This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FRAMFreshBreeze #CollectiveBias
Our family takes road trips from Arizona to Southern California often and you would think I have this road trip ready thing down to an art. However, with so many changing stages between our toddler and eight year old daughters, I am constantly changing the way I pack the car. But I do have a few rules to follow each time we travel. Road trip ready car organization tips include packing blankets, car organizer bags and changing our FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filters. While I definitely will not call myself savvy in the auto care department, the cabin air filters from Walmart are very easy to install and make a huge difference in the air quality during our many road trips.
Road Trip Ready Car Organization Tips
Replace cabin air filters
Have you ever replaced your vehicle cabin air filters? Until recently, me either. The air filters clean the air you breathe inside your vehicle and are often overlooked during routine maintenance checks. I had no idea our air filters should be changed as often as every 12,000 miles. With so many road trips last year we overlooked this easy install we could do by ourselves to filter up to 98% of dust, dirt and allergens from entering our family vehicle. The FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filter is the only cabin air filter that uses the natural deodorizing qualities of ARM & HAMMER® baking soda. Follow recommended change intervals as noted in your vehicle owner’s manual.
Finding the air filter appropriate for your vehicle is easy. Simply visit the FRAM filter catalog on Walmart.fram.com then enter your vehicle information. The page will show you exactly which part number you need and even share how to easily install it. I found the part number for our 2015 Kia Sedona and then from the same webpage saw it was available at my local Walmart. The video installation instructions made it very easy to install.
How to replace your cabin air filter
The air filter in my vehicle is located behind the front passenger side glove compartment. These instructions are specific to my vehicle so be sure you follow those for your own part number. Begin the installation by opening your glove box.
Remove two stops on both ends of the glovebox by turning them counterclockwise. Unlatch the cabin air filter cover on the right side and remove it.
Remove the used air filter by pulling it straight out. If this is your first time replacing your cabin air filter, gasp at the site of the filter and the quality of air you’ve been breathing (optional).
Install the new filter and replace the air filter cover. Make sure the cover is latched on the right side. Partially close the glove box and reinstall the stops on each side. Turn them clockwise to secure. Close glovebox and smile knowing you just improved the air your family is breathing! It’s really that easy. Proud moment, I didn’t ask my dad, brothers or husband for help!
Pack blankets
Each of our daughters get a blanket for the road trip. Two identical blankets have helped alleviate the many sister arguments trying to decide who should use purple instead of blue.
Blanket tip: purchase fleece and finish edges with shearing scissors. Inexpensive and a very exciting new blanket for road trips!
Use over the shoulder baby bag for car organization
I’ve packed a diaper bag for road trips for the past eight years but until recently, that bag was on the floor in front of me and I handed our daughters everything they asked for. Then I realized that over the shoulder baby bag fits perfectly over the back of the front seats for perfect car organization bags. Each of our daughters have matching bags to fill with their own essentials for road trips. Most diaper bags include an insulated pocket for cold items; our daughters have cold snacks in the insulated pocket and their favorite water bottles on the other side.
The bag hangs at the perfect level for children in the back seat to reach their own snacks, toys, blankets and more during a long family road trip.
Our oldest daughter is responsible for packing the bag herself and usually includes favorite books, drawing supplies, pillow and blanket, an iPad and snacks. Little sister is just starting to want to help pack her own bag too.
Her favorite yellow ducky is a road trip essential.
FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filters are in the automotive car aisles at Walmart but spend some time online before your visit to help determine which part number your vehicle requires.
We are always road trip ready because we travel often. What do you do to make your family road trips feel easy? Learn more road trip tips and FRAM Fresh Breeze installation examples before your next family vacation.
I remember the greatest part of my kids transitioning from toddlers to preschoolers was not having to carry a diaper bag everywhere, but putting a bag on the back of the passenger seat like that is a great way to store some toddler essentials. Thanks for sharing this idea! #client
We take a lot of road trips and for us, the most important part is having a lot of snacks. LOTS of snacks.
That Fram FreshBreeze seems awesome and perfect for road trips! I have always loved road trips, but sometimes with kids you have to be even more prepared lol. Thankfully they are great in the car.
I have bags that I bought from Thirty One for the sole purpose to hang on the back of the front seats, so that my girls can cram them with whatever they need/want on car trips!
I never knew you could change the filters in your car! This rocks! My husband left his sweaty gym clothes in our car once…
I never knew you could replace your own air filter?!!! In my last car, I felt like every time I took my last car in to get serviced they wanted to change the filter. And sometimes I think I was just being snowed that I needed it changed. My current car came with free maintenance which will end in October. I’ll look into this once changing it returns to being on my dime!
Never knew you could do this and now I want to! Love the organization kit for road trips!! We try to take a road trip every fall. Can’t wait!!
I love the organisation kit, I really love road trips but I find it is such a disorganised mess sometimes so this will definitely help thank-you!
I really need to get some of these for my car. My kids both get car sick so you can imagine the smell after an accident happens. Windows are down, even if it’s winter. So these are a must get!
I love your idea for blankets!! So simple because fleece doesn’t unravel. I prob need to look into replacing my cabin filter, thanks for the tips!!
That reminds me that our cabin air filter is due to be replaced. The first time that we did it, I didn’t even know there was such a thing. But, with asthma and allergies, I have come to appreciate it.
Road trip supplies are so important. I took a road trip a few years ago and I made sure I had a good supply of napkins, wipes, snacks, and plenty of water.
I don’t think I’ve ever thought about changing my air filter myself. I usually rely on the dealership to do it, but now I’m curious to see whether mine would be road trip ready.
What great tips. WE never changed our filters on our own either. We take a lot of road trips and this is a great post for keeping in check when it comes to the car.
I love the over the seat car organizer! Perfect for road trips! Can hold all the kids toys and goodies to keep them occupied for the long drive ahead.
I didn’t know there was a cabin air filter in my van! I’ll have to check that out. I like the bag idea too. Right now I have a box I keep in the van but a bag would take up less floor space
Such awesome hacks! 🙂 I really love the little bag for the baby stuff. That would be great for my son.
These are great tips. That bag is super cute. It’s a good one to keep some bulkier books etc.
If I ever get my license, my car will be highly organized when it comes time. I’m going to have to tell my brother about the Fram FreshBreeze because his car usually has the oddest odors in it.
I’ve never heard of these car fresheners, but I definitely will be buying some for the future!
I didn’t even know you could replace your cabin air filter through the glove compartment like this. You just taught me something new.
I think this is really nice! It’s good to make sure that you replace your car’s air con filters as well especially if you’re going on a road trip and you haven’t checked it for a long time. I should definitely check this brand out.
I needed a post like this one. The vehicle is an importnat part of a road trip, Heather!
Awesome content and tips that everyone can follow through.