What to Wear on a Road Trip

This post contains affiliate links from which we will make a commission from your clicks and/or purchases.

Are you gearing up for a long car trip, packing your bags, and left wondering what to wear on a road trip?

Road trips are a great way to travel the country. They’re cost-effective and fun! Not only can you get to your destination with ease, but you have the freedom to forge your own path and make as many stops as you want along the way.

When picking out road trip outfits, there are a few things to keep in mind. If you’re spending a vacation in a car, comfort should always be a top priority. But what else should you considered? Read on for all my tips for what to wear on a road trip and get ready to hit the road in style!

What to Wear on a Road Trip

What to Wear on a Road Trip - dress for comfort

Dress for Comfort

Comfort is key if you’re spending a day in the car. You’ll already be cramped up in a bucket seat and constrained by a tight seatbelt, so there’s no need to add any extra discomfort with tight jeans, scratchy sequins, or bulky sweaters.

My favorite road trip outfits are comfy road trip outfits: loose t-shirts and leggings or shorts, breezy sundresses and shirt dresses, billowy maxi dresses, and zip-up hoodies. Roomy rompers are a great choice too (just keep in mind that many of your day’s bathroom stops might be a bit questionable for undressing).

For extra fun find a road trip themed t-shirt to complete your comfy in the car look!

Find Your Road Shirt for Women Camping T-Shirt Travel Shirt Novelty Mountain Graphic Printed Casual Athletic Short Sleeve Round Neck Tee Tops(Blue M)

Road Trip T-Shirt

LEANI Women’s Summer V Neck Bohemian Floral Print Mini Dress Short Sleeve Ruffle Beach Short Dress Orange S

Short Sundress

ANRABESS Womens Jumpsuits Casual Summer Outfits Rompers 2024 Trendy Comfy Spring Clothes Sexy Loose Baggy Overalls Jumpers Fashion Travel Trip Vacation A948meihong-M

Casual Summer Romper

Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona - Route 66 Motel - Wigwam Village Motel #6

Dress for the Weather

The weather will play a key part in what you put on. What to wear on a road trip in summer is different than in winter and even in spring and fall. For summer road trip, dress light: loose dresses, t-shirts, and shorts are all appropriate. In winter, bundle up with sweaters, sweatshirts, and coats. For spring and fall, leggings and light jackets are the way to go!

The Sinclair Oil Dinosaur at a Gas Station in South Dakota.

Dress in Layers

When it comes to dressing for a road trip, layers are key. Even if it’s hot outside you never know when you’ll stop at a restaurant that’s colder than the arctic or be stuck with a driver who likes to keep the car’s air conditioner blasting extra high.

It’s always a good idea to bring an extra hoodie, jacket, or cardigan to throw on if it gets chilly. Likewise, keeping a pair of socks and leggings in your road trip bag is a good idea for layering up if you get cold.

For cold-weather road trips, it’s the opposite! You’ll want to dress in warm layers (Including coats, hats, and scarves) but want to make sure you can peel off a layer or two in a heated car or restaurant.

Yanekop Womens Sherpa Pullover Sweater Fuzzy Fleece Sweatshirt Oversized Hoodie Cozy Outerwear with Pockets(Khaki,2XL)

Fuzzy Pullover Hoodie

LifeShe Women's Casual Detachable Hoodie Denim Jacket

Denim Jacket

MEROKEETY Women's Open Front Lightweight Cardigan Long Sleeve Button Down Loose Outwear, Ginger, M

Lightweight Cardigan Sweater

Blue Whale of Catoosa on Route 66 in Oklahoma - Route 66 Roadside Attraction

Wear Comfortable Shoes

When preparing your road trip packing list, don’t forget your shoes! You’ll want your whole outfit to be comfortable, and that includes your feet. Ditch the heels and opt for flats or sneakers. Slip on tennis shoes are my favorite road trip shoes (I always pack a few pairs to match every outfit). If you love sandals make sure they fit tight if you’re driving (and be sure to pack flip flops…but save them for the hotel pool!).

JENN ARDOR Women's Stylish Slip On Sneakers No Laces Elastic Low Top Canvas Sneakers Trendy Flats Comfortable Casual Walking Shoes

Slip-on Sneakers

No products found.

