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SCHOENEFELD, GERMANY - JULY 07: Women with suitcases descend an escalator before going through security for departures at Terminal 1 at Berlin Brandenburg Airport on the first day of the local summer school vacation on July 07, 2022 in Schoenefeld, Germany. Both airports and airlines in Germany have recently encountered difficulties due to to staff shortages resulting from Covid-era layoffs, though today's passenger processing at Berlin Brandenburg Airport appeared to be running smoothly. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

I recently traveled to my daughter’s house (about 400 miles away) and traveled by train.  She was impressed with me because I was fully packed with only one average-sized backpack.  My goal was to pack as lightly as I could because I was a solo traveler on a train, and there really isn’t too much room on a train for a lot of luggage and I’m not a fan of carrying too much all at once by myself.

For four days, I assumed that I wasn’t going to be out doing intense exercise.  I hung around her neighborhood except for one day when we saw the Van Gogh interactive show near her home, and one day at a trampoline park.   I don’t wear makeup, so I didn’t have to pack any of that.

Being a camper, I know how to pack lightly.  In fact, REI has a great guide on how much clothing you actually need for a 2-week trip.  I wasn’t camping, so I knew I would have access to a grocery store if I did actually forget anything.  Here’s what I put in my backpack:

an outfit roll

Packing compactly to fit everything into a backpack

3 changes of clothes–underwear, socks, outerwear.  I packed a sundress, an outfit of lightweight leggings and a tank top, jeans Capri shorts, and a t-shirt.  Each complete outfit was placed on a flat surface, folded, and then rolled up into a roll.  The roll was secured with the scrunchie hair tie I would use in my long hair that day, as it was hot so the hair would be up.

  • 1 nightgown
  • A spare pair of sneakers
  • My brush and travel-sized toiletries, all placed in a plastic bag
  • my iPad mini for reading ebooks on the train
  • my Nintendo Switch for playing games with my granddaughter

The pair of shoes, I placed at the bottom of the backpack, and next to it on the bottom, one roll of clothes.  The next layer was the other two rolls of clothes. Then the nightgown, the plastic back of toiletries, the Switch, and the chargers for all of the electronics. I still had space up top where I put my vitamins.  In the front pouch, I put my iPad mini so I would not have to root around in my backpack.  This gave me empty pockets in the backpack where I could bring things home just in case.  Then I had a small crossbody purse for my wallet, keys, and cell phone.  I decided rather than make use of the food car on the train, I also packed a sandwich and brought a drink, which I also tucked into the backpack. And that was it!  When I arrived my daughter marveled at how much I pulled out of the backpack, but the key was rolling up the clothes.

When you travel, pack very lightly, and enjoy the trip!

Top 20 Best Road-Trip Destinations In The U.S. For Summer 2022

Although it’s mid-July and most of us can’t believe how quickly summer is flying by, there’s still time to plan the perfect road trip. WalletHub has revealed 2022’s best states for summer road trips and there are a few that we think you can definitely make happen this year.

While we know gas prices are high and picking a destination can be challenging, WalletHub’s latest report revealed that 80% of American adults plan to take a road trip this summer (if they haven’t already).

The personal finance website compared the 50 U.S. states based on 32 key metrics to find the most fun, scenic, and wallet-friendly road-trip destinations for everyone in your crew to enjoy.

Check out WalletHub’s list of the top 20 best road-trip destinations in the U.S for summer 2022 below.

  • 20. Colorado

  • 19. Nevada

  • 18. Wisconsin

  • 17. Pennsylvania

  • 16. Michigan

  • 15. Iowa

  • 14. Nebraska

  • 13. Virginia

  • 12. Washington

  • 11. Georgia

  • 10. Wyoming

  • 9. Florida

  • 8. Idaho

  • 7. North Carolina

  • 6. Ohio

  • 5. Maine

  • 4. Louisiana

  • 3. Texas

  • 2. Minnesota

  • 1. New York

  • Best Road-Trip Destinations for Summer

    Click here to see WalletHub’s complete list.

    2022’s Best & Worst States for Summer Road Trips

    2022’s Best & Worst States for Summer Road Trips

    2022’s Best & Worst States for Summer Road Trips

    2022’s Best & Worst States for Summer Road Trips