Many of us are looking forward to a fall getaway or two. Maybe we'll drive to a little B&B in Vermont, rent a cabin in the Pacific Northwest, or head to the mountains where the leaves are putting on a show. We're only going for a long weekend, so we shouldn't need much.

But, fall has other ideas. Chilly mornings can turn into warm afternoons, rain can appear without an invitation, and we'll probably want something nicer than hiking boots when we head out for dinner.

So, let's pack the car without packing half the house.

1. A Jacket With a Hood

Have you ever left your B&B in the sunshine and, by the time you reach the scenic overlook, it starts to rain? That's fall.

A lightweight jacket with a hood earns its place because you can throw it over a sweater when the temperature drops without bringing a bulky winter coat.

Look for something water-resistant. An umbrella is useful, too, but a hood has the distinct advantage of already being attached.

2. One Sweater That Goes With Everything

This isn’t the weekend for four different sweaters. Bring one that works with jeans during the day, but still looks nice enough when you stop somewhere for dinner.

Pack a couple of lighter shirts to wear underneath it, and you can add or remove layers as the temperature changes. Bonus points if the sweater looks appropriately autumnal in photographs involving pumpkins.

3. Waterproof Shoes You Can Actually Walk In

Fall road trips have a funny way of involving more walking than we expected. There's the trail that we spotted from the road, the little downtown we want to explore, and the farm stand that somehow turned into an hour-long excursion.

Bring comfortable water-resistant shoes or boots with decent traction, and make sure you’ve broken them in before the trip.

Halfway through apple picking isn’t the time to discover those adorable new boots are actually instruments of torture.

4. A Few Cozy Accessories

This is where we can have a little fun with the packing list. Bring a lovely oversized scarf, a knit hat with a pom-pom, and a pair of fingerless gloves.

They don't take up much room, but they'll come in handy for chilly morning walks, coffee on the porch, or that scenic overlook where you’re staying longer than expected.

They'll also change up the same jacket and sweater you’ve been wearing all weekend.

5. A Small Crossbody Bag

The giant tote that accompanied you in the car doesn't need to accompany you everywhere else. A small crossbody is just big enough for a phone, wallet, and journal when you’re wandering around town.

It also leaves your hands free. That's important when one hand has coffee and the other has a cider doughnut.

6. A Little Car Kit

One advantage of a road trip is that everything doesn't have to fit into a tiny carry-on. Keep a small bag in the car with the things you’re likely to reach for throughout the weekend:

• Lip balm

• Hand cream

• Tissues

• Sunglasses

• Phone charger

• Reusable water bottle

• A couple of snacks

Add any medications or other personal items you don't want to bury at the bottom of your weekend bag. Then, you won’t have to unpack the car every time you need a tissue.

7. One Nice Outfit

You may be planning hikes, scenic drives, and afternoons wandering around little towns. Then, somebody recommends a wonderful restaurant with butternut squash ravioli. 

Pack an outfit that can handle dinner somewhere without requiring its own garment bag. A simple dress, pants and a shirt, or dark jeans with a nicer top will do. Your one hardworking sweater may even make another appearance.

8. A Foldable Tote and Some Empty Space

We know how this ends. You leave home with one weekend bag and come back with apple butter, a candle from the little shop downtown, something from an antique store, and a bag of cider doughnuts that wasn't supposed to survive the drive home.

A foldable tote takes up almost no room on the way there and gives you a place to put the extras on the way back home. 

Hit the Road

A long weekend doesn't require an outfit for every possible weather event. Bring a few pieces that can work together, something for the rain, comfortable shoes, and enough cozy accessories to handle those chilly mornings.

Then, leave a little room in the car because you never know what you’ll find along the way.

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