Pre-Trip: A Free Checklist to Close the House & Pack
- Updated: 01/30/2025
- Janice
To remember key pre-departure to-dos, I created a vacation prep checklist to use and reuse before leaving for any travel. I love checklists because they minimize pre-trip pain by allowing me to embrace a state of autopilot instead of last-minute panic.
With kids to pack, lessons to reschedule, and a dog to shuttle to the pet sitter with all his special stuff, I find a lot of work to do before getting out the door for a trip. Most of it is not very fun. Using a checklist makes it easier. And though I love to travel, I do not enjoy packing for trips, so I also included several items to help prepare for packing. Find my pre-departure checklist below.
Table Of Contents
Download the Checklist Here
To download and print this checklist, click here or the image below. Use the list so you, too, can be reassured that you have remembered everything when you lock your door, set your alarm, and roll away with your suitcase.
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One Month Before the Trip Tasks
To organize this checklist, I divided it into four sections: one month before the trip, one week before, one to two days before the trip, and the day of departure.
Here’s what to do one month before a trip:
- Create or update your trip packing list,
- If applicable, confirm your kids’ clothes and shoes still fit.
- Order or purchase items needed.
- If applicable, reconfirm pet sitter dates.
- If applicable, plan for car maintenance (e.g., oil change, car wash, etc.) for a driving trip.
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One Week Before the Trip Tasks
One week before the trip, complete tasks that require a small amount of lead time. These tasks include:
- If applicable, purchase more pet food (e.g., dog, cat, or fish food), if needed.
- If applicable, cancel or reschedule kids’ activities and lessons during the trip.
- Refill prescription medications you may need while traveling.
- Hold all regular deliveries, including mail, groceries, newspapers, etc.
- Confirm all ordered trip items have arrived.
- Let neighbors know you are leaving town. Ask them to water plants or collect packages, if needed.
One to Two Days Before the Trip Tasks
Give yourself time to complete the flurry of pre-trip demanding tasks one to two days before the trip. These include:
- Finish laundry.
- Pack.
- Make digital and paper copies of important travel documents (e.g., IDs, credit cards, emergency contacts), particularly for international travel.
- Share your itinerary with friends or family.
- Get cash, including small bills for tipping.
- Get gas, if needed, for a driving trip or travel to the airport.
- Pick up any final trip items needed.
- Book airport parking if needed.
- Find and download apps, books, and media (e.g., movies, TV shows, podcasts, etc.)for travel entertainment.
- Perform app and software updates for all devices.
- Charge all devices and backup batteries.
- Set vacation light timers.
- Check-in for your flight, if needed.
- Complete pre-trip travel documents, if needed, for international travel.
- Enable or pay for a mobile data plan if needed for international travel.
- Drop off your pet at the sitter (the day before or the day of, depending on departure time).
Day of Departure Tasks
Clean and close up the house. This is your last chance to complete it and tie loose ends before leaving. These tasks include:
- If applicable, contact the school if kids are missing classes.
- If applicable: Water plants.
- If applicable: Feed fish extended fish food.
- Run dishwasher.
- Reduce heat or air-conditioning to conserve and save on energy costs.
- Pull all street-facing shades, and ensure all windows are closed and locked.
- Tidy the kitchen—sweep and wipe down counters as necessary.
- Toss or freeze leftovers and other food that will spoil while you are gone.
- Empty all trash and compost.
- Unplug unnecessary appliances, including computers, as needed.
- If you want reassurance, take photos of your oven and stove in the off position. Do the same for locked doors or windows.
- Set the alarm, lock the door, ensure the car(s) are locked, and shut the garage door—if applicable. Have a great trip!
Final Musings
Your list may be slightly different depending on several factors, including your pets, your caregiving responsibilities, and your type of trip and its time of departure. However—and hopefully—the information I provided above will help you minimize the hassle of leaving home, let you further enjoy your trip, and be assured that you will be able to come home to things exactly as you left them!
Related Reading
Pair this checklist with these related articles to simplify your vacation’s packing and getting-out-the-door stage.
Additional Trip Planning Resources
To further help you with travel planning, I share my go-to resources for every trip below.
Google Flights. My first research stop for affordable flights for every trip. Learn why here.
Google Hotels. Use its “Where to stay” button to discover the best neighborhoods to base your visit.
Booking.com. For hotel and rental bookings, I appreciate its flexible cancellation, candid user reviews, discounts, loyalty program, and easy-to-use interface.
Viator, Get Your Guide, & Airbnb Experiences. Quickly find and book highly-rated tours and activities on these sites.
Google Travel Things to Do & Google Maps. Find more things to do in your destination on Google Travel, then record where you want to visit on a custom Google Maps list.
AllTrails. Love to hike? Me too. I religiously use AllTrails to discover hiking and biking trails and download its offline maps to manage my hikes.
Guide Along. 5-star self-guided audio tours that are GPS-compatible for US road trips and national parks. We loved the Glacier National Park tour.
Insure My Trip. I never travel internationally without trip insurance. Learn why here. My preferred place to shop and compare policies is InsureMyTrip.com.
Plus, check out the 15 travel apps I use on trips, my preferred guidebooks, and my free customizable travel itinerary template, downloadable in four file formats.
About the author: Janice Moskoff is a travel writer and founder of Gather and Go Travel, where she inspires families, friends, and couples to explore with confidence. A lifelong adventurer, she shares her passion for hiking, outdoor adventures, and beautiful destinations through curated guides and practical tips. With an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, her career spans retail strategy, event management, and textile manufacturing. Learn more about Janice and how to collaborate with her. Subscribe to her monthly Discovery Newsletter for travel tips and destination inspiration. Follow her on social media at @gatherandgotravel.
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Welcome to Gather and Go Travel, a blog inspiring families, adult friends, and couples to explore US and international destinations and to get outdoors. I am Janice, a world traveler to 50+ countries, a travel writer/blogger, and a book lover. Learn more about me, read our story, and how to work with me. Get my latest updates, how-tos, and trip ideas in my monthly Discovery Newsletter.
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2 Responses
Thank you for reading, and I am glad it helped.
Such a mindblowing checklist. I have planned a family trip for the next month and this post has helped me a lot in packing all the essential stuff required during the trip. Thanks!!