How to Make More Cargo Space for Holiday and Winter Road Trips
How to Make More Cargo Space for Holiday and Winter Road Trips
Holiday and winter road trips have a way of filling your car faster than expected.
Suitcases, winter coats, boots, gifts, blankets, pet supplies, and emergency gear all compete for the same limited space. Before long, the back seat becomes storage and passengers are squeezed between bags.
The solution isn't always a bigger vehicle. Better car cargo storage can help you use the space you already have more efficiently.
Start With Your Trunk Before Adding More Storage
Before buying a roof carrier, empty your trunk and start again.
Remove everyday items you won't need on the trip. Put similar things together and place large, regularly shaped luggage first.
Keep emergency items and anything you'll need during the journey accessible rather than buried underneath suitcases.
A car trunk organizer can be useful for separating smaller items that would otherwise take up valuable space.
Still Running Out of Room? Look Up
When the trunk is full, your vehicle's roof may provide additional storage options.
Depending on your vehicle and equipment, roof cargo accessories can include cargo boxes, baskets, racks, and compatible cargo bags.
Roof storage can be particularly useful for bulky items that take up too much interior space.
But don't assume every roof carrier fits every vehicle.
Check your vehicle owner's manual and the manufacturer's specifications for roof-load limits, rack compatibility, installation requirements, and weight restrictions.
Choose Roof Storage Based on What You're Carrying
Different trips need different storage.
A hard cargo box can provide enclosed storage for compatible vehicles, while a cargo basket offers an open platform for properly secured gear. Cargo bags can provide flexible storage but should be selected and installed according to their specific weather protection and mounting requirements.
For winter travel, consider how your belongings will be protected from rain, snow, road moisture, and dirt.
Also think about what happens when you arrive. If you'll need to remove or store the carrier frequently, ease of installation matters.
Keep Heavy Items Lower
More space doesn't mean you should load everything onto the roof.
As a general packing principle, keep heavier items low and securely positioned inside the vehicle when appropriate, while using roof storage only within the limits specified for your vehicle and carrier.
Never exceed the vehicle or accessory manufacturer's load limits.
Before leaving, make sure cargo can't shift unexpectedly and that luggage doesn't obstruct the driver's visibility or interfere with vehicle controls.
Don't Let the Back Seat Become a Second Trunk
Once the trunk is full, it's tempting to start piling bags onto passenger seats.
Instead, use road trip organizers for smaller essentials such as charging cables, snacks, tissues, travel accessories, and other frequently used items.
This keeps small belongings from disappearing underneath larger bags and leaves more usable space for passengers.
If something isn't needed until you reach your destination, it probably doesn't need to be sitting beside you.
Pack for the Journey, Not Just the Destination
Winter trips require a little different thinking.
Keep items you may need during the drive accessible—rather than underneath all your luggage.
Depending on your trip and conditions, that might include warm clothing, water, phone charging equipment, basic emergency supplies, and other essentials appropriate for the journey.
This is where organization becomes more important than simply creating maximum storage capacity.
Check Everything Before You Leave
After packing, walk around the vehicle.
Check that external cargo equipment is correctly installed and secured according to its instructions. Confirm that doors and the rear hatch operate normally and that your view isn't obstructed.
Roof-mounted cargo can also change the vehicle's overall height and driving characteristics, so remember that extra height when entering garages or other areas with clearance limits.
Requirements for cargo and external carriers can vary by location, so check the rules that apply to your route and equipment.
More Space Starts With Better Organization
A successful winter road trip isn't about fitting the maximum possible amount into your car.
It's about putting the right things in the right places.
Start by reorganizing your trunk. Use organizers for smaller items. If you still need additional capacity, consider compatible roof cargo solutions rather than sacrificing passenger space.
At DriveLab, we focus on practical vehicle storage accessories that help make road trips easier to organize—from everyday trunk storage to additional cargo solutions for bigger journeys.
Make More Room for Your Next Road Trip
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