Road-tripping season is upon us! I can already feel the wind in my hair and the sound of 90’s and 2000’s jams on the radio. Whether you are heading to the mountains or the ocean, it’s crucial to wear and pack the right clothes. With a few road trips under my belt, I’m excited to share this complete guide as to what to wear on a road trip.
Disclosure: This blog post has affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at NO additional cost to you. These are my own personal suggestions based on products/experiences I love and use. Read the full disclosure here.
What Should You Wear on a Road Trip
Before we dive into specific options, I want to share a few tips to think about before packing your suitcase.
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1. Comfortable Clothes
Okay, this may seem obvious, but comfort is key when you’re sitting for long periods and hopping in and out of the car.
Think soft, stretchy fabrics like leggings, joggers, and relaxed-fit jeans. Pair them with loose-fitting tops and casual tees. Avoid anything too tight or constricting, as you’ll want to feel relaxed and at ease throughout your journey.
2. Wrinkle-Free Material
If you are anything like me, your road trip will likey involve a lot of packing and unpacking (I like to be on the move!). This can lead to your clothes getting wrinkled.
Fabrics like polyester, nylon, and blends designed to resist wrinkles are ideal. They maintain a neat appearance even after being packed tightly in your suitcase. No one wants to be hunting down an iron during each road trip stop!
3. Layers
No matter if you are road-tripping through Florida or the Colorado mountains, the weather can be unpredictable. Temperatures can vary significantly throughout the day, and we all know the weatherman can be right or wrong.
Dressing in layers allows you to adapt to changing conditions easily. Start with a comfortable base layer, add a lightweight sweater or hoodie, and top it off with a jacket that can handle wind or rain.
Layers also give you the flexibility to add or remove clothing as needed, ensuring you stay comfortable no matter the weather. Personally, I love driving with the air conditioner on the highest setting, so it’s helpful for passengers to have a sweatshirt with them.
4. Breathable Fabrics
When you’re on the road for hours, breathable fabrics are a must to keep you cool and comfortable. Natural fibers like cotton, linen, and bamboo are wonderful choices as they allow air to circulate and help regulate your body temperature.
Moisture-wicking fabrics are also beneficial, especially if you’re traveling in warmer climates, as they help keep sweat at bay and prevent you from feeling sticky and uncomfortable. This can also help with the whole laundry-on-the-road situation as you may not have access to a laundromat to wash your clothes as often. I found this nifty portable washing machine to help out if you’re in a jam.
What to Wear on a Road Trip Continued
5. Practical Shoes
Again, this may sound like common sense…but leave the heels at home. Or at least in the trunk.
While driving, you’ll need shoes that are easy to slip on and off for comfort during long drives and practical for walking during stops and sightseeing.
Bonus tip! Make sure your shoes are well broken in and offer good support to prevent discomfort or blisters. Blisters can ruin an entire road trip!
6. Dark/Neutral Colors
Dark and neutral colors are practical choices (seeing a pattern here?) for road trip clothing. They tend to show fewer stains and dirt, which is a plus when you’re on the go and may not have frequent access to laundry facilities. Anyone else spill food on yourself in the car? No, just me? Okay then lol.
Colors like black, navy, gray, and beige are also versatile and can be easily mixed and matched, allowing you to create multiple outfits with fewer pieces. Additionally, darker colors often look more polished and can transition seamlessly from day to night activities. It’s a win all the way around!
Favorite Road Trip Clothes to Wear (and Pack)
And, to make your life even easier, here’s my Amazon shopping list for the best clothes to wear on your next road trip. Happy adventuring!
1. PRETTYGARDEN Womens V Neck Short Sleeve Top And Long Pants
We are starting off strong with this super cozy matching set. Its breathable material is made of Polyester, Viscose, and Elastane and comes in 19 different colors! It’s perfect for those long-distance road trips!
I love a good-themed graphic T! And, this is the perfect t-shirt to pack for your next road trip. The cotton-blend of fabric is lightweight and loose fitting making it a comfy choice for hitting the road.
For those looking for a high-quality and stylish set, this lounge set can easily be dressed down or up. It has a luxurious look, yet is extremely comfortable. And, if you are a bit worried about staining the tan color, there are 7 darker options to choose from.
Beach road trip anyone? This comfy maxi dress is the ultimate summer road trip outfit. It’s comfy enough for sitting in the car for hours, yet cute enough for dinner at the waterfront restaurant along the way.
Road Trip Clothes to Wear and Pack Continued
Although I try to limit the number of accessories I pack for any road trip, this travel scarf is a new must on my packing list. This versatile scarf is made out of Tencel and Spandex and is way softer than your typical cotton scarf. In addition to a scarf, it can also be used as a blanket, wrap, and poncho. Bonus points for being eco-friendly AND having UPF 50 sun protection.
As I stated previously, layers are important while you are on the road! This sweatshirt is perfect to pack as it’s a step above the basic hoodie! It’s still comfortable and warm, but the button gives it an added element of style! There are 30 other colors to choose from if orange isn’t your color!
7. MEROKEETY Women’s Open Front Lightweight Cardigan Long Sleeve Button Down Loose Outwear
I don’t know about you, but cardigans are definitely my comfort item. This sweater is perfect for any road trip as it’s great to slip on and off, but can also be used to dress up any nighttime outfit. It looks great with a pair of jean shorts or over a cute sun dress!
Let’s Road Trip (With the Right Clothes!)
There you have it! I hope you learn from my past mistakes and have the best road trip in comfy and practical clothes! If you’re looking for the best deals on renting a vehicle for your trip, check out DiscoverCars search engine which is extremely affordable.
By focusing on dark, comfortable, wrinkle-free, layered, and breathable fabrics you’ll be well-prepared for any adventure that comes your way. Woohoo!
So pack up, hit the road, and make the most of your journey in style and comfort!
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Final Thoughts
Shopping for a road trip doesn’t have to be difficult. I hope I’ve given you some ideas on what to wear to make your trip not only memorable, but comfortable too. Would you wear any of the outfits mentioned? Would you go on a road trip now that you’re prepared with my guide on what to wear? Did you learn anything new or have any feedback? Let me know. Please comment below and don’t forget to subscribe here.
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Final Thoughts Continued
Have a sweet tooth and looking for tasty treat ideas? Check this out. Are you a wine drinker or you’d like to experience a wine tour? Read this. Want to know whether you should carry-on your bag or check it on the plane? Read more here. Having wanderlust, or traveling out of the country? Check out my detailed travel itineraries to Aruba, Belgium, London, Paris and Amsterdam.
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Thank you to Aviv Rachmadian, Casey Horner, and Balkan Campers for the road trip and clothing photos. I discovered their work from Unsplash.com. Please check them out!
Disclosure
This blog post has affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission. This commission comes at NO additional cost to you. These are my own personal suggestions based on products/experiences I love and use. Read the full disclosure here.
Covid-19 Disclaimer: The recommendations listed are based on my own suggestions and in no way endorses or condemns travel at this time. If you decide to take a trip, follow national and state guidelines, and of course the CDC when traveling.
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Wearing comfortable clothes during a road trip is a must for me, especially if I’m the one driving. Comfy clothes, the right shoes, snacks, meds, and the right clothes for all the activities planned is the way to go.
I agree wholeheartedly! I need to be comfortable and to have the most delicious snacks available.
I’ve been loving cozy matching sets lately!
Me too! Chic but comfy vibes.
Great tips! I like the travel scarf recommendation, it comes in handy so many times (visiting churches, when it gets cold, etc.).
Yes! It’s especially important when visiting temples as well. I love its versatility.
these are great tips! I too have spilled food on myself in the car haha, so I will definitely be keeping this advice in mind during my next road trip! thanks for this helpful post 🙂
You’re welcome! Glad I’m not the only one, here’s to clothes that help repel mess lol.
What to wear is always an important decision on our road trips. I want to be comfortable. But not look totally casual when I do stops. Love linen for comfort but not for wrinkles! And choosing dark colours is such a great tip.
I understand completely. I prefer linen more for the beach for that particular reason. Glad you found that dark colors is a great tip!
I’m all about the comfortable clothes!
Same here!