three days before departure. Buy chilled food one day before leaving, and fill the coolers on the morning of departure so everything stays cold during loading.
- What should I check before packing the car for camping?
- Check the vehicle, navigation system, charger, lights, fuel and registrations at least 24 hours before departure. Load the tent, sleeping gear and cooking equipment so the items needed first at the campsite are accessible without unloading the whole car.
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