Summer is just around the corner, and the open road is calling your name. Whether you’re dreaming of coastal highways, mountain vistas, or visiting the largest ball of yarn in the world, an epic summer road trip is your ticket to freedom, adventure, and discovery.

Of course, behind every successful road trip lies thoughtful preparation. Before you can hit the road, you’ll need space to organize gear, supplies, and equipment. Renting a temporary storage unit can allow you to create the perfect staging area while preparing for a road trip.

Let’s get going!

Why Include Storage in Your Road Trip?

An extended summer road trip takes more than just a tank of gas and a sense of adventure. Multi-week or multi-month journeys require you to carefully gather the right supplies, especially if you want to keep costs low while making the most of your trip.

Think about all the gear that makes unforgettable adventures possible:

• Bikes for exploring local trails
• Camping equipment for nights under the stars
• Hiking gear for mountain excursions
• Water sports equipment for lake and ocean stops
• Cooking equipment and utensils so you don’t have to eat out for every meal
• A range of clothing and accessories for every need
• And more

A storage unit provides the perfect space to begin collecting and organizing all of these essentials without turning your home into chaos central. Alternatively, as the date of your road trip nears, you might want to clear out your garage or spare room by storing those items in a unit. This will allow you to create a dedicated staging area at home where you can inventory supplies, pack efficiently, and ensure nothing important gets left behind. 

Choose the Right Storage Unit for Your Road Trip in Summer

If you plan to use a storage unit as either your staging area or a holding area for your supplies, take a little time to choose the right unit. 

Size Matters

First, consider what size storage unit you need. Don’t just pick the smallest unit that can fit all your supplies. Keep in mind that you’ll want space to move around, so you can inventory your supplies and pack them.

Here’s a quick guide to consider:

• Small units (5×5’ or 5×10’): Ideal if you’re simply storing household items to clear space at home for a road trip.
• Medium units (5×15’ or 10×10’): Perfect for collecting and organizing gear for an extended summer road trip with room to test and pack equipment.
• Large units (10×15’ or larger): Consider this option if you’re storing bulky items like kayaks and bikes or if you need to pack up your apartment or home during the trip. (Why keep renting a place when you’ll be on the road?)

Flexible Lease

You may only need a month or two to gather and prepare for your summer road trip. There’s no need to sign an extended lease where you’ll have to pay more than necessary. Instead, find a storage company that offers flexible leases, like Price Self Storage®. Month-to-month leases allow you to pay for only the storage you need and to extend your rental if your trip lasts longer than expected. 

Convenient Location

During the process of preparing for a road trip, you’ll likely need to visit your storage unit on a regular basis, especially if you’re using it for a staging area. Look for a storage facility that’s close to home and easy to get to. You’ll also want to check their hours of operation. Ideally, you’ll find a storage facility that’s open seven days a week.

How to Prepare for a Road Trip: Integrating Storage Logistics

While it’s easy to dream of the gorgeous national parks and quirky roadside attractions you’ll soon be visiting, don’t overlook the importance of planning your road trip. In fact, organization will be your secret weapon to success. 

Create a Staging System

A clean, open staging area will give you the space you need to gather and organize all your essential road trip supplies. Begin by setting up clearly labeled zones for different categories, such as:

• Camping gear
• Clothing
• Food supplies
• Vehicle maintenance
• Activity-specific equipment

Pack your items in transparent plastic bins with secure lids, so you can easily see what’s inside them. Bring in a folding table to help sort inventory items. You might also want to install temporary shelving units to make the most of the vertical space in your unit.

Test Your Equipment

As you gather your gear, use your storage space as a testing ground to make sure everything works as advertised. 

• Set up tents and check for tears or missing parts
• Inflate sleeping pads and air mattresses to check for leaks
• Test camp stoves, lanterns, and other equipment that require fuel
• Organize and inspect hiking gear, bikes, and water sports equipment

Put Together an Inventory System

Do yourself a huge favor and create a master spreadsheet to track the gear you’ve gathered and what you still need. Take photos of your organized bins with all their contents, so you don’t have to keep opening them. Label all your bins with waterproof labels and keep essential items, such as medication and important documents, in specially marked containers.

It will be a little extra work upfront, but you’ll thank yourself once your trip gets underway. 

Hit the Road with Confidence

When it comes to preparing for a road trip, the right preparation makes all the difference between stress and a successful trip. A storage unit will give you the physical space to gather, organize, and test equipment while keeping your home functional. You can even bring all your gear into the house for the final stages of preparation and use your storage unit to clear out your garage for the occasion. 

Price Self Storage is here to help you make your epic summer road trip a reality. We offer flexible, month-to-month leases, no deposits, and convenient access seven days a week at all our locations. Our facilities are located throughout California, and each one offers storage units in a range of sizes. With our help, planning a road trip is easier than ever. 

Before you hit the open road, find a Price Self Storage near you. 

Summer Road Trip Storage FAQs 

Let us help you plan a road trip with answers to your most pressing questions.

Why should I consider using self storage as part of preparing for my summer road trip?

Self storage gives you a dedicated staging area for gathering and organizing your road trip supplies without cluttering your home. It gives you space to test equipment, create an inventory, and store bulky items. 

What specific types of items make sense to put into storage before leaving on a long trip?

Items worth storing before your road trip include valuables such as jewelry, important documents, and collectibles. You may also want to store seasonal items you don’t need on your trip, excess furniture to free up space at home, and bulky sports equipment you won’t use during your journey.

How can storage help me swap out seasonal gear before my road trip?

Storage units can be the perfect space to store winter or off-season items while you prepare for a summer road trip. You can store cold-weather gear, snow equipment, and bulky winter clothing, freeing up space at home to organize and pack your summer trip essentials.