With the way it’s easy to travel and camp simultaneously, it’s no wonder car camping is one of the best camping methods. But it’s not just about throwing stuff into your car and starting your journey. You’ll need to plan and pack smart to make your car camping trip successful.
If not, you’ll end up frustrated and your car will be a tangled mess of camping gear and other items. That is why you’ll need these smart packing tips and comfort hacks, which will make your camping trip way more enjoyable.
20 Best Car Camping Hacks For Every Camper
1. Use Storage Bins for Organization
This car camping hack keeps your car clean and organized. With storage bins, you’ll no longer have to search through random bags or a gear pile to find your flashlight or toothbrush.
You can also label each storage bin according to its category, so when you’re looking for your toothbrush, you go straight to the toiletry storage bin.
2. Invest in Collapsible Gear
Investing in collapsible gear is an important SUV camping hack that will create more space in your car, especially when you’re traveling with others. Collapsible or foldable camping gear can be kept flat to create more space and only expanded when it’s needed.
The gears can be silicone bowls, nesting pots and pans, foldable water containers, and compact camping chairs. With this, you’ll get more space to keep more items, to move around, and even to lie down.
3. Keep Essentials in a Bag
Even if you’re not car camping, all your day essentials should be kept in a small bag or backpack. This bag can be kept in the front seat of your car, where it’s easier to grab and head out.
This bag should include must-haves like a flashlight, headlamp, wallet, ID, bug spray, snacks, wet wipes, phone charger, and water bottle. This car camping hack saves you from searching through your car when you need to step out.
4. Keep a Packing Checklist in Your Glove Box
A packing checklist is an important camping hack that makes sure you carry everything you’ll need for your trip. So, as a car camper, your camping checklist should always be in your glove box.
This will help you be more prepared for your trip. Now you’ll be able to remember the essentials you need to carry, so you won’t forget anything.
5. Use a Foam Mattress Topper Instead of Sleeping Bags
When car camping, you don’t need to worry too much about space or weight. So instead of sleeping bags, take a foam mattress topper. This can make a major difference in your sleeping pattern. The foam, which feels just like a bed, will allow you to sleep better. And when not in use, you can roll it away to make space inside the car.
6. DIY Window Covers for Privacy and Insulation
This DIY car camping hack blocks out streetlights, morning sun, and curious eyes, especially when you’re in a public space. You can make DIY curtains from reflective sunshades, blackout fabric, and even cardboard paper. Then wrap it with duct tape around your windows. This will also keep the heat even on cold nights.
7. Get A Power Bank or Portable Solar Inverter
A small car inverter can allow you to charge your electronics during your car camping trip. You can charge items like your laptop, phone, camera batteries, and flashlights.
This will help you stay more productive and allow you to worry less about a dead phone or flashlight. This car camping hack will also be useful if you’re supposed to be working during your camping trip.
8. Download Offline Maps & Playlists
When car camping, you can’t possibly depend on service always cos you’ll get to some places where there’s no service, and then you’ll be stuck. That’s why this is one of the best car camping hacks.
With this, you’ll be able to download your maps and route offline so you won’t be stressed out every time you lose service. You can also create and download a playlist of songs that will keep you entertained all through the journey.
9. Pack a First Aid Kit & Emergency Tool Kit
A basic camping hack is to always pack a first aid and emergency tool kit. This is especially important when car camping. Your first aid kit should always include antiseptic wipes, painkillers, tweezers, gauze, burn cream, and allergy medication.
Your emergency kit should include jumper cables, tire repair tools, duct tape, a flashlight, and a multi-tool. These kits should be kept where they’re easily accessible.
10. Have an Emergency Blanket and Fire Extinguisher
One of the best car camping hacks that will make sure you’re prepared for anything is having an emergency blanket and fire extinguisher.
They won’t seem important until you’re very cold or you need to put out a fire. So it’s better to have them so you’ll be ready for the worst-case scenarios.
11. Use Backseat Organizers and Roof Bags
One of the best SUV camping hacks that will keep your car organized and looking more like a mobile cabin is to use backseat organizers and roof bags.
You can keep your essentials like snacks, books, bug spray, and sunglasses in the backseat organizers. The roof bag can be used for heavier items like sleeping bags and camp chairs.
12. Use Magnetic Hooks or Hanging Organizers
This is another game-changing car camping hack for storage. Sticking magnetic hooks to your car ceiling will allow you to easily hang lanterns, drying towels, and kitchen tools.
This allows you to use your space properly. You can also use mesh hanging organizers to hang some light items like socks and napkins.
13. Use Wet Wipes or a DIY Shower Bag
Most times, after hiking, setting up camp, and sweating, what you’ll need is a bath. And if the showers are far away, then this car camping hack will be really useful. You could at least use the wet wipes to wipe down your face, underarms, feet, and your body generally.
At least you’ll be a bit clean. But if you want to rinse off, you can create a DIY shower bag using a black water bag and a solar shower. At the end of the rinse, you’ll feel less sticky and cleaner.
14. Pack a Hanging Toiletry Organizer
This car camping hack ensures you don’t end up always looking for one toiletry or the other. The toiletry organizer keeps everything neat and organized.
You can even hang it from your car hook or by your side mirror in the mornings. This way, your morning and night clean-up is less stressful and chaotic.
15. Have a Pee Bottle or Portable Toilet
When it’s raining heavily outside and you need to use the toilet, then a portable toilet or pee bottle will be a lifesaver. This car camping hack is meant to save you from awkward and risky bathroom runs while also keeping you safe, clean, and private. If you’re a woman, you can also get a female urination device for extra comfort.
16. Park on Level Ground
This car camping hack might not sound reasonable, but when you find out your car is sliding in the middle of the night, then you’ll understand. Parking on the flattest level ground, even in uneven terrain, will allow you to sleep better. You can also get a leveling app on your phone to find the flattest ground before parking.
17. Pre-Prep and Freeze Meals at Home
Before you start your car camping trip, it’s best to pre-prep and freeze meals like stews, chili, and sauce inside ziplock bags or containers. This will give you less cooking work to do while camping. And on days when you’re tired and hungry, it will be easier to cook.
The frozen meals can also be used as an ice pack to keep your drinks cold for a longer time. It’s a win-win.
Suggested Reads- 22 Easy Camping Dinners for Everyone in 2025
18. Bring A Portable Butane Stove
If you’re car camping and you plan on cooking, then it’s best to bring a single-burner stove. This stove is small, portable, and easy to set up anywhere. You don’t need a big camp kitchen space to be able to use it. With this, you can cook meals, heat your food, and even boil water for your coffee or tea. But remember to place your stove in a leveled and well-ventilated area.
Suggested Reads- 7 Best Car Camping Stoves in 2025 (Reviewed)
19. Install a Battery Monitor
When you’re car camping, you’ll realize that running lights, charging devices, and fans can easily drain your battery. That’s why this car camping hack is important. The battery monitor will help track the usage of your battery and will alert you before things get critical. This way, you won’t need to wake up to a dead car.
20. Use a Dual-Purpose Cooler
If you’re planning to bring frozen prepped meals, then you’ll need to know where to keep them. And what better place than an insulated dual-purpose cooler?
This cooler can be used for iced items and also for storing regular items like bread and snacks. It normally comes with separate layers that make it easy for you to organize these items.
Conclusion
Before you start your car camping trip, you need to make sure you’re well prepared. You’re already leaving your comfort zone and going on outdoor adventures, so you need to make sure your car is cozy, comfortable, and organized as it can be.
These car camping hacks, which include packing tips, safety tips, route tips, and tech tip’s will make sure you are more than ready for this trip. So what are you waiting for? Use these car camping hacks on your next road trip.