Driving Loafers

Rocket Dog womens Jazzin Sneaker, Daisy Black, 8.5 US

Cute Printed Shoes

Yabba Dabba Doo Welcome sign at Flintstones Bedrock City in Williams, Arizona

Dress for Photos

Comfort should always come first when deciding what to wear on a road trip…but that doesn’t mean you can’t look cute with some road trip fashion! Whether you’re planning on traversing Route 66, cruising the Pacific Highway, or trekking through the Rockies, you’re probably planning to make lots of stops at the best roadside attractions, scenic overlooks, National Park backdrops, and more. So you’ll probably want to look your best for your Instagram selfies. Keep that in mind when choosing your road trip outfits.

Classen Inn Motel in Oklahoma City

Wear the Right Accessories

Accessories should always be among your road trip essentials. You never want to leave home without a pair of sunglasses, a big purse or backpack, a hat, and large scarf (that can do double duty as a fashion accessory, wrap for cold cars, and sarong at the beach). The right accessories not only can make or break an outfit, they can also make or break a road trip!

WMP Eyewear Round Sunglasses | Polarized UV Protection | Trendy Sunglasses for Women | Retro Designer Style

Polarized Sunglasses

Large Hobo Bags for Women with Tassel Leather Tote Shoulder Handbags with Adjustable Strap Top Handle Satchel Bag Retro Crossbody Purses for Travel Brown

Large Hobo Purse

ililily Premium Road Trip Vintage Distressed Snapback Trucker Hat Baseball Cap (as1, Alpha, m, Navy - Map)

Road Trip Hat

Pin this post about what to wear on a road trip to save for your next adventure:

Are you gearing up for a long car trip, packing your bags, and left wondering what to wear on a road trip? Read on for all my tips for comfy road trip outfits and more of what to pack in your luggage.  #RoadTripOutfitIdeas #RoadTripOutfit #RoadTripAesthetic #WhatToWearOnARoadTrip  #RoadTripPacking #RoadTripPackingCar #RoadTripPackingList #RoadTripPackingClothes #RoadTripPackingFOrAdults  #RoadTripPackingTips #RoadTripPackingEssentials #RoadTripPackingIdeas #LongRoadTripPacking
Are you gearing up for a long car trip, packing your bags, and left wondering what to wear on a road trip? Read on for all my tips for comfy road trip outfits and more of what to pack in your luggage. #RoadTripOutfitIdeas #RoadTripOutfit #RoadTripAesthetic #WhatToWearOnARoadTrip #RoadTripPacking #RoadTripPackingCar #RoadTripPackingList #RoadTripPackingClothes #RoadTripPackingFOrAdults #RoadTripPackingTips #RoadTripPackingEssentials #RoadTripPackingIdeas #LongRoadTripPacking
Are you gearing up for a long car trip, packing your bags, and left wondering what to wear on a road trip? Read on for all my tips for comfy road trip outfits and more of what to pack in your luggage. #RoadTripOutfitIdeas #RoadTripOutfit #RoadTripAesthetic #WhatToWearOnARoadTrip #RoadTripPacking #RoadTripPackingCar #RoadTripPackingList #RoadTripPackingClothes #RoadTripPackingFOrAdults #RoadTripPackingTips #RoadTripPackingEssentials #RoadTripPackingIdeas #LongRoadTripPacking

Are you gearing up for a long car trip, packing your bags, and left wondering what to wear on a road trip? Read on for all my tips for comfy road trip outfits and more of what to pack in your luggage.
#RoadTripOutfitIdeas #RoadTripOutfit #RoadTripAesthetic #WhatToWearOnARoadTrip #RoadTripPacking #RoadTripPackingCar #RoadTripPackingList #RoadTripPackingClothes#RoadTripPackingFOrAdults #RoadTripPackingTips #RoadTripPackingEssentials #RoadTripPackingIdeas #LongRoadTripPacking

Plan Your Road Trip

Valerie Bromann

Founder & ROad Trip Expert

Valerie Bromann is a a website manager, content creator, and writer from Chicago, Illinois (currently living in Dallas, Texas). As an avid road tripper who has visited hundreds of roadside attractions, Val always pull over for a world’s largest thing. Founder of Silly America and author of The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book, she visits, photographs, and writes about all the weird tourist destinations she visits and offers road trip planning advice and inspiration based on her own travels so you can hit the road for yourself.

World's Largest Mailbox in Casey, Illinois roadside attraction

Follow Valerie & Silly America

Last modified: December 17, 2023
Category: ,

Share this Post ⤵

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

BY Valerie Bromann

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